Friday, March 3, 2006

The IDF fires a missile fr. an F-16 at a car carrying Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Bayt Lahiya, missing them in an apparent failed assassination attempt; conducts 2 more air strikes on the n. Gaza no-go zone, damaging a road; fatally shoots a 15-yr.-old Palestinian during a raid on ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c.; patrols in, fires on residential areas of Tubas nr. Jenin; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm (targeting the AMB, Islamic Jihad). Palestinians fire 4 rockets into Israel, and the IDF responds with artillery fire on the n. Gaza no-go zone, causing no damage or injuries in either case. Jewish settlers severely beat 2 Palestinians nr. Tubas. (AFP, IMEMC 3/3; NYT 3/4; PCHR 3/9)

In Nazareth, 3 Israeli Jews (a father, mother, and daughter), distraught after social workers took custody of their other children, set off firecrackers and small gas canisters inside the Church of the Annunciation during mass, sparking panic inside the church but no injuries. Worshipers restrain and beat the Israelis, take them outside, where other residents hearing of the incident converge and riot, leaving 13 injured, before police finally are able to intervene and control the situation. (HA 3/3; HA, NYT, WP, YA 3/4; HA 3/5)