Israel closes Palestinian police stations

Israeli troops closed Palestinian police and TV stations in Hebron early today as they searched homes and blocked off roads in a crackdown on suspected militants.

The military said the operation was in response to a series of shooting ambushes in Hebron. Since November 15, 18 Israelis have been killed in such attacks.

The Hebron sweep came two days after Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s election victory. In a sign that he will stick to his tough policies against the Palestinians, Sharon rebuffed Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat’s offer to resume peace talks.

Sharon reiterated allegations that Arafat encourages attacks on Israelis, and said he would only negotiate with Palestinians who were not engaged in violence.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said Sharon’s refusal to talk “is a reflection of the policies of the next government of Israel – a frozen peace process, deterioration and escalation, and attempts to dictate rather than negotiate.”

In today’s Hebron sweep, tanks rumbled in as soldiers patrolled on foot.

Six roads were closed to Palestinian traffic, and troops searched homes, witnesses said. Israeli reports said five Palestinians were arrested.

Soldiers closed three Hebron police stations and freed criminals held in adjacent lock-ups, the Palestinian police commander in the city, Khaled Madoun, said.

He accused Israel of trying to create more chaos in the Palestinian areas.

“It is Sharon’s policy to destroy the last remnant of the Palestinian Authority in Hebron, the police force,” Madoun said. “The Palestinians cannot even feel safe from criminals.”

Israel has accused Palestinian police officers of taking part in attacks on Israelis or doing nothing to stop them.

Palestinians say the targeting of its security forces is part of an Israeli campaign to dismantle the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli soldiers also closed two local TV stations and a radio studio, broadcasters said.

Khaled Masade, director of the Nauras TV station, said his station was closed, even though it broadcast only music shows and films.

In its statement, the army made no reference to the closing of TV stations.