Israel set to mobilise 20,000 troops

Israeli forces widened their offensive into the West Bank today, briefly entering Bethlehem, occupying several other towns and continuing a sweep for militants in fully occupied Ramallah.

The tanks rolled into southern Bethlehem just before sunrise, witnesses said, stopping about 500 yards from the Church of the Nativity, built over the traditional birthplace of Jesus. Forces also moved into the surrounding villages of Al Khader and Beit Jalla, witnesses said.