Intensified Pressure on Arafat as Kidnapping Crisis Deepens

Strategic Insights -

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin has threatened to severely damage the peace process unless Chairman Yasser Arafat makes a serious effort to rescue the kidnapped Israeli soldier, Corporal Nachshon Waxman. Under intense pressure, Mr. Arafat sent his police to arrest dozens of militant Muslims and search for the missing soldier, involving over 9,000 Palestinian police in the operation.

As the crisis deepens, Mr. Rabin has taken a hardline stance, warning that the failure to rescue the soldier would have serious consequences for the peace negotiations. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority has vowed to crack down on the Hamas movement, with Mr. Arafat sounding "anguished" in a telephone call to US Secretary of State Warren Christopher, assuring him that he was doing everything possible to save the soldier's life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 9,000 Palestinian police were involved in the operation to arrest militant Muslims and search for Corporal Waxman.
  • Dozens of arrests were reported, as part of the Palestinian Authority's effort to crack down on the Hamas movement.
  • Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin has placed full responsibility on Chairman Yasser Arafat for the safety of Corporal Waxman.
  • The kidnapping threatens to cause a serious breach in negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority on Palestinian self-rule.
  • Hamas has a history of kidnapping Israelis, with none of the captives surviving in the nine previous instances.
  • The Palestinian Authority has promised to cooperate with Israel to resolve the crisis.
  • US Secretary of State Warren Christopher has been briefed by Mr. Arafat on the efforts to rescue the soldier.

Statistics:

  • 9,000 Palestinian police were involved in the operation to arrest militant Muslims and search for Corporal Waxman.
  • Dozens of arrests were reported, with prisoners numbering in the hundreds expected to be released in response to Hamas's threat.
  • 9 previous instances of Israeli kidnappings by Hamas, with no captives surviving.
  • The Palestinian Authority has vowed to crack down on Hamas, with a focus on restoring law and order in Gaza.
  • The peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian Authority are at risk of being severely damaged if the crisis is not resolved.

Sources:

  • Washington Post
  • Reuter