The IDF clashes for a 2d day with nonviolent Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Biddu, leaving 8 Palestinians injured, including an AFP photographer; raids, searches the PA Prisoners Affairs Min. offices in al-Bireh, arresting 1 employee; begins constructing a 900-m road outside Gaza’s Tal Katif settlement that will cut off Palestinian growers’ access to an estimated 186 dunams of citrus and date groves; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Hebron as an observation outpost; conducts arrest raids in Yatta; conducts house searches in ‘Aida nr. Bethlehem, al-Qarara, Wadi al-Silqa. The IDF also fires on a construction site at an UNRWA school in Rafah, seriously injuring a Palestinian construction worker in the 3d such incident since 3/23. Palestinians fire 2 antitank rockets at an IDF patrol nr. Kefar Darom settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (PM 4/8; VOP 4/8 in WNC 4/10; YA 4/9 in WNC 4/13; PCHR 4/15)
Thursday, April 8, 2004