DATE= 04/01/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (SHORT)

NUMBER=2-288202

BYLINE= ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

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INTRO: Israeli troops widened their operations into new areas of the West Bank Monday, on the fourth day of a campaign to halt Palestinian terrorism. The actions followed two Palestinian suicide bombings on Sunday, which killed at least 15 people and wounded more than 40 others. Ross Dunn in Jerusalem has more on the story.

TEXT: Israeli forces have moved into Bethlehem and Qalqilya in the West Bank.

In Bethlehem, Israeli tanks are reportedly stationed only a kilometer away from the Church of the Nativity, the traditional birthplace of Jesus.

And in Qalqilya, eight soldiers are reported wounded after a bomb exploded near them during searches for wanted Palestinian militants and weapons in the city.

The troop movements are part of what Israel is calling "Operation Defense Wall", that began on Friday with a siege against Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Mr. Arafat, remains under virtual house arrest in his office compound, surrounded by Israeli troops.

ROSS DUNN FOR VOA NEWS JERUSALEM.

NEB/RD/RH