Sharon vows to expand offensive into Gaza Strip

RAMALLAH, West Bank -- Israeli forces clamped down harder on the West Bank on Monday as Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon pledged to widen his military offensive against Palestinian extremists to the Gaza Strip, where a helicopter strike killed four Hamas members.

Israeli forces control six of the eight main Palestinian cities and towns in the West Bank: Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm and Bethlehem.

At least 600,000 Palestinians in the West Bank were confined to their homes by army curfews, although restrictions were briefly lifted in Nablus and Qalqilya so residents could shop and go to school.

A major six-week military offensive earlier this year that was aimed at wiping out militias behind terror attacks also focused on the West Bank, leaving the Gaza Strip -- where top militia leaders are based -- largely unscathed. This time, however, Sharon warned Gaza would not be spared.

"We are preparing massive activity against Hamas in the Strip," Sharon said, adding that it had begun with the Israeli helicopter missile strikes on two cars Monday morning in the southern Gaza Strip. He did not say what might follow.

Six Palestinians were killed in the missile strikes in Rafah, and five Palestinians were injured. Four of the dead belonged to Hamas, the group said.

Israel said it targeted and killed Yasser Rizik, a "senior Hamas activist" who was allegedly behind a January attack that killed four Israeli soldiers.

After the strike, Hamas renewed its threats against Israel as Israeli and Palestinian authorities cracked down on the group, which has carried out scores of suicide bombings against Israelis.

"We emphasize our right to continue the jihad (holy war) and resistance, and to intensify the martyrdom operations," Hamas said in a statement. "Martyrdom operations" is the term Hamas uses for suicide attacks.

Palestinian police also surrounded the Gaza City home of Hamas spiritual leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin early Monday, and Palestinian authorities said he was under house arrest. However, Yassin invited journalists inside later in the day and said he was unaware of any such order.

"No one has informed me about any house arrest decision, and there is no agreement -- and there is no preparation -- for any house arrest," Yassin said.

Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians in the Hebron area Monday, most of them Hamas members. Palestinian authorities also have said they had arrested dozens of Hamas members in Gaza in recent days.

In Ramallah, the Palestinian political headquarters in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers took up positions around Arafat's offices, where a bulldozer quickly barricaded the front gate and nearby streets with stones and debris.

More than 20 tanks were parked on the streets that surround Arafat's compound as of Monday afternoon, and forces fanned out throughout Ramallah, imposing a curfew on residents of the city and adjoining al-Bireh.

Arafat was inside the compound with security aides and was not harmed.

Israel forces have besieged Arafat's compound on and off since last December, and Monday's action marked the third time this month to troops have surrounded his offices, which now consist of battered and scorched buildings that cover a full city block.

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