BETHLEHEM (voa) – Palestinian officials say a deal has been reached to end Israel’s siege at the Church of the Nativity in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.
The officials, speaking on the condition they remain anonymous, say the deal calls for six Palestinian militants inside the church to be deported to Italy.
They say another 30 would be escorted to the Gaza Strip, where they would reportedly be put on trial in Palestinian courts. Everyone else inside the church would be allowed to go free.
The Israeli army has kept the church surrounded for 33 days, saying it wants Palestinian militants who are holed up with civilians inside. Earlier today (Sunday), Palestinian officials gave Israel a list of 123 people inside the church, which is built upon the site where Christian tradition says Jesus was born.
Israeli officials have not confirmed the deal.
