Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to escalate; 100s are reported injured, but none are killed. The closure on the West Bank, Gaza remains in place. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in PA-controlled Hebron, Khan Yunis; opens fire on 2 primary schools in Hebron, wounding 3 students; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah Junction, destroying several green houses and water wells. (HP 2/7; LAW 2/8)
PM-elect Sharon visits the Wailing Wall, declares Barak's Camp David concessions null and void, vows he will never allow shared sovereignty over Jerusalem. (NYT, WP, WT 2/8)
Arafat sends a letter to Sharon congratulating him on his election, expressing hope that negotiations will resume soon from the point they left off at Taba on 1/27. Sharon's office reiterates that all Palestinian violence must cease before talks begin; that even when talks begin, Israel will not attempt to reach a comprehensive peace but rather a interim deal exchanging a small amount of land and economic benefits for a nonbelligerency pact. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/8; NYT 2/9)