NABLUS (voa) – Israeli forces have pushed into the West Bank’s largest city, Nablus, as Israel’s offensive against Palestinian militants enters its seventh day.
Amid heavy fighting, Israeli tanks and troops have reportedly reached downtown Nablus and encircled three adjacent refugee camps. Witnesses say Palestinian fighters poured out heavy machine gun fire as Israeli forces entered the city. But the tanks blasted through makeshift barricades the Palestinians had set up in anticipation of the Israeli move.
A Palestinian woman in downtown Nablus was killed when a shell hit her apartment. At least eleven other Palestinians and one Israeli soldier were killed in Wednesday’s fighting throughout the West Bank.
The Palestinian Authority is urging Palestinians to mobilize for what it calls a “prolonged struggle” against the Israeli invasion. The statement issued Wednesday also said the United States could make Israel halt its offensive if it chose to.
Since Friday, Israeli forces have re-occupied eight West Bank towns despite mounting international calls for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to pull out his troops. Israel says its operation is aimed at rooting out terrorists and preventing attacks on Israelis.
In Bethlehem, Israeli forces continue to surround more than 100 Palestinian gunmen who took shelter in the Church of the Nativity. Negotiations are reportedly underway to end the two-day standoff at the Christian holy site.
In all, between 200 and 400 people have taken refuge in the church, according to various accounts, including armed men and civilians. Both sides say they have ordered their men not to shoot.
A number of U.S. and British nationals were evacuated from Bethlehem Wednesday by diplomats from their home countries.
Five Italian journalists and an Armenian colleague were also evacuated. One of the Italian journalists, Marc Innaro, says the gunmen inside the church do not intend to surrender.
