Israel begins implementing some of the 5/29 gestures, lifting the sealing of the West Bank and Gaza in effect since Passover, on 4/15, allowing some 25,000 Palestinian workers into Israel (if they can reach the border given internal closures and roadblocks still in place; only 4,500 of Gaza’s 15,000 permit holders are able to reach a crossing into Israel today). The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian for “acting suspiciously” nr. the Kissufim crossing in Gaza; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian who walks in front of a tank in Bayt Hanun. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. The Israeli Housing Min. authorizes construction of 2,000 Jewish settlement housing units to begin, says 10,000 units await approval. (HA 6/1; VOI, YA 6/1 in WNC 6/2; HP, JP, WT 6/2; WP 6/3; PCHR 6/5)
Sunday, June 1, 2003