Israels say they will "finish the job," Palestinians cry "massacre"

Deadly battles raged through the West Bank, with 54 people reported killed as Israel vowed it would not end its army assault on the Palestinians until they "finish the job."

The Palestinians accused Israel of a brutal massacre and appealed for urgent help to stop the onslaught, saying dozens of Palestinians were wounded in the streets and cut off from ambulances by Israeli blockades.

"Every hour counts," top negotiator Saeb Erakat said.

The explosion of bloodshed, and Israel's dismissive response to a renewed call from US President George W. Bush to withdraw its troops, confirmed there would be no let-up despite world outrage over the campaign.

There was no way to verify the death toll of 49 Palestinians and five Israelis independently, with combat areas blocked off by Israel, which says it is mounting a defensive action to stop Palestinian terror attacks.