|
Palestinian Gunmen Occupy Churches
By IBRAHIM HAZBOUN
Associated Press Writer
Apr. 03, 2002
| BETHLEHEM, West Bank (AP) — Scores of Palestinian gunmen were hiding
inside one of Christianity's holiest shrines — Bethlehem's Church of the
Nativity — on Wednesday, seeking refuge from Israeli troops that took
over
the city as part of an offensive aimed at crushing Palestinian militias
in the West Bank.
Several dozen of armed Palestinians that were barricaded in the Church
of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem, surrendered their weapons to the
Israeli army this afternoon.
A tank was stationed at the edge of Manger
Square, adjacent to the church, and soldiers had
occupied the municipal building overlooking the square and the
church. |
 |
At the Church of the Nativity — built over the traditional
birthplace of Jesus — priests were forced to give refuge to
Palestinian militiamen, who, according to witnesses, shot their way
in on Tuesday after running battles with Israeli troops.
About 120 armed men were hiding in the church, said Marc Innaro, a
correspondent for Italy's RAI TV, who was trapped in the compound by
the fighting, along with five colleagues.
Raanan Gissin, an adviser to Israeli Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon, said the gunmen ``abuse churches and holy
sites in Bethlehem as a refuge and as a place from which they can
conduct their attacks on our forces.''
Israeli forces have entered Bethlehem
several times during the past 18 months of fighting, but they are
under orders not to harm holy places, and they have kept their
distance from the church. |
 |
See more about the Church of the
Nativity |
|
Previous page
|
