Israeli tanks invade Hebron

Israeli tanks rolled into the West Bank city of Hebron early today, just as Israel’s large-scale military operation in the West Bank appeared to be drawing to a close.

Israeli and Palestinian leaders accepted a US compromise plan, aimed at ending Israel’s month-long siege of Yasser Arafat’s Ramallah office.

However, a standoff continued in Bethlehem, and Israel barred a UN commission from examining the Jenin refugee camp, site of a bloody battle.

Israeli tanks and armoured personnel carriers moved into Hebron from three directions, witnesses said. Attack helicopters fired machine guns, killing a member of the Palestinian security services and wounding at least 15 other people, witnesses said.

Israeli military sources, speaking in condition of anonymity, said a military operation was under way but would give no details. Israel Radio said the object of the incursion was to arrest militants, not to occupy the city, but residents said it was the largest military operation in Hebron in months.

Hebron was the only main West Bank population centre that had escaped Israel’s large-scale military push that began on March 29. Israeli troops also bypassed the desert oasis town of Jericho during the operation, which appeared to be ending.