Palestinians OK Pact; Hamas Activists Held

The Palestinian Authority approved the land-for-peace deal with Israel and vowed to confront with force any attempt by Islamic militants to sabotage the accord. Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat silenced his rivals--at least temporarily--in a swift move to preserve the agreement. Hamas founder Sheik Ahmed Yassin was under house arrest in Gaza City with his phone line cut. More than 100 Hamas activists were arrested in a 24-hour period. Senior figures in the group were seized and their phones were disconnected.