Israel strikes at top militants

Israeli forces have stepped up attacks on West Bank towns in their operation to root out Palestinian militants.

More than 20 Palestinians are said to have been killed in the fighting on Friday, which focused on Nablus and Jenin and two refugee camps nearby.

In the village of Tubas, near Jenin, rocket-firing helicopters were reported to have killed six militants including Qais Idwan, a senior member of the Hamas organisation.

As diplomatic efforts to end the crisis continued, US Secretary of State Colin Powell told Israel on Friday it should withdraw from Palestinian areas "without delay".