The army, which once included Pakistanis, Palestinians and Arab residents of Kuwait who did not hold citizenship, is largely depleted, with numbers at about 5,000.

The council, a parliament-in-exile, includes many independent Palestinians who are not necessarily loyal to Mr. Arafat.

Still, those members who did accept Israel's offer of safe passage included several Palestinians whose names continue to inspire rage among Israelis.

It does not include Palestinians killed by Palestinian militants.

The campers, who included a few Israeli Arabs and Palestinians from East Jerusalem, clearly got the message.

Calling for elections that would also include Palestinians abroad, the posters declare, "No to splitting national unity."

Israeli leaders object to Arab demands that the delegation include Palestinians from outside the occupied territories.

This number did not include displaced Palestinians inside Israeli-held territory.

By 17 December the rebels, which included Palestinians, had won control of Yarmouk.

The group, which also included Palestinians and Egyptians, was called into formation early each morning and afternoon.