The heads of churches in Jerusalem urged U.S. President George W. Bush and other world leaders on Tuesday to stop Israel's military drive in the West Bank.

''We appeal to you to stop immediately the inhuman tragedy that is taking place in this Holy Land, in our Palestinian towns and villages,'' the Christian clerics said.

Israel says its military campaign is designed to wipe out a ''terrorist infrastructure'' that has inflicted suicide bombings on Israel for months. It denies seeking to physically harm Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

Palestinians say Israel's occupation of several West Bank cities, towns and villages is intended to dismantle the Palestinian Authority and eventually oust or kill Arafat.

In Bethlehem, Palestinians fought on Tuesday to keep Israeli troops out of Manger Square and witnesses reported fierce clashes near the Church of the Nativity, build over the spot where Christians believe Jesus was born. The army denied the report.

The letter accused Israel of inflicting ''wanton indiscriminate killings'' and said many people were deprived of water, electricity, food supplies and basic medical needs.

''Many of our religious institutions have been invaded and damaged,'' the letter said. ''We call upon your Christian conscience because we know you are the only one who can stop this tragedy immediately.''

Israel launched its military operation, dubbed ''Defensive Wall,'' on Friday after the latest in a wave of Palestinian suicide attacks. The death toll from the blast rose on Tuesday to 25 in addition to the bomber