Palestinians fear chaos as Arafat’s health hangs in balance
Many in the West Bank and Gaza were glued to radio and television broadcasts mired in confusion over contradictory statements by the aides of the 75-year-old president on whether he had slipped into a coma at a French hospital.
Reports earlier in the day that he had died have been denied. But with signs pointing to sharp deterioration in his condition, Palestinians voiced worries about losing the man they revere as the father of their nationalist struggle, as well as the instability expected to be ushered in by his death.
