Military

DATE=5/3/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L)

NUMBER=2-289386

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: An Israeli army raid into Nablus, the largest Palestinian city in the West Bank, has killed at least two people. One soldier also died in the fighting that occurred as preparations began for a Middle East peace conference. Ross Dunn in Jerusalem has more on the story.

TEXT: Israeli troops, backed by tanks and armored personnel carriers, swept into Nablus, the commercial and financial center for Palestinians in the West Bank.

The soldiers destroyed a three-story building, and conducted house-to-house searches for suspected militants.

Palestinian snipers engaged in fierce gun battles with the soldiers in an attempt to drive the Israelis out.

The Israeli army says the raid, which lasted five-hours, was aimed at "preventing terrorist attacks and destroying Palestinian terrorist infrastructure."

In recent days, Israeli troops have mounted short raids into other West Bank cities.

Under pressure from the United States, Israel withdrew from the Palestinian cities following a month-long Israeli military offensive in the West Bank. Israeli officials said the goal of the offensive was to halt Palestinian terrorism.

The latest Israeli incursion occurred as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat welcomed a joint U-S / E-U initiative for a peace summit on the Middle East.

Secretary of State Colin Powell says preparations are underway for a summit this summer.

President Bush has warned Mr. Arafat that he should seize the moment and demonstrate real commitment to leading his people out of the current crisis with Israel. (SIGNED)

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