In Bethlehem, heavy gunfire could be heard near the Church of the Nativity on Tuesday evening, with flares and gray smoke visible over the compound. The Israeli army confirmed sporadic gunfire exchanges around the compound, but said its forces were not entering it.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces conducted searches on Tuesday evening in the village of Isawiyah, north of Jerusalem. A curfew was placed on all Palestinian villages surrounding occupied Jerusalem to warnings of possible attacks.
Palestinian sources said that the Israeli army had imposed a curfew on the villages of Izriya and Abu Dis. According to these sources, tanks entered the villages and troops searched in homes.
Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier killed Tuesday afternoon a Palestinian in Hebron. The Palestinian attempted to stab the soldier, Israel's Army Radio reported.
(Albawaba.com)
© 2002 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
