Ariel Sharon, the Prime Minister of Israel, has apparently abandoned his condition that a week of calm must be established before starting ceasefire talks with the Palestinians. Mr. Sharon stated yesterday on Israeli television that negotiations regarding a ceasefire will take place while violence is still ongoing. This comes at a time when Anthony Zinni, the U.S. special envoy, is set to travel to the Middle East to facilitate a cessation of hostilities. Yesterday, Israeli forces killed at least 39 Palestinians in clashes that were unprecedented in intensity over the past seventeen months. Additionally, Palestinian officials say they have arrested the fifth and final suspect who was to be detained in connection with the assassination of a member of the Israeli government last year. Israel had made the arrest of all suspects in the murder of the Israeli tourism minister a condition for lifting travel restrictions on Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian leader.
U.S. Special Envoy's Visit to the Middle East - 2002-03-09
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has dropped his precondition for ceasefire talks with Palestinians, stating negotiations will proceed despite ongoing violence. This development coincides with U.S. envoy Anthony Zinni's upcoming visit to the region amid escalating clashes that resulted in the deaths of 39 Palestinians. The situation is critical as it highlights the ongoing tensions and the complexities of the peace process.
👥 Key Players
⚡ Actions
📰 What Happened
Israel's PM Sharon shifts ceasefire stance as U.S. envoy Zinni heads to the Middle East amidst violence.
- Ariel Sharon negotiate Palestinians
- Anthony Zinni facilitate cessation of hostilities
- Israeli forces attack Palestinians
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The shift in ceasefire negotiations indicates a potential escalation in violence.
📝 Key Evidence
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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