Israeli soldiers prevent hundreds of Palestinians from passing to the west Bank town of Tulkarem June19, 2001. The army dug at least three trenches around Tulkarm, close to the administrative border with Israel, and strengthened blockades on Nablus and Jenin in the northern West Bank, witnesses said. The Israeli army said it had eased its blockades of these cities a week ago but had tightened them again because the shots that killed the settlers on Monday came from these areas.

AOQ/AA