BBC Saturday, 20 October, 2001, 13:36 GMT 14:36 UK

Israel thrusts deeper into West Bank Israeli troops moved deep into Bethlehem

Israeli troops have killed five Palestinians in gun battles as incursions continued on the West Bank following the assassination of an Israeli cabinet minister earlier in the week.

Palestinian hospital officials said two Palestinian policemen were killed when Israeli troops and armoured vehicles moved a short distance into the northern town of Tulkarm.

Israeli tanks and troops also crossed 150 metres (500 feet) into Qalqilya, shooting dead a Palestinian policeman and a member of the Islamic militant group Hamas.

And a Palestinian woman was killed by Israeli gunfire in Beit Jala, next to Bethlehem in the West Bank during an Israeli incursion, Palestinian hospital sources said.

The Israeli army confirmed the incursions, saying it had occupied "strategic positions" in Tulkarm and Qalqilya.

Hours earlier, Israeli troops had thrust into Palestinian-ruled Bethlehem and Beit Jala after Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Gilo, a settlement on the outskirts of Jerusalem which the Israelis view as a suburb of the city.

Spiralling violence

Six Palestinians were killed in clashes with Israeli troops across the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday as violence flared following the killing of Israeli Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi by Palestinian militants on Wednesday.

The heightened tension between the two sides threatens to undermine America's efforts to solidify Arab support for its anti-terror coalition.

In a sharp rebuke, the US State Department said on Friday that Israel's forays into Palestinian areas were "not helpful, complicate the situation and should be halted".

The US called on Israel and the Palestinians to "avoid steps that inflame the situation and make more difficult measures to achieve calm".

Israeli Justice Minister Meir Sheetrit said Israel had no intention of holding on to Palestinian-controlled territory but had to "stop Palestinian attacks against Israel".

Ultimatum

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has vowed to take resolute action against the Palestinian Authority following Mr Zeevi's murder.

Mr Sharon has severed all political contact with the PA and demanded it extradite Mr Zeevi's killers to Israel and dismantle militant groups operating in Palestinian areas.

The hardline Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which carried out Mr Zeevi's assassination, said the PA had arrested dozens of its members, Israel radio reported.

Palestinian Culture Minister Yasser Abbed Rabbo, meanwhile, rejected Israel's ultimatum to hand over the suspects, saying the PA would not fall in to what he called an "Israeli trap".

-- Anonymous, October 20, 2001