April 3, 2002

Before dawn, the IDF sends tanks into Jenin r.c., meeting heavy resistance, leaving at least 6 Palestinians (including 1 doctor), 1 IDF reservist dead. 1 Israeli wounded in the 3/27 Netanya bombing dies bringing that toll to 24. The IDF reoccupies Nablus; reports operations in Beitunia, Dahaysha, Qalqilya, Salfit, Tamun, Taysir, Tubas, Tulkarm. In Ramallah, the IDF raids, confiscates files of PA ministries, the PC. The International Comm. of the Red Cross (ICRC) criticizes the IDF for hampering relief operations in Bethlehem; the PRCS estimates that 14 Palestinians have died in the city since 4/1, including 5 killed today. 10s of Christian clergymen, including Latin patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah, attempt to walk to Bethlehem to mediate a resolution to siege of the Church of the Nativity and other holy sites, but they are blocked by the IDF. Israeli police use tear gas, batons to disperse 2,000 Israeli, Palestinian peace activists attempting to cross al-Ram checkpoint in Jerusalem to bring food, medicine to Ramallah, injuring 20. (HA, MM, NYT 4/3; NYT, WP, WT 4/4)