September 18, 2003

The IDF fatally shoots wanted Hamas Nussayrat r.c. leader Jihad Abu Sawarih when he allegedly resists arrest; 3 IDF soldiers are injured in the operation, at least 1 by a 2d Hamas mbr. who fires on them. The IDF also sends troops into Jenin, allegedly to look for weapons, imposes a 24-hr. curfew in an operation that is expected to last several days; uproots some trees, bulldozes some land in Khan Yunis. In Gaza, the PSF arrests 7 Hamas mbrs. in connection with the kidnapping of a PSF officer on 9/17; Hamas supporters throw rocks at, exchange gunfire with PSF officers, leaving 5 Palestinians injured. The PSF later releases the 7 Hamas mbrs. in exchange for the kidnapped PSF officer. (HA, MM 9/18; WP, WT 9/19; PR 9/24; PCHR 9/25)