Israeli tanks and troops rumbled into parts of Palestinian-ruled Bethlehem on Friday after a surge of violence that stoked fears of worse bloodshed following the killing of an Israeli cabinet minister. The incursion into Bethlehem and nearby Beit Jala sparked gun battles in the traditional birthplace of Jesus and defied U.S. calls for calm, which Washington considers vital to its efforts to maintain Arab support for its anti-terror offensive.
Israeli forces shot dead a Palestinian security officer in the West Bank city of Ramallah and a stone-throwing protester in the Gaza Strip. Troops also killed a 23-year-old man in Bethlehem and a woman, 36, in a nearby village. A teenager died in Gaza when a shell lying nearby exploded.
The deaths took the toll to 11 Palestinians and one Israeli killed since Wednesday`s assassination, ending a brief lull in the violence that erupted when Palestinians began an uprising against Israeli occupation more than a year ago.
There was no sign that Palestinian President Yasser Arafat was about to bow to an Israeli ultimatum to hand over the assassins of ultranationalist Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi.
Israeli tanks advanced from the north and south into Bethlehem under cover of darkness after shooting broke out following a car explosion on Thursday which killed Atef Abayat, a militant on Israel`s most-wanted list.
Two other members of Arafat`s Fatah movement were also killed in the blast, which Palestinians blamed on Israel`s policy of killing militants plotting attacks against Israelis. Israel did not confirm it played any role in the incident.
At least 5,000 mourners took part in the funeral procession in Bethlehem which began at Manger Square, near the church marking the traditional birthplace of Jesus.
"We will not rest until we take revenge," mourners chanted as the three bodies were carried aloft, wrapped in Palestinian flags. Some mourners fired assault rifles into the air.

Bureau Report