Fierce fighting at Bethlehem church

Gunfire and explosions broke out last night around the birthplace of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, which has been besieged by the Israeli army for the past four weeks.

A huge blast sent light bursting out of Manger Square and smoke drifting into the night sky, and flames were visible licking at a window in the compound of the Church of the Nativity. Someone inside the church began tolling the bell – a traditional sign that a church is under attack.

Palestinians accused the Israeli army of trying to storm the church where some two dozen men wanted by Israel have sought sanctuary, a claim the army denied. An Israeli spokesman, Dore Gold, claimed Palestinian fighters in the church had deliberately started the fire in order to accuse Israel of causing it.

The fire appeared to have been put out last night but there were fears that part of the church, one of the most sacred Christian sites in the world, may have been damaged. It was the third time a fire has been started since more than 100 Palestinians sought sanctuary there when the Israeli army attacked Bethlehem.

In addition to the two dozen or so men Israel says are militants wanted for attacks on Israelis, there are unarmed civilians and Palestinian policemen who are legally armed but not suspected of any involvement in attacks on Israelis. With them are some 30 monks who have volunteered to stay to prevent a "bloodbath''.