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CNN Live At Daybreak
Israeli Forces Conduct Operations in West Bank, Gaza
Aired January 30, 2004 - 06:28 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: Israeli forces have conducted what they call anti-terror operations in the West Bank and Gaza. It follows a deadly suicide bombing in Jerusalem.
Let's head live to Jerusalem now, shall we, and check in with John Vause for the latest -- hello, John.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Witnesses in Bethlehem say between 15 and 20 armored vehicles entered the West Bank city in a predawn raid, which Israel described as designed to thwart future terrorist activities. Now, before the raid, the Israelis warned the Palestinian policemen to abandon their posts, which they did. There were no reports of an exchange of gunfire, no reports of casualties, either.
Now, Bethlehem was handed back to Palestinian Authority control in July as part of a plan 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 say about a dozen people were detained. Some of them were arrested. Also overnight, Israeli forces entered the West Bank city of Ramallah, demolishing six buildings, one of them a four story apartment complex. Israel says the buildings were home to Hamas operatives.
Now, the operation in Bethlehem was in response to yesterday's deadly suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Israel says it was a tactical moderate response to that suicide blast, designed not to affect innocent civilians, but rather crack down on the terrorists responsible. Those were Israel's words. Yesterday, Bus Number 19 was blown apart by a Palestinian policeman. He strapped explosives onto his body, got on the bus and blew himself up, killing 10 Israelis and wounding 45 others.
Hours after that blast, the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade claimed responsibility. But within the last few hours or so, Reuters is reporting that Hamas has taken responsibility for that suicide bombing in Jerusalem. But, Carol, regardless of who says they did it, the deadly results are the same -- Carol.
COSTELLO: That's for sure.
John Vause reporting live from Jerusalem.
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Aired January 30, 2004 - 06:28 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Israeli forces have conducted what they call anti-terror operations in the West Bank and Gaza. It follows a deadly suicide bombing in Jerusalem.
Let's head live to Jerusalem now, shall we, and check in with John Vause for the latest -- hello, John.
JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hello, Carol.
Witnesses in Bethlehem say between 15 and 20 armored vehicles entered the West Bank city in a predawn raid, which Israel described as designed to thwart future terrorist activities. Now, before the raid, the Israelis warned the Palestinian policemen to abandon their posts, which they did. There were no reports of an exchange of gunfire, no reports of casualties, either.
Now, Bethlehem was handed back to Palestinian Authority control in July as part of a plan 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 say about a dozen people were detained. Some of them were arrested. Also overnight, Israeli forces entered the West Bank city of Ramallah, demolishing six buildings, one of them a four story apartment complex. Israel says the buildings were home to Hamas operatives.
Now, the operation in Bethlehem was in response to yesterday's deadly suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Israel says it was a tactical moderate response to that suicide blast, designed not to affect innocent civilians, but rather crack down on the terrorists responsible. Those were Israel's words. Yesterday, Bus Number 19 was blown apart by a Palestinian policeman. He strapped explosives onto his body, got on the bus and blew himself up, killing 10 Israelis and wounding 45 others.
Hours after that blast, the Al Aqsa Martyr's Brigade claimed responsibility. But within the last few hours or so, Reuters is reporting that Hamas has taken responsibility for that suicide bombing in Jerusalem. But, Carol, regardless of who says they did it, the deadly results are the same -- Carol.
COSTELLO: That's for sure.
John Vause reporting 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
