April 19, 2003

The IDF launches a major incursion into Rafah r.c., sending some 35 tanks into the camp fr. 3 directions, killing at least 5 Palestinians, wounding 30, demolishing 13 buildings (home to 23 Palestinian families); an IDF soldier is killed, 2 are wounded in the operation. An Islamic Jihad mbr. infiltrates Shaked settlement, shooting and wounding 2 IDF soldiers, 1 settler guard before being shot dead by the IDF. The IDF also fatally shoots in the head a Palestinian cameraman for AP, who was wearing a fluorescent “press” vest and covering clashes in Nablus, also wounding 2 other journalists. (MENA 4/19 in WNC 4/21; NYT, WP 4/20; HA 4/21; PR 4/23; LAW, PCHR, WJW 4/24; HA 5/4)