DATE=03/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-287546

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

/// EDITORS NOTE: ZINNI DUE TO ARRIVE APPROX 1430 UTC / 9:30 am EST ///

/// UPDATES CR 2-287538 ///

INTRO: U-S Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni is arriving (has arrived) in the region 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 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 scale Israeli military operation in at least 20-years.

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. (Signed)

NEB/MB/KL/FC