DATE=03/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-287538

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S)

BYLINE=MICHAEL DRUDGE

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Three Israelis and three Palestinians have been killed in the latest Middle East violence. The fighting continues just hours before the arrival of an American Middle East mediator. Correspondent Michael Drudge has more from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The Israeli army says Palestinian attackers detonated a roadside bomb outside the Jewish settlement of Netzarim in the Gaza Strip early Thursday. The blast killed three Israelis.

Israel Radio says the explosion occurred near a tank that was escorting a civilian convoy.

Meanwhile, in the West Bank, fighting continued in the city of Ramallah. Palestinian security officials say three Palestinians gunmen were killed in combat with Israeli soldiers early Thursday.

Area residents say Israeli tanks remain deployed in Ramallah and the West Bank town of Bethlehem, despite earlier reports of a pullback.

The violence flared just hours ahead of the arrival of American Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni, who will attempt to mediate a cease-fire between the Israelis and Palestinians.

However, senior Israeli and Palestinian officials are holding out little hope of progress given the current level of conflict. (Signed).

NEB/MWD/KL