The Palestine Chronology

The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Neve Dekalim settlement; fires on residential areas of Rafah; demolishes 1 Palestinian home outside Nablus. In Gaza City, 10,000s of Palestinians attend a rally marking the 65^th anniversary of Fatah. (REU 12/31; HA 12/31 in WNC 1/2; LAW, PCHR, WT 1/1)

The Israeli Central Elections Comm. decides to follow Atty. Gen. Rubinstein’s advice to disqualify Israeli Arab MK Bishara, his NDA list fr. running in 1/03 elections. (HA 12/31; WT 1/1; ADL, MM 1/2; DUS 1/2 in WNC 1/3; MA 1/3 in WNC 1/6; PR, WT 1/8; JPI 1/10)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian involved in a traffic altercation with an IDF jeep nr. Jenin; occupies 2 medical clinics in Nablus, firing fr. the facilities on stone-throwing Palestinians, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on 3 Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate the Israeli border fence in the Negev, killing 1 Palestinian (2 others escape); fatally beats a 17-yr.-old Palestinian for violating the curfew in Hebron; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Dura; denies an ailing Palestinian woman passage through a checkpoint to a clinic, allowing her to die; conducts arrest raids nr. Tulkarm. Israeli courts sentence an Israeli Arab taxi driver to 15 yrs. for driving 2 suicide bombers to Tel Aviv, an East Jerusalem Palestinian to 6 yrs. for providing Palestinian militants with information used to carry out attacks on Israelis. (HA, JTA 12/30; NYT, WP, WT 12/31; LAW, PCHR, WP 1/1; NYT 1/2; PRCS press release 1/5)

The Israeli Central Elections Comm. decides to follow Atty. Gen. Rubinstein’s 2/19 advice to disqualify Israeli Arab MK Ahmad Tibi (Ta’al) fr. running in 1/03 elections on the grounds that he does not support the Jewish character of the State of Israel, supports armed attacks against it (a charge he denies); turns down a similar request to bar MK `Abd al-Malik Dahamshe and his United Arab List; rules that Herut mbr. Baruch Marzel, the fmr. head of the outlawed Kach movement who placed 2d on Herut’s slate of MK candidates, can participate in the 1/28 elections. The Knesset bans mbrs. of Kach, which advocates the deportation of Arabs fr. Israel and the occupied territories, from holding parliamentary office. (HA 12/30, 12/31; ADL, HA, MM 1/2; DUS 1/2 in WNC 1/3; MA 1/3 in WNC 1/6; WT 1/8; JPI, NYT 1/10)

The IDF assassinates wanted Hamas mbrs. Shaman Subuh, Mustafa Baqash in Jenin; demolishes 8 Palestinian homes, 3 brick factories, a dairy farm and damages 18 other homes in Rafah; demolishes 1 home, 3 blacksmith shops in Hebron; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes part of the Silwan Sports Club in East Jerusalem; makes arrest raids in Anabta, Nablus. Israel lifts the curfew on Bethlehem for Christmas, says it will provide free public transportation to any Christian Arabs in Israel or the territories who want to visit the city in the next few days. (HA 12/23; LAW, NYT 12/24; AFP 12/25 in WNC 12/26; LAW, PCHR 12/25)

The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders to construct 232 new housing units in the ultra-Orthodox West Bank settlement of Emmanuel, even though the settlement is losing residents at the rate of 5% a year. Housing Min. figures show that 1,688 (75%) of the 2,178 tenders for public construction issued between 1/02 and 9/02 were for housing in the territories. Tenders for 28 units in Beitar Ilit, 102 units in Efrat's Givat Hazayit, 76 new units in Ariel, all in the West Bank, were also issued recently. (HA 12/24)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Tulkarm. The IDF reports that Palestinians throw grenades at troops in Gaza throughout the day, causing no injuries. A Lebanese-born Israeli Arab is sentenced to 6 yrs. in prison for having contact with Hizballah (see Quarterly Update in JPS 126). The Israeli High Court bards the IDF fr. starting construction of a settler bypass road linking Kiryat Arba settlement with the Tomb of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque. (JTA, LAW, PCHR 12/11; NYT 12/12)

In Mombassa, Kenya, a previously un-known group called the Government of Universal Palestine in Exile–Army of Palestine, thought to be connected to al-Qa‘ida, stages a dual attack marking the 55th anniversary of the 1947 UN partition res., firing 2 missiles at an Israeli charter jet carry-ing 261 Israeli tourists leaving Mombassa airport, missing the plane; simultaneously, 3 suicide bombers detonate a car bomb outside the lobby of an Israeli-owned hotel, killing 3 Israeli tourists, 10 Kenyans (an 11th dies on 12/18), injuring 80, causing extensive damage. Hrs. later in Beit She’an in n. Israel, 2 AMB mbrs open fire on, toss grenades at a crowd of voters outside the local Likud polling station, killing 6 Israelis, wounding 20 before being fatally shot by Israeli police. Sharon convenes a security mtg. to discuss responses; once again does not invite Netanyahu (see 11/21). In Hebron, a 4-yr.-old Palestinian is fatally wounded by IDF gunfire in his home. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah r.c.; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara, Tulkarm. In a Tel Aviv court, Israeli Arab Nissim Nasser pleads guilty to spying for Hizballah in exchange for a reduced sentence. (AP, CNN, HA, MM 11/28; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/29; HA, NYT, WP, WT 11/30; AYM 12/2 in WNC 12/6, 12/9; LAW, PCHR 12/3; JT 12/4 in WNC 12/5; JPI, MEI 12/6; WT 12/7; JTA 12/18)

Likud primaries go on despite the day’s attacks, with Sharon winning (56% to 40%) over Netanyahu. (MM 11/28; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/29; NYT 11/30; MEI 12/6; AYM 12/13 in WNC 12/16)

Before dawn, IDF helicopters fire 5 missiles at a school in Khan Yunis, extensively damaging it; fatally shoots a Palestinian drummer going alley-to-alley in Askar r.c. nr. Nablus despite the curfew to declare the start of the day’s Ramadan fast (Ramadan began on 11/6), bars an ambulance fr. reaching him, allowing him to bleed to death. During the day, the IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian driving in Bethlehem; holds a Palestinian woman in labor at a Bethlehem checkpoint for 2 hrs., causing her baby to die; conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Nablus; raids an emergency clinic in Hebron, vandalizing patient files. A PFLP suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. an IDF post in Gaza, killing himself but causing no other injuries. Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (LAW, PCHR, PM, UPMRC, WT 11/27; HA, WP 11/28)

Israel’s Interior M Eli Yishai announces his decision to strip Israeli Arab Qays Obeid, now residing in Lebanon, of his Israeli citizenship for allegedly spying for Hizballah, marking the 2d time Yishai has stripped an Israeli Arab of his citizenship. (HA 11/27)

Israeli PM Ariel Sharon visits Hebron, calls for the expanding of Jewish settlements in and around Hebron to create “settlement contiguity” btwn. 4 Jewish enclaves in He-bron, the outlying Kiryat Arba settlement, the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs site. In response, Jewish settlers declare a new settlement on the site of the olive grove bulldozed by the IDF on 11/16 and move in 3 shipping containers, tents, cisterns; the IDF constructs a 7-ft. concrete wall around the site. IDF undercover units attempt to assassinate Riad ‘Abd al-Ghani in Tulkarm, missing him, killing his brother, wounding a 2d brother. The IDF fires rockets, tank shells at the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) Preventive Security Force (PSF) headquarters complex in Gaza, sends troops in to set fire to 2 buildings, injuring 2 PSF officers, 1 Palestinian journalist. The IDF also fires on Palestinians in Gaza City, Nur al-Shams refugee camp (r.c.); bulldozes 8 dunams of Pal-estinian land in Bayt Lahia; blows up 2 Palestinian homes in Balata r.c.; detains for 2 hrs. a PRCS ambulance carrying Palestinians seriously injured in a car accident; fires on 2 ambulances outside a hospital in Gaza, nr. Shati‘ r.c.; detains, searches 6 ambulances, including 1 transporting a patient, for up to 70 mins. at checkpoints. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/18; MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/19; AFP 11/19 in WNC 11/21; PCHR 11/20; WJW 11/21; MEI 11/22; PRCS press release 11/23)

Israeli Arab passenger carrying only a pen knife that he does not wield attempts to hijack an El Al plane bound for Istanbul fr. Tel Aviv. He is quickly captured and detained, without injury to any other passen-gers; says that he intended to hijack the plane to protest Israeli actions against Palestinians, that he is not affiliated with any group. He is described by peers as frail, nervous, eccentric young man with a heart condition, who craves popularity and attention. (MM, NYT 11/18; ATL 11/18 in WNC 11/19; CSM, NYT, WP 11/19; NYT, WJW 11/21; NYT 11/26, 11/27; JPI 11/29

The IDF moves troops back into Jenin, after withdrawing to the outskirts of the city on 10/18; fires on Palestinian farmers in Jenin; bulldozes 18 Palestinian homes (15 in Jiftlik, 1 in `Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., 1 in Balata r.c., 1 in Rafah, 1 in Salim); bars a Palestinian heart attack victim fr. crossing and IDF checkpoint to reach a hospital for 2 hrs., allowing him to die; raids 2 homes in Hebron, sets fire to residents’ belongings. IDF commandos raid Balata r.c., arrest 2 Palestinians, leave behind their van, booby trapped with explosives; the van later explodes, injuring 10 Palestinians. With the IDF’s pledge of protection, Palestinian residents of Yanun return to their homes (see 10/18). The PA complains that btwn. 9/4 and 10/16, the IDF has taken 750 single-bed truckloads, 250 double-bed truckloads of sand out of Gaza for use in construction projects inside Israel. (LAW, PCHR 10/23; AYM 10/23 in WNC 10/28; NYT, WT 10/24; HA 11/15)

U.S. Asst. Secy. of State William Burns arrives in Jerusalem to meet with Israeli, PA officials regarding a U.S. draft road map; presents the PA with the draft for the 1^st time (see 10/16). (HA, MM, PR 10/23; HA, MM, NYT 10/24; MM, NYT, WT 10/25; AYM 10/25, 10/26 in WNC 10/28; WP 10/26; MEI 11/8)

The Knesset rejects (23-51) a proposed bill that would ban fr. the parliament any party trying to incite the expulsion of Palestinians, Israeli Arabs. (AFP 10/23)

The IDF fires on Palestinians in Jenin, killing 1 Palestinian vendor in the central market; conducts arrest raids in Satar al-Gharbiyya. Palestinians fire on workers building Israeli security fence nr. Baqa` al-Gharbiyya, killing 1 Israeli Arab laborer. Nr. Hebron, Jewish peace activists, local Palestinians attempt to harvest Palestinian olive groves, keep Jewish settlers away (see 10/2); when settlers become increasingly hostile, the IDF intervenes, ordering peace activists, Palestinians to leave, then leaving the area themselves, allowing settlers to move in. Jewish settlers also confiscate a Palestinian home in Hebron's old city. (HA, JTA, NYT, PM 10/3; MA 10/3 in WNC 10/4; AP 10/4; PCHR, PR 10/9)

An Israeli security delegation (comprising DMin. dir. gen. Amos Yaron, IDF policy planning head Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland) arrives in Washington to consulted with U.S. officials (including Dep. Defense Secy. Paul Wolfowitz, Dep. Secy. of State Richard Armitage) ahead of a possible attack on Iraq. (HA 10/3; MM 10/4; HA 10/8)

The IDF fatally shoots wanted Palestinian Muhammad Yaghmur in nr. Hebron in an apparent assassination; shells residential areas of, conducts arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah, Jenin. 100s of Palestinians defy curfews in West Bank cities to hold peaceful marches marking the 2d anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. In Gaza City and Khan Yunis, 1,000s of Palestinians protest against the 9/26 IDF missile strike targeting Dayif. The IDF fires tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing youths in Khan Yunis (seriously injuring a Palestinian boy), Ramallah. Israeli police arrest 3 Israeli Arabs in Ramla on suspicion of plotting an attack for Hamas; bar Palestinians under age 40 fr. attending Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. (NYT, WP 9/28; LAW, PCHR, PR 10/2; HA 10/7)

U.S. Amb. to Israel Daniel Kurtzer delivers a personal message fr. Bush to Sharon, asking the PM to quickly end the IDF siege on Arafat's Ramallah offices, noting that Israel's continued defiance of the 9/24 UNSC res. is hurting U.S. efforts to build a coalition against Iraq; Secy. of State Colin Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice follow up with phone calls. Sharon sends his bureau chief Dov Weisglass to Washington for low-key mtgs. with Powell, Rice. (HA 9/27; WP 9/28; WT 9/29; NYT 9/30; MM 10/2; MEI 10/11)

In the 1st bombing since 8/4/02, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device at a bus stop in a Umm al-Fahm in Israel, killing 1 Israeli policeman, wounding a 2d policeman, 1 Israeli Arab. An AMB gunman ambushes a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Jenin, killing 1 Jewish settler, injuring a Rumanian worker; a 2d Jewish settler is found murdered in East Jerusalem; an alleged Palestinian collaborator is found murdered, apparently by Hamas. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian at a roadblock, claiming he attempted to run over soldiers; conducts house-to-house searches in Rafah, bulldozing 1 Palestinian home, firing on an UN delegation touring earlier damage; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes in Abu Dis, belonging to the families of suicide bombers; demolishes 34 residential units in a General Union of Palestinian Workers housing project in `Ayn Sinya nr. Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, barring an ambulance fr. retrieving at least 1 injured Palestinian; bulldozes, paves over 5 dunams of agricultural land nr. Khan Yunis for a new settler bypass road. According to the IDF, Palestinians fire 3 antitank missiles at an IDF post nr. Rafah, causing no damage. (AP, JTA, LAW, PCHR, REU 9/18; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/19; QA 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM 9/20; NYT 9/21; MM 9/24; PCHR, PR 9/25; MEI 9/27; WT 10/26)

Before dawn, 60 IDF tanks encircle and raid Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Nussayrat r.c. in Gaza, demolishing 2 workshops, a Palestinian home belonging to a suspected militant. The IDF also bulldozes more than 100 dunams of agricultural land in al-Fukhari nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Asira Shamaliyya. Israeli police announces that 3 wks. ago, they arrested 3 alleged Hamas mbrs. fr. East Jerusalem on charges of planning to poison food at a Jerusalem café. (WP 9/9; LAW, PCHR 9/11; MEI 9/13)

Israel's Interior M Yishai strips the citizenship of Israeli Arab Nihad Abu Kishak, accused of aiding a suicide bomber and membership in Hamas, the 1st time such a measure has been taken against an Israeli accused of a security offense. (HA 9/9; NYT 9/10; LAW, MM 9/11; MEI 9/13; PR 9/18)

In Ramallah, Arafat opens the 1^st full session of the Palestinian Council (PC) since 5/15/02 with an address restating the PA's recognition of Israel, commitment to the peace process, condemnation of suicide bombings, opposition to "all types of terrorism, whether it is state terror or individual terror." (Gazan PC mbrs. attend by video link after Sharon bars 12 fr. traveling to Ramallah for "security reasons," citing their "involvement in terror.") Israel dismisses the statement, saying he did not specifically condemn suicide bombings for harming civilians, did not call for a complete halt to violence. The U.S. say the speech as weak, "we've seen remarks like that before," the Palestinians deserve a better leadership. (AP, HA, MM, WP, WT 9/9; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/10; AYM, al-Quds 9/10 in WNC 9/11; AP, MM 9/11; MEI 9/13; JT 9/13 in WNC 9/16; MEI 9/27; Globe and Mail 11/12)

The IDF sends tanks into Jenin town, r.c. to arrest wanted Hamas mbr. Jamal Abu al-Hayja, demolish at least 1 Palestinian home; fires rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian stone throwers in Ramallah during a temporary lifting of the curfew, injuring 6 Palestinians (including a photographer for Reuters). Israel announces that 7 Israeli Arabs fr. the n. village of Bana were arrested "some time ago" by Shin Bet for involvement in a Hamas bombing on 8/4/02; says it may run its buffer fence w. of some Israeli Arab towns as a result, effectively treating them as part of the West Bank. A Jewish settler kills a Palestinian child in a hit-and-run nr. Hebron. (NYT, WT 8/27; PCHR 8/28; MEI 8/30)

IDF commandos raid Tulkarm, assassinate local AMB cmdr. Ziad Da'as, also killing 2 Palestinian bystanders. In Khan Yunis, an IDF sniper fatally shoots Hamas mbr. Hussam Hamdan, son of top Hamas political leader Ahmad Nimr. The IDF makes a predawn raid on Bayt Lahia, firing on residential areas (killing 1 Palestinian sleeping on his roof), arresting 3 relatives of a wanted Hamas mbr.; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah (seriously injuring a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy), Khan Yunis; arrests local AMB leader Yahya Dahamsa in Bethlehem, demolish his rented home; demolishes the family homes of relatives of 3 other Palestinian militants elsewhere; shoots at 2 PRCS ambulances in Gaza, disabling 1. A small bomb explodes underneath a fuel truck in Rishon Letzion, lightly injuring the Israeli driver; no group claims responsibility (see 5/24). Israeli police arrest 2 19-yr.-old Israeli Arab women for failing to prevent the 8/4 Meron Junction bus bombing. In Hawara, Palestinians, international peace activists stage a nonviolent march in defiance of the IDF curfew; the IDF responds with live fire, tear gas, percussion grenades, and arrests International Solidarity Movement (ISM) leader Adam Shapiro and 1 Palestinian; Shapiro is transferred to Ramla prison pending deportation. (AP, ISM press release, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP 8/7; NYT, WP, WT 8/8; WT 8/9)

Arafat convenes an EA mtg. to grant "preliminary approval" to Ben-Eliezer's Gaza First plan. Israeli, PA security teams meet in the evening to discuss implementation but fail to agree on terms. (HA 8/7; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/8; AFP, al-Quds, XIN 8/8 in WNC 8/9; MM, WP 8/9; AYM, al-Quds 8/9, SA 8/11 in WNC 8/12; AYM 8/11 in WNC 8/15; WJW 8/15; MEI, MM 8/16)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus at Meron Junction in n. Israel, killing 3 IDF soldiers, 2 Israeli civilians, 2 Philippine workers, 2 Israeli Arabs and wounding 40 (mostly soldiers); Hamas says it will not release the name the bomber to prevent Israel fr. retaliating against his relatives. In Jerusalem, an AMB gunman fatally shoots an Israeli guard, an Israeli telephone employee nr. Damascus Gate; Israeli policemen, soldiers open fire indiscriminately in the direction of the shooter, who is near a café, killing him, a Palestinian café patron, wounding 17. Nr. Aley Sinai settlement in Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian frogman as he emerges fr. the sea carrying a rifle, grenades in a sealed bag. AMB gunmen detonate a roadside bomb nr. a settler car nr. Ramallah, fire on passengers, injuring 3 Jewish settlers. PFLP gunmen fire on a settler bus nr. Tulkarm, injuring 4 Jewish settlers. A roadside bomb injures 4 IDF soldiers nr. Ramallah. The IDF demolishes an 18-dunam PA Youth and Sports Min. complex, a 20-dunam PSF training center, 4 privately owned buildings, several boats in Bayt Lahia. Jewish settlers attack a PRCS ambulance nr. Ramallah, injuring 2 paramedics. (AFP 8/4 in WNC 8/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/5; LAW, PCHR 8/7)

The IDF says it captured 2 Palestinians following a gun battle nr. Aley Sinai settlement. The IDF fires on Palestinians at a Nablus checkpoint for no apparent reason during a lifting of the curfew, wounding 2; sends bulldozers into Shaykh Ajlin, damaging part of an agriculture storehouse and a well, leveling land; sends tanks into Bayt Lahia, firing on residential areas, crushing a car. A Palestinian child dies of injuries received on 6/27. (NYT 7/8; LAW, PCHR 7/10; MEI 7/12)

The Israeli cabinet endorses (17-2) a bill that would amend existing law to bar Israeli Arabs fr. leasing homes built on state land, declaring state land (90% of land in Israel) to be "for Jewish settlement only." State land cannot be purchased by anyone, only leased long term. (BADIL press release 7/7; HA 7/8; MM, NYT, WT 7/9; WJW 7/11; HA 7/12)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus in Jerusalem during morning rush hr., killing 18 Israeli Jews, 1 Israeli Arab, injuring 50. Late in the evening, as the IDF sends tanks troops into Jenin town and r.c. in response, imposing a curfew and firing on Palestinians who resist, the Israel cabinet convenes to discuss what further action to take. Afterward, Israel announces the launching of Operation Determined Path, under which "Israel will respond to acts of terror by capturing PA territory. . . . Additional acts of terror will lead to the taking of additional areas," which would be held indefinitely. During the day, the IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad student leader Yusif Bisharat in Hebron; raids the Nablus home of PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. and DFLP mbr. Taysir Khalid; shells residential areas of Gaza City, injuring 8; conducts arrest raids in villages around Jenin; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom settlement. An elderly Palestinian dies of a heart attack when troops enter her Jenin home. An ailing Palestinian dies when the IDF bars his ambulance fr. crossing a checkpoint. Jewish settlers under the protection of IDF troops take over a building nr. the old city of Jerusalem. (AP, JP, LAW, MM 6/18; AFP, ATL, Interfax 6/18 in WNC 6/19; ATL 6/18, JT, al-Quds 6/19 in WNC 6/20; HP, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/19; WP 6/20; NYT 6/21; AYM 6/23 in WNC 6/26; MM 6/24, MEI 6/28; New Haven Register 7/3)

In light of the Jerusalem bombing, Bush postpones a speech outlining U.S. policy on the peace process, which he had planned to give today. (WP 6/19; NYT 6/20; AYM 6/20 in WNC 6/24)

The IDF continues operations in Balata r.c., Nablus for the 5th day; blows up an alleged bomb-making factory, raids and damages a medical center in Balata r.c. In new Askar r.c., the IDF conducts house-to-house searches, breaking through walls; bulldozes 4 cars; damages 22 stores, a medical center. The IDF also sends tanks into al-`Ayn r.c., `Ayn Bayt Hilma r.c., calling on men ages 15-45 to turn them selves in, detaining 100s; conducts arrest raids in al-Bireh, Khan Yunis, Qalqilya (also confiscating files fr. the Qalqilya Charity Comm., Islamic Club), Tulkarm; shells residential areas of Rafah, destroying 1 Palestinian home, damaging 6; bulldozes 50 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis, areas around the Gaza airport. The IDF, Shin Bet also raid the Arab Chamber of Commerce in Jerusalem, arrest 6 Palestinian employees for violating the closure of the building imposed in 8/01. Israel seizes 30 dunams of Palestinian land along the Green Line nr. Issawiyya for creation of buffer zones, 120 dunams in the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood of East Jerusalem for Jewish housing, a tourists complex. Overnight, Palestinians detonate 2 roadside bombs nr. IDF convoys in the West Bank, causing no damage. (AP, HP 6/3; WP, WT 6/4; LAW 6/5; HA, WJW 6/6)

The PA High Court rules that the PA has no legal ground to hold PFLP head Saadat, must release him immediately. In response, the IDF sends tanks toward Jericho, where Saadat is being held; declares the Jericho area a closed military zone; warns it will kill Saadat if he is freed. Arafat quickly convenes the Executive Authority (EA), the PA's cabinet, which over turns the court decision. (AFP, HA, JP, LAW 6/3; RMC 6/3 in WNC 6/4; WP, WT 6/4; MM 6/5; AYM 6/5 in WNC 6/6) (see 5/19)

The U.S. announces it has just scheduled a mtg. btwn. Bush, Sharon at the White House on 6/10, after a visit by Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak. Israeli officials say Sharon asked for the mtg. out of concern that Israel's views were being overshadowed by the "near-constant stream" of Arab visitors to Washington. (JP, NYT, WT 6/4; MM, NYT, WP 6/5; AYM 6/7 in WNC 6/10)

In a predawn incursion, the IDF sends 20 tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs) into Jenin r.c., arrests at least 24 wanted Palestinians; when 1 wanted Hamas mbr. is not found, the IDF burns down his family home. Troops also enter Jenin city, arrest al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) leader Kamal Abu al-Wafa. After troops withdraw to the outskirts of Jenin r.c. and town, a Palestinian is killed when he accidentally triggers an unexploded IDF shell in Jenin r.c. The IDF fatally shoots an AMB mbr. allegedly attempting to infiltrate Dugit settlement; makes a brief incursion into Nablus and Askar r.c., firing antitank missiles, heavy machine guns at stone-throwing Palestinians, wounding 5, killing a 7-yr.-old Palestinian boy in his yard. Nr. Baqa` al-Gharbiyya, soldiers shoot at a car driving "in a suspicious manner" nr. an IDF convoy, wounding an Israeli Arab woman; bar her transportation to a hospital, allowing her to bleed to death. (NYT, WP, WT 5/18; AYM 5/18 in WNC 5/20; LAW 5/22)

The IDF completes its withdrawal to the outskirts of Qalqilya, Tulkarm; makes a fresh incursion into Dura, detaining at least 70 Palestinians. In Jenin r.c., 13 IDF soldiers conducting house-to-house searches are killed when Palestinian suicide bomber in a building rigged with explosives reportedly detonates a series of devices, collapsing the building, and Palestinian snipers fire on soldiers who come to the rescue. In Nablus, a French TV cameraman is wounded by IDF gunfire. The IDF shells, destroys a PSF post in Kefar Rai; bulldozes a PSF post, olive groves in Dayr al-Balah. A convoy of 100s of Israeli Arabs attempting to deliver food to Jenin r.c. is halted outside Jerusalem by Israeli border police, attacked by Jewish settlers, shot at apparently by an IDF soldier, who wounds 2 before being subdued, arrested. (AFP, AP, BBC, MM, UPMRC, WP, WT 4/9; AP, CNN, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/10; MEI 4/19, 5/3)

Israel broadens its offensive, reoccupying Qalqilya, cutting of electricity, water; directing shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas; occupying tall buildings as sniper, outlook posts. In Ramallah, the IDF moves building-to-building, rounding up 10s of Palestinian men age 15-45 who have not surrendered, killing at least 9 Palestinians; raids, vandalizes, confiscates files of al-Haq human rights organization, among others; occupies 1 Ramallah hospital, attempts to search a 2d but is blocked by medical workers; declares Ramallah a closed military zone, warning journalists that their press credentials will be revoked if they are found in the city, their bureaus will be fined $15,000 if they "harbor" Palestinians in their offices. The IDF allows 34 foreign peace activists to meet with Arafat in the compound. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in a restaurant in Haifa, killing 15 Israelis, some of them Israeli Arabs. Hrs. later, a 2d Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in Efrat settlement, wounding 4 Jewish settlers. Sharon convenes his inner cabinet, which agrees to intensify military operations further. In Hebron, 1,000 Palestinians march to protest Israel's actions. (CNN, GA, Reporters without Borders press release 3/31; IRNA, MA, MENA 3/31 in WNC 4/1; AP, HA, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 4/1; MM 4/2; MEI 4/5)

Israel shells, sends troops into Dahaysha; conduct air raids (including F-16s) against targets across Gaza and in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. The IDF continues operations in Bethlehem, coming within a mile of the Church of the Nativity; raids a village nr. Rafah, ordering Palestinian men age 15+n45 to surrender; makes incursions into Birzeit, Jifna. The IDF attempts to assassinate senior AMB mbr. Samir Awais, firing missiles a his car, killing his brother, the car's only occupant, by mistake. Late this evening, 2 AMB gunman open fire and throw grenades in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya, killing 2 Israelis, 1 Israeli Arab, wounding 24 before being shot dead. Hrs. later, a Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in a Jerusalem cafe, killing 11 Israelis, wounding 50. The IDF reportedly has detained some 600 Palestinian men, teenage boys in Tulkarm r.c. since 3/8. (BDL, HP 3/9; NYT, WP, WT 3/10; JP [Internet], MM 3/11; LAW 3/13)

The IDF fatally shoots 3 armed infiltrators fr. Egypt in the s. Negev. A female suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF roadblock in the West Bank, wounding 3 soldiers; 2 Israeli Arabs traveling with her are arrested, 1 is shot and wounded. The woman, an al-Najah University student originally affiliated with Hamas (see 1/27), 1st approached Hamas, Islamic Jihad about staging a suicide bombing but was refused; the AMB ultimately provided her with explosives. In E. Jerusalem, a Palestinian fatally shoots his Jewish settler employer in a politically motivated attack. IDF soldiers fire on Palestinians outside al-Nur mosque in Brazil for the 2d day, wounding 4. Late this evening, the IDF begins air strikes on Balata. Jewish settlers bulldoze Palestinian land nr. Bracha settlement, set up a caravan. The IDF bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Jenin; reportedly spray range land with poison nr. Tubas, killing may goats, sheep. (JP [Internet], al-Quds [Internet] 2/27; AP, NYT, WP, WT 2/28; MM, NYT 3/1; AYM 3/2 in WNC 3/4; WP 3/7)

In a massive predawn operation, the IDF sends tanks, troops into Gaza City fr. 3 directions, firing heavy machine guns, demolishing the Palestine Broadcasting Center, taking Palestinian TV and radio off the air. IDF helicopters strike the PA military intelligence, military police, Force 17 buildings in the city. The IDF also sends bulldozers into enter Brazil r.c., killing 6 Palestinians; dispatches F-16s to bomb a PA security building in Khan Yunis, helicopters shell a Force 17 building in al-Bireh, naval vessels shell a PA naval police station in Bayt Lahia. Nr. Jerusalem, a Palestinian fires on an IDF post, injuring 2 IDF soldiers before being shot dead. A 8th Palestinian is fatally shot at an IDF checkpoint for "acting suspiciously"; an Israeli Arab is killed in an incident elsewhere. The PSF arrests 3 senior PFLP mbrs. suspected of involvement in the 10/01 assassination of Israel's Tourism M Rehavam Ze'evi. Israel, which had made the arrests a condition of easing Arafat's confinement, says the PA must also arrest anyone behind the Karine A arms shipment, Arafat must achieve complete quiet before Israel will allow him to leave his Ramallah compound. (AP, MM, NYT, PCHR, REU, WP, WT 2/21; AFP 2/21 in WNC 2/22; AFP, NYT, WP, WT 2/22; PCHR 2/27; WP 4/19)

The CIA convenes a trilateral security comm. mtg. at Erez crossing to discuss security issues. As a result of the mtg., Israel agrees not to initiate military operations for 1 wk., except to prevent imminent terrorist attacks. (NYT 2/22, 2/23; NYT, WT 2/24; WP 2/25)

In a TV address, Sharon urges Israelis to stiffen their resolve but does not offer a vision for how to achieve a cease-fire or durable peace; announces plans to create buffer zones to impose "security separation" between Israeli and Palestinian territory; demands the "complete demilitarization" of the PA areas as a "prelude" to a final settlement; denounces "expressions of disobedience" such as the IDF conscientious objection petition, which he says "encourage terrorist organizations." (MM 5/21; AFP, HP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/22; QA 2/22 in WNC 2/25; WP, WT 2/23; Guardian 2/23; Le Monde 2/24 in WNC 2/26; HA 3/1; MEI 3/8)

At a UN Security Council (UNSC) emergency session in New York, UN Secy-Gen. Kofi Annan warns that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is "sliding toward a full-fledged war"; says that the Mitchell and Tenet plans have clearly not succeeded, that an active international effort and "new thinking" are necessary. The Israeli, U.S. reps. strongly reject anything other than U.S. mediation. (NYT 2/22)

The IDF fires missiles at a car traveling nr. Rafah, killing 5 DFLP mbrs. Israeli security sources say 1 of those killed, Ayman Bihdari, was targeted for assassination for his role in organizing the 8/25/01 raid on a Gaza IDF post that left 3 soldiers dead. The DFLP vows retaliation. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Issawiyya; shells an alleged Palestinian mortar factory in Jabaliya. Nr. Nablus, Palestinian gunmen fire on a car with Israeli license plates, wounding an Israeli Arab B'Tselem employee on the job collecting information on human rights violations by the IDF. (BBC, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 2/4; XIN 2/4 in WNC 2/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/5; LAW, PCHR 2/6)

A female Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in West Jerusalem, killing 1 Israeli, wounding 2 seriously, 5 moderately. This marks the 1st suicide bombing carried out by a Palestinian woman, though 2 women have been caught placing bombs previously during the al-Aqsa intifada. A release faxed to Hizballah's TV station in Lebanon identifies the woman by name as a Palestinian Hamas mbr. from Nablus University, but neither the school nor the PA can find a woman by that name; no women are reported missing. In response, the Israeli air force flies low-level sorties over Gaza City, breaking the sound barrier, shattering windows. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/28; DUS, MA 1/28 in WNC 1/29; Guardian [Internet] 1/29; NYT 1/30; SA 2/2 in WNC 2/4; JP 2/8)

MK Salah Tarif, Israel's 1st Arab cabinet mbr., resigns, saying he can no longer effectively perform his job in light of an announcement last wk. that Atty. Gen. Rubenstein planned to lift his immunity and indict him for fraud. Tarif has consistently denied charges, 1st raised in 2001, that he gave $5,000 to an Interior M official to obtain citizenship papers for a Palestinian businessman. (WP, WT 1/28)

Israeli Arabs hold a demonstration in Umm al-Fahm protesting Israeli aggression against the Palestinians. (al-Quds 1/28 in WNC 1/29)

In Ramallah, IDF soldiers shoot, seriously wound a Hamas mbr. at a checkpoint, bar an ambulance fr. reaching him for 45 mins., allowing him to bleed to death. The PA terms the incident an assassination. In the West Bank, Palestinian gunmen fatally shoot a Jewish settler driving in the West Bank. Some 2,000 Palestinians in Ramallah, 1,000s of Palestinians in Bethlehem rally against Israel's continued confinement of Arafat, vowing to continue the intifada despite his cease-fire appeals. The IDF also shells 3 PSF posts nr. Jabaliya; arrests 3 PSF officers in Jinin. (REU 1/26; JT [Internet], NYT, WT 1/27; PCHR 1/30)

Israeli Arabs hold demonstrations in Sakhnin protesting Israel's military actions. (al-Quds 1/28 in WNC 1/29)

In its largest military operation in the West Bank and Gaza since 1967, Israel sends a large number of IDF infantry, tanks, APCs, armored bulldozers into Tulkarm in a predawn operation to totally reoccupy the city, taking control of the city center, occupying buildings (including a college, the mayor's home) and apartments as observer posts, hoisting Israeli flags, imposing a 24-hr. curfew, conducting house-to-house searches, detaining at least 30 Palestinians. The IDF reportedly responds to "scattered resistance," leaving 2 Palestinians dead, 15 wounded. IDF soldiers also fire on 2 ambulances coming to the aid of the wounded, seriously injuring 1 ambulance driver. Israel says the operation will last "only a few days." The IDF also sends tanks deep into PA-controlled Nablus; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Ramallah; conducts an arrest raid in Nahalin. Senior IDF officials suggest that Israel is preparing to make more deep incursions into PA areas "to destroy more infrastructure and to kill more terrorists." The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian land along bypass road 60 outside Hebron. Some 40 Palestinians attempt to block the bulldozers but are confronted by armed Jewish settlers who fire in the air and beat the Palestinians, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian. The PA releases NISP head Salih (arrested 1/5). (MM, WP 1/21, 1/22; al-Quds 1/23 in WNC 1/30; MEI 1/25; PCHR 1/26; JP 2/1)

The Israeli-Arab legal center Adalah formally asks Israeli atty. gen. Elyakim Rubenstein to reconsider his recent decision not to compel the Custodian for Absentees' Property to comply with Israeli 1998 freedom of information act by releasing data on the moveable property of Palestinian refugees seized by Israel in 1948. Rubenstein rejected the request on the ground that it would damage Israel's foreign relations, require excessive time and resources to comply. Adalah 1st submitted its request in 1999. The atty. gen.'s office ignored 15 follow-up requests for a decision btwn. 1999 and 2002. (Adalah press release 1/28)