Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon met with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher. "The prime minister said Israel has no intention of hurting Arafat and said Israel will not bomb the jails in which militants will be detained as Arafat fears," Sharon's office said. Israel on Wednesday gave Arafat 24 hours to round up Palestinian Islamic militants or face a new wave of attacks against key targets of his administration. Palestinian security officials told AFP that 180 people were rounded up since Saturday, including around 50 since the ultimatum was received. |