Israel kills at least six Palestinians in Beit Rima

At least six Palestinians have been killed during an Israeli incursion into the West Bank village of Beit Rima, north of Ramallah, today.

Israeli tanks and troops entered the village shortly after midnight to arrest suspected militants.

Armed Palestinians opened fire on invading forces and the Israelis responded in kind.

Palestinian sources said the number of casualties was much higher than six, while Israeli radio quoted military sources as saying that at least 10 Palestinians were killed.

Palestinian sources also said the Israeli army arrested four men suspected of involvement in the assassination of Tourism Minister Rehavam Zeevi on October 17.

Palestinians also complained that the Israeli army did not allow ambulances to enter Beit Rima to evacuate the wounded.

The Israelis said the ambulances were stopped because "the operation was still in progress".

Israel’s move into two more Palestinian villages overnight means the Israeli army has now occupied eight Palestinian-controlled areas as part of its largest operation in the West Bank since 1994.

The additional incursions also came despite US demands for Israel to withdraw from the Palestinian territories. In a meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, US President George W Bush called on Israel to pull out its forces "as soon as possible".