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CNN Live At Daybreak
Israeli Troops Move into West Bank Town of Bethlehem
Aired January 30, 2004 - 05:04 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.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: First, they ordered Palestinian guards to get out of the way, then Israeli troops moved into the West Bank town of Bethlehem and arrested several Palestinians. Today's operations are in response to the Friday bus bombing in Jerusalem that killed 10 Israelis. No gunfire so far in Bethlehem, but three Palestinians have been killed elsewhere today, in clashes with Israelis.
CNN's John Vause live in Jerusalem this morning to give us the latest -- good morning, John.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Witnesses say between 15 and 20 armored vehicles rolled into Bethlehem in that predawn raid. According to Israel, that operation was designed to thwart future terrorist activity.
Now, as you say, the Israelis gave the Palestinian policemen advanced notice to abandon their posts. There were no reports of exchange of gunfire. No casualties reported, either.
Now, Bethlehem was handed back to Palestinian Authority control in July. That was designed to bolster the U.S.-backed road map peace plan. But an army spokesman says the Palestinians have not fulfilled their obligations to stop the terrorist attacks.
Now, witnesses report about a dozen people were detained. Some were arrested. Also overnight, Israeli forces entered the West Bank city of Ramallah, destroying six houses. Israel says those houses belong to Hamas operatives.
Now, the operation in Bethlehem, as you said, Carol, was in response to yesterday's suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Israel says the actions in Bethlehem were a measured tactical response to differentiate between innocent civilians and those involved in terrorist activities.
It was about this time yesterday when a suicide bomber blew himself up on Bus Number 19, killing 10 people, wounding at least 45 others. Now, hours after that blast, the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility. But the Reuters News Agency is now reporting that Hamas says it was behind the attack and Al Aksa is also denying any involvement.
Adding to all this confusion, the suicide bomber himself, a policeman from Bethlehem who left behind two notes, one saying he acted for Hamas, the other saying he acted for Al Aksa. But regardless, he says his actions yesterday were in response to an Israeli incursion in Gaza on Wednesday. Now, that incursion in Gaza on Wednesday left eight Palestinians dead, three of them civilians.
Also within the last hour here, Carol, Israel began burying three dead Israelis soldiers that were brought home last night, part of the controversial prisoner exchange with the group Hezbollah -- Carol.
COSTELLO: John Vause live from Jerusalem.
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Aired January 30, 2004 - 05:04 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: First, they ordered Palestinian guards to get out of the way, then Israeli troops moved into the West Bank town of Bethlehem and arrested several Palestinians. Today's operations are in response to the Friday bus bombing in Jerusalem that killed 10 Israelis. No gunfire so far in Bethlehem, but three Palestinians have been killed elsewhere today, in clashes with Israelis.
CNN's John Vause live in Jerusalem this morning to give us the latest -- good morning, John.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Carol.
Witnesses say between 15 and 20 armored vehicles rolled into Bethlehem in that predawn raid. According to Israel, that operation was designed to thwart future terrorist activity.
Now, as you say, the Israelis gave the Palestinian policemen advanced notice to abandon their posts. There were no reports of exchange of gunfire. No casualties reported, either.
Now, Bethlehem was handed back to Palestinian Authority control in July. That was designed to bolster the U.S.-backed road map peace plan. But an army spokesman says the Palestinians have not fulfilled their obligations to stop the terrorist attacks.
Now, witnesses report about a dozen people were detained. Some were arrested. Also overnight, Israeli forces entered the West Bank city of Ramallah, destroying six houses. Israel says those houses belong to Hamas operatives.
Now, the operation in Bethlehem, as you said, Carol, was in response to yesterday's suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Israel says the actions in Bethlehem were a measured tactical response to differentiate between innocent civilians and those involved in terrorist activities.
It was about this time yesterday when a suicide bomber blew himself up on Bus Number 19, killing 10 people, wounding at least 45 others. Now, hours after that blast, the Al Aksa Martyrs Brigade claimed responsibility. But the Reuters News Agency is now reporting that Hamas says it was behind the attack and Al Aksa is also denying any involvement.
Adding to all this confusion, the suicide bomber himself, a policeman from Bethlehem who left behind two notes, one saying he acted for Hamas, the other saying he acted for Al Aksa. But regardless, he says his actions yesterday were in response to an Israeli incursion in Gaza on Wednesday. Now, that incursion in Gaza on Wednesday left eight Palestinians dead, three of them civilians.
Also within the last hour here, Carol, Israel began burying three dead Israelis soldiers that were brought home last night, part of the controversial prisoner exchange with the group Hezbollah -- Carol.
COSTELLO: John Vause live from Jerusalem.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
