Two Palestinian men were shot dead today in the northern West Bank, one in a gun battle with Israeli troops, the other allegedly shot by a Jewish settler in an olive grove.

Under tight security, Palestinian militants exiled by Israel left Cyprus today on board two European planes for six EU nations that have agreed to offer them temporary asylum.

A deal has been reached to end the 38-day standoff at Bethlehem’s Church of the Nativity that would divide among several countries the 13 suspected militants Israel wants deported, an Israeli official said tonight.

Israeli tanks rumbled toward Gaza and military reservists were called up today ahead of expected retaliatory attacks for a bloody Hamas suicide bombing.

Israeli premier Ariel Sharon today offered Yasser Arafat a one way ticket into exile as Israeli forces shelled a heavily fortified Palestinian security headquarters.

The Israeli government is proposing Yasser Arafat be given a permanent base outside of the Middle East.

The Israeli army has killed four Palestinians so far today as the violence in the Middle East spirals closer to all-out war. Three gunmen were killed in fighting in the West Bank after 80 tanks and armoured vehicles surrounded refugee camps in Tulkarem and Nur Shams.

At least one Palestinian has died this morning as Israel continued its military onslaught in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.