BETHLEHEM, April 3: US diplomatic and security officials on Wednesday evacuated US nationals from Bethlehem, the West Bank town which Israeli forces have reoccupied in search of Palestinian fighters.

The US citizens were taken off in diplomatic jeeps as security guards armed with submachines covered their departure.

US diplomats were unable to confirm how many people were evacuated.

In Rome, foreign ministry officials said five Italian journalists had been brought out of the town’s Franciscan convent.

The town has been rocked by gunfire as the Israeli forces imposed a curfew and shot dead 10 people, including civilians, security officials and gunmen, hospital official said.

A US official said a number of Americans had also been evacuated from the occupied town of Ramallah on Tuesday.

El Salvador also announced it would call home its diplomatic personnel in Israel, citing “violence and insecurity”.

“The foreign ministry has decided that personnel at the Salvadoran embassy in Israel should remain in El Salvador so long as current violence and insecurity continue, especially in Jerusalem, Bethlehem and surrounding areas,” said a statement.—AFP