Before dawn, the IDF begins moving tanks into the Bayt Hanun area of n. Gaza, occupying 4 Palestinian homes as operational bases, leveling land, searching for roadside bombs and tunnels; steps up air strikes on Gaza, hitting AMB offices in central Gaza City; continues shelling n. Gaza (wounding a Palestinian in a home nr. Bayt Hanun). During the day, the IDF make air strikes on Hamas targets in Bayt Hanun, killing 2 Hamas mbrs., damaging a Reuters press vehicle; halts fuel supplies to Gaza. Palestinian groups holding Shalit give Israel until 11:00 P.M. EST this evening to begin releasing 1,500 Palestinian prisoners or Israel would “bear full responsibility for the future consequences”; Olmert says Israel will not give in to any Palestinian demands; Haniyeh repeats calls to treat Shalit well, protect him. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, in Nablus, and nr. Bethlehem; raids an Islamic charity nr. Bethlehem, confiscating computers. (MM, NYT, WT 7/3; NYT, WT, YA 7/4; PCHR 7/6)
Monday, July 3, 2006