3 suicide bombers detonate explosive devices in Ben Yehuda market in Jerusalem, killing 4 Israelis, injuring 192. A faction of Hamas's military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, claims responsibility. PM Netanyahu cancels a security mtg. with PA, CIA officials, saying "we're sick of talks"; reseals borders with the West Bank, Gaza; reimposes the internal closure on PA-controlled cities; gives PA a list of 10s of Palestinians it wants arrested. PA arrests 2 Hamas leaders, 8 Hamas mbrs.; shuts Hamas newspaper in Gaza. (MM 9/4; AFP, IDF Radio, ITV, JTV, MENA, VOL 9/4, VOA 9/5 in WNC 9/8; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; AFP, IDF Radio, YA 9/5 in WNC 9/9; WP, WT 9/6; NYT 9/7, 9/9; WJW 9/11; LAW, MEI, PR 9/12; JP, WP 9/13; CSM 9/24)
State Dept. says that Secy. of State Madeleine Albright will go ahead with her trip to the region next wk.; that while there has been increased security coordination, the U.S. has "not been satisfied with the degree of unilateral efforts to crack down on terrorist infrastruture." (MM 9/4; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; WT 9/7)
As part of the plan to "unify Jerusalem," Israel sets up 2 new police stations in East Jerusalem. Each station will have 130 officers. (YA 9/4 in WNC 9/9)
12 Sephardic Jews fr. Israel arrive in Jericho, ask the PA for political asylum, accuse Israeli authorities of trying to kill them. PA puts them up in a local hotel. (WT 9/10)