DATE=03/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

/// UPDATES CR 2-287539 ///

INTRO: U-S Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni has arrived in Israel amid a continuing upsurge in violence. As Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, at least four Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers died in fresh fighting in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

TEXT: The Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza when a powerful explosion went off near their Merkava tank, considered one of the most heavily armored vehicles in the world.

Israeli media reported one soldier was killed instantly, while the other two were burned alive inside the tank.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah at least four Palestinians were killed as the Israeli military continued to carry out a massive invasion of the city.

Tanks rolled down the mostly deserted streets as part of the largest Israeli military operation in at least 20-years.

Roving bands of Palestinian gunmen exchanged sporadic fire with Israeli soldiers.

In the biblical town of Bethlehem, Palestinian gunmen shot dead two suspected collaborators, tied one of the bodies to a truck and dragged it through the streets.

The gunmen tried to hang the body from a building on Manger Square, overlooking the sight where tradition says Jesus was born, but Palestinian police prevented the hanging.

Meanwhile, U-S envoy Anthony Zinni is meeting with top Israeli political and security officials as he begins his mission to negotiate a cease-fire.

U-S officials say the retired Marine Corps general is expected to meet with Palestinian leaders soon.

Israeli government spokesman Dore Gold says he hopes the envoy's mission is a success.

/// GOLD ACT ///

Israel feels that what is necessary now is to talk about the need to reach a cease-fire. Israel will not negotiate on the substance of peacemaking while our citizens and military are under this terrorist assault. We hope that General Zinni's mission works, but at the same time we will do what is necessary to defend our people from this illegitimate form of warfare imposed on us by Yasser Arafat's Palestinian Authority.

/// END ACT ///

Since the beginning of this month more than 160 Palestinians and 60 Israelis have been killed in the worst period of bloodshed since the current conflict began in September 2000. (Signed)

NEB/MB/KL