Israeli tanks, backed by helicopters, took control of the West Bank town of Tulkarem before dawn today, imposed a curfew and arrested dozens of suspected militants, the local governor said.

Diplomatic efforts to restart frozen Middle East peace talks intensified today with a European delegation offering mediation and the United States about to outline its policies.

Israeli army field commanders were today given permission to send troops into Palestinian areas without waiting for a go-ahead from superiors, after the first large-scale incursion into a West Bank town in seven months of fighting.