The Palestine Chronology

The IDF reports Palestinian attacks have dropped 50% since Arafat's 12/16 cease-fire call, are down to an average of 11 incidents/day. Sharon, however, is still calling for 7 days of complete quiet before negotiations can resume. Israeli officials say the reduction since 12/16 does not warrant an easing of restrictions on Palestinians. (NYT 12/31; AKH, AYM, al-Quds 12/31 in WNC 1/2)

The IDF fatally shoots a total of 6 Palestinians in 2 separate incidents nr. Jewish settlements in Gaza. Among the dead is Ismail Abu al-Qumsan, a senior mbr. of the popular resistance comms. The IDF also shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes a sewerage network, telephone cables in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm. The PSF says it has arrested 3 DFLP mbrs., 2 Hamas mbrs., a PFLP mbr. for planning attacks on Israeli targets. The PA also says it has tried 5 PSF officers for involvement in attacks on Israelis, sentenced them to 18 mos.; has fired 2 other PSF officers, sentenced 1 of them to a yr. in prison for "anti-Israeli activities." Jewish settlers confiscate Palestinian farmland, uproot an olive grove to expand Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus. (HA 12/30; NYT, PMC, WT 12/31; LAW, PCHR 1/2; al-Quds 1/2 in WNC 1/3; PR 1/9; MEI 1/11)

The IDF declares the Kefar Etzion settlement checkpoint a closed military zone until 1/9 so as to prevent a delegation of 300 foreign nationals from traveling to Hebron on a solidarity visit to meet with Palestinians there. (EU parliament press release 12/30)

Israel says it will ease travel of Christian pilgrims (fr. the territories, Israel, abroad) to Bethlehem but says Arafat still may not leave Ramallah. The IDF conducts arrest raids in the PA-controlled section of Hebron (arresting 8 Palestinians) and in Rafah (occupying 6 Palestinian homes); fires on residential areas of Nablus. In Ramallah, the IDF fires tear gas, sound grenades, rubber bullets at 1,000s of Palestinians and 350 foreign peace activists protesting the Israeli siege, injuring 15 Palestinians, 10 foreigners. The PSF shuts 2 metal workshops in Gaza that allegedly made homemade mortars for Hamas. (AP 12/27; WT 12/28; PCHR 1/2)

IDF forces pull back fr. parts of Nablus, Ramallah but reenter them later in the day. In Tal, IDF soldiers fire on protesters who assemble to block tanks fr. reentering Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian. The IDF also shells residential areas of Nablus, causing 1 Palestinian to die of a heart attack; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Karawat Bani Zayd. In Gaza, the PSF again attempts to take Hamas spokesman Rantisi into custody but clashes with 100s of Hamas mbrs. and supporters, leaving 15 rioters and PSF officers injured. Israel says attempts to arrest Rantisi were designed to fail. Late tonight in Gaza, the PSF fires on a group of Islamic Jihad mbrs. preparing to launch a mortar at a Jewish settlement, killing 1 Palestinian. (AFP, MM 12/20; NYT, WP, WT 12/21; AYM, al-Quds 12/22 in WNC 12/26; PCHR 12/26)

In Washington, Zinni briefs Powell on his talks with Israel, the PA. Afterward, the U.S. says it will Zinni back to the region once it sees "sustained and decisive" action by both sides toward halting violence, noting that the PA in particular must do more to "combat terror and violence." (USIS Washington File 12/20; MENA 12/21 in WNC 12/26)

All Palestinian factions agree to halt attacks inside Israel, for 1 wk., conditional on Israel suspending assassinations; Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP reject calls to halt attacks on Israeli targets in the West Bank, Gaza. Hrs. later, IDF helicopters fire 2 missiles at the car of Islamic Jihad's Sidir in Hebron in a 2d assassination attempt. Sidir jumps fr. his car before the missiles strike, receiving only minor injuries, but 2 cars behind his are destroyed, killing 2 Palestinian children, injuring at least 2 adults. Also in Hebron, the IDF fatally shoots wanted Hamas mbr. Yakub Idkaydik; 2 other Palestinians are shot dead in Gaza, Nablus. Israeli police bar PLO Jerusalem affairs official Sari Nusseibeh fr. holding an reception for foreign dignitaries in Jerusalem, marking the end of Ramadan; detain him for 2 hrs. of questioning. The U.S. denounces the action as "provocative." Palestinian gunmen ambush 2 vehicles in the West Bank, injuring 3 Jewish settlers. (AFP, AP, MM 12/17; AFP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/18; Guardian, LAW, PCHR 12/19; WJW 12/20; HA, MEI 12/21; JT [Internet] 12/25)

In response to mortar fire on settlements in Gaza and across the border into Israel, which cause no damage, the IDF raids Bayt Hanun, bulldozing 5 Palestinian homes, 3 PSF posts, the local Fatah headquarters and killing 4 Palestinians, wounding 70, arresting 15 before withdrawing. After troops fatally shoot a 5th Palestinian allegedly attempting to infiltrate a Jewish settlement in Gaza, the IDF sends tanks into Rafah. The IDF also bulldozes the Nablus-Tubas road; confiscates a Palestinian home in Ramallah as an IDF outpost; breaks into the Voice of al-Quds radio station, damaging equipment, confiscating broadcasting gear; fires at a Red Crescent ambulance, wounding the driver; reinforces positions outside Bayt Lahia, Jabaliya. The PA closes 4 Hamas, Islamic Jihad offices in Gaza. (NYT, WP, WT 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19; MEI 12/21)

The IDF kills 8 Palestinians in clashes (including 6 PSF officers in Salfit, 2 Palestinians nr. Qarni crossing); conducts arrest sweeps in Asira Shamaliyya, Dura, Hebron, Nablus, Salfit, Tal, arresting at least 50 Palestinians; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Salfit, 36 in Khan Yunis (leaving over 350 people homeless); occupies 3 homes in Salfit, 1 home in Khan Yunis as military posts; sends tanks, bulldozers into Tamun in the West Bank. In retaliation for mortar fire, Israeli F-16s drop bombs on a Force 17 complex, a PSF office in Gaza City, injuring 7 Palestinians. Eyewitnesses in Salfit say at least 2 of the PSF officers killed were disarmed by IDF soldiers, told to lie on the ground, then were fatally shoot by soldiers. Palestinians in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh say they are suffering shortages of medicine, basic foods due to the ongoing IDF encirclement of the area. The IDF pulls out of Fatah tanzim leader Barghouti's house in Ramallah (see 12/13). (AP, HP, Jerusalem Times 12/14; NYT, WP, WT 12/15; HA, WT 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19)

The mayor of the Jewish town of Upper Nazareth announces plans to enlarge its jurisdiction by 3,700 dunams for construction of new neighborhoods, shopping centers. The 3,700 dunams will come fr. land expropriated in 1976 fr. the Arab town of `Ayn Mahil. Last wk., Upper Nazareth authorities bulldozed 2,000 old growth olive trees on confiscated `Ayn Mahil land for a new Jewish neighborhood that will be linked to Upper Nazareth. (Arab Association for Human Rights press release 12/15)

The IDF cuts electricity to Gaza City, Ramallah; sends tanks and F-16s to shell the control tower at Gaza airport, the PA headquarters in Gaza City and Ramallah (Arafat is unharmed), the PA naval police offices in Bayt Lahia, and PSF and Fatah offices nr. Gaza City, Ramallah, and Jinin; blows up the main radio, TV transmitters in Ramallah; bulldozes the Palestinian Media Center offices in Ramallah; occupies the home of Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti (who is not there at the time); makes incursions into PA-controlled areas of Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Beitunia, Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah, Sudaniyya, Tulkarm, al-Zahra; bulldozes Palestinian land in Rafah. A total of 4 Palestinians are killed during the day; shells strike the Friends Boys School, damaging 3 classrooms. In Gaza City, 2 Israeli missiles land nr. a mosque while Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin, Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahar are inside. Israel declares that the Zinni cease-fire talks are over, though Zinni had already planned to leave on 12/14 for Jordan and Egypt, then return to Washington. (AP, HP, MM, NYT, WP 12/13; MENA 12/13 in WNC 12/14; JP, HA, HP, NYT, WP, WT 12/14; HA 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19; MEI 12/21)

Overnight, IDF helicopters rocket a residential area of Khan Yunis, killing 4 Palestinians, wounding 21, destroying 2 Force 17 buildings. This evening, AMB, Hamas gunmen jointly detonate a roadside bomb nr. a Jewish settler bus outside Emmanuel settlement nr. Nablus, then open fire on the bus, 2 cars traveling with it, the medical workers who come to the scene, killing 9 Jewish settlers, 1 Israeli border police officer, wounding 30; 1 Hamas mbr. is run over, shot dead by the IDF. In Gaza, 2 Hamas suicide bombers detonate devices outside a Jewish settlement, wounding 4. Sharon severs all contacts with the PA, declares Arafat "irrelevant," says Israel will no longer wait for the PA to "wipe out terror networks" but will do the job itself. The IDF immediately begins F-16 air strikes on targets in al-Bireh, Gaza City, Jinin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, killing 1 Palestinian; tightens its encirclement of major Palestinian population centers; enters Jinin's area A with tanks, injuring 19 Palestinians before withdrawing; fires on a funeral procession in Khan Yunis, injuring 3. The Israeli inner cabinet agrees to "rapidly deploy" the IDF for "massive and continuous" operations "in cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip." Arafat orders the closure of all Hamas, Islamic Jihad offices, schools, clinics. (AP, LAW, MEZ, PMC 12/12; AFP, AP, HA, HP, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 12/13; AFP, MENA, XIN 12/13 in WNC 12/14; ATL 12/13 in WNC 12/17; JP, JT [Internet], MM 12/14, 12/17, 12/18; JP, MEI 12/21)

Due to severe weather, violence tapers off noticeably, though an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber lightly injures 5 Israelis outside a hotel in Jerusalem. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, a water network in Rafah, nr. Morag settlement; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire a residential areas of Jinin, Nablus, Rafah; confiscates Palestinian land in Dayr al-Balah; reinforces positions around Nablus, Qalqilya. In the afternoon, Israel, which had already curtailed operations due to the weather, announces it is halting strikes on PA targets for 12 hrs. to give Arafat a chance to demonstrate he is cracking down on opposition groups; names 36 Palestinians it wants arrested immediately, vowing to resume strikes on the morning of 12/6 unless the PA shows progress. Meanwhile, in a briefing to Likud MKs, Sharon vows to step up Israel's assassination campaign, bans all Palestinian vehicles on interurban West Bank roads, bars Arafat fr. leaving Ramallah, bans VIP passage for PA officials, promises continued attacks on PA military and symbolic targets. Late this evening, the IDF raids the PA Central Bureau of Statistics, vandalizing the building and confiscating computers, financial records, raw survey data (especially on political and social issues), and the names and addresses of survey respondents. Attempting again to implement Arafat's 12/3 arrest order, the PSF takes up positions around the Gaza City home of Hamas's Shaykh Yasin, confiscates his car, cuts his telephone service. In reaction, 100s of Palestinians converge on Yasin's home to challenge the PSF; the sides exchange gunfire leaving 1 Hamas mbr. dead, 2 wounded. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/28. (AP, HA, HP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM 12/5; LPA, XIN 12/5 in WNC 12/6; AFP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/7; PR 12/12; WP 12/21)

Israel strikes PA targets for a 2d day, shelling Arafat's Ramallah compound (though not hitting the building housing his office, where he is staying), sending F-16s to hit PSF, Force 17 offices in Gaza City. The IDF also shells PSF, Force 17, PA military intelligence offices in Bayt Lahia, Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, Salfit, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm and the Information Min. offices in Ramallah; reoccupies the village of Iktaba and areas of al-Bireh, Nablus, Ramallah; fires on the home of PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Ghassan Shaka`. A total of 3 Palestinians are killed, over 150 wounded, including 60 schoolchildren; a 4th Palestinian, an ill baby, dies when the IDF prevents his transportation through a checkpoint to a hospital. The PA dismisses Tulkarm's PSF head Brig. Gen. Mahmud Awadala for releasing prisoners fr. Tulkarm's jail, including 6 Islamic Jihad mbrs., in fear that the IDF would shell the prison. (AFP, AP, HA, HP, MEZ, MM, NYT, PMC, WP, WT 12/4; MENA 12/4 in WNC 12/5; HP, LAW, MM 12/5)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a powerful device on a bus in Haifa, killing 14 Israelis, 1 Filipino, and injuring more than 40. Arafat condemns the attack, outlaws "any movement, organization, or gathering" that does not abide by his cease-fire order, orders confiscation of illegal weapons, reiterates plans for a crackdown, saying that around 90 Palestinians have already been arrested. Israel dismisses the arrests as "a stunt," seals PA areas, bans all Palestinian vehicular traffic, shells residential areas of Jinin. In one of several similar incidents in the Bethlehem area, 20 PSF officers attempting to arrest journalist Issa Zawahara, who has ties to Islamic Jihad, are chased off by an angry crowd of Palestinians. Arafat later meets with PA security heads, convenes the Palestinian Council (PC) to discuss the recent attacks. (AFP, AP, HA 12/2; AFP, ATL, Interfax, LPA, XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/3; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/3; DUS, MA 12/3 in WNC 12/4; WT 12/4; AYM 12/4 in WNC 12/5; LAW 12/5; WJW 12/6; MEI 12/7; JP 12/14)

Sharon, Bush meet at the White House. Sharon says he does not expect Arafat to take serious steps to arrest those responsible for recent suicide attacks, says Israel will "do what we have to do to protect our citizens." Neither Bush nor U.S. officials urge Israeli restraint. (JP [Internet] 12/2; LPA 12/2 in WNC 12/3; MM, WP, WT 12/3; WT 12/4; VIRI 12/4 in WNC 12/5; MM 12/5)

Meanwhile, Hamas also takes responsibility for a drive-by shooting in Gaza, which leaves 1 Jewish settler dead. In the Jordan Valley, 7 settlers are wounded in a 2d drive-by shooting. Palestinians in Bayt Jala fire on Gilo, injuring 2 settlers. Armed Jewish settlers accost Palestinians in Hizma. An Israeli security guard outside an East Jerusalem bank fatally shoots a Palestinian, apparently fearing that he was about to stage an attack. The IDF fatally shoots 4 Palestinians nr. a Jinin checkpoint, 1 Palestinian in Tulkarm; fires a tank shell at a Palestinian in Qabatiyya, killing him. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Aida, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Salim; conducts arrest raids in Abu Dis, Azariyya, Burqa. In Gaza, some 1,000 Hamas supporters rally in support of continued attacks on Israeli targets. In Nablus, 300 Palestinians attend a rally against political arrests sponsored by the National and Islamic Higher Comm. for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC). (HA 12/2; XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/3; PMC, REU, WP 12/3; LAW 12/5)

In response to the 11/29 Hadera bombing, Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer authorizes the IDF to step up assassinations, tighten blockades on PA areas. The IDF encircles, takes up positions just inside PA-controlled areas of Jinin, Nablus, Tulkarm; directs machine gun fire at residential areas of Beitunia, Nablus; sends bulldozers into al-Bireh, temporarily occupy the roof of the PA Min. of Planning and International Cooperation while land in front of the building is razed; conducts an arrest raid in Hebron. 1,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Ramallah, 8 are injured when the IDF fires on the crowd. (MM 11/30; PMC, NYT, WP, WT 12/1; LAW 12/5)

The IDF shoots, kills 1 Palestinian nr. a crossing into Israel. Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo; the IDF returns fire on Bayt Jala; no casualties are reported. Nr. Nablus, the IDF bulldozes roads, agricultural lands; a Jewish settler intentionally hits a Palestinian with his car, killing him. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim uproot 150 Palestinian olive trees in Jit; settlers fr. Ofra bulldoze Palestinian land around their settlement. The PSF begins an arrest campaign targeting Islamic Jihad, arresting 7 mbrs., questioning 22 Palestinians affiliated with the group. (PMC 11/28; HP, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 11/29; XIN 12/1 in WNC 12/3)

Special envoys Burns, Zinni meet with Arafat in Ramallah; tour the West Bank with U.S. officials to see refugee camps, the effect of Israel's military siege and settlement construction on Palestinians. Meanwhile, Sharon publicly restates his demand for 7 days of complete Palestinian quiet before Israel would take steps to implement the Tenet plan. (MM 11/28; AP, NYT, WP, WT 11/29)

Israel admits that 5 Palestinian boys killed by an explosion on 11/22 accidentally triggered a bomb planted the IDF that was for Palestinian gunmen. In Nablus, 50,000 Palestinians attend the funeral for Hamas's Abu Hanud. In retaliation for Abu Hanud's assassination, Hamas fire mortars at Kefar Darom settlement, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 2. In response to 5 explosions along the Rafah-Egypt border, the IDF shells Palestinian residential areas of Rafah. (MENA 11/24 in WNC 11/27; NYT, WP, WT 11/25; NYT 11/26; PMC 11/28; MM 12/20; NYT 12/21)

On the eve of the new U.S. mission to the region, the IDF assassinates senior Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades head Mahmud Abu Hanud, firing a missile at his car nr. Nablus; 2 other Hamas mbrs. are also killed. In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians are killed in an explosion; the PA says they were hit by a tank shell, the IDF claims they were preparing a bomb. The IDF also fires on a civilian car nr. the Rafah crossing, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding another; opens fire on stone throwers in Gaza, killing a 7th Palestinian. Palestinians fire a mortar at Neve Dekalim, causing damage but no injuries. (AP, HA 11/23; MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 11/24; AFP 11/24 in WNC 11/27; JP [Internet], REU, YA 11/25; DUS, al-Quds 11/25 in WNC 11/28; MM 11/26; MEI 12/7)

The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Nablus. The IDF demolishes 18 Palestinian homes in a Rafah refugee camp, claiming they were used as cover for Palestinian gunmen. The IDF also sends troops, bulldozers into PA-controlled areas nr. Netzarim, firing shells and heavy machine guns at residential areas and leveling over 25 acres of land. (AP, PMC 11/20; WP, WT 11/21)

In a predawn raid, the IDF send 12 tanks and armored vehicles, 6 bulldozers into Khan Yunis, firing shells and heavy machine guns at homes, killing 1 Palestinian, injuring at least 13, completely demolishing 15 Palestinian homes, partially destroying 11. The IDF claims the action was in response to Palestinian gunfire aimed at Neve Dekalim. The IDF conducts a similar raid into Tulkarm, damaging several homes, uprooting an orchard, cutting electricity; sends tanks under helicopter cover into al-Shawawra village, damaging several homes, arresting 7 Palestinians; shells, fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Kafr al-Dik, Salfit. In Jinin, 100s of Palestinians still angry over the arrest of Islamic Jihad's Tawalbi clash with PSF mbrs. The PSF releases 2 PFLP mbrs. ordered freed by the PA High Court on 11/7. (AP, HP, JP [Internet], PCHR, WT 11/15; NYT 11/16; AYM 11/16 in WNC 11/19; AFP 11/18; MEI 11/23)

Peres, in his speech to the UNGA, says that there is support in Israel for a Palestinian state, Palestinian independence; the gap btwn. Israeli, Palestinian positions are more emotional than political. (HA, MM 11/15)

The new UNGA session, postponed fr. 9/24 because of the 9/11 attacks, opens in New York. (Arafat attends; Peres, who is in town, does not because of the Jewish Sabbath.) In his address, Bush notes that the U.S. is working "toward the day when two states--Israel and Palestine--live peacefully together," marking the 1st time a U.S. pres. has used the word "Palestine" to refer to the future Palestinian state. He also warns against "trying to pick and choose . . . terrorist friends" in reference to his repeated calls on the PA to crack down on violence. At a closed-door diplomatic lunch hosted by Secy. Gen. Annan, Bush refuses to greet or acknowledge Arafat. (HA 11/10; AP, WP 11/11; DUS 11/11 in WNC 11/20; AFP, MM, NYT, WP 11/12; AYM 11/12 in WNC 11/14; MM 11/13; NYT 11/15; MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/19; MEI 11/23)

The IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into the PA-controlled village of al-Arqa nr. Jinin to arrest 12 Palestinians, uproot an olive grove; bulldozes agricultural land in al-Mawasi area. Jewish settlers raid the Palestinian village of al-Sawiyya nr. Nablus, set a car on fire. (PMC 11/11; PHRC 11/15)

In Nazareth, 1,500 Israeli Arabs demonstrate against the Knesset decision to lift MK Bishara's immunity. (AFP 11/10) (see 11/6)

The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Ramallah. Nr. Hebron, 1 Palestinian is shot dead, 2 are wounded allegedly by Israeli undercover units. The dead man, Issa Dababsa, reportedly had run-ins with local settlers over land he owns adjacent to their settlement. A 2d Palestinian is killed by heavy IDF gunfire in Khan Yunis. A 3d Palestinian dies of kidney failure at an IDF roadblock nr. Jinin after being denied passage to a hospital for dialysis. The IDF also fires on a PSF post outside Khan Yunis, injuring 1 officer; confiscates a Palestinian home in Tulkarm; reinforces troops outside Nablus. (AFP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 11/7; HP, PCHR 11/8)

The PA High Court orders the immediate release of 2 PFLP mbrs. arrested in connection with the 10/17 Ze'evi assassination, saying the PA had violated its own legal procedures in making the arrests, there is not enough evidence to hold the pair. The PSF does not release them. (al-Ahram 11/15; AFP 11/18; MEI 11/23)

The Israeli Interior Min. demolishes bedouin homes in the Negev that housed 60 individuals. (HA 11/8)

In an apparent assassination, a car explodes in Jinin, killing 2 AMB mbrs. wanted by Israel. The IDF reportedly executes 3 Palestinians following a clash in Tal nr. Nablus that leaves 1 IDF soldier. (Palestinian Red Crescent Society press release, PMC 11/6; NYT, PMC, WP, WT 11/7; MENA 11/7 in WNC 11/8; HP, PCHR, WP 11/8)

The Knesset revokes the parliamentary immunity of Israeli Arab MK Azmi Bishara, clearing the way for his prosecution on charges of encouraging violence, supporting a "terrorist organization" (Hizballah) for making statements against Israel's occupation of s. Lebanon, organizing illegal trips to Syria for Israeli Arabs to visit relatives. This marks the 1st time that an MK's immunity has been revoked for making political statements. (HP, WP 11/8; NYT 11/10; MM 11/13, 11/14; WJW 11/15; JP 11/16; HA 11/17)

IDF helicopters fire rockets at a Palestinian taxi nr. Tulkarm, killing 2 Hamas mbrs., wounding and capturing the taxi driver. The IDF also abducts a 3d Hamas mbr. fr. Nablus; shells residential areas of Tulkarm; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at a preparatory school in Rafah, trapping students inside, damaging the building. (LAW, MM 11/1; WP 11/2; PCHR 11/8)

In a phone call with Powell, Sharon again refuses to withdraw troops fr. PA-controlled areas. Instead, the IDF overtly assassinates senior Hamas mbr. Jamil Jadallah Qawasmi, firing rockets at his Hebron home. In other apparent assassinations, the IDF fires tank shells at the car of Hamas mbr. Abdallah Jarushi, killing him; soldiers ambush a car nr. Nablus carrying 4 PSF officers, killing 2; IDF special forces units enter Qalqilya, attack a PSF post, killing 2 PSF officers, wounding 1. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Tal al-Sultan; conducts arrest raids in Araba, shelling a PSF post (injuring 2 PSF officers), demolishing a Palestinian home, arresting 7 Palestinians, including 4 Islamic Jihad mbrs. allegedly plotting a suicide bombing. (HP, LAW, REU 10/31; NYT, WP, WT 11/1; AYM 11/1 in WNC 11/2; MM 11/2)

The Israeli government reaches an agmt. with Israeli Arab residents of al-Tira, Taybeh under which residents would be compensated with other land of equal value to the land to be taken for the highway project. (HA 10/31) (see 10/30)

Peres says that he is preparing a personal peace initiative, that he will probably meet with Arafat on the sidelines of a 2-day economic conference that opens in Spain on 11/2. Sharon, expressing surprise, reminds Peres he must coordinate any mtgs. with Arafat with the PM's Office. (AP, MM 10/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/31; HA 11/6; HP 11/7; MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9; JP 11/11 in WNC 11/14) (see Peace Monitor)

Israel demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. The U.S. condemns the action as highly provocative. The IDF conducts raids into Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia under intense shelling and heavy machine gun fire, hitting electricity generators, cutting power to the area; also makes arrest raids in Araba, Tulkarm; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; fires on Palestinian fishermen off Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes 10s of dunams of Palestinian land in Wadi Qana, reportedly to expand Ma'ale Shomron settlement; bulldozes 6 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Netzarim settlement; reinforces troops on the Nablus-Qalqilya road (cutting power to the area), around Tulkarm. Palestinians fire several mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. The PA says it has arrested 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in connection with the Hadera attack on 10/28. Families of Palestinians placed under 6-mo. administrative detention by the PSF over the past 2 wks. hold a demonstration outside PSF offices in al-Bireh, Ramallah; scuffle with PSF officers. (LAW 10/30; HP, LAW, NYT, WT 10/31)

In the Galilee, 400 Israeli police clash with 1,000 Israeli Arabs residents of al-Tira and Taybeh protesting the government's expropriation of village lands for a highway, leaving more than 40 Israeli Arabs (including 3 MKs), 18 police officers injured. (JP [Internet] 10/30; HA 10/31)

Under U.S. pressure, Sharon pulls the IDF out of Bethlehem, Bayt Jala. Jewish settlers assault journalists covering the pullout. Islamic Jihad gunmen kill 4 Israelis, wound 30 in a drive-by shooting in Hadera, are fatally shot by Israeli police. AMB gunmen kill 1 IDF soldier on the West Bank-Israeli border, escape into the West Bank. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Nablus, al-Ubayat; reinforces positions in Jinin, Tulkarm; opens fire on 9 Palestinian schools in the PA-controlled section of Hebron, injuring 4 students with rubber-coated metal bullets, 15 with tear gas; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Qalqilya. Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars outside Silwad. (HP 10/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/29; QA 10/29 in WNC 11/1; LAW 10/31)

Under further pressure fr. the EU, Russia, UN, and U.S., Israel agrees to pull the IDF out of the Bethlehem area on 10/27, to consider expanding the pullout to 5 other major PA-controlled towns if the cease-fire in Bethlehem holds and the PA agrees to extradite suspects in the Ze'evi case. Throughout the day, however, heavy clashes continue in, around Bethlehem except for a brief period while a team of EU officials tour the area. The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians, 1 Israeli Arab; digs deep trenches in Jinin to keep Palestinians from sneaking into Israel; sets up new military outposts outside Nablus, Ramallah; enters Dayr Nitham village, opening fire on and damaging several Palestinian homes; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts an arrest raid in Qalqilya. (MM 10/27; NYT, WP, WT 10/27; Interfax 10/27 in WNC 10/29; LAW 10/31)

IDF soldiers fatally shoot 3 Palestinians in Tulkarm; a 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/22. Heavy shelling, machine gun fire is reported in Bethlehem, Tulkarm. In Bethlehem, Christian and Muslim religious leaders lead 6,000 Palestinians in a peace procession and prayer service, calling on Israel to evacuate the city. In Nablus, 1,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of assassinated Hamas mbr. Halawih. The IDF sends bulldozers, under cover of heavy machine gun fire, into Bayt Hanun; reinforces troops around Khan Yunis; bulldozes land in al-Qarara, demolishing 1 home, 1 workshop. (AP, MEZ 10/23; NYT, PCHR 10/24; AYM 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

In separate mtgs. with Bush and Powell, Peres rejects the U.S. demand for Israel's immediate withdrawal fr. PA-controlled areas. (AFP, AP, MM 10/23; NYT, WP 10/24; MA 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

The U.S. strongly condemns Israel's recent incursions into Palestinian towns, calls for Israel's immediate withdrawal. The EU, Russia, UN, and U.S. send a delegation of senior envoys to meet with Arafat to urge him to "address Israel's security concerns," to make "absolutely certain" that the PA arrests those responsible for the Ze'evi assassination. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; MA, QA 10/23 in WNC 10/24; AYM 10/23, MA, al-Quds 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM 10/24; NYT 10/27)

Peres arrives in Washington for 2 days of consultations with senior U.S. admin. officials. Peres is accompanied by a dozen senior Israeli officials, IDF officers, who plan to brief U.S. officials, Jewish leaders on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. (NYT, WP 10/23; HA 10/26)

Meanwhile, the IDF has entered or surrounded and cut off every major Palestinian population center in the West Bank. Fighting is especially heavy in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian opens fire on Jewish settlers in Talpiot settlement, wounding 4 before being shot dead by the IDF. In an apparent assassination, wanted Izzeddine al-Qassam mbr. Ayman Abu Halawih is killed, his 3 passengers are injured when his car explodes in Nablus. A 3d Palestinian is fatally shot by IDF troops nr. Tulkarm. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/21. A Palestinian woman in labor is denied passage through an IDF checkpoint to a Bethlehem hospital; she gives birth at the crossing, the baby dies. A Palestinian, detained since 10/18, dies in PA General Intelligence custody; the PA claims he committed suicide. The IDF bulldozes land in Rafah, demolishing 4 Palestinian homes, at least 9 stores. Israeli authorities also demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem. (LAW, MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

In Jerusalem, nearly 100,000 Israelis demonstrate in favor of increased military attacks on the Palestinians, equating Arafat to Bin Laden, calling for the removal of Arafat and the PA. (NYT, WP 10/23; MM 10/24; JP 11/9)

Hizballah fires rockets at IDF positions in Shaba` Farms. Israeli warplanes, artillery strike Hizballah positions in response. No injuries are reported. The U.S. warns Hizballah, Israel against escalating tensions. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; SAF 10/23 in WNC 10/24; SAF 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM, WJW 10/25)

In response to the mortar attack on Gilo on 10/18, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bethlehem, Bayt Jala; occupies 10 Palestinian buildings in Bethlehem (including 2 hotels to house troops), several in Bayt Jala. The incursions spark clashes, which leave 3 Palestinians dead and at least 16 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier injured. In Ramallah, 2 Palestinians are killed by IDF shelling; a 6th Palestinian is killed in Gaza. IDF tanks completely surround Bayt Sahur, Nablus, Qalqilya. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Hanina, Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Qarni crossing. Churches in Jerusalem issue a statement calling on Israel to pull back, deescalate tensions, especially in Bethlehem. (BBC, HP, MM, REU 10/19; AP, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

Israel cuts off all contact with the PA; gives Shin Bet, the IDF the "green light" to step up assassinations. Some MKs say Sharon should banish Arafat fr. the West Bank, Gaza. The PA arrests 3 PFLP leaders, but says it has not identified Ze'evi's assassins, will not extradite them to Israel once it does. Israel says if the killers are not extradited, it will treat the PA as a sponsor of terrorism. (The State Dept. refuses to back Israel's extradition demand.) Sharon declares that "Arafat has 7 days to impose absolute quiet in the territories. If not, we will go to war against him. As far as I'm concerned, the era of Arafat is over." (HP, MM 10/18; MENA, XIN 10/18 in WNC 10/19; NYT, WP, WT 10/19; MM 10/23)

The IDF reoccupies areas A in Jinin, Nablus, and Ramallah, sending in tanks and troops, shelling buildings, killing 3 Palestinians. In Bethlehem, 3 Palestinians, including Fatah tanzim leader Atif Ubayyat, 1 of Israel's most wanted, are killed when an explosion destroys their car. The deaths, which Palestinians claim were an assassination, spark a serious gun battle around the city; Palestinians in Bayt Jala also fire a mortar at Gilo for the 1st time in 2 mos., causing no damage. Palestinian gunmen fire on a group of Jewish settlers hiking in the Jordan Valley, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 2. (HP, MM, PMC 10/18; AP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 10/19; WP 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

At least 1 PFLP gunman assassinates Israeli tourism M Ze'evi in an East Jerusalem hotel, shooting him at point blank range, using a pistol equipped with a silencer, escaping undetected. The PFLP says it is retaliating for the assassination of PFLP secy. gen. Mustafa on 8/27; also takes responsibility for a suicide car bombing in Gaza that wounds 2 IDF soldiers. Arafat immediately condemns the assassination, orders the PSF to arrest the killers. The PSF quickly arrests 3 PFLP mbrs. but releases them after questioning. (AP, HA, HP, JP [Internet], MM, REU 10/17; AFP, ATL, XIN 10/17 in WNC 10/18; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; al-Quds 10/18 in WNC 10/19; Tehran Times 10/20 in WNC 10/22; WJW 10/25)

Meanwhile, Hamas mbr. Iyad al-Akhras is killed in an explosion in his Gaza home in what may be an assassination. The IDF also fires a missile at a Palestinian car in Nablus, but the rocket misses, 3 Palestinians escape unharmed. The IDF makes a predawn incursion into al-Qarara, firing heavy machine guns at homes, bulldozing 10s of dunams of cultivated land for construction of a settler bypass road; directs machine gun fire at residential areas of Gaza City, Jinin, Rafah; bulldozes secondary Palestinian roads around Ramallah. Palestinian gunmen reportedly fire at Neve Dekalim, wounding 2 Jewish settlers. In East Jerusalem, Jewish settlers angry over Ze'evi's murder attack, beat Palestinians. (HP 10/17; WT 10/18)

After a lengthy Israeli inner cabinet mtg., Sharon issues an ultimatum to the PA: arrest and extradite Ze'evi's killers and the PFLP's current leaders and "dismantle terror organizations" or face a response more severe than any recent reprisal. Sharon then convenes a special session of the Knesset (boycotted by Arab MKs), where he declares, "We will wage all-out war on the terrorists" and "those who collaborate with them." National Union+nYisrael Beitunia MKs suspend their resignations to see how Sharon responds. The IDF sends tanks, troops 2.5 mi. into area A around Jinin; reimposes tight closures on, places 24 hr. curfews on, and directs shells and heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Azariyya, al-Bireh, Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah; deploys helicopters to hover over major Palestinian population centers; bars Arafat fr. using Gaza airport. (HP, MM 10/17; AFP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; JP [Internet], WP 10/29)

Powell phones Sharon to urge Israel to use restraint. The White House calls on the PA to "immediately find and bring to justice those who committed this murder," saying Arafat must "take vigorous action against terrorists." (MM, WP 10/18; Interfax, MENA, QA 10/18 in WNC 10/19)