The Palestine Chronology

As U.S. envoy Zinni meets with PA officials, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus in Hadera, Israel, killing 3 Israelis, wounding 7. The bomber reportedly boarded the bus in the Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. A Palestinian gunman also kills 1 IDF soldier in a drive-by shooting at a West Bank checkpoint. The IDF opens fire on a Palestinian car at a Jordan Valley checkpoint, killing 2 Palestinians that "acted suspiciously" by making a U-turn to avoid the congested crossing. The IDF also opens fire on a French delegation (135 politicians, journalists, intellectuals) touring homes demolished by the IDF in Khan Yunis; seals Hebron; sets up more roadblocks, especially on the road to Bethlehem; tightens the closure on Tulkarm, bulldozing areas along the Green Line; raids a Palestinian factory nr. Qarni crossing, confiscating electrical equipment; directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Jinin; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers, under IDF protection, place caravans on a new settlement site nr. Dayr al-Balah. (AFP, HP 11/29; AFP, AP, HP, MM, NYT, WT 11/30; al-Quds 11/30 in WNC 12/3; LAW 12/5)

Sharon arrives in the U.S. on an official visit, accuses Arafat of having built a "coalition of terror" against Israel. (MM 11/30; NYT 12/1)

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)

In Afula, Israel, 2 Palestinian gunmen (1 fr. Islamic Jihad, 1 fr. the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade [AMB]) open fire on a crowd, killing 2 Israelis, wounding 14 before being shot dead. Sharon, taking U.S. envoys Burns and Zinni on a helicopter tour of the West Bank and Gaza at the time, redirects the chopper to overfly the scene of the attack. Later, a Palestinian sniper fatally shoots a Jewish settler driving in Gaza, wounds 3 others, is then killed by the IDF. The PA condemns the attacks; PA head Yasir Arafat issues a statement pledging to make a "100% effort" toward achieving a cease-fire. Meanwhile, the IDF steps up strikes on residential areas of Khan Yunis; tightens access to Jerusalem. (HP, MM 11/27; AP, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/28; AFP, AYM, al-Quds 11/28 in WNC 11/29; JP 12/7)

IDF soldiers guarding Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem open fire on stone-throwing Palestinian youths, killing a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy. In retaliation for the 11/24 mortar attack on Kefar Darom, the IDF shells, destroys the PA military intelligence office in Khan Yunis, a naval police post in Sudaniyya, and a Fatah office in Dayr al-Balah, injuring 3; bulldozers demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Tal Sultan. Palestinians fire 8 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage; detonate a roadside bomb nr. Hebron, causing no damage. (PMC 11/25; HP, HA, NYT, WT 11/26)

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)

In Khan Yunis, 5 Palestinian schoolboys are killed in a mysterious explosion. The IDF raids Azariyya, shuts a PSF office, 2 PA Interior Min. offices; shells residential areas of Bayt Hanun. Nr. Tulkarm, 3 armed Palestinians drive a jeep through the gates of a factory run by Jewish settlers, opening fire, wounding 2 workers. (HP, MEZ 11/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/23; WP 11/24; MENA 11/24 in WNC 11/27; HA 11/25; JT 11/25 in WNC 11/28; MM 11/27; MEI 12/7)

The IDF raids a village outside Tulkarm, captures PSF officer Samir Kayid and his brother. A Palestinian dies of a heart attack at an IDF checkpoint in Gaza after soldiers bar his ambulance fr. taking him to a hospital. The IDF also raids the PA Interior Min. offices in Azariyya, confiscating files; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis (damaging a school), Rafah, Tal Sultan; demolishes a Palestinian home in Hebron; reinforces closures in n. Gaza, Hebron. (HP, NYT, WT 11/22; LAW 11/26)

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 Louisville, U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell gives the 1st major policy speech on the Middle East by the George W. Bush admin., announcing plans to send 2 envoys (retired Gen. Anthony Zinni, Asst. Secy. of State for Near East Affairs William Burns) to the region to help broker an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire based on the 6/11/01 Tenet cease-fire plan and the 5/20/01 Mitchell Comm. recommendations, which calls for a halt to violence, confidence building measures, a return to negotiations. (HA, MM 11/19; XIN 11/19 in WNC 11/20; AFP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/20; AYM, DUS, MENA, al-Quds, al-Ra'i, SA 11/20 in WNC 11/21; AYM 11/20, IRNA, QA 11/21, ATL, SA 11/22 in WNC 11/23; AYM 11/22 in WNC 11/28; MEI, MM 11/23; WP 11/25) (see Doc. D3 in JPS 122)

The IDF kills 2 Palestinians planting a roadside bomb in the West Bank; sends tanks into Rafah refugee camp to bulldoze 4 Palestinian homes, injuring 1 Palestinian; sends tanks, bulldozers into Bayt Hanun for several hrs. Palestinian gunmen fire on a vehicle nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, injuring 3 Jewish settlers. (NYT, WT 11/20; LAW 11/26)

Ramadan begins. Despite pleas fr. Muslim nations, the U.S. continues its "war against terror" in Afghanistan. In Jerusalem, Israel bars younger Palestinian men access to the al-Aqsa mosque, citing security reasons. (AP 11/16; NYT 11/17)

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) enters 2 areas of Gaza controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA), bulldozes Palestinian agriculture land, destroys a PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) post. In Jinin, 2,000 Palestinians protest outside a PSF office for the 3d day, demanding the release of senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Tawalbi, arrested by the PSF on 11/14. Clashes are also reported in al-Bireh. (AP 11/16; WT 11/17; LAW 11/26)

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)

In Jinin, the PSF arrest senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Tawalbi, who is wanted by Israel. The arrest sparks riots in Jinin, with some 3,000 Palestinians, including local Fatah tanzim mbrs., firing guns and throwing grenades at PSF offices, burning cars; 1 protester, 1 PSF officer are injured. A Palestinian in Tulkarm dies of kidney failure after the IDF bars him fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. In a gesture to mark the start of Ramadan, Israel extends the Palestinian fishing area to 12 mi. off the Gaza coast, releases 30 Palestinian prisoners, resumes prison visits in Israel for Palestinian families in the West Bank. (MM 11/14; JP [Internet], HA, NYT, PCHR, WP 11/15; WP 11/19; MEI 11/23)

The State Dept. announces that Powell will deliver a major address on the Middle East on 11/19 to lay out the Bush admin.'s principles on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Afterward, special envoys retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, Asst. Secy. of State Burns will head to the region to revive cease-fire talks. Sharon should then come to Washington to meet with Bush ca. 12/3. (JP [Internet] 11/13; MM, WP 11/14; MM, NYT 11/15; AYM 11/17 in WNC 11/19; HA 11/18)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian woman in her Tulkarm home; reinforces positions in Jinin, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home in Tulkarm; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah, along the Green Line nr. Tulkarm and around Jerusalem; demolishes an aviary in nr. Bayt Lahia; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Hanun, al-Iktaba; closes 2 main north-south roads in Gaza. Palestinians report that in the past 2 days, the IDF has also bulldozed 400 trees, cultivated land, water works in the al-Mawasi area. (HP, REU 11/13; WP 11/14; PCHR 11/15)

Israeli Arab Atallah Abu Aida is arrested for smuggling arms to Palestinians in Hebron. (WT 11/14)

Addressing the UNGA, Arafat welcomes Bush's 10/2 and 11/10 comments in support of a Palestinian state, reiterates the PA's desire to resume peace talks with Israel and willingness to confront "international terrorism," requests an international monitoring mechanism for the West Bank and Gaza. Powell meets separately with Arafat, Peres. (AFP, AP 11/11; MM, NYT 11/12; MM 11/14; MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/19)

A Palestinian gunman kills an Israeli security officer in the Israeli village Kefar Hess, nr. the West Bank border. A Palestinian dies in a mysterious explosion in Bethlehem. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/9. Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron hits, seriously injures an 82-yr.-old Palestinian man. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Hebron enter the Palestinian village of Halhul, vandalize property, fire in the air, throw stones at cars, assault residents. Jewish settlers, under IDF protection, move caravans and electrical generators to a new settlement site outside Jinin. The IDF confiscates, bulldozes 10s of dunams of land in Jabi', n. of Jerusalem, for annexation to Adam settlement. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land along the Gaza border, nr. Bayt Hanun; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Khan Yunis; tightens the closure on Hebron. (HP, PMC 11/11; AFP, NYT 11/12; MM 11/13; PCHR 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)

A Palestinian is shot dead by IDF troops in Gaza. AMB gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Jinin, killing 1 settler. The IDF raids a Palestinian home in the PA-controlled section of Hebron, detaining 1 Palestinian, injuring 3, causing serious property damage; temporarily occupies a Palestinian home nr. Netzarim settlement. (WT 11/9; NYT, WT 11/10; PCHR 11/15)

In Baqa` al-Sharqiyya, a Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device as IDF commandos raid his hide-out, wounding 2 commandos. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/6. The IDF tightens the closures on Jinin, Salfit, Tulkarm; directs gunfire at a Jordanian diplomatic vehicle traveling nr. the Erez crossing; bulldozes agricultural land in Bayt Lahia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities evict, confiscate the home of a Palestinian family; give evacuation orders to 2 other families. Israel also bars PA Telecommunications M Imad al-Faluji fr. leaving the PA areas to attend an Arab League mtg. in Cairo. A Jewish settler driving nr. Bethlehem hits a 5-yr.-old Palestinian boy, seriously injuring him; the IDF blocks his transportation to a hospital for over 1 hr. In a similar incident, a 4-yr.-old Palestinian boy is hit, injured by a Jewish settler nr. Jinin; due to the closure, it takes the boy's father 2 hrs. to get him to a hospital less than 1 mi. away. (HP 11/8; MA, MENA, Voice of Israel 11/8 in WNC 11/9; PMC 11/10; AYM 11/14 in WNC 11/19; PCHR 11/15)

The White House says that Bush will not meet with Arafat on the sidelines of the upcoming UNGA session because the PA has not done enough to stop "terrorism." (WT 11/9; AN, QA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; AYM 11/11, Le Monde 11/13 in WNC 11/14)

Israeli police question Israeli Arab MK Talib al-Sana on suspicion of sedition for reportedly stating in an interview with Abu Dhabi TV that a Palestinian attack on the Israeli DMin. on 8/5 was legitimate since the target was military and not civilian. (JP [Internet] 11/9) (see 11/6)

The Lebanese cabinet formally rejects U.S. requests to freeze Hizballah assets. (SAF 11/8 in WNC 11/9; NYT, WP 11/9; SAF 11/10 in WNC 11/13; al-Nahar 11/10, al-Anwar [Beirut] 11/11 in WNC 11/14; MM 11/13; WJW 11/15; MEI 11/23) (11/2)

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)

The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Qalqilya, keeping a closure on the city, positioning itself to reinvade quickly if so ordered. The body of a PSF officer, missing since 10/20, is found in the area evacuated by the IDF; he had been shot 10 times. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/21. Israel tightens Palestinian access to East Jerusalem, deploying more border police, special forces units; placing new checkpoints nr. the "Greater Jerusalem" boundary at Anata, Bayt Hanina, Jaba', Shu'fat; closing the Bethlehem road checkpoint into the city; placing a closure on Azariyya. IDF troops, under cover of shelling and heavy machine gun fire, enter Rafah, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, damage 2 others. The IDF also reinforces troops in Jinin, Tulkarm; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, Tulkarm; digs a trench across the main Jinin-Nablus road. Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian store, vandalize several other shops in the Israeli-controlled section of Hebron; shoot, wound a Palestinian teenager in Silat al-Dahir; stone Palestinian cars in East Jerusalem. Egyptian officials say that 1,200 Palestinians are trapped on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border, that Israel is only allowing 200 Palestinians/day into Gaza. (AFP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 11/5; NYT, WP 11/6; al-Quds 11/6 in WNC 11/7; PCHR 11/8; MENA 11/19 in WNC 11/20)

On the sidelines of an Euro-Mediterranean economics conference in Brussels, Arafat, Peres hold informal talks with EU reps. on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. (AFP 11/5 in WNC 11/6; NYT, WT 11/6)

An Islamic Jihad gunman opens fire on a bus in French Hill settlement in East Jerusalem, killing 2 Jewish settlers and wounding around 50 before being shot dead by 2 border police officers, 1 IDF soldier, 1 armed settler. Despite the attack, Sharon agrees to continue the withdrawal fr. PA areas beginning with Qalqilya on 11/5. The IDF launches a predawn missile attack on PSF posts in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Dayr al-Balah, and Jabaliya, which Israel claims housed mortar factories; 1 senior PSF officer is killed. The IDF also shells residential areas of Tulkarm; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Shatti camp; shells, partially destroys a PSF roadblock nr. Hebron. (NYT, WP 11/4; NYT, WP, WT 11/5; PCHR 11/8; JP 11/16)

The IDF fire on a PSF patrol operating btwn. Dayr al-Balah and Kefar Darom settlement, killing 1 PSF officer, seriously injuring a 2d. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Brazil camp; bulldozes Palestinian land around Netzarim settlement. (PCHR 11/8)

In Spain, Peres, Arafat hold a brief 1-on-1 mtg. to discuss how to widen their cease-fire, restart peace talks. Arafat says that the PA has cracked down on Hamas, arrested more than 60 PFLP mbrs. since the Ze'evi assassination on 10/17. Peres tells Arafat he must arrest at least another 10-15 of Israel's most wanted. (RNE 11/3 in WNC 11/5; NYT, WT 11/4)

Sharon cancels plans to come to the U.S. on 11/11 for the opening of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session, where he was expected to meet with Bush. (NYT, WP, WT 11/4; WP 11/5; NYT 11/6)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes diminish overall, though sharp fighting is reported on the Gaza coast. (WP 11/4)

On the sidelines of a Euro-Mediterranean economic conference in Spain, Spanish PM José María Aznar hosts a working lunch with Arafat, Peres, Mubarak to discuss the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Although Peres lacks a mandate fr. Sharon to conduct negotiations, the men reportedly hold "serious and intense" talks on the situation. (AFP, MM, REU 11/2; RNE 11/2 in WNC 11/3; MENA 11/2, EFE [Madrid], RNE 11/3 in WNC 11/5; WT 11/3) (see 10/30)

The U.S. widens its campaign to freeze "terrorist" assets to include all groups on the State Dept. list of "terrorist" orgs., including Hamas, Hizballah, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP. (NYT, WP 11/3; WJW 11/8; SAF 11/8 in WNC 11/9; MM 11/13; SA 11/13 in WNC 11/14; JT 11/19 in WNC 11/20) (see 9/24)

Based on new intelligence information, the IDF chief rabbi officially declares dead the 3 IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hizballah in 10/00. (MM 11/2; WP 11/3)

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)

The U.S. convenes another trilateral security comm. mtg. to press Israel to withdraw fr. Jinin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. No agmt. is reached. Israel says the U.S.'s repeated urgings are as counterproductive, only encourage Palestinian obstinacy. (NYT, State Dept. briefing, WT 10/30)

Meanwhile, the IDF shells residential areas of al-Maghazi refugee camp, a PSF post in Tulkarm; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah; announces that a permanent fence will be build around 3 Jewish settlements in n. Gaza, effectively annexing the area to Israel proper. (LAW 10/31; al-Ahram 11/1)

The Israeli General Security Service (GSS) announces it has arrested 11 Israeli Arabs on suspicion of planning "terrorist attacks," including kidnapping, murdering soldiers. This reportedly brings to 30 the number of Israeli Arabs detained by the GSS in the past wk. (JP [Internet] 10/27; MA 11/12 in WNC 11/14)

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)

With Israeli-Palestinian clashes continuing unabated in Bethlehem, Israel postpones plans to withdraw fr. the area for at least 24 hrs. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia (damaging a PSF post), Jinin, Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Rafah, Tulkarm (killing 1 Palestinian); temporarily occupies a Palestinian school in the PA-controlled section of Hebron; reinforces troops in Bayt Lahia, around Ramallah. PFLP mbrs. arrested by the PSF since the Ze'evi assassination begin a hunger strike to protest their detention. (AFP 10/27; HP, NYT, WP, WT 10/28; LAW 10/31)