Saturday, March 8, 2003

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas political official Ibrahim Maqadama, the most senior Palestinian to be killed by Israel since the start of the intifada, firing missiles at his car as he drives in Gaza City, also killing his 3 bodyguards, injuring a 4th bodyguard and 2 bystanders. Hamas fires 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, despite the IDF reoccupation of the n. Gaza border area, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian demonstrator in Bayt Lahia; shells residential areas of Jaba, killing 1 Palestinian; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Nablus; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Hebron, 1 in Dayr al-Balah, 1 nr. Kefar Darom, 1 in Qabatiyya. An Israeli dies of injuries received in the 3/5 Haifa bombing. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 3/6. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba forcibly evict a Palestinian family fr. their home in Dayr al-Mahawir, outside Hebron, and occupy the building. (VOI 3/8 in WNC 3/10; HA, NYT, WP, WT 3/9; PM, WT 3/10; PR 3/12; LAW, PCHR 3/13; MEI 3/21)

The Bush admin. announces that the U.S. will not release the road map until after the Iraq crisis is resolved. (NYT 3/9; PR 3/12; al-Quds 3/13 in WNC 3/14)