Various sources are reporting that Arafat will fly to Paris for treatment of whatever it is that ails him.
And, it sounds like Israeli authorities have stated that they will allow him back in (a reversal of their earlier position).
From MSNBC
"Doctors have decided to fly ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to Paris for treatment, as associates described an Palestinian leader who was too weak to stand Thursday, appeared confused and spent most of the day sleeping."
more...
"Arafat has been confined to the sandbagged, partially demolished compound by occasional Israeli military blockades and by threats that he would not be allowed to return if he leaves.
However, Israeli security officials said Thursday that Israel is ready to guarantee Arafat's return should he seek treatment abroad. Israel is doing everything it can to avoid being blamed for Arafat's health problems, officials said."
I had originally thought if Arafat died, that this might be version of an October surprise (BTW, how many of those have involved events in the Mideast?), but not now.
I was thinking that there would be huge fallout if he died in captivity. But allowing him to go to Paris will serve to insulate the Sharon government to a certain degree.