Release of Leader of Extremist Group Who Confessed to Assassination

A Palestinian court has ordered the release of the leader of an extremist group who confessed to the assassination of an Israeli cabinet member last year, stating that there is no evidence to prove his guilt. The order for the release of Ahmad Sa'adat, leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, immediately prompted Israeli leaders to warn the Palestinians. Israeli leaders have vowed not to allow him to be free. Israel claims that Mr. Sa'adat was involved in the murder of Rehavam Ze'evi, Israel's Minister of Tourism, last October. He was transferred to a Palestinian prison last month as part of an agreement that led to the lifting of the siege on Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah. Meanwhile, George Tenet, the head of the CIA, was preparing to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, while Israeli military operations in the West Bank continued today. According to Palestinians, Israeli soldiers entered the city of Qalqilya and a refugee camp in Nablus, conducting intelligence operations and arrests. Eyewitnesses reported that all male residents of the refugee camp, aged between fifteen and fifty, were ordered out of their homes and then taken by Israeli soldiers on buses for questioning. Meanwhile, according to Israeli officials, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is scheduled to meet with CIA Director George Tenet later today. Mr. Tenet is trying to implement his long-delayed plan for establishing a ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinians.