DATE=03/14/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S-4th UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-287562 (CQ)

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

/// EDS: Re-running w/taking out the word "phased" in 5th graph from Text.///

INTRO: U-S Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni has launched a new mission designed to broker a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians. As Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, the peace mission began amid fresh fighting in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

TEXT: Mr. Zinni arrived and immediately went into meetings with top Israeli security and political officials.

U-S diplomats say he will hold talks with top Palestinian leaders very soon.

Near the West Bank town of Tulkarm, an Israeli combat helicopter fired missiles that killed a local leader of a Palestinian militant group and another man.

Also near Tulkarm, Israeli and Palestinian sources say a number of Palestinians were arrested by Israeli soldiers before the car they were riding was rocked by an explosion. Palestinian security sources said earlier that those riding in the vehicle had been killed.

In and around the West Bank city of Ramallah, at least five Palestinians were killed before Israel announced it was beginning a withdrawal from the city.

In the biblical town of Bethlehem, Palestinian gunmen shot dead two suspected collaborators.

Hours earlier, three Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza when a powerful explosion went off near their Merkava (chariot) tank. (Signed)

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