The IDF makes a massive predawn raid on Rafah, sending in nearly 300 military vehicles and helicopters, shelling residential areas, raiding and searching homes, occupying several as observation posts, demolishing 10 Palestinian homes, exchanging gunfire with Palestinian gunmen. During the day, Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF bulldozer in Rafah but misjudge the placement of the device, inadvertently killing 3 Palestinians, wounding at least 10 (including a Reuters cameraman). In ongoing operations in Bayt Hanun, the IDF fires on residential areas, on Palestinians attempting to enter the town; demolishes 1 Palestinian home. Hamas warns that it will step up rocket attacks on Sederot unless the IDF withdraws fr. Bayt Hanun. The IDF also shoots, wounds, arrests a Palestinian in Hebron who reportedly failed to obey orders to stop; demolishes a Palestinian home, a bird farm, several agricultural warehouses and water tanks nr. Qalqilya for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem and nr. Hebron, Jenin. (VOI 8/3 in WNC 8/5; NYT, PR, WP 8/4; PCHR 8/5; PR 8/11)
Tuesday, August 3, 2004