5 April 2002
The Negotiations in the Nativity Church area
(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)
The IDF secured the release of four clergymen today from the Church
of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The IDF transported the four, at their
request, to Jerusalem, where they arrived safe and sound.
It was clear from their testimony that the Church of the Nativity in
Bethlehem has been forcibly seized by a group of armed terrorists who
have taken hostages, among them members of the clergy, inside the
church building.
According to a reliable source, those occupying the church complex
include various PA officials, such as Governor Muhamad Al-Maadani,
Abdallah Daud, Head of the General Intelligence Service, and Majdi
Al-Matri, Commander of the Preventive Security Service. In addition
some of the "most wanted" Palestinians terror suspects have also
taken refuge in the church.
Throughout the night, negotiations between the IDF and the armed
Palestinian suspects inside the church complex continued. In the
course of these negotiations, the IDF repeatedly demanded the
peaceful surrender of the suspects and concomitantly offered to
facilitate the immediate evacuation of any wounded persons located in
the church.
However, for their part, the Palestinian terrorists rejected the
offer and prevented civilians from leaving the church. In light of
the terrorists' actions, the IDF was forced to view these
circumstances as a hostage scenario. The IDF is working diligently to
ensure a prompt and satisfactory conclusion to this incident.