Military

DATE= 10/05/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS (L)

NUMBER=2-289642

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The nearly six week siege of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity has ended. Palestinian militants left the shrine, one by one, shortly after sunrise. Ross Dunn in Jerusalem has more on the story.

TEXT: The first to emerge from the Church of the Nativity were 13 wanted Palestinians, who were lead through metal detectors and searched by Israeli soldiers.

They were taken to an Israeli military camp outside Bethlehem for medical attention, before being flown to Cyprus.

The 13 are on Israel's most wanted list and Cyprus has said it will give them temporary sanctuary, while their final place of exile is determined.

Next to leave the church were 26 Palestinian militants who are to be sent to the Gaza Strip, under an internationally mediated agreement with Israel.

Others who were either trapped or stayed inside the Church voluntarily were priests, nuns, and civilians who are to be allowed to go free.

The Palestinian militants shot their way into the Church on April 2nd, as they were being pursued by Israeli troops.

Since then Israeli soldiers have surrounded the shrine, built over the spot where tradition holds Jesus was born.

The deal to end the siege is a compromise over Israel's original demand that the wanted Palestinians either surrender and stand trial in the Jewish State or agree to permanent exile.

It is understood that the militants' arms are being left behind in the church before being handed over to international mediators.

Families and friends of the wanted Palestinians clambered for vantage-points from the rooftops of Bethlehem, for what might the last glimpse of those due to go into exile. (SIGNED)

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