Israel steps up military reprisals

Senior Israeli Cabinet ministers and security officials today ordered increased military pressure on the Palestinians after a weekend burst of violence in which four Palestinian attacks claimed 21 Israeli lives and 12 Palestinians died.

Israeli tanks and troops entered the Jenin refugee camp from two directions early today, witnesses said. Palestinians and Israeli soldiers were exchanging fire, and militants were setting off explosives next to Israeli tanks, they said. At least 18 tanks were involved in the operation, they said.