Military

DATE=04/16/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-288774

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Israeli tanks and troops are continuing to raid Palestinian villages in the West Bank, as part of a massive military operation to arrest militants and confiscate weapons. Correspondent Meredith Buel has details from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Israeli soldiers, backed by armor, rolled into Abu Dis, Izzariyeh and Sawahra A-Sharkiyeh -- all Palestinian villages near Jerusalem.

Troops declared a curfew, confining tens of thousands of residents to their homes.

Israeli soldiers, supported by combat helicopters, also briefly entered Tulkarem in an incursion the army says was aimed at making arrests.

The raids came after Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon promised President Bush that Israel would pull out of the West Bank cities of Jenin and Nablus within a week.

The Israeli leader says the military will remain in Ramallah and Bethlehem.

Mr. Sharon is demanding the surrender of about 200 Palestinians hiding in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, built over the site where tradition says Jesus was born.

Meanwhile, Israel has re-opened the notorious desert detention camp of Ketziot to house some of the thousands of Palestinians arrested in recent weeks.

The camp, in the Negev Desert, exposes prisoners to biting cold, searing heat as well as rats, snakes and scorpions. (Signed)

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