The imprisoned Palestinian leader, Ahmed Sa'adat, and other men sought by Israel surrendered to Israeli troops Tuesday after a siege lasting several hours, according to Deutsche Presse Agentur (dpa). Sa'adat and several of his followers reportedly emerged from the Palestinian prison in Ariha (Jericho) in the West Bank with their hands up, Israeli media reported, according to dpa. A spokesman for the Israeli defense forces, told reporters however, that the army's operation in Ariha was ongoing. Sa'adat and several men are wanted in connection with the murder of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavim Ze'evi in 2001. Palestine Liberation Popular Front, which reportedly claimed responsibility at the time, said the move is in revenge for the assassination of its former leader Abu Mustafa. Sa'adat replaced him in the leadership of the militia. A large Israeli force entered Ariha Tuesday morning to seize militants held in the jail for killing the Israeli minister. The incursion sparked a tense standoff with Palestinians in the oasis city and resulted in a wave of kidnappings in the Gaza Strip, according to dpa. Witnesses and Palestinian officials reported that at least two Palestinians, including a policeman and a militant, were killed, and six wounded when the large Israeli force stormed the prison. The Israeli army has said the prison was almost completely destroyed in the raid.
