100 tanks hit Arafat town

Israel sent 100 tanks into Nablus today, escalating its attack on Palestinian forces in the worst fighting for decades.

The new violence was met with warnings from Britain that the conflict could engulf countries beyond the Middle East.

? Foreign office minister Peter Hain said the violence marked "the most dangerous conflict in the world" and the European Union demanded that Israel end its invasions.

? Tanks and armoured vehicles poured into the biggest West Bank town, leaving only Hebron and Jericho under Palestinian control. Police fought running battles with Israeli forces and set up home-made mines.

? Control of cities gained by the Palestinians under the 1993 Oslo peace process has been entirely lost as the West Bank saw the worst fighting since the foundation of Israel in 1948.

? The White House appeared to acknowledge international pressure by emphasising that a political process could lead to the creation of a Palestinian state.

Mr Hain said: "This conflict could engulf the region and therefore draw us all in, with really serious consequences for the entire international community. I am really worried about the escalation of this crisis, not just in the region but internationally, that draws us all in."

Mr Hain said Britain must stand firm with the EU, US, United Nations and Russia in urging an end to the violence, adding: "We have got to work at the grinding business of diplomacy because nothing else is working"

Yasser Arafat issued a statement urging people to "close ranks in a long-term struggle against this occupation and to mobilise all its resources ... to confront this unjust and criminal war".

It said Israeli premier Ariel Sharon is determined to "separate by rivers of blood instead of building bridges of peace".

EU ministers today embark on a high-level peace mission, but already it is clear that Mr Sharon is willing to continue his military operation in the face of international condemnation, including criticism from the Pope.

Last night, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar spoke to Mr Sharon, offering to meet him and Mr Arafat to discuss the crisis. Spain currently holds the EU presidency.

However the offer was not immediately taken up, with Mr Sharon agreeing only to discuss the possibility of the visit at a cabinet meeting.

The invasion of Nablus was marked by the roar of shell fire as gunmen spread out through the streets and set up barricades. The main Israeli target is the Balata refugee camp, a hotbed of militant activity dominated by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Both terrorist organisations have organised suicide bombings and armed attacks on Israelis for months.

Israeli tanks fired their heavy guns into an abandoned police building which last year was bombed by F16 jets and into apartment buildings being used by Palestinian snipers fighting a hopeless battle against heavy armour.

Colin Powell, the US Secretary of State, who has been coming under pressure from European capitals to speak out against the Israeli invasion of the West Bank, said he would visit the region if there was something " concrete" he could do.

But he added: "The Palestinian people have to see that there is a political process, and not just a ceasefire and security process ... which will lead quickly to a Palestinian state."

The White House renewed its support of Israel's right to self-defence and offered no hint of criticism of the expanded battle with Palestinian gunmen on the West Bank.

Mr Arafat remained under siege in the wreckage of his Ramallah offices surrounded by about 20 peace activists and his body guard.

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