Israeli police storm holy site as Sharon threatens Arafat with assassination
After the initial clashes, thousands of Palestinians barricaded themselves in two mosques in the walled compound for about two hours, before police agreed to let them leave without threat of arrest.
More than 20 Palestinians were hurt and at least nine arrested in the most violent confrontations at the Al Aqsa Mosque compound, known to Jews as the Temple Mount, since fighting broke out in September 2000.
Hours earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said in published interviews that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Lebanese guerrilla chief Hassan Nasrallah could become targets for assassination. Mr Sharon's threats were the most explicit yet against his arch foes.
Mr Sharon also said he would withdraw from all of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank settlements of Ganim, Kadim, Homesh and Sanur, for the first time revealing the scope of his unilateral "disengagement" plan. His spokesman confirmed the remarks. Mr Sharon also said the withdrawal would be under way within a year.
Commenting on the bribe-taking suspicions against him, Mr Sharon said: "My hands are clean." Israel's chief prosecutor has recommended he be indicted, but the final decision is up to the attorney general who is expected to rule by the end of May.
Asked whether Mr Arafat and Mr Nasrallah are targets for assassination, Mr Sharon said: "I wouldn't suggest that either of them feel immune ... Anyone who kills a Jew or harms an Israeli citizen, or sends people to kill Jews, is a marked man."
Mr Sharon said Mr Arafat "has no insurance policy".
Palestinian officials said they are taking Mr Sharon's threats seriously. "With these threats, Sharon is threatening the future of the peace process in the region," said Mr Arafat's aide Nabil Abu Rdeneh.
