DATE=4/01/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-288215

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. In Ramallah, Israeli soldiers clashed with Palestinian gunmen as they continued their house-to-house search for wanted Palestinian militants and weapons. 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 morning. 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 Palestinian suspects.

And in Ramallah, Israeli troops clashed with Palestinian militants, firing into several buildings in 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.

In another development, Palestinian militants in Bethlehem executed a suspected collaborator and dragged the body through the streets. Palestinians say several more suspected collaborators were executed in the northern West Bank.

In Ramallah, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat remains isolated in his offices for a fourth day, surrounded by Israeli troops and tanks.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon calls Mr. Arafat an enemy of Israel, but says the military campaign to uproot Palestinian terrorist networks does not aim to harm Mr. Arafat personally. The Palestinian leader remains defiant and says he will never surrender.

Israeli security forces are also on high alert inside Israel, amid intelligence reports that more suicide bombers are on the loose.

Five suicide bombings in the past five days have claimed more than 40 victims. Terrorized Israelis have restricted their movements these days and venture out less frequently to restaurants and cafes. Israel's top police official is demanding that more security guards be posted in public areas, shops, hotels, and restaurants. (Signed)

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