Palestinians hope US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s visit to Jesus’ traditional birthplace today will not just be a religious experience, but will also bring their daily difficulties of life under Israeli occupation into sharper focus.

Palestinian leader humiliated

Members of the Palestinian Cabinet have resigned apparently to avoid being ousted by parliament in a vote of no-confidence.

Palestinian gunmen infiltrated a Jewish settlement in the West Bank today and killed three residents, shortly after Israel ended its latest raid on a Palestinian city in search of militants, warning that it would pursue militants wherever it must.

Nine youths allowed to leave the Church of the Nativity after 23 days of siege were in Israeli custody, but an army officer said they would be released this morning.