'Arik is holding Arafat hostage against any bombings while said Prime Minister is away in Washington. Considering that every time Sharon comes to D.C. an attack against Israeli civilians is made, this isn't a bad idea. And after a tank shell was lobbed onto Arafat's nightstand, the message should be clear: peace and quiet (relatively) while I'm away or else. Since the IDF is still in Ramallah, I contend that this "hostage" strategy is in addition to whatever else the IDF is doing. As to whether it will work, who knows? Arafat is more than capable and willing of calling Sharon's bluff, though the risk that Sharon isn't bluffing is quite high.'