Israel broadens its offensive, reoccupying Qalqilya, cutting of electricity, water; directing shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas; occupying tall buildings as sniper, outlook posts. In Ramallah, the IDF moves building-to-building, rounding up 10s of Palestinian men age 15-45 who have not surrendered, killing at least 9 Palestinians; raids, vandalizes, confiscates files of al-Haq human rights organization, among others; occupies 1 Ramallah hospital, attempts to search a 2d but is blocked by medical workers; declares Ramallah a closed military zone, warning journalists that their press credentials will be revoked if they are found in the city, their bureaus will be fined $15,000 if they "harbor" Palestinians in their offices. The IDF allows 34 foreign peace activists to meet with Arafat in the compound. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in a restaurant in Haifa, killing 15 Israelis, some of them Israeli Arabs. Hrs. later, a 2d Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in Efrat settlement, wounding 4 Jewish settlers. Sharon convenes his inner cabinet, which agrees to intensify military operations further. In Hebron, 1,000 Palestinians march to protest Israel's actions. (CNN, GA, Reporters without Borders press release 3/31; IRNA, MA, MENA 3/31 in WNC 4/1; AP, HA, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 4/1; MM 4/2; MEI 4/5)
Sunday, March 31, 2002