Palestinian teenagers leave Bethlehem church
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Partly obscured from the view of the world's TV cameras by smoke bombs thrown by the Israeli army, nine weary Palestinian teenagers left the Church of the Nativity yesterday, producing a glimmer of hope that the three-week siege could be drawing towards an end.
Israeli army officers decided that their exit should not be clearly seen by the assembled press, but made an exception for the former US tabloid TV talk show host, Geraldo Rivera.
The nine young men were met by Israeli soldiers and Mr Rivera, whose employers – Fox TV – have close links to Ariel Sharon. Wearing protective white masks, they came out of the basilica carrying a container with the remains of two Palestinians who had been decomposing inside the church.
An Israeli army official said that the young men were not among a group of around 30 armed Palestinian militants inside the church. The key issue in dispute is the fate of the armed men. Palestinian negotiators have proposed that they be escorted to the Gaza Strip. Israel wants them to surrender and be tried, or be deported.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments