Israeli-Palestinian violence leaves a total of 6 Palestinians, 3 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier dead. In Gaza, the IDF fires on 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate a Jewish settlement, killing 1; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, killing 3 Palestinians, barring ambulances fr. reaching the scene, firing on at least 1 ambulance. AMB gunmen fire on a settler vehicle nr. Kissufim crossing in Gaza, then 1 AMB mbr. detonates a suicide bomb, killing 3 settlers, wounding 4. In the Jordan Valley, the IDF stops a Palestinian car at a checkpoint nr. Ma'ale Adumim; the driver emerges, fires on soldiers, detonates a remote controlled car bomb, killing himself and 1 soldier, injuring a 2d soldier. The IDF responds by sending F-16s to destroy 3 PSF buildings nr. Rafah, injuring 4 PSF officers; blocks 3 main roads in Gaza, banning all Palestinian traffic; shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah. The IDF confiscates 80 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Karnei Shomron settlement. (NYT, WP 2/19; NYT 2/20)
Monday, February 18, 2002