President Bush says Israel must withdraw its forces from Palestinian cities without delay - this, after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said the offensive will continue until Palestinian terrorists are crushed. The president, speaking in Knoxville, Tennessee, also said he expects the Arab world to condemn and act against terrorist activity. 

Spurning international appeals, Mr. Sharon told Israel's parliament earlier that the army hasn't finished dismantling the terrorist infrastructure. However, Mr. Sharon said he is willing to meet with moderate Arab leaders to discuss a comprehensive peace in the region. U.S. special envoy Anthony Zinni is delivering a message to Mr. Sharon from President Bush to reinforce demands for an immediate pull-out. A White House spokesman says the president "meant what he said, and expects Israel to act." 

In his speech to parliament, Mr. Sharon said the military operation -- which is now in its 11th day - was always intended to be for a limited time. He said Israeli forces will set up a buffer zone between Israel and the West Bank when they pull out. The Palestinian leadership reacted by saying Palestinians will resist what it called Mr. Sharon's criminal war. Fighting has been intense in the towns of Jenin and Nablus, the largest city in the Palestinian territory. The Israeli army says some Palestinian fighters have surrendered in Nablus - but this has not been independently confirmed. Israeli helicopter gunships were pounding the Jenin refugee camp. Israeli troops occupy most population centers in the West Bank. The Israeli army says it has detained more than 1,500 Palestinians during its offensive. It says troops have confiscated 2,000 rifles and uncovered many bomb-making laboratories. 

In Bethlehem, Israeli troops traded gunfire with Palestinians near the Church of the Nativity and a fire broke out in a building next to the holy Christian site. A Palestinian in the church says a Palestinian policeman trying to douse the fire was shot dead by Israeli troops. Israeli officials say Palestinian gunmen threw grenades and fired first. About 200 Palestinians, many with guns, remain holed up in the church where they took refuge last Tuesday. 

Some information for this report provided by AFP and AP.

Email this article to a friend.
Printer Friendly Version