DATE=4/01/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-288214

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israel has expanded its military operations beyond Ramallah to several other Palestinian towns and villages in the West Bank. V-O-A Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports that several injured Israeli soldiers were evacuated from Ramallah by helicopter.

TEXT: Israeli tanks have pulled back to the edge of Bethlehem in the West Bank after rolling into the town center earlier in the day. They remain on the outskirts.

A teenage suicide bomber who blew herself up at a Jerusalem supermarket on Friday came from Bethlehem.

Israeli troops remain in the neighboring town of Beit Jala, which has been put under curfew. Palestinian snipers have used the area to shoot at a Jewish neighborhood across the valley.

Israeli forces have taken control of the northern West Bank town of Qalqilya, which is considered a militant stronghold. Eight soldiers were injured when a bomb exploded near them as they searched for wanted Palestinian militants.

And in Ramallah, Israeli troops have clashed with Palestinian gunmen, firing into several buildings n the town center. Residents have not ventured out of their homes for fear of being shot at. Ramallah is under a day-and-night curfew.

Israel's military says it has detained more than 500 Palestinians for questioning and confiscated large amounts of weapons. (Signed)

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