In the Middle East, Israel has suspended talks with Palestinian leaders and reimposed travel restrictions on large portions of the West Bank following shootings that killed three Israelis Saturday. The Israelis were killed in a drive-by shooting near the settlement block of Gush Etzion. The Israeli army sealed off the West Bank towns of Hebron and Bethlehem, and closed off all Palestinian vehicles from traveling the area’s main north-south road. Arrest raids will also be intensified into Palestinian areas, the army said. 19 Palestinians were arrested overnight. The restrictions have been in place for much of the five-year Palestinian uprising, severely hampering freedom of movement and crippling the local economy. Israeli officials told the Associated Press the measures will be in place for a long time.
Israel Cuts Off Contact to Palestinians, Seals West Bank
HeadlineOct 17, 2005