AROUND THE CLOCK COVERAGE

News Update from 6:00 AM GMT to 10:00 AM GMT

Two Israeli Soldiers Killed in Jenin, Fighting Escalates: The death toll continues to rise in Jenin’s refugee camp, near the city of Nablus. Two Israeli soldiers were recently killed in the clashes. Israeli forces have failed many attempts to penetrate the camp in past days. The camp is being shelled from land and air, and the death toll is said to be rapidly increasing, yet there are no precise numbers at this time. The approximate size of Jenin’s refugee camp is 500 meters by 500 meters.

Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity Ablaze: The Church that marks the birthplace of Jesus, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is in flames. 200 clergy and residents are still seeking refuge within the burning structure. There are parts of the church that have been left unharmed. A man trapped inside the church was killed by an Israeli sniper as he attempted to quench the fire, according to one of the clergy members trapped inside the church.

News Update from 12:00 AM GMT to 4:00 AM GMT

Apaches Bomb Jenin Again at Dawn: Following an Israeli order, broadcast by loudspeakers, for the people of the Jenin refugee camp to assemble at a mosque in the camp, Israeli Apache helicopters began intensive shelling of the camp.

The Israeli warning indicated that those who do not follow orders would be bombed in their homes. Apparently, none of the residents assembled at the mosque as instructed. Palestinians feared an Israeli massacre, which they say has been taking place in the camp for three days. Scores of Palestinians were killed and hundreds more wounded in failed Israeli attempts to penetrate the camp.

Church of Nativity Under Attack: Heavy shelling has been reported in the area surrounding the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where 200 Palestinians sought shelter following the Israeli invasion of Bethlehem a few days ago. Electricity ahs been cut off from the church, a step that has often preceded Israeli raids.

More Israeli Forces Deployed to Arafat’s Office: Additional Israeli army forces have been deployed around the office of Palestinian President Yasser Arafat, where the man has been besieged with a few of his associates and some internationals for several days. It is unclear whether the additional forces are an indication of an Israeli move to raid the office.

Residents of Jenin ordered to assemble, Palestinians fear new massacre: (12: 45 AM GMT) The Israeli army has ordered, using loud speakers, the residents of the Palestinian refugee camp of Jenin to assemble in an open area in the camp. Palestinians fear that a massacre similar to the Sabra and Shatilla in Lebanon, where 4,000 Palestinians were butchered in cold blood, will take place in the camp tonight. The Israeli army said that if any resistance at any of the camp’s houses was displayed, the entire house will be bombed and destroyed. So far, over 100 Palestinians were killed in the camp and scores remain buried under the rubble of their homes.

Jenin: Scores of Dead Palestinians Buried Under Rubble of Their Homes: Several mass graves have been opened in the Jenin refugee camp to bury the bodies of many of those killed in the past several days. Fighting has been raging for nearly a week, when Israeli forces attempted to penetrate the small refugee camp. The number of dead Palestinians has mounted, especially yesterday and today. Many bodies are scattered in the streets, estimated at over 120. However, entire families are said to have been buried under the rubble of their homes when Israeli tanks destroyed dozens of homes, in order to open new battle fronts. The battles in and around this small refugee camp, where 15,000 Palestinian refugees live, have been led by the head of the Israeli military, Shaol Mofaz.

Heavy Israeli Casualties: The head of the Israeli military Shaol Mofaz admitted in a press conference today that at least 13 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 120 more have been wounded, 20 seriously, in the failed attempts to invade Nablus and Jenin. Residents of Jenin and Nablus, whose casualties are now estimated in the hundreds, vowed to fight until the end, and to continue to block the progress of the Israeli tanks, that have so far destroyed hundreds of homes, burned mosques and destroyed commercial centers.