‘Israeli forces took up positions in buildings near Yasir Arafat’s compound in Ramallah today, two days after they complied with American demands and lifted a 10-day siege.

Defense Minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer said that the new arrangement was intended to enable Israel to “put its hands on all those inside who are suspects if they try to come out.”

Palestinian officials said that the Israelis had not truly abandoned the siege, put in place after a suicide bomber killed six Israelis in Tel Aviv on Sept. 19. Nabil Aburdeineh, an adviser to Mr. Arafat, said that it remained dangerous for the Palestinian leader and others to leave or enter the compound. “They are deceiving the Americans,” he said of the Israelis.’ NY Times