VOA News

Nine young Palestinians and two bodies have been evacuated from Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, where Palestinian gunmen have been under siege by Israeli forces for more than three weeks. 

Two Franciscan monks escorted the young people out of the church under an arrangement with the Israeli army. The bodies of two Palestinians killed by earlier gunfire at the Christian shrine were carried out and taken away in an ambulance. Israeli troops questioned the nine youths and gave them food and a medical check-up. 

While the evacuation was underway, Israeli troops fired smoke bombs to obscure the view of journalists trying to watch what was happening. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators agreed earlier to allow ten to 15 teenaged Palestinians to leave the besieged church compound. 

At least 200 people, including Palestinian gunmen and church workers, have been holed up under Israeli army siege in the church since April 2. Food is becoming scarce and sanitary conditions are worsening. 

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators held further talks Thursday to end the stand-off - but failed to reach an agreement. 

Israel says about 30 wanted men among the besieged must stand trial in Israel or go into exile. Palestinians reject that and instead suggest the men be escorted to the Gaza Strip. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and AFP. 

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