Arafat decides to halt death sentence against Hamas members

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat decided to suspend the judgment issued by the Palestinian state security court to execute Major El-Attar and the life sentences handed down to two other young men in the issue of killing Refat Gouda.

A Palestinian source told ArabicNews.com today that Arafat held a meeting with a large delegation of Rafah's people and representatives of political factions and promised them that he would examine the decision of the court, issued this week.

The source added that it was agreed to declare the killed as martyrs of the Palestinian Authority, and all those who were detained in disturbances after the verdict would be released.

The source said the Palestinian Authority would form an inspection committee to look into the circumstances leading to the death of the two young men during the disturbances, which took place in Rafah.