CNN's Mike Hanna on continued Palestinian protest

(CNN) -- Deadly violence between Palestinian protestors and Israeli forces continued in the West Bank and Gaza on Monday, October 9, despite a deadline set by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. Barak issued a warning to Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat on Saturday to end the violence or the peace process would end and Israeli military would use whatever force necessary to restore calm. At least 89 people have been killed and up to 2,000 injured in the fighting which began September 28.

Mike Hanna is a senior correspondent for CNN. He reports on international breaking news from the Middle East, Africa, and Central and Eastern Europe.

Chat Moderator: Thank you for joining us today, Mike Hanna, and welcome.

Mike Hanna: Thank you. Welcome to everyone in the chat room.

Question from Verge: Can we have the latest news? What is happening as far as the deadline is concerned?

Mike Hanna: Well, the deadline as set by Ehud Barak came into effect when the sun went down. However, the Palestinians had rejected Mr. Barak's ultimatum from the time it was made, contending that it is the Israeli government that is responsible for the violence, not the Palestinians.

Question from CatStarr: Mr. Hanna do you think Sharon knew what the outcome would be of his visit to the holy site?

Mike Hanna: Ariel Sharon has publicly stated that he regrets the loss of life that has occurred in the wake of his presence at the Holy site in the Old City, but he has continued to maintain that as a Jew, he had every right to be at a place he calls the Temple Mount. Palestinians, and the Arab world in general, continue to insist that Mr. Sharon's presence at a site they call the Noble Sanctuary was a direct cause of this current conflict and the resultant loss of life.

Question from Eric: Mr. Hanna, what can Mr. Arafat possibly hope to gain from the continued violence?

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RELATED TRANSCRIPT CNN's Jerrold Kessel: Mideast violence and the peace talks

Mike Hanna: Mr. Arafat has maintained that it is not he or the Palestinians who are responsible for the violence. The Palestinians have denied the Israeli contention that the Palestinian protests have been organized and premeditated, insisting that it is a spontaneous demonstration of public anger which is very difficult, if not impossible, to control.

Question from Gummybear: Mr. Hanna, if Israel does send in the full military, who all can be expected to join the conflict?

Mike Hanna: Once again, the Palestinians have argued that Israel has already deployed its forces within Palestinian-controlled territories, arguing that it is the very presence of these forces that is continuing to fuel the conflict.

Question from HC: Will Clinton be meeting with the different factions to resolve this?

Mike Hanna: The United States is reportedly exploring whether another summit meeting between the leaders would be possible, and would help lead to a cessation of hostilities. President Clinton has made it clear that he is prepared to travel to the region, should the leaders want him to.

Question from Angolmois: How much control does Chairman Arafat really have over the Palestinian fighters? Can he really order them to cease fire?

Mike Hanna: Mr. Arafat and the Palestinian leadership say they have instructed the security chiefs to attempt to restore order, but say they cannot as easily instruct the Palestinian people to end their protests.

Chat Moderator: What is the biggest obstacle to those on the ground trying to bring things back to normal?

Mike Hanna: The greatest danger, it would appear, is the conflict achieving an energy of its own, reaching a level where even if the leaders of both sides agreed to cease hostilities, they would not be able to implement such an agreement on the ground.

Question from Mar: Given that Hezbollah is involved, what is the danger of Syria and/or Iran becoming directly involved?

Mike Hanna: The capture of three Israeli soldiers by Hezbollah guerillas is regarded by mediators as a dangerous development. It raises the possibility that the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians could spread into and involve other countries in the region, such as Syria and Lebanon.

Question from Blort: Mike, how do you think the majority of Palestinians feel about the violence and the Palestinians who are involved with it?

Mike Hanna: From everything we have heard on the ground, it appears clear that many Palestinians believe they are fighting a battle to liberate Jerusalem, something they believe their negotiators have not been able to do at the negotiating table. But the dominant view we have heard from many on both sides is that real discussions, with a definite conclusion, would be far preferable to this ongoing conflict.

Question from Aloha: Mr. Hanna, is an inquiry by an international commission as to the cause of the violence likely?

Mike Hanna: Israel has continued to insist that it will not accept an international commission to investigate the violence. It says the violence should be reviewed by Israelis and Palestinians, subject to U.S. review. The Palestinians want a wider commission involving other international groups and nations. It is on this point that the attempt to get an agreement in Paris failed.

Chat Moderator: How has the violence affected the observance of Yom Kippur?

Mike Hanna: Within areas that are largely Jewish, the violence has had little effect on the observance of Yom Kippur. One must point out that much of the conflict has occurred within the Palestinian territories, and not within Israel proper.

Chat Moderator: Do you have any final thoughts to share with us?

Mike Hanna: I would like to thank everyone for their interest and for their concern.

Chat Moderator: Thank you for joining us today.

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