The IDF makes predawn raids on Bureij r.c., Nussayrat r.c., killing 8 Palestinians (mostly in Bureij), leaving at least 40 wounded, barring medical access, blowing up 3 Palestinian homes (causing a 4th to collapse, killing 1 pregnant woman inside, and seriously damaging a mosque), arresting Hamas Nussayrat head Muhammad Taha; 2 IDF soldiers are also wounded. The IDF also sends troops into the Old City of Nablus, occupying several houses and schools, forcibly evacuating students, conducting arrest raids, firing on stone throwers, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian (who may have been handcuffed); fires on stone throwers in Tulkarm; demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah. Palestinians fire 5 Qassam rockets in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (NYT, PM, WP, WT 3/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/4; PR 3/5; PCHR 3/6; MEI 3/7; LAW 3/13)
Monday, March 3, 2003