Israel to hold areas hostage

Israel today sent troops to seize and hold parts of the West Bank as its furious response to the suicide bomb attack which killed 19 bus passengers, six of them schoolchildren.

The major policy shift began as Israeli tanks swept into three West Bank towns regarded as militant strongholds. Troops and tanks entered the cities of Jenin, Nablus and Qalqiliya overnight in what Israel radio called the start of " bigger, wider" military action against suicide bomber networks.

Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon's office said the army now plans to counterattack by retaking territory granted self-rule under peace deals in the 1990s and holding it as long as terror attacks continue.

Mr Sharon said his forces will target "the Palestinian Authority, killer organisations and anyone connected to them". Defence ministry sources said work to erect a controversial hi-tech fence along the West Bank's indistinct boundary with Israel would be accelerated as a result of yesterday's bombing in Jerusalem.

But the action is being taken amid the terrifying prospect that more suicide bombers are at large in Israel and ready to strike. Today Hamas, which has claimed responsibility for the bus bomb attack, promised more to come. In an official-statement, it said the bus bombingwas to avenge Israel's killing of Palestinians and declared: "We tell all Zionists to prepare their coffins and graves because their dead will be in the hundreds."

As Israel's offensive unfolded, the town of Jenin and its neighbouring refugee camp came under fire from ground and air. Buildings were struck by artillery shells. Armoured vehicles with helicopter support entered Nablus before daybreak, although they later pulled back.

Troops also entered Qalqiliya, on the fringe of the West Bank, declaring a curfew and searching for terror suspects. Soldiers arrested six Palestinians in the city of Hebron and two nearby villages.

In Ramallah - home to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat - residents hurriedly stocked up on food and medicines. Encircling or entering Mr Arafat's compound has featured regularly in Israeli operations after Palestinian suicide bombings.

The Israeli response came as George Bush prepared a policy speech outlining his vision for peace in the Middle East. Analysts said Israel would avoid military moves that might cast it in a bad light in advance of the US president's speech. Mr Bush is expected to address the issue of creating a Palestinian state, strongly opposed by Mr Sharon under the present circumstances. Mr Bush condemned the Jerusalem bombing but the White House said it would not affect his planned speech.

The Palestinian Authority has also denounced the latest Jerusalem bombing and denies it was to blame. Officials pledged to hunt down those responsible, saying such violence undermines the national cause. But they also claimed their security services have been crippled by Israeli army incursions and blockades. The Authority has called for US intervention to halt Israeli raids.

At least 1,403 Palestinians and 530 Israelis have been killed since September 2000. As Israel veers between rage and grief, Palestinian militants celebrated the success of the latest suicide mission.

Hamas identified the bomber as Mohammed al-Ghoul, 22, from a refugee camp near Nablus. In a note found at his home, al-Ghoul, studying for a master's degree at An-Najah University in Nablus, said he had failed in two previous attempts to attack Israelis. He added: "How beautiful it is to make my bomb shrapnel kill the enemy. How beautiful it is to kill and to be killed."