Israeli tanks enter West Bank village

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles have swept into a West Bank village near the town of Bethlehem.

The army says it's hoping to stamp out terrorist acitivity in Shawara.

Troops have imposed a curfew on the Palestinian-ruled village, searching houses and making a number of arrests.

The news comes as Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is thanking international leaders for their attempts to push forward the peace process in the Middle East.

His comments follow a meeting with the Romanian Foreign Minister at his Ramallah compound.

Mr Arafat will soon be able to move about freely, after a deal was struck with Israel over six Palestinian murder suspects.