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CNN Live Today

Jenin Fighting Said To Have Subsided

Aired April 10, 2002 - 14:04   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In the West Bank town of Jenin today, ferocious fighting in and around a Palestinian refugee camp is said to have subsided, after hundreds of people inside the camp surrendered. CNN's Ben Wedeman is there.

BEN WEDEMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yes, Kyra, we are hearing that the fighting within the refugee camp of Jenin has subsided somewhat. Basically around mid-morning, we're told, that the Palestinian fighters ran out of ammunitions. Many of them in fact gave up. But some are still in the process of trying to resist the Israeli move into the camp.

Just a little while ago, I spoke with a representative of UNICEF, who had come into the city of Jenin to try to deliver food. He was in the center of the city and he told me that there was still intense firing between the Palestinians and the Israelis.

In fact, it was so intense that he said they were unable to deliver the food to the UNICEF office here in Jenin. They basically had to dump it off at a private warehouse. He did say, however, that despite the fighting that was going on in the middle of the city, the people rushed out to their convoy, begging for food. That gives you an indication of the desperate situation in this city.

Now, the refugee camp itself, which once was home to 15,000 people, is a scene of incredible destruction. We were watching from a hill overlooking it today, as we heard explosions and saw great clouds of white smoke coming from within the camp. We've been hearing Israeli attack helicopters flying over the city all evening, and just about an hour ago we heard one of them let loss with what sounded like a Gatling gun firing very heavy-caliber weaponry into that densely- inhabited area.

So, Kyra, the situation in Jenin seems to be one of flux. Some areas quieting down, like the refugee camp, but still fighting within the city -- Kyra.

PHILLIPS: Ben Wedeman just outside Jenin. Thank you very much.

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