Finally, Arafat condemns suicide attacks

White House and the State Department officials had demanded that Arafat denounce the bombing in no uncertain terms, even as Israeli tanks swept into half a dozen West Bank towns on Saturday in defiance of US pressure to end their offensive. A day after the suicide attack, Arafat complied.

‘‘We strongly condemn the violent operations directed at Israeli civilians, especially the latest operation in Jerusalem,’’ Arafat said in a statement carried by the official Palestinian news agency WAFA and read on Palestinian television.

He also condemned ‘‘all acts of terrorism that target civilians, whether they are Israelis or Palestinians and whether this terrorism was state terrorism or by individuals or groups’’. Powell is examining the statement, source said.

Arafat’s statement urged Powell, the UN Security Council and the international community to take a first-hand look at the sites of the alleged massacres.

Tanks, however, rolled into the towns of Arabe, Hashmiyah and Al Yamoun and the village of Birqin and imposed strict curfews on inhabitants. All four places are close to the northern city of Jenin.

Troops also entered three villages near Nablus and Ramallah. The Army said it had arrested 40 Palestinians for what it called ‘‘terrorist activities’’.

Instead of meeting Arafat on Saturday, Powell met Christian religious leaders and international relief officials concerned about the humanitarian crisis caused by Israel’s assault. (Reuters)