Israeli troops have cordoned off Palestinian-ruled areas of the West Bank, after four Israelis were shot dead by Palestinians yesterday. The four, including two soldiers, were killed in drive-by shootings in the West Bank and Gaza. Four Palestinians also died yesterday in the continuing conflict with Israeli security forces.
An army official said that Palestinian towns and areas were being closed off for security reasons. Only vehicles transporting food, medicine or humanitarian aide will be allowed into the zones. The Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, who is visiting the United States, sanctioned the move after consulting his military and political advisers by telephone.
