Jerusalem - Israel has been informed of a sudden deterioration in Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's health, a senior foreign ministry official said on Thursday.
The ageing politician is being treated in a Paris hospital.
"The office of the foreign minister (Silvan Shalom) has been informed of a sudden deterioration in the health of Arafat," the official told reporters.
The independent Maariv daily said the 75-year-old Palestinian leader lost consciousness several times on Wednesday, before being transferred to intensive care in the hospital, where is being treated for blood and digestive disorders.
Quoting unnamed officials from the Israeli defence ministry, the paper said Arafat's health was "serious, even very serious".
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In Paris, an aide said on Wednesday that Arafat had been rushed to intensive care in the Percy military hospital, but that his life was not in danger.
The veteran symbol of the Palestinian struggle for statehood was flown to France from his West Bank headquarters last week for tests and treatment for his illness that has yet to be identified.
Palestinian officials have said French doctors have ruled out cancer and leukaemia as well as poisoning.
No time limit has been set for Arafat's stay in France, and one official said it could be several weeks.
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