December 9, 2003

The IDF captures an alleged Palestinian suicide bomber en route to stage an attack; fatally shoots a stone-throwing Palestinian youth in Qalandia; uncovers, destroys a smugglers’ tunnel to Egypt in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Rafah. In Hebron, 3 Hamas mbrs. are killed in a mysterious explosion; the IDF claims they were preparing a bomb, Hamas claims they were assassinated. Palestinians toss grenades at an IDF patrol in Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Hagay settlement in Hebron seize 10 dunams of land belonging to the Palestinian village of Rihiyya. (JTA 12/9; VOI, VOP, YA 12/9 in WNC 12/11; HA 12/10; PR 12/10; VOP 12/10 in WNC 12/12; PCHR 12/11)