DATE=04/09/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-288486

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: At least 13 Israeli soldiers have died during fierce fighting (Tuesday) with Palestinian militants in the West Bank city of Jenin. As correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, at least 100 Palestinians have been killed during clashes over the last several days in the city's refugee camp.

TEXT: The Israeli military says the soldiers died in an ambush when a booby-trapped bomb factory blew up in the Jenin refugee camp.

The army says the soldiers were on the first floor of a building when explosives were detonated and the structure collapsed on them.

It was the single deadliest incident involving Israeli forces in more than 18 months of fighting with the Palestinians.

Soldiers have been searching for Palestinian militants and weapons in the Jenin refugee camp, which has been the scene of heavy fighting during Israel's 12-day offensive in the West Bank.

Also Tuesday, Israeli forces raided the West Bank town of Dura, near Hebron to search for wanted men. At least three Palestinians were reported killed during the raid.

Before dawn, Israeli troops pulled out of Qalqilya and Tulkarm, but soldiers are maintaining a tight blockade around the cities.

Israel launched its massive military operation in the West Bank after a series of Palestinian suicide bombings killed dozens of Israelis.

The Jewish state has been under pressure from the United States and other countries to withdraw from Palestinian-ruled areas. (Signed)

NEB/MB/MEM