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)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate after several days of diminution, with the most severe exchanges nr. Qarni crossing and in Qalqilya, Ramallah. The IDF directs shelling, heavy machine gun fire residential areas nr. Khan Yunis, at PSF posts nr. Dayr al-Balah, Jabaliyya; bulldozes 15 dunams of Palestinian land in Khan Yunis, 23 dunams in Rafah. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian property in Haris. A roadside bomb explodes nr. a Jewish settlement in Gaza, injuring 1 IDF soldier, 1 settler. The IDF says that in the coming days, it will ease the closure, allow 11,000 Palestinians to return to their jobs in Israel. Israeli, PA security officials hold a round of unproductive talks on halting violence. (al-Quds 4/27 in WNC 4/30; WP, WT 4/28; LAW 5/4)

Sharon, Peres meet to draft a formal response to the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative. Sharon says he has "serious reservations about almost every aspect" of the proposal and "substantial changes" must be made before Israel can accept it. (al-Ra'i 4/27 in WNC 4/30; NYT, WP, WT 4/28)

A car bomb explodes in Or Yehuda, outside Tel Aviv, lightly injuring 4 Israelis. The PFLP claims responsibility (see 4/2). In the West Bank and Gaza, Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The PSF claims to fire antitank weapons at 7 IDF tanks, 2 bulldozers, foiling their attempt to reenter Rafah to demolish more homes (see 4/14). A roadside bomb explodes outside Ariel settlement, causing no damage. At a funeral for a PSF officer in Gaza, a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy is shot dead, 14 Palestinians are wounded when settlers, IDF soldiers at a nearby settlement open fire thinking the PA's 21-gun salute is gunfire aimed at them. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at Gaza airport. (AP 4/23; Interfax 4/23, MENA, al-Quds 4/24 in WNC 4/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/24)

PA and Israeli security officials hold a round of "constructive" talks at the U.S. amb.'s residence in Israel, with CIA participation (see 4/4). Arafat makes a public statement in Arabic that he does not "agree to any form of attack on Israeli or Palestinian civilians." (AP 4/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/24; AP, NYT 4/25; SA 4/25 in WNC 4/26; DUS 4/27 in WNC 4/30; WJW 5/3)

Iran sponsors an NGO conference in support of Palestinians' human rights in Tehran. Attendees call on states to take actions in support of the Palestinians (such as providing aid, boycotting Israel) instead of making statements of support. (IRNA 4/23 in WNC 4/25)

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. 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, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. In Jinin, senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Iyad Hardan, wanted by Israel, is assassinated when a bomb planted in a public phone he frequently uses explodes. In response to Palestinian mortar fire nr. Nahal Oz crossing and nr. Netiv Haasara kibbutz inside the Green Line that causes no damage, the IDF fires rockets at PSF posts and a power station in Gaza, wounding at least 5 Palestinians, destroying 4 buildings, damaging 10 homes, causing blackouts. The IDF also bulldozes 100 dunams of Palestinian land in Shaykh Ajlin; begins work on a new settler bypass road linking Beit El settlement with Jerusalem; raids Burqa village, arrests 2 Palestinians. Sharon announces plans to build another 708 housing units in the Jewish settlements of Ma'ale Adumim, Alfe Menashe; the State Dept. criticizes the move as "provocative." Reportedly to ease tensions over the Erez shooting on 4/4, Israel reopens the Rafah border with Egypt, says it will allow 3,000 Palestinian workers into Israel. (LAW 4/5; AFP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; MENA, al-Quds 4/6, ITAR-TASS 4/7 in WNC 4/9; MM 4/9; AYM 4/9 in WNC 4/11; al-Quds 4/11 in WNC 4/12; LAW, WJW 4/12; MA 4/17 in WNC 4/18; MEI 4/20)

Sharon orders the Israeli security services to find ways to let Jews visit the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. (MENA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; WT 4/11)

In Washington, Bush receives 2 letters signed by 87 Senators, 209 House mbrs. calling on him to reconsider U.S. ties with the PLO. (REU, WP 4/6; al-Quds 4/8, HJ, MENA 4/9 in WNC 4/10; MM 4/9; SA 4/13 in WNC 4/16; HA 4/16; MM 4/18; JP 4/20)

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)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to escalate. In Rafah, the IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad activist Muhammad `Abd al-Al, firing wire-guided missiles fr. helicopter gunships at his truck. (2,000 Palestinians attend his funeral later in the day.) After an Islamic Jihad sniper kills an IDF soldier nr. Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem in retaliation, the IDF fires missiles, tank shells, machine guns, grenades at Palestinian residential areas of the city, damaging 15 homes and wounding 8 Palestinians, including a 2-yr.-old girl, 3-mo.-old baby. The IDF also eases open-fire regulations; shells residential areas of Aida camp, Bayt Jala, Nablus; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in al-Khadir, 1 in al-Tur. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) detonates a car bomb nr. an IDF patrol outside Qeddumim settlement, causing no injuries. In Hebron, Jewish settlers blow up 4 Palestinian shops; afterward, the IDF bulldozes the buildings, surrounding area to create a buffer around the Abraham Avino settlement. Palestinians fire homemade mortars at the Qarni industrial zone. In Jerusalem, a Palestinian attacks, injures an IDF soldier, steals her M-16. (JP [Internet] 4/2; AFP, MA 4/2 in WNC 4/3; MA 4/2, QA 4/4 in WNC 4/5; HP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/3; NYT 4/4; MEI 4/6; NYT 4/7)

In Washington, Mubarak briefs Bush on the Jordanian-Egyptian "nonpaper" (see 4/1), urges him to support the proposal and to become more involved in the peace process. Bush says the nonpaper ideas should be discussed; the U.S. can "facilitate" talks btwn. Israel, the PA, but it "can't force a peace." Bush also urges Egypt to return its amb. to Israel. (MM 4/2; MENA 4/2, JT, MENA, al-Quds 4/3, MENA, al-Ra'i 4/4 in WNC 4/5; JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/3; WJW 4/5; MEI 4/6; MENA 4/6 in WNC 4/9; MENA 4/11 in WNC 4/12; WJW 4/12)

The State Dept. certifies PLO compliance with the Oslo agmts. for the period 6/16/00+n12/15/00, saying PA security coordination with Israel was very high prior to 9/28/00, it is uncertain to what degree PLO or PA officials were actively involved in starting or encouraging violence after 9/28. (JP [Internet] 4/4; MM 4/10; MM 5/2)