Fighting spreads as death toll climbs in Middle East

Fighting spread today through the alleys of densely populated West Bank refugee camps, where Palestinian militants were reportedly handing out explosives-packed belts to people willing to strap them on and challenge Israeli soldiers.

Israeli forces continued to surround Balata refugee camp in Nablus, and, at a camp in Jenin, another northern West Bank city, residents said Israeli helicopter gunships targeting anything that moved were keeping people inside.

The areas have seen some of the bloodiest battles since Israel began reoccupying Palestinian cities eight days ago, chasing down militants blamed for terror attacks inside Israel. With international opposition to the Israeli incursions growing, the United States has intensified its efforts to calm the situation. US President George W. Bush was dispatching Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region early next week.

Palestinian Cabinet secretary Ahmed Abdel Rahman said the Palestinians would only meet Powell if he met Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who remains confined by Israeli forces to a few rooms of his Ramallah headquarters.

''Arafat is the only address,'' Abdel Rahman said today, a day after US envoy Anthony Zinni became the first foreign official to meet Arafat since Israeli forces moved on the compound March 29.

Palestinians last month were angered by visiting US Vice President Dick Cheney's refusal to meet Arafat.

Abdel Rahman said Palestinian Authority officials outside the besieged compound had lost all contact with Arafat since Friday night.

He accused Israel of interfering with mobile telephone signals and cutting the electricity.

The Israeli army confirmed power went out to the compound, but said Israeli forces didn't cut it.