URGENT UPDATE FROM BELEN

URGENT: UPDATE BETHLEHAM
1400
One hour has passed and we seem to be fine. A local Palestinian has just returned from near the checkpoint and counted 38 tanks massed in that area.
So now we are just waiting. We do expect that, like Ramallah, our power will be cut. If and when that happens the communications from IMC Palestine will go down. We have made arrangements to maintain some level of reporting from a Jerusalem office but the difficulties will be great. We at IMC Palestine wish to thank those reporters and individuals who have taken the time to call us and even in the event of a power cut we will have telephone communications for as long as our batteries last.

1300
Our mayor has just announced that we expect invasion within the next hour.


12 to 15 APC's and tanks are now at the Bethlehem checkpoint and one busload of soldiers. The soldiers are not allowing press to enter at gunpoint.