31.   Last week, this Palestinian town was in tumult.

32.   Netanyahu does not accept Oslo though he says he would not reoccupy Gaza and the Palestinian towns of the West Bank.

33.   Not long after the interview was aired, Al Jazeera viewers saw news reports of Israeli tanks rumbling into Palestinian towns.

34.   Official corruption, Israeli military blockades of Palestinian towns and uncertainty about the future all worked to discourage investment and disrupt commerce.

35.   On Thursday, Bush called upon Israel and the Palestinians to end the conflict, but Israel has deepened its incursion into Palestinian towns and cities.

36.   Palestinians complain that the Israelis failed to remove tanks and troops from the edges of Palestinian towns and continue to use lethal force against protesters.

37.   Palestinian leaders said Israel was to blame for using excessive force against demonstrators and failing to withdraw its tanks and heavy troop presence from the vicinity of Palestinian towns.

38.   Powell should make his speech, reiterating US assurances about Israeli security but also insisting that Sharon cease building settlements right now and withdraw troops from Palestinian towns.

39.   Prime Minister Ariel Sharon said Israel will continue to occupy the Palestinian towns until Yasser Arafat fulfills the Israeli ultimatum to eliminate all militant groups.

40.   Reports from Palestinian towns spoke of near-total compliance with the strike.