The IDF escalates attacks on Jenin r.c., firing at least 20 missiles into residential areas, demolishing occupied buildings to widen narrow allies so tanks can pass, killing at least 30 Palestinians; 2 IDF soldiers are also killed. Some 200 Palestinian women, children suffering fr. dehydration walk out of the camp, 5 days after the IDF cut off water, electricity, food, ambulance access. The ICRC says it has only been allowed to evacuate 3 injured Palestinians fr. the camp, 2 of whom were arrested by the IDF. IDF troops throw percussion, smoke grenades into St. Catherine's church and convent in the Church of the Nativity complex, setting a conference hall afire; exchange gunfire with PSF officers who leave the church to put out the blaze, killing 1. After 45 mins., the IDF allows fire fighters into the church to extinguish the blaze, which causes serious damage. In Nablus, the IDF orders Palestinian men age 19-60 to surrender, in some cases threatening to destroy homes if Palestinians do not turn themselves in. The IDF also allows ICRC and PRCS medics into Nablus to removed the wounded, bodies of 10 Palestinians killed in recent days of fighting; another 14 bodies were buried in a mosque courtyard earlier, when they could not be removed. In Ramallah, the IDF lifts the curfew for several hrs.; raids, damages offices of 2 Arab TV stations. (CNN, WP 4/8; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/9; JT, al-Quds 4/9 in WNC 4/10)
Bush publicly reiterates his call for Sharon to halt incursions, immediately begin a withdrawal, telling him "I meant what I said." Zinni presses the issue privately with Sharon, who says the IDF will begin pulling out of Qalqilya, Tulkarm within hrs. but will maintain a tight cordon around the 2 towns; vows attacks on other areas will continue "until the mission is completed," after which he would willing to hold Madrid-style negotiations with "moderate and responsible Middle Eastern leaders." (MM 4/8; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/9; MM 4/10)