As Israel's sweep of Ramallah intensifies during the day then diminishes somewhat in the evening, leaving a Force 17 officer, an IDF soldier dead. IDF soldiers also fatally shoot an Italian photographer outside the City Inn, hitting him 6 times in the chest; the area was calm at the time. An Egyptian and a French journalist are also wounded, and the IDF occupies the Associated Press offices as an outpost. The IDF cuts electricity, water to 1 Ramallah hospital. PRCS resumes service in Ramallah, noting that at least 2 Palestinians have died fr. the IDF denial of medical treatment in the past 24 hrs. The IDF says that during exchanges of fire, ambulances must coordinate their movements with the IDF, submit to IDF inspections of up to 10 mins. to assure that they are not transporting gunmen. The IDF reinforces troops in Bethlehem. 2 Palestinians enter Nachliel settlement, knife and wound 2 Jewish settlers, then escape. (AP 3/13; AFP, QA 3/13 in WNC 3/14; HP, NYT, WP, WT 3/14)
Wednesday, March 13, 2002