Israeli Troops Leave Nablus and Parts of Ramallah
With Israel's West Bank offensive coming under international criticism, Sharon announced last week that Israeli troops would be out of all Palestinian population centers by now, except for Arafat's compound and the Bethlehem church.

However, Israel still has troops in many parts of Bethlehem, not just around the church. Israel said a pullout from other parts of the biblical city would leave exposed the troops surrounding the church.

Conditions were worsening for those inside, said one of the priests.

``There is no food left in the church now for the Palestinians or the monks and nuns,'' said Rev. Ibrahim Faltas, a Franciscan priest. Electricity was intermittent and there was no running water, he said. More than 250 people, including clerics, are in the compound.
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/international/AP-Israel-Palestinians.html