In Bethlehem, where the stand-off at the Church of Nativity is now entering its fourth week, an IDF soldier was moderately wounded by Palestinian gunfire. The army now feels that in addition to the 30 or 40 clergymen being held hostage by a similar number of wanted Palestinian terrorists there, about 60 Arab teenaged boys are also being essentially kept in the same position. Hunger pains torment them, yet the terrorists prevent them from leaving.
One of the Armenian monks who managed, with help from Israeli soldiers, to leave the church yesterday, said that the terrorists had stolen gold and religious articles, caused damage to the church, and had even begun beating and attacking clergymen. This, however, did not stop CNN\'s Jerrold Kessel from reporting today, \"Both sides are doing what they can to avoid an escalation that would lead to damage to the church.\"
Israeli and PA officials met today for a second day of negotiations regarding the ongoing situation. Israel demands the surrender or deportation of the terrorists, while the Arabs propose that they be allowed to go to Gaza.
One of the Armenian monks who managed, with help from Israeli soldiers, to leave the church yesterday, said that the terrorists had stolen gold and religious articles, caused damage to the church, and had even begun beating and attacking clergymen. This, however, did not stop CNN\'s Jerrold Kessel from reporting today, \"Both sides are doing what they can to avoid an escalation that would lead to damage to the church.\"
Israeli and PA officials met today for a second day of negotiations regarding the ongoing situation. Israel demands the surrender or deportation of the terrorists, while the Arabs propose that they be allowed to go to Gaza.