May 17, 2001

Israel's Internal Security M Uzi Landau says Sharon is escalating Israel's response to Palestinian unrest and may resort to "all-out" combat if violence continues apace. The IDF sends bulldozers into Rafah to demolish several greenhouses; tanks covering the bulldozers fire several shells. The IDF also shells a PSF post in Qalqilya; conducts arrest raids in Aqraba, Nablus. Palestinians fire several mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza, hitting 1 home but causing no injuries. (Globes 5/17 in WNC 5/18, 5/21; WP, WT 5/18; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25)