Israel approves deal to end church stand-off

Israel's defence minister says a deal has been agreed with the Palestinians to end the 36-day stand-off at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity.

Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says some details still need to be worked out. He says he expects the siege to be over within a few hours.

Mr Ben-Eliezer said: "We already signed-off on the deal."

Palestinian officials had agreed to exile 13 militants in an effort to end the month-old siege at the Church in the West Bank town of Bethlehem.

Around 200 people, including civilians and a small number of gunmen, took refuge in the church compound after the Israeli army invaded Bethlehem on April 2 as part of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s "anti-terror" offensive.

International diplomats have been trying to negotiate an end to the siege for several days. Under the deal, 13 militants hiding in the church will be sent to Italy and another 26 will be transported to the Gaza Strip.