Israel reportedly moves on Bethlehem church

The Israeli army has reportedly begun an offensive against the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, where more than 200 Palestinian police and gunmen have been hiding along with priests and civilians since Tuesday.

Armed Palestinians inside the church said Israeli soldiers blew open a small back door of the church and opened fire inside, but the Israeli military denied the claim. Mazen Hassan, a policeman inside the building, told the Associated Press by telephone that the Palestinians were not returning fire.