Israel and Palestinians close to ceasefire deal

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are believed to be close to a ceasefire deal, with Israel expected to withdraw its troops from the West Bank town of Bethlehem by midnight tonight.

The move came as US Vice-President Dick Cheney arrived in Israel to bolster peace efforts by Anthony Zinni, the US special envoy to the Middle East.

A withdrawal of Israeli forces from key towns in the West Bank and Gaza Strip is seen as a vital move to help end the violence.