Israeli troops continued to pound the West Bank cities of Nablus and Jenin Sunday, despite fresh U.S. demands for Israeli withdrawal from the cities it has occupied in its current offensive. 

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon defended the offensive at the beginning of his weekly cabinet meeting. He told Israeli television that Israel has no interest in dragging out the campaign, but he said "we have to do the job." 

Israeli troops have occupied most population centers in the West Bank but continue to run into stiff opposition in Nablus and Jenin, both strongholds of Palestinian militant groups. The army said it has killed 30 Palestinians in Nablus since Friday. Palestinians put the number dead at 27. 

Israel's army chief of staff, General Shaul Mofaz put the overall Palestinian death toll since the drive began at 200 killed. He said 14 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded since the operation began 10 days ago. 

Independent verification of the totals was impossible because journalists have been barred from the area. 

Palestinians say Israeli forces have now moved into villages near Ramallah, including Beit Rima and Koubar. Soldiers are also still deployed inside Ramallah, as well as Nablus, the largest city in the West Bank. 

Meanwhile, in Bethlehem, at least 200 Palestinians, including gunmen, remain holed up in the Church of the Nativity for a sixth day, surrounded by Israeli forces. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP.

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