May 4, 2002

The CIA, EU, Vatican become directly involved negotiations to end the stand-off at Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity. The IDF fatally shoots another Palestinian inside the church; blows up a doctor's office nr. Manger Square, saying it contained bomb-making chemicals. The IDF fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian in Gaza. (NYT, WP, WT 5/5; NYT, WP 5/6)