Cities left under blockade in the line of Israeli fire

Israel has declared an end to what it called the first stage of its West Bank offensive by withdrawing its forces from the centre of Nablus and parts of Ramallah while setting up blockades of both cities.

After its biggest ground operation since it invaded Lebanon 20 years ago, Israel has left troops poised inside Palestinian-controlled territory for further strikes.

Soldiers and tanks continued to occupy the Ramallah compound of the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, and to surround the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem's Manger Square. Israel is insisting that wanted men it believes to be inside the two places should be handed over.

Palestinian ministers denounced Israel's part withdrawal of troops as a sham.

The European Union issued "a serious warning against any act of force carried out against the headquarters of the Palestinian Authority in Ramallah, which could endanger the physical security of President Arafat and the [other] people there".


On Sunday a team of more than 25 international sympathisers, who thought an attack was about to be launched on the headquarters, tried to break through the Israeli Army cordon and join Mr Arafat as human shields.