- =Abu Ghneim shelled: (4: 15 PM GMT) Israel shelled a
Palestinian area near the occupied city of East Jerusalem. The shelling
took place in the Abu Ghneim Mountain area. A Palestinian lady was seriously
wounded in the attack. Israel says that the attack was a response to firing
at a military post.
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- Invasion of Tulkarm (3: 45 PM GMT): Israel's invasion
of Tulkarm is taking a bloodier turn than expected. Bodies of dead Palestinians
are said to be lying in the streets. Medical workers and international
humanitarian organizations are not allowed to reach the dead or wounded.
Fighting in the town continues.
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- Clashes in Egypt (3: 30 PM GMT): Tens of thousands of
Egyptian took to the streets in Cairo, and attempted to reach the Israeli
embassy. Egyptian police clashed with the protesters who confronted army
vehicles and tried to block its movement. News reporters indicate that
five Egyptians were wounded in the clashes and many arrested.
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- Marches around the world (3: 00 GMT): Thousands of people
continued to march all over the world, in support of the Palestinian struggle,
in the Middle East, the United States, Europe and for the first time since
the outbreak of the Palestinian uprising, China.
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- Attack on Bethlehem (2: 45 PM GMT): The Israeli army
attack and invasion of the greater Bethlehem area continue. There were
many Palestinians who were reportedly wounded. Dozens of tanks are being
used in the assault. Palestinian resistance is said to have been holding
up strongly in various parts of the city, especially near the nearby refugee
camps, Deheisha, Azza and Aida.
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- Ramallah's dead (2: 15 PM GMT): The number of Palestinians
killed in Ramallah went up to 25 as more people are being found dead, some
executed. Hospital sources say that Israel refuses to allow the burial
of dead Palestinians. In some instances, Palestinian families are not allowed
to see the bodies of their sons or daughters, or visit their wounded.
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- Arafat fenced (1: 45 PM GMT): Following a declaration
by the Israeli government to "completely isolate" the Palestinian
President, the Israeli army laid a fence around the office of the Palestinian
leader Yasser Arafat. The extra isolation is apparently a response to attempts
by internationals to reach the President and provide a human shield by
remaining with him in the office. Ten internationals have been arrested.
However, there are several internationals that are staying in the President's
office and insists to stay until the end. Some of those activists are reportedly
from France, Brazil, the United States and various other European countries.
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- More soldiers wounded (1: 00 PM GMT): 8 Israeli soldiers
were wounded in clashes with resistance fighters in Ramallah. 8 more, some
in a very critical condition, were wounded in Qalqilya when a bomb went
off near the center of the city.
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- Qalqilya Invasion: The Israeli army has occupied the
Palestinian town of Qalqilya in full, however not without Palestinian resistance.
Palestinian fighters and residents have already staged their first attack
on the invading army, as a bomb exploding in Israeli troops who took over
the city's headquarters. Initial reports indicate that 8 Israeli troops
were wounded, four seriously. Unconfirmed reports say that there were a
few deaths among the soldiers. Palestinian casualties are yet to be reported.
Over 100 Israeli army tanks are taking part in the assault. The Israeli
army has shelled many buildings and neighbored inflicting sever damage
on the city.
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- Bethlehem Invasion: Palestinian fighters and residents
are confronting Israeli forces that is attempting to consolidating its
grip on the predominately Christian Palestinian town. The invasion followed
heavy firing from several directions.
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- Arafat's siege: Israeli defense minister Ben Eleizer
said that he gave orders to Israeli troops surrounding the President's
office to tighten their siege and to "completely isolate" the
Palestinian Leader. The orders were made after over 30 internationals from
various countries around the world, mainly France managed to reach the
Palestinian leaders to show their support. Some of the activists have decided
to remain with Arafat as a human shield.
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- 17 dead: News reports from Ramallah indicate that families
of 17 Palestinians killed and executed by the Israeli army in the last
three days are denied access to have them buried. Medical workers, Red
Cross and Red Crescent are also denied access to the city of Ramallah,
as well as the press. One new dead Palestinian was found today in Ramallah
after being shot by Israeli troops.
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- Tulkarm next:Hundreds of Israeli tanks and army vehicles
are reportedly amassing near the Palestinian town of Tulkarm. Israeli troops
have already begun an incursion into the city. Tulkarm is expected to be
invaded in the early morning hours.
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- Peres' comments: Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres
said today in a press conference that Israel's war is not an oppressive
war but a necessity that Israel needs to survive.
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- Bethlehem under attack: Israel is invading the Palestinian
city of Bethlehem. News reports indicate that the entire area of Bethlehem
is being invaded while heavy shelling by Israeli tanks continue. Palestinian
fighters and residents took to the street to defend their city. Palestinians
are fearing an Israeli massacre at the Nativity Church in Bethlehem which
came under heavy shelling in the past. Bethlehem is a predominantly Christian
town and was recently a target for a similar invasion which resulted in
the death and wounding of hundreds.
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- American shot: An American journalist is in a stable
condition after being shot by the Israeli army for defying orders not to
enter the city of Ramallah. Israel declared Ramallah a militarized zone
and forbade journalists or medical workers from entering into the town.
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- http://palestinechronicle.com/article.php?story=20020331233837297
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