Israel Struggles During Passover Celebrations

DEBKAfile Headlines

20 April 2003

Three Qassam rockets fired from northern Gaza Strip land on Israeli town of Sderot early Sunday. One landed on rooftop, sets apartment ablaze.

Corp. Lior Ziv, 19, from Holon, IDF spokesman cameraman, killed, three wounded - one seriously - in large-scale IDF counter-terror operation ending early Sunday in south Gazan town of Rafah. In fierce exchanges, Palestinians report 5 dead, 45 injured.

Palestinian dead include local Hamas leader Muhammed Abu Shamla wanted for orchestrating numerous terror strikes and smuggling weapons from Egypt. Seventeen tunnels dug for running arms from Egypt to Gaza Strip uncovered and blown up this year.

Palestinian gunman injures three Israelis near Shaked on West Bank Saturday night. Security officer moderately injured, two soldiers slightly hurt before killing assailant.

Abu Mazen threatens to abandon efforts to form Palestinian government after sharp exchange with Arafat Saturday night over Dahlan’s security appointment. Dahlan's offer to accept any other government role is turned down by Arafat.