11.   The concrete barrier was set up by Israeli forces to protect settlers from snipers and mortars fired from Beit Jalla.

12.   The Israeli government has insisted that it must protect the settlers in Hebron, and that this requires allowing the Israeli army free movement around the city.

13.   The Israelis have insisted that Israeli soldiers must retain the freedom to move throughout Hebron to protect the settlers.

14.   Unlike other West Bank cities, some Israeli troops will remain in the center of Hebron to protect Jewish settlers there.

15.   Under the peace accords, Israel was scheduled to turn over Hebron to Palestinian authorities last March, leaving a small detachment of soldiers to protect Jewish settlers.

16.   Palestinian legislator Ziad Abu Amr said that in this charged climate, Palestinian security forces could not be expected to try to protect settlers from shooting ambushes.

17.   Army leaders believe Israel should not go forward with the promised withdrawal from the West Bank if Jewish settlers cannot be protected.

18.   Arafat is holding out for a complete Israeli troop withdrawal from Hebron, but Israel has said it needs soldiers in the city to protect the settlers.

19.   Arafat said he was willing to allow hundreds of U.N. troops into Hebron to protect Israeli settlers in the city.

20.   But after a brief investigation, the police issued a statement saying that the entry into the buildings was legal and the settlers would be protected.