May 9, 2002

Overnight, the PSF arrests some 16 Hamas mbrs. in connection with the 5/7 Rishon Letzion bombing. The IDF begins masses troops on the border of Gaza in preparation for a major operation in retaliation for the 5/7 attack, calls up army reserves. The IDF conducts an arrest raid in the Palestinian sector of Hebron. (AP, HA, MM, NYT, WP 5/9; AFP, ANSA, AYM, JT 5/9 in WNC 5/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/10; MA 5/10 in WNC 5/13)