Israeli offensive continues despite Powell's arrival

The Israeli military has invaded another Palestinian village in the West Bank as US Secretary of State Colin Powell arrives in the region for talks with politicians from both sides.

Israeli soldiers and tanks entered Kalil, near Nablus, this morning, arresting an unknown number of Palestinians before withdrawing again. In a statement, Israel said its "anti-terror" offensive in Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Dura and Dahariya is continuing, despite repeated calls from the US for Israel to withdraw "without delay".

Mr Powell is due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon today before travelling to Ramallah for a meeting with the besieged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

On a flight from Jordan last night, the US Secretary of State told reporters that an Israeli withdrawal will be part of a "very long conversation" he intends to have with Mr Sharon.

Yesterday, Mr Powell refused to criticise the fact that Israel has ignored US pleas for restraint over the past two weeks, but he did say that the West Bank offensive will not stop Palestinian militants.

Palestinian officials also said that they will not enter peace talks until Israel pulls out of all the Palestinian territories.