The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate, leaving a total of 7 Palestinians, 1 Jewish settler dead. In Ramallah, an explosion destroys a home, wounding 5 Palestinians, killing 2 children and a Palestinian wanted by Israel for 1/18 murder an Israeli civilian in the West Bank. Israel claims the wanted Palestinian accidentally detonated a bomb he was building; the PA claims the IDF assassinated him. In Gaza, 2 Hamas mbrs. are killed when a bomb in their car, parked in a garage, explodes, destroying the building, wounding 4 bystanders. Israel claims a car bomb exploded prematurely; Hamas, noting that 2 IDF helicopters were reported in the area at the time, claims the IDF assassinated the pair with a remote controlled device. A Palestinian worker at a Gaza settlement is killed, another is wounded when a bomb in his employer's car explodes; the IDF claims the men were planting the bomb when it exploded. Palestinian snipers fire on 2 settler vehicles, wounding 1 settler and causing 1 car to crash, killing another settler. Palestinians fire mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF responds by heavily shelling residential areas of Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers open fire on the Palestinian villages of Bazarim and Burka, causing no injuries. The IDF also "eases" the blockade on Bethlehem and Qalqilya, allowing residents "to enter and exit the cities through 1 roadblock for each city after undergoing stringent security checks." (HA, REU 4/30; LAW, MM, NYT, WT 5/1; NYT 5/2; al-Quds 5/3 in WNC 5/4; LAW 5/4)

In New York, Peres discusses Israel's position on the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative with UN Secy.-Gen. Annan. (HA 5/1; AYM 5/1 in WNC 5/3; MM, WT 5/2; WJW 5/3; SA 5/3 in WNC 5/7; MM 5/4)

The State Dept. issues its annual report on global "terrorism," which notes--but does not support or dismiss--Israeli accusations that PA security officials, Fatah mbrs. have facilitated and/or taken part in attacks against Israelis. (MM 5/1, 5/2; AYM 5/3 in WNC 5/7; al-Ahram [Internet] 5/10)

A Palestinian suicide bomber kills himself, 1 Israeli civilian and wounds around 40 others at a bus stop in Kefar Saba, outside Tel Aviv. Though the Popular Army Front+nReturn Battalions claims responsibility, Israel blames the PA directly. Later, a bomb goes off in Haifa, slightly wounding 3 Israeli police officers. Israel-Palestinian clashes continue in the West Bank and Gaza, leaving 1 Palestinian, 1 Jewish settler dead. A 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The IDF takes over a Palestinian home in PA-controlled Dayr al-Balah for use as a new IDF post, displacing a family of 12. (AP 4/22; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/23; AN, JT, SA 4/23 in WNC 4/25; al-Quds 4/25 in WNC 4/30)

Israeli FM Peres confirms reports that he has been holding secret talks with PA officials with Sharon's permission, but he gives no details. PC speaker and PA senior negotiator Ahmad Qurai` says he and Peres have been discussing the Jordanian-Egyptian nonpaper. (NYT 4/23; AYM 4/24 in WNC 4/25; NYT 4/25)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. The IDF raids another PA-controlled area of Gaza, sending 3 tanks, 2 bulldozers into Rafah to raze a PSF post. Serious clashes are also reported in Qalqilya. At the U.S.'s urging, Israeli, PA security officials resume security talks at Erez, though only limited progress is made. (AP, NYT, WT 4/22; AYM 4/22 in WNC 4/25; NYT, WP 4/23; DUS 4/27 in WNC 4/30)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. A mysterious explosion rips through a Force 17 office in Ramallah, injuring 3 officers. Israel denies responsibility, though the attack comes within an hr. of an Israeli inner cabinet mtg. to discuss responses to recent Palestinian violence. The PA acknowledges the explosion came fr. inside the building. Reporters witness mbrs. of different PA security forces scuffling with each other; PA police confiscate reporters film, video tape. Later, Palestinian mortars land on both sides of the Gaza-Israel border causing no damage. The IDF fires on several Palestinians suspected of firing mortars, injuring senior Hamas mbr. Khalil Sakani; Hamas admits its mbrs. fired mortars at Kefar Darom settlement. Arafat issues a 2d call to halt mortar attacks across the Green Line; sends a message to Sharon via a visiting U.S. congressional delegation suggesting that both leaders deliver simultaneous public calls for a halt to violence, a renewal of negotiations. Sharon says Arafat should issue cease-fire orders 1st. (AP 4/19; AFP [Internet], HA, WP, WT 4/20; NYT, WT 4/21; al-Quds 4/24 in WNC 4/26; MM 4/27; DUS 4/27 in WNC 4/30)

Israeli FM Peres meets with PA Local Government M Erakat to discuss ways of reducing violence. Later, Peres holds a 2d mtg. with Arafat economic adviser Rashid (see 4/18). (EFE [Madrid] 4/19 in WNC 4/24; AYM 4/24 in WNC 4/25)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Hrs. after the IDF completes its pulls out of PA-controlled areas of n. Gaza, Palestinians again fire 7 mortars fr. Bayt Hanun toward a Jewish settlement in Gaza and the Erez crossing, causing no damage. The IDF sends tanks, bulldozers back into Bayt Hanun to demolish a PSF post. Bush calls Sharon to urge restraint. Sharp clashes are reported in Bethlehem (where the IDF fires surface-to-surface missiles at a new conference center, a stone cutting factory), nr. Jerusalem. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Gaza airport. (MM 4/18; ATL, MENA 4/18 in WNC 4/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/19; AYM, MENA, al-Quds 4/19 in WNC 4/24; WP 4/21)

Israeli FM Peres meets with Arafat economic adviser Muhammad Rashid (Khalid Salam) reportedly to discuss reducing violence, though no details are released. (EFE [Madrid] 4/19 in WNC 4/24; AYM 4/24 in WNC 4/25)

Overnight, the IDF sends tanks and bulldozers into Gaza to reoccupy a mile-wide strip of PA-controlled territory in the northeastern corner of Gaza, marking the 1st reoccupation of territory ceded to Palestinian rule under the 1993 Oslo accords. The IDF demolishes PA security sites targeted on 4/16, builds ramparts, sandbags positions around new tank outposts. IDF officials pledge to hold the land "as long as it takes--days, weeks, months"--to ensure Israeli security. Secy. of State Powell publicly rebukes Israel for taking "excessive and disproportionate" action, calls on Israel to withdraw immediately. Bush calls Sharon to urge restraint. Hrs. later, Israel announces that the IDF has completed its mission and is pulling out of area. (AP, LAW, MM, REU 4/17; JP [Internet], NYT, WP, WT 4/18; HJ 4/18, AYM, MENA, al-Quds, SA 4/19 in WNC 4/24; MM, WJW 4/19; JP, MEI, MM, NYT, WP 4/20; NYT 4/22; AYM 4/27 in WNC 4/30)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue elsewhere in Gaza and the West Bank, leaving 3 Palestinians dead. The IDF cuts a deep trench in the main north-south road in Gaza, rendering it impassible; shells residential areas of Aida and al-Aza refugee camps, Bayt Jala, Hebron, Rafah; bulldozes 30 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya. (WT 4/18; JT 4/18 in WNC 4/19; WP 4/19; LAW 4/20)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a high level. In Gaza, IDF tanks, bulldozers enter Rafah; demolish the PA military intelligence headquarters, 17 Palestinian homes, 40 stores; damage 13 stores. Over 160 Palestinians are left homeless, 43 are injured. An Egyptian woman on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border is wounded by gunfire. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage. A bomb explodes in the Gaza City home of Muhammad Nassar, a bodyguard for Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, killing Nassar, injuring 4; the PA says Nassar was preparing a bomb. Israel admits that the car bomb incident in Ramallah on 4/12 was a "failed attempt" on Fatah's Abu Hmeid. Inside Israel, 2 bombs explode in Kefar Saba, destroying 2 cars, injuring 1 Palestinian (the alleged assailant). (AFP, REU 4/14; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 4/15; MENA 4/15 in WNC 4/16; MM 4/17; LAW 4/20)

Hizballah fires a missile fr. s. Lebanon at an IDF tank in the Shaba` Farms area, killing 1 IDF soldier. In retaliation, the IDF carries out air and artillery strikes on Hizballah targets in s. Lebanon. (AFP 4/14; RL 4/14 in WNC 4/16; NYT, WP 4/15; WP 4/16; HJ 4/19 in WNC 4/24; MEI 4/20, 5/4)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinian dead. In Ramallah, the PA arrests 2 Palestinian collaborators for allegedly working with Israel to assassinate Fatah tanzim leader Nassir Abu Hmeid with a car bomb today. The PSF removes the car to its Ramallah headquarters where it blows up as an IDF helicopter hovers overhead. The IDF shells residential areas of Bayt Hanun, Rafah. Jewish settlers demolish part of a Palestinian store in Hebron, attack a Palestinian school in Bayt Furik, beat senseless a Palestinian nr. Khan Yunis. (HP, REU 4/12; NYT, WP, WT 4/13; WP 4/15; LAW, MEI 4/20)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a high level, leaving a total of 4 Palestinians dead; another 2 Palestinians die of injuries received earlier. In the 1st major Israeli ground assault into PA-controlled territory since 9/28, IDF tanks, bulldozers enter Khan Yunis camp (see 12/13) to remove an embankment and structures that Palestinian gunmen allegedly use for cover when firing on adjacent Jewish settlements, demolishing 28 Palestinian homes, part of an apartment building, and an olive grove. The operation clears a 400-yard strip of land, leaves over 360 Palestinians homeless, sparks fierce fighting in which 2 Palestinians are killed, 25-50 are injured. Arafat calls for a halt to mortar attacks across the Green Line. At U.S.'s urging, Israeli, PA security teams meet this evening at the home of U.S. amb. Indyk to discuss a cease-fire. They make no progress but agree to meet again on 4/16. After dark, Palestinians fire 4 mortars into Nisanit settlement in Gaza, damaging 1 house, causing no injuries. The IDF shells residential areas of Abu Sunayna, Bayt Hanun, al-Haria Valley. (AFP [Internet], BBC, HP, LAW, MM, PCHR 4/11; AFP 4/11 in WNC 4/11; Interfax, MENA 4/11 in WNC 4/12; HP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/12; JT, SA 4/12 in WNC 4/13; JP [Internet], NYT, WT 4/13; al-Quds 4/13 in WNC 4/16; MEI, WP 4/20; WP 4/21)

Donors hold an informal Ad-Hoc Liaison Comm. mtg. in Stockholm. The EU agrees to give the PA $9 m./mo. for 6 mos., urges Israel to release $120 m. in taxes owed the PA. (REU 4/13; see also AFP 4/2 in WNC 4/3; MM 4/6)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. After Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Gaza's Gadid settlement, causing no injuries, the IDF shells the PA naval headquarters, military intelligence headquarters in Gaza, killing 1 PSF doctor at the naval clinic, wounding 18 PSF mbrs., destroying the clinic and an ambulance. Citing the rare daylight strikes on occupied buildings, the PA again refuses to attend a U.S.-brokered security mtg. with Israeli officials (rescheduled fr. 4/9). Sharon asks Israelis questioning his security strategy to trust him, saying, "We know exactly what we're doing. I have a very clear plan. The plan will be executed, and security will be restored." The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at a Force 17 building in Jinin, destroying it. (AFP [Internet], AP, MM, PCHR 4/10; XIN 4/10 in WNC 4/11; HP, NYT, WP 4/11; MA 4/11 in WNC 4/12; QA 4/11 in WNC 4/16; LAW, WJW 4/12; JT 4/12 in WNC 4/13; NYT 4/13)

The PA, the Organization of the Islamic Conference warn Sharon not to allow Jews access to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, saying it would be perceived as an attack on Islam and could precipitate a dangerous escalation in violence. 100 mbrs. of the Temple Mount Faithful, an ultranationalist Jewish group, attempt to force their way into the site but are blocked by Israeli police. (AP 4/10; MENA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; WT 4/11; JT 4/12 in WNC 4/13; MENA 4/13 in WNC 4/16; QA 4/26 in WNC 4/30) (see 4/5)

In Washington, Bush receives King Abdallah, who urges the U.S. to become more involved in the peace process, to actively support the Jordanian-Egyptian nonpaper. Bush reiterates that the U.S. will not become more involved in the peace process, that Israel and the PA must take parallel, reciprocal steps to halt violence before negotiations can resume. (MM 4/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/11; JT 4/11 in WNC 4/12; WJW 4/12; JT 4/13 in WNC 4/16)

In Athens, Israel, the PA hold their 1st public high-level talks since Sharon took office. Israeli FM Peres, PA Planning M Shaath, PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat discuss the Jordanian-Egyptian nonpaper, agree to resume security talks. Peres reiterates Sharon's position that negotiations cannot resume until all Palestinian violence ceases but does not reject the nonpaper outright. (BBC, HA, MM 4/4; QA 4/4 in WNC 4/5; HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP 4/5; AYM 4/5 in WNC 4/6; QA 4/5 in WNC 4/12; MEI, MM 4/6)

This evening, senior PA, Israeli security officials hold talks at the home of U.S. Amb. Martin Indyk in Herzilya, Israel; a CIA official sits in as a "nonparticipant observer" (see 3/21). When the PA team returns to Gaza, IDF troops fire on their convoy as it passes through the Erez crossing, injuring 2 bodyguards. The PA says the IDF attempted to assassinate the security chiefs; the IDF says troops thought they were being shot at fr. the convoy, "acted appropriately." (BBC, HA 4/4; HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP 4/5; AYM 4/5 in WNC 4/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; al-Quds 4/6 in WNC 4/9; MM 4/9; MA 4/9 in WNC 4/10; AYM 4/9, XIN 4/10 in WNC 4/11; QA 4/11 in WNC 4/14; MEI 4/20; DUS 4/27 in WNC 4/30)

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Palestinians fire homemade mortars at Netzarim settlement, causing no damage. In return, the IDF fires mortars at a PSF post in Gaza. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at Palestinian residential areas of al-Mughraga. Nr. Hebron, a tank overturns, killing 5 IDF soldiers, injuring 1. The IDF bulldozes 4 more Palestinian homes in Anata; 4 in Hebron; 3 homes, a warehouse, an animal pen in Jinin; 1 home in Bethlehem. In Gaza, Jewish settlers fr. Gush Katif, Kefar Darom block Saladin Road, throw stones at Palestinian cars, threaten passengers with machine guns. (LAW, PMC 4/4; NYT 4/5; MM 4/6)

With the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian violence, Jordan bans any demonstrations, public rallies in Amman, the scene of pro-Palestinian protests in recent mos. (REU 4/4; JT 4/5 in WNC 4/6)

Israel launches 1 of its most severe strikes since 9/28 after Palestinians fire 3 homemade mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, wounding a 10-mo.-old boy. IDF helicopter gunships, tanks shell 4 PA targets in Gaza City and nr. Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, injuring 70 Palestinians, destroying the Force 17 complex at the fmr. Ansar II Israeli prison. Sharon says the strike "exacts a price from those who were supposed to maintain security . . . and didn't." Elsewhere in the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF notes an increase in Palestinian drive-by shootings and sniper, grenade, and Molotov cocktail attacks. The IDF also demolishes 7 Palestinian homes in Anata; 2 homes, 1 shed in Azariyya; 1 in Zu`aym. Israel releases 3 Force 17 abducted fr. area A on 4/1, saying they have no connection to "terrorism." (HP 4/3; LAW, MM, NYT, PMC, WP 4/4; Interfax 4/4 in WNC 4/5)