(3 Apr 2002) STORYLINE
Church leaders of all denominations descended on a Bethlehem checkpoint on Wednesday to protest against the on-going violence in the city.
Michelle Sabbah, the Latin Patriarch, said that the march was intended to bring relief to the citizens of Bethlehem, to take care of the wounded and bury the dead reported to be in the church of Nativity.
Scores of Palestinian gunmen are said to be hiding inside the Church - one of Christianity's holiest sites - Wednesday, seeking refuge from Israeli troops, helicopters and tanks that invaded the city as part of an offensive aimed at crushing Palestinian militias in the West Bank.
The bodies of four gunmen, shot dead in a firefight on Tuesday, remained sprawled on a sidestreet near the church on Wednesday morning, with rescue services unable to reach them or other casualties because of constant shooting.
A tank was stationed at the edge of Manger Square, adjacent to the church, the army said.
Bethlehem Mayor Hana Nasser said soldiers had occupied the municipality building overlooking the square and the church.
The Church leaders approached the military checkpoint on the outskirts of Bethlehem bearing olive branches (a traditional symbol of peace) but were refused permission to pass beyond into the city which has been declared a closed military zone.
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