Israel invades two more West Bank villages

The Israel army has invaded two more Palestinian villages in the West Bank as the 'anti-terror' offensive against Palestinian militants continues unabated.

Troops and tanks entered Dahariya and Ber Zeit this morning after leaving a total of 24 small towns and villages last night. In Ber Zeit, witnesses said the soldiers quickly occupied the police station and began house-to-house raids.

In another development, the Hezbollah guerrilla group in Lebanon has offered to free an Israeli hostage in exchange for a guarantee that militants engaged in heavy fighting in Jenin will be spared.

The hostage is Elhanan Tennenbaum, who was kidnapped by Hezbollah in October 2000. Israel has not made any comment on the offer.