The P.L.O. and Israel have not yet agreed on the boundaries of the future autonomous area in Jericho, but Israeli army bulldozers flattened ground for new military headquarters less than three miles from the city. Gazans expect the Israelis to redeploy closer to the settlements and hope a less visible Israeli presence near Palestinian population centers will lower tensions. But as impressive as it may seem to Israel's Western friends, such a redeployment carries dangers. If it occurs before establishment of Palestinian authority, especially the police force, the Israelis may leave chaos in their wake. Both Palestinians and Israelis say weapons have poured into the Gaza Strip over the past few months.
Residents hear shooting every night.
Any Gaza City taxi driver is able to quote the going price of M-16 and Glilon automatic rifles and Uzi submachine guns. Members of Hamas say hundreds of activists in the Sheik Radwan quarter of Gaza City have been arrested by Israeli commando squads during the overnight curfews since the Feb. 25 Hebron massacre. The Israeli army apologized for the shooting - not because the Palestinians, who were carrying weapons, were shot without warning, but because they were Arafat's men. I.D.F. soldiers have orders to shoot to kill anyone carrying a weapon. You don't fire warning shots in a combat situation.