(REUTERS - FASTMAN)
GVs Beirut being shelled by Israeli troops.

Background: BEIRUT, LEBANON

Beirut radio reported one of the fiercest battles in ten days between Israel and Palestinian forces on the outskirts of besieged West Beirut on July 5. The renewed fighting caused heavy casualties and serious damage to buildings. As the shelling continued the United States suggested sending a battalion of American marines to supervise the withdrawal of the 6,000 Palestinian guerrillas trapped in Beirut. Israel is insisting on complete evacuation of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) as part of the settlement of the month-old conflict. PLO leader Yasser Arafat has accused Israel of attempting to massacre the Palestinian people in what it calls seeking peace. For the people of Beirut, particularly those whose homes have been destroyed in the shelling, living conditions are becoming daily more austere. An Israeli blockade has hit supplies of water, fresh food and medical supplies for the 500,000 civilians in the besieged capital. Despite a United Nations resolution calling for free access of vital supplies, a red cross convoy and 14 trucks loaded with fresh food was refused permission to enter West Beirut on July 6.