Israelis on offensive as security fences rise

Israel yesterday began erecting a security fence around parts of the West Bank, just hours after United States President George Bush expressed strong support for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Construction work was under way on the outskirts of the Palestinian-ruled town of Jenin, the scene of fierce fighting between Israeli troops and Palestinian gunmen earlier this year.

The move comes amid continuing violence yesterday during which at least three Israelis were wounded by an explosion outside the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, near the divided city of Hebron, in the West Bank.

A municipal official said it appeared a bus had driven over a roadside bomb outside the town.

The construction of the fence, aimed at preventing Palestinians from crossing into Israel to launch attacks, indicates that both sides have lost hope in resolving their conflict in the near future through negotiations.