Military

DATE=4/08/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS-ALTERNATE (L-Only)

NUMBER=2-288442

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: Can be used as alternate to 2-288437 ///

INTRO: Fierce fighting continues in the northern West Bank cities of Jenin and Nablus, where Palestinian militants are battling Israeli troops. Israeli helicopter gunships attacked the refugee camp in Jenin, after Palestinian fighters there refused to surrender. Correspondent Laurie Kassman has more from Jerusalem.

TEXT: In Nablus, Israeli troops are battling Palestinian fighters for control of the city center, known as the Casbah.

Dr. Ghassan Hamdan is a Palestinian doctor working in an emergency clinic about 100 meters from the Casbah. In a telephone interview with V-O-A early Monday, he described the situation.

/// HAMDAN ACT ///

They began bombing the Old City, the Casbah, the whole night by helicopters. After that, many soldiers -- they entered the Old City from different sides. They began arresting, and I know they killed three persons in the Old City.

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Dr. Hamdan says soldiers also entered the emergency clinic Monday in their hunt for militants linked to suicide bombing attacks against Israelis.

Dr. Hamdan says ambulances have not been able to reach the injured. He says Israeli soldiers fired warning shots at a U-N vehicle and two Red Cross ambulances to keep them away from the clashes.

The medical relief worker says he has been confined to the emergency clinic ever since a tight military curfew was imposed on the city five days ago.

/// HAMDAN ACT ///

I can't go home. We have here about 12 persons, between (among) them doctors and first aid workers and volunteers.

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In Bethlehem, a standoff continues between Israeli forces and about 200 Palestinian gunmen hiding inside the Church of the Nativity.

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon told the Israeli parliament on Monday that Israeli troops will not storm the Christian holy shrine. The Palestinian gunmen inside the church refuse to surrender.

Michel Nasser runs the Bethlehem Peace Center. Reached by telephone at his home, Mr. Nasser says food supplies are running down, and trying to replenish them under the tight military curfew is too dangerous.

/// NASSER ACT ///

This morning, I ran out to get some bread, and the soldiers were behind me, and I almost got shot at, and I ran back to my house. They lifted only one day -- they lifted the curfew, and only for two hours. And food supplies are very short.

/// END ACT ///

In Jenin, to the north, Israeli soldiers, backed by tanks and helicopter gunships, are battling Palestinian militants in the main refugee camp there.

Despite mounting U-S and international pressure to end the military offensive in the West Bank now, Prime Minister Sharon says it will continue. (Signed)

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