April 9, 2004

The IDF fires on residential areas of, conducts house searches in Khan Yunis; fires on fishermen off the Gaza coast, wounding a 12-yr.-old Palestinian; conducts arrest raids nr. Bethlehem, in and around Nablus and Tulkarm town, in Tulkarm r.c. Hamas holds its 1st ever public fundraising drive for the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, passing collection boxes at Gaza mosques. AP reports sources as estimating that $3 m. was raised, but Hamas officials say the figure is closer to $1.5 m.; still other reports put the figure at $120,000. (WT 4/10, 4/12; PCHR, WT 4/15)