In pictures: Siege unbroken

Hopes that the siege of Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity was about to be lifted have been dashed.

Arrangements were being made to take away a group of Palestinian militants and release civilians when the talks broke down once again.

The siege has now gone on for five weeks

At one point on Thursday a resolution seemed imminent

Buses arrived to take Palestinian militants to Gaza - only to leave later as the deal foundered

Israeli tanks and observation cranes then returned to the area

For some, the siege is a source of interest

For others, a source of great anger