The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who strays too close to Gaza’s Neve Dekalim settlement; demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin. In Silwan, East Jerusalem, 50 Jewish settlers (11 families) escorted by heavily armed Israeli border police occupy a multistory building, a Palestinian home they claimed to have purchased, evicting Palestinian residents, sparking clashes btwn. the IDF, Palestinians (9 of whom are arrested). The IDF dismantles 2 unauthorized settlement outposts: 1 nr. Hebron comprising a single tent that served as a synagogue, the other nr. Bethlehem comprising 2 containers; 300 Jewish settlers scuffle with the troops at the Hebron site, resulting in some moderate injuries. Palestinians fire an antitank rocket at IDF forces nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, PR, REU 3/31; VOI, VOP 3/31 in WNC 4/2; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 4/1; MM 4/6; PCHR 4/8)
Abrams, Burns, Hadley return to the region for consultations with Israeli, Palestinian officials on Sharon’s disengagement plan. (WP 3/27; HA 3/28; MM, NYT, WT 4/1; VOP 4/1 in WNC 4/3; HA, MM, NYT, WT 4/2)