IDF bulldozing operations continue in Rafah. The IDF also reopens the Erez industrial zone to Palestinian workers over age 30; burns a grove of 80 almond trees nr. Tal Rumayda settlement in Hebron; fires on Palestinian farmers tending an orchard nr. Tulkarm, seriously injuring 1; fires on residential areas, demolishes a workshop in Dura nr. Hebron; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin. In Nablus, 3 Hamas mbrs. are killed when something explodes in or nr. their car in what may be an assassination. The IDF raids the UNRWA offices in Jenin, fires a shot at senior project manager Paul Wolstenholme, handcuffs and blindfolds him, holds him for 3 hrs., threatening him with violence; IDF officials later apologize. (PSCT, VOI, VOP 5/23 in WNC 5/25; NYT 5/24; PR 5/26; PCHR, WP 5/27; MEI 5/28)
Sunday, May 23, 2004