Bethlehem siege nears conclusion

All but 13 Palestinians inside in the embattled Church of the Nativity were due to leave the ancient basilica today, as Israel and the Palestinians moved to implement a deal to end a five-week siege.

However, although the Bethlehem crisis appeared to be winding down, another threatened, as Israel’s leadership authorised retaliation against unspecified ‘‘terrorist targets’’ after a Palestinian suicide bomber blew up a pool hall near Tel Aviv on Tuesday, killing 15 Israelis.