22-hr. siege of house in Hebron, including firing of over 100 antitank rockets, ends with deaths of 4 Hamas militants (added to death previous day of pregnant woman). IDF use of roof of neighboring Mohtasseb Children's Hospital as firing position protested by residents, ICRC, human rights orgs. 18 Palestinians wounded by IDF in protests against siege. PLO Chmn. Arafat calls Secy. of State Christopher to demand end of IDF "aggression" against Palestinians. State Dept. expresses "concern" at incident. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/24)
IDF Chief of Staff Ehud Barak testifies to commission of inquiry on Hebron massacre, saying "it is reasonable to assume" that a settler firing a weapon is doing so in self-defense, but adds "In no case is there, nor can there be, an army order that says it is forbidden to shoot at a settler even if he is shooting at others or at you." (MM, NYT, WP 3/24)
Israel-PLO talks on deployment ofinternational force in Hebron resume in Cairo. (MM 3/23; NYT, WP 3/24)
U.S. envoy Dennis Ross meets for 3 hrs. in Damascus with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad, delivers message fr. Pres. Clinton. (MM 3/23)
20 katyushas fired into "security zone," killing 1 Lebanese woman in village of Rihan. (MM 3/23)
"Palestine Development and Investment Inc." launched at Amman ceremony. $200 m. company made up of 141 investors will invest in o.t. housing and industry. (MM 3/24)
Pres. Clinton refuses clemency for convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard. (NYT, WP, WT 3/24)
Lebanese police issue warrants for arrest of 7 men, 2 women-including 4 mbrs. of LF elite assault unit-in 2/27 bombing of Maronite church in Zuq Mika'il. Police detain Fuad Malek, dep. leader of LF. Govt. issues decree dissolving party despite LF chief Samir Ja'ja"s denial of involvement. 5 of the suspects already arrested, including 3 LF security officers. (MM 3/23; NYT, WT 3/24; CSM 4/8)