Palestinian officials claim 500 killed during Israel's offensive

Palestinian officials say at least 500 Palestinians have been killed during Israel's offensive.

Israel has refuted the figure, but has conceded the Palestinian death toll is in the hundreds.

The majority of the Palestinian casualties have been inflicted since President Bush told Israel to withdraw from Palestinian towns and cities.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says he fears the death toll could exceed 500, saying many are civilians and describing the attacks in Nablus and Jenin as massacres.