Mukataa (also spelled Muqataa, Arabic المقاطعة) is a compound of buildings which contain governmental offices and local administrative headquarters. The term Mukataa literally means "something separated" in Arabic, and in English is most commonly used to describe Palestinian government bureau and centers. Arabic ( or just ) is the largest living member of the Semitic language family in terms of speakers. ... The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ...

Palestinian Mukataas were mostly built during the British Mandate as Tegart forts and were used both as British government centers and as dwellings for the British administrative staff. Some Mukataas also included police stations and prisons. After the British left, the buildings often functioned similarly under the Jordanians, and then the Israelis. The term Palestinian has other usages, for which see definitions of Palestinian. ... Flag The approximate borders of the British Mandate circa 1922. ... A style of militarized police fortress constructed throughout Palestine during the British Mandatory period. ... A typical suburban police station in the United States (this one is in San Bruno, California). ...

After the Oslo Accords, the Mukataas were used as governmental offices and headquarters for the Palestinian Authority. The Mukaatas in Ramallah and Gaza, the two major Palestinian cities, were also used as headquarters to the high Palestinian Authority leadership, including as office for Yasser Arafat, long-time Palestinian Authority president. Yitzhak Rabin, Bill Clinton, and Yasser Arafat during the Oslo Accords on September 13, 1993. ... The West Bank The Palestinian National Authority (PNA or PA) is a semi-autonomous state institution nominally governing the bulk of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip (which it calls the Palestinian Territories). It was established as a part of Oslo accords between the PLO and Israel. ... Ramallah (Arabic:  ) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank of approximately 57,000 residents. ... Not to be confused with the Spanish name Garza or the Egyptian town of Giza. ... Mohammed Abdel Raouf Arafat al-Qudwa al-Husseini (August 24, 1929 – November 11, 2004; Arabic: ), popularly known as Yasser Arafat, was Chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organization (1968–2004) and President[2] of the Palestinian National Authority (1993–2004). ...

During Operation Defensive Shield in April 2002, the Israeli Defence Forces raided the Mukataas in the West Bank. Some Mukataas, including the Mukataa in Hebron, were entirely demolished. The Mukataa in Ramallah was partially destroyed. Combatants  Israel (Israel Defense Forces) Fatah (Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades & Tanzim) Hamas Palestinian Islamic Jihad Palestinian security forces Commanders Aluf Itzhak Eitan (Central commander) Strength Golani Brigade, Nahal Brigade, Paratroopers Brigade, 5th Reserve Infantry Brigade, 408th Reserve Infantry Brigade, Jerusalem Brigade(reserve), Shayetet 13, Armor and Engineering forces. ... 2002 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December A timeline of events in the news for April, 2002. ... The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) (Hebrew: צבא ההגנה לישראל Tsva Ha-Haganah Le-Yisrael ([Army] Force [for] the Defense of Israel), often abbreviated צהל Tsahal, alternative English spelling Tzahal, is the name of Israels armed forces... Arabic الخليل Government City Also Spelled al-Khalil (officially) al-Halil (unofficially) Governorate Hebron Population 166,000 (2006) Jurisdiction  dunams Head of Municipality Mustafa Abdel Nabi Hebron (Arabic:   al-ḪalÄ«l or al KhalÄ«l; Hebrew:  , Standard Hebrew: Ḥevron, Tiberian Hebrew: Ḥeḇrôn) is a city in the southern Judea... Ramallah (Arabic:  ) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank of approximately 57,000 residents. ...

Arafat's Compound

The Mukataa in Ramallah, also known as Arafat's Compound was raided by the Israel Defense Forces and later placed under siege. The IDF found in the Mukataa large amounts of illegal weapons as well as documents said to prove the Palestinian Authority and Arafat's involvement in terrorism. Palestinians asserted that weapons in the compound belonged to the guard and security services. The Mukataa in Ramallah was later partly demolished by IDF armored bulldozers in order to isolate Arafat's headquarters and lay siege to him and his associates, some of whom were wanted by Israel for alleged terrorist activities. Other buildings and shacks were torn down in order to expose illegal weapons, ammunition and explosives. Ramallah (Arabic:  ) is a Palestinian city in the West Bank of approximately 57,000 residents. ... Emblem of the IDF The Israel Defense Forces are part of the Israeli Security Forces. ... Terrorist redirects here. ... An armored Caterpillar D9 bulldozer used by the IDF. Armored bulldozers are a standard tool of combat engineering battalions, and the Israeli Defence Forces has gained notoriety for their use of armored bulldozers for urban warfare in the Al-Aqsa Intifada. ...

At the time of his departure for medical care in Paris in October 2004, Arafat was under house arrest in the compound for over two years. In the early days of November, when it was clear his death was near, several locations were mentioned as possible burial sites. Jerusalem was the first choice, but Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said he would not allow this; and so, following Arafat's death on November 11, the Palestinian leadership decided that he was to be "temporarily" interred in the Mukataa compound, pending the establishment of a Palestinian state and the transfer of his body to the Dome of the Rock compound on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Plans for Arafat to lie in state at the Mukataa prior to burial were canceled, because thousands of emotional mourners overwhelmed Palestinian security forces. Arafat was buried within the compound on November 12, 2004, and plans are for a mausoleum to be built on the site. City flag City coat of arms Motto: Fluctuat nec mergitur (Latin: Tossed by the waves, she does not sink) The Eiffel Tower in Paris, as seen from the esplanade du Trocadéro. ... October 2004 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December See also: October 2004 in sports Events Deaths in October • 29 HRH Princess Alice • 25 John Peel • 24 James Cardinal Hickey • 23 Robert Merrill • 19 Paul Nitze • 18 K. M. Veerappan • 16 Pierre Salinger • 10 Christopher... For other uses, see Jerusalem (disambiguation). ... The Prime Minister of Israel is the elected head of the Israeli government. ...   (Hebrew: , also known by his diminutive Arik אָרִיק) (born February 27, 1928) is a former Israeli politician and general. ... November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... It has been suggested that State of Palestine be merged into this article or section. ... The Dome of the Rock in the center of the Temple Mount, or Mount Moriah The Dome of the Rock (Arabic: مسجد قبة الصخرة, translit. ... The Temple Mount as it appears today. ... For other uses, see Jerusalem (disambiguation). ... is the 316th day of the year (317th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

External links

• IDF Bulldozers tear down the Mukataa (Waronline.org Forums)
• "Arafat buried in Ram Allah" (Aljazeera)