WEST BANK: PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI NEGOTIATORS EXPECTED TO MAKE A DEAL TO END STANDOFF AT CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY

Record ID: 400289

  • Title: WEST BANK: PALESTINIAN AND ISRAELI NEGOTIATORS EXPECTED TO MAKE A DEAL TO END STANDOFF AT CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY
  • Date: 6th May 2002
  • Summary: (W1) BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK (MAY 6, 2002) (REUTERS) NIGHTSHOTS: 1. LV PAN BETHLEHEM CITY SKYLINE; SLV CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY (2 SHOTS) 0.17 2. SLV ISRAELI TROOPS AND TANKS NEAR THE CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY; SLV ISRAELI TANKS POSITIONED NEAR CHURCH; SLV TROOPS RUNNING IN STREET; SLV MORE OF TANK NEAR CHURCH (5 SHOTS) 1.16 Initials
  • Embargoed: 21st May 2002 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: BETHLEHEM, WEST BANK
  • City:
  • Country: Palestinian Territories
  • Reuters ID: LVA3WR2NUOP0KFAY1OZRBXDPZKEJ
  • Story Text: Palestinian and Israeli negotiators were expected to
    end a standoff at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity on Monday
    (May 6) with a deal exiling Palestinians wanted by Israel to
    Europe or the Gaza Strip.

    In Tel Aviv, an Israeli Defence Ministry spokesman
    said no agreement had been reached but a senior Israeli
    security source said negotiations were still under way and
    that the main point of disagreement was how many men would be
    exiled and where.

    Scores of militants, Palestinian security men and civilians
    are in the church believed to mark the site of Jesus birth,
    having hidden there on April 2 to escape an Israeli sweep of
    the West Bank launched after a wave of Palestinian suicide
    attacks.

    Israeli troops have been trying to force militants in the
    church to surrender for trial in Israel or exile for their
    alleged role in attacks on Israeli civilians.

    Palestinian negotiators have proposed safe passage to Gaza
    or imprisonment under U.S. and British supervision, as in a
    deal under which six wanted Palestinians were jailed in
    Jericho in exchange for Israel lifting its siege of Arafat in
    Ramallah.

    Seven people inside the church have been killed by Israeli
    gunfire during the siege and several others wounded.


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