CNN.com - Israel lifts closure around Bethlehem

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- The Israeli government early Friday lifted a military cordon around the West Bank city of Bethlehem, the Israel Defense Forces said.

Israeli authorities said the lifting of the closure was a goodwill gesture for the Christmas holiday.

The IDF said the move would allow Christians to travel more freely as they celebrate the Orthodox Christmas on January 6. The IDF said Palestinian Leader Yasser Arafat, who was blocked from attending Christmas services December 25, will still not be allowed to travel to Bethlehem.

In other developments, Israeli soldiers killed a Palestinian gunman overnight in northern Gaza near Karni-Netzarim Road. He was armed with an anti-tank missile, a Kalashnikov assault rifle, and had an explosives belt around his waist, the IDF said.

Israeli authorities said they believe the man was an intended suicide bomber because of the explosives and his route, which was taking him in the direction of a Jewish settlement.

The man was identified by Palestinian sources as Mahmoud al Bourie, 23, an Islamic Jihad activist.

After a speech by Arafat earlier this month Islamic Jihad said it would do nothing to damage Palestinian unity, seen as a signal it would stop launching suicide attacks. The Islamic radical group Hamas responded to Arafat's speech by saying it would suspend attacks on Israelis inside Israel.

Palestinian Islamic Jihad is a militant group dedicated to the creation of an Islamic Palestinian state and the destruction of Israel. Hamas' military wing, Izzedine al Quassam, has carried out military operations and terrorist operations against Israelis.

Israel has kept a tight rein on travel in the West Bank and Gaza following attacks by Palestinian suicide bombers and gunmen. The latest spate of attacks began early this month and has killed more than 30 Israelis.

In recent days, the level of violence has dropped off. However, the outgoing IDF intelligence chief, Gen. Amos Malka, said Friday the Palestinian Authority is still not doing enough to bring about a real cease-fire.

"The cease-fire will come only if the Palestinians cooperate," said Malka in an interview broadcast by Israel Radio. "This is not the situation so far."

Malka said Arafat is "trying to maneuver according to the pressure." He added, "Without very strong pressure, he will do nothing."

Arafat has called for Palestinians to stop attacks on Israel, saying the only way to achieve a Palestinian state is to negotiate with the Israelis.

Arafat has come under increasing pressure from the United States, Israel and Europe to crack down on terrorists in territory under Palestinian control since the latest string of attacks began.

The terror bombings prompted the Israeli Cabinet to cut ties with Arafat and sanction retaliatory strikes on the West Bank and Gaza.