Amid the rubble of Jenin, Palestinians bury their dead

The Palestinians came back to Jenin to bury their dead yesterday. They came in their hundreds back to the dust and rubble that used to be their homes. Those who found the bodies of their loved ones buried them in white shrouds, some with tributes of purple flowers, some with their names in red. Men stood in the freshly dug graves to lay the bodies to rest, while all around the women wailed.

And the machine-guns echoed. Some said it was Palestinian fighters firing in tribute; others said it was Israeli soldiers firing at those trying to drive here on the roads.

The Palestinians were able to return because the Israeli army withdrew from Jenin, but it only withdrew so far. And in defiance, the Palestinians festooned the ruins of their homes with flags and banners. A huge Palestinian flag was draped across the rubble and the green flag of Hamas flew over the refugee camp for the first time since the Israeli onslaught.

Seven Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces occupying Ramallah yesterday, including two who the army said were trying to infiltrate a Jewish settlement. Among the dead were two boys, aged nine and 14.

The bloodshed came as a suicide bomber from Islamic Jihad blew himself up at an Israeli military checkpoint in the Gaza Strip, injuring two soldiers. The return of violence to Gaza raised fears that Israel might try to repeat its massive military operation in the West Bank inside the strip.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mary Robinson, cancelled her fact-finding mission to the West Bank and Gaza Strip yesterday after Israel refused to provide the necessary help.