Israeli forces with bulldozers and pile-drivers tore down nine houses in an illegal West Bank settlement outpost yesterday after hours of bloody clashes between settlers and their extremist reinforcements against police and soldiers left more than 200 injured on both sides.

DESPITE suffering a mild stroke, Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon does not have any major health problems and will be released from the hospital today.

Ariel Sharon is expected to make a full recovery after suffering a mild stroke and will be released from hospital tomorrow, his doctors said today.

Some 20,000 police and soldiers were deployed in southern Israel today to block what was billed as the biggest march yet of Gaza withdrawal opponents – a crucial test run for security forces and protesters ahead of the August pullout.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas threatened to use force against anyone who violates a ceasefire with Israel, his toughest warning against Palestinian militants since taking office in January.