DATE=11/30/2002

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-296964

BYLINE=LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israel says it has arrested some 55 Palestinians wanted in connection with terrorist activities in operations over the past 24 hours. Larry James reports from Jerusalem that among those arrested is a long-sought commander of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.

TEXT: Israeli authorities say the man, Majid al-Masri, was arrested near the West Bank city of Nablus.

His detention, and that of the others rounded up, followed a renewed pledge by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to hunt down those responsible for attacks on Israelis.

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades says it carried out the attack on the northern Israeli town of Beit Shean on Thursday night, in which six Israelis were killed and more than 20 wounded.

Also on Saturday, Palestinian medical workers said a 16-year-old youth was killed by fire from Israeli troops in the Gaza City area.

Israel is still reeling from two attacks in Kenya on Thursday. In one, three suicide bombers killed themselves and 12 others, including three Israelis, at an Israeli tourist hotel near Mombasa. The second attack was a near-miss, which occurred when two missiles were fired at an Israeli airliner as it took from Mombasa airport. (Signed)

NEB/LDJ/ALW/TW