March 15, 2002

The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Aida, Amari, Dahaysha, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm but remains in Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Hebron some other PA-controlled areas. The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians in Gaza, a Palestinian mother and 4 children are killed by a mine in Bureij, 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/11, and a Palestinian collaborator is killed in Qalqilya. The IDF also demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Bayt Lahia. (AP 3/15; NYT, WP, WT 3/16; LAW 3/20)

Zinni meets with Ben-Eliezer, Israeli FM Shimon Peres, other Israeli officials all day; then goes to Ramallah for a 2-hr. mtg. with Arafat. (AP, NYT, WT 3/15; NYT, WP 3/16; MENA 3/17 in WNC 3/18; MM 3/18; MEI 3/22)