Israelis complete Bethlehem withdrawal

Israeli troops have completed their withdrawal from Bethlehem, several hours after a 39-day standoff at the Church of the Nativity was resolved.

The withdrawal effectively ends Israel's military offensive in the West Bank, which was launched March 29 to crush Palestinian militias involved in attacks on Israeli civilians.

During the operation, troops had occupied six of the main Palestinian towns in the West Bank for periods ranging from several days to several weeks.

Israel scaled down the offensive late last month, but continued raiding Palestinian areas to arrest suspected militants.

On Friday, Israeli troops entered the town of Tulkarem and demolished the four-story home of a suicide bomber from the Islamic militant group Hamas.