Eight die in West Bank bloodshed
Israel is strengthening its hold on Bethlehem
Eight Palestinians have been killed in clashes with Israeli forces in Palestinian-controlled areas of the West Bank - the largest loss of life in a single day of violence for two months.
Four Palestinian civilians were killed in the Bethlehem area, while two members of the Palestinian security forces died in Tulkarm and a Palestinian policeman and a member of the Islamic militant group Hamas were killed in Qalqilya, according to Palestinian sources.
At least eight people were wounded when Israeli helicopter gunships fired up to three missiles at a building in Bethlehem, Palestinian officials said.
Israel said it was taking action against the Palestinian Authority "to thwart terror activities from its territories," following the assassination by Palestinian militants on Wednesday of cabinet minister Rehavam Zeevi.
Since Friday, Israeli forces have entered six
Palestinian towns - Ramallah, Jenin, Bethlehem,
Tulkarm, Qalqilya and Beit Jala - in the largest
wave of incursions in more than a year of
fighting.
-- Anonymous, October 20, 2001