Israel tightens its grip

An Israeli tank negotiates a Bethlehem alley

Aid agencies are calling for increased access to Palestinian areas which the Israelis are declaring closed military zones.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has appealed to those using armed force to respect international humanitarian law.

The United Nations Works and Relief Agency, UNWRA, is charged with ensuring that Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank have access to basic needs. Its deputy commissioner general Karen Abu Zayeed told PM the task is increasingly difficult.

The BBC's correspondent James Reynolds is in Bethlehem, one of the areas declared a closed military zone by the Israelis. He has ventured out in the town.

You can hear his piece, and other extracts from PM by clicking on the audio top right

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Special Feature

Renewed fears have been raised today about the state of the environment. A report from the US-based World Resources Institute, says, within twenty years, almosy half the world's forests will disappear. Mining, ever-groing urban areas and illegal logging are being blamed.

The British Government has pledged to work with the Indonesians, to prevent imports into the UK, of tons of precious hardwood timber, illegally logged on the Island of Borneo. Clive Myrie has a report from the Indonesian part of Borneo, Kalimantan.