The Palestine Chronology

The IDF arrests 3 Palestinians fr. Hebron on charges of selling weapons, IDF maps, IDF uniforms to militant groups; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Jabal Mukabir in East Jerusalem; fires on curfew breakers in Badraw, nr. Ramallah, injuring several; fires on residential areas of Jenin. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif settlement, open fire on IDF post nr. Nablus and Tulkarm, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 8/19; PCHR 8/21)

The IDF begins construction of 2 permanent, fortified military posts in the PAcontrolled section of Hebron, on 10 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of confiscated land in Abu Sunayna, 40 dunams of confiscated land on Junaydi Hill. The IDF alsobegins easing the closure on Nablus; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian when he strays too near the Dugit settlement fence; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Balata refugee camp (r.c.); conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Jaba’, Nablus; fires on Palestinians in Bayt Furik (wounding 6), Khan Yunis; arrests 5 IsraeliArabs in Silwan for allegedly attempting to set up an East Jerusalem branch of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Preventive Security Force (PSF). Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Yitzhar settlement, lightly wounding 1 woman. (HA, MM 8/18; PCHR 8/21)

PA-Israelisecurity talks regarding expanding PA security control fr. Bethlehem and parts of Gaza to Jericho and Qalqilya fall apart over Israel’s refusal to remove checkpoints around the cities or give the PA control over the sole entry point to Qalqilya. Plans for further talks on 8/18 are canceled. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/18; MA, al-Quds 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM 8/19; al-Quds 8/19 in WNC 8/21)

The IDF conducts overnight arrest raids in Qalqilya, targeting the PFLP, exchanging gunfire with some wanted men, leaving 1 Palestinian injured; conducts other arrest raids in Nablus, Tamun; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Balata r.c.; arrests Hebron’s Shaykh Taysir Tamimi after Friday prayers on charges of incitement. The IDF also releases 73 Palestinian prisoners, including 1 woman, most of whom were convicted of being in Israel illegally. Israel eases restrictions on Bethlehem Palestinians’ entry into Israel, says it will allow 2 colleges in Hebron to reopen. (HA, MM8/15; HA 8/18)

Dahlan accepts Mofaz’s proposal to redeploy fr. Jericho and Qalqilya. Israel agrees to consider redeployment fr. Ramallah, Tulkarm. (HA 8/15; HA, NYT, WP, WT 8/16)

Israeli warplanes fly low-level sorties over Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad’s summer palace in Latakia, on the Syrian coast, as a warning that he must curb Hizballah actions in Lebanon. (HA 8/17)

The IDF surrounds, fires on, then shells a car workshop where Islamic Jihad Hebron leader Muhammad Sidr (whom Israel attempted to assassinate in 12/01) is staying, killing him in an apparent assassination; demolishes the Nablus home of the 2d 8/12 suicide bomber. The PSF raids Shati r.c. in Gaza in search of Islamic Jihad mbrs. suspected of detonating a bomb outside PSF offices on 8/13; the raid sparks an exchange of gunfire that leaves 7 Palestinians, including bystanders, wounded; 1 senior Islamic Jihad mbr. is arrested. Islamic Jihad accuses the PA of complicity in Sidr’s assassination. (BBC, HA, MM, PCHR 8/14; NYT, WP, WT 8/15)

Mofaz meets with Dahlan, reiterates Israel’s proposal to turn over control of Jericho, Qalqilya; says it will accelerate the transfer of another city if the PA accepts. (HA, MM 8/15) (see 7/30)

Israeli warplanes break the sound barrier over Lebanon’s Biqa‘ Valley. Hizballah, after not responding for several days to the flights, fires antiaircraft missiles at them, but directs the missiles northward, to ensure that no shrapnel falls in Israeli territory. (HA 8/15)

The IDF demolishes the Askar r.c. home of 1 of the 8/12 suicide bombers; demolishes another 6 Palestinian homes in al-Walaja; conducts late-night arrest raids in Nablus, Qalqilya. The IDF also arrests 3 Jewish settlers fr. Hebron on charges of committing “security crimes”; an Israeli judge places a gag order on the case. A package bomb, possibly placed by Islamic Jihad, explodes outside the PSF office in Shati r.c., causing damage but no injuries. (MENA 8/13 in WNC 8/15; HA, NYT, WP 8/14; HA 8/15)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Bayt Furik, nr. Hebron; imposes a curfew on Hebron; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis for the 2d night in a row; bulldozes 5 dunams of land in Bayt Hanun. 100s of Druze protest outside the PM’s office in Jerusalem against a government plan to unify local authorities, scuffle with police, leaving 14 police officers injured, 20 Druze under arrest. (HA 8/10; WT 8/11; HA 8/12; PCHR 8/14)

Hizballah directs antiaircraft at Israeli planes violating Lebanon’s airspace. Shrapnel fr. the missiles lands across the Israeli border in Shlomi, killing 1 Israeli boy, injuring 4. Israeli warplanes strike Hizballah targets in response. (HA 8/10; VOI, YA 8/10 in WNC 8/12; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/11; MM 8/12)

The IDF fatally shoots an AMB mbr. nr. Tulkarm who was allegedly planting a roadside bomb; fires on a taxi driving into Nablus, injuring 2 Palestinians; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., Rafah; arrests 2 Palestinians in East Jerusalem for allegedly aiding suicide bombers who staged attacks in 5/03, 6/03; demolishes a Palestinian home in Masha to make way for the separation wall, arrests 46 ISM mbrs. (including 4 Israelis, 3 Palestinians) protesting the construction. Palestinians fire an antitank rocket at an IDF post on the Rafah border, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers shoot, wound a Palestinian nr. Nablus; begin work on a new unauthorized outpost e. of Hebron. (HA 8/4; NYT 8/5; PCHR 8/7)

Israel publishes a list of 342 Palestinian prisoners it plans to free on 8/6. To protest the lower-than-promised number (see 7/29), Abbas cancels a mtg. with Sharon scheduled for 8/6. (BBC, HA, MM, NYT, WP 8/5; IDF Radio, VOI, XIN, YA 8/5 in WNC 8/7; NYT, WP 8/6; AYM 8/7 in WNC 8/14; MEI 8/8)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Hebron (targeting Hamas, Islamic Jihad); fires on farmers working their fields nr. Khan Yunis, forcing them to leave; makes incursions in Nablus; sends troops into Ramallah to halt a marked al-Ayyam vehicle, arrests 4 Palestinian journalists; announces that it has arrested 3 PFLP mbrs. in recent days for plotting an attack on IDF forces in the West Bank. Hamas, Islamic Jihad say their cease-fire may have to be reassessed if the U.S. fails to urge Israel to halt construction of the separation wall. (AP 7/30; PCHR 8/7)

Dahlan, Mofaz discuss IDF redeployment fr. Jericho (where the IDF has no presence) and Qalqilya (encircled by the separation wall, with 1 IDF checkpoint providing entry, exit). Dahlan rejects the offer as hollow. (HA, IDF Radio, MA, MM, NYT, YA 7/31; VOI 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

On the eve of Sharon’s 7/28 mtg. with Bush in Washington, the IDF removes 6 West Bank checkpoints (3 outside Bethlehem, 2 outside Ramallah, 1 outside Hebron), in most cases adding roving checkpoints nearby to search cars, slowing traffic considerably; pledges to release 100 Palestinian prisoners. The IDF also bulldozes a greenhouse, some land in Rafah. (AYM 7/27 in WNC 7/31; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/28; MM 7/29; UN Office for the Coordinator of Humanitarian Affairs press release 8/5; PCHR 8/7)

Jewish settlers stone 3 Palestinian homes in Hebron, breaking windows but causing no injuries; the IDF does not intervene. (PR 7/30; PCHR 8/7)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Hebron (targeting the AMB), Jenin (targeting Islamic Jihad), Ramallah (targeting the AMB). Israeli border police fatally shoot a bedouin driving in the Negev when he refuses orders to stop; the Israelis suspected him of transporting illegal workers fr. the occupied territories; 10s of angry local residents demonstrate, damage police cars, throw stones at police officers. Unidentified assailants attempt to assassinate PA military intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Musa Arafat, firing a rocket-propelled grenade at his office; the grenade misses, hits a prison, injuring 13 inmates. Israel announces that the Jewish settler population has increased by 5,415 during the 1st half of 2003. (HA, MM 7/24; AFP, WP 7/25; JP 7/27 in WNC 7/30; PR 7/30; PCHR 8/7)

At the entrance to Shu‘fat r.c., 4 Palestinian youths stab, lightly injure a Jewish settler on a bicycle. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Hebron, but allows the HRC to resume work halted on 7/2. (ITV, VOI, YA 7/23 in WNC 7/25; PCHR 7/24; HA 7/25)

Israeli border police open fire on an Israeli Arab vehicle nr. the Green Line that they mistakenly believe to be a carload of “terrorists” infiltrating fr. the West Bank, killing 1 Israeli Arab, wounding 1. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Jenin (targeting Islamic Jihad). Israel’s Jerusalem police arrest 200 Palestinians fr. Hebron, Nablus for being in Shu‘fat r.c., in East Jerusalem, without permits. A group of religious Jews on an Israeli police-escorted tour of the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif attempt to perform rituals there; Israeli police remove the group when Waqf guards attempt to intervene; Arafat calls the tours “provocative,” warns serious consequences may be unavoidable if Israel continues to permit such visits. (HA 7/22; HA, NYT, WP 7/23; PCHR 7/24)

Hamas, Islamic Jihad issue a joint statement saying that they will not surrender their weapons; they argue that they agreed to a cease-fire to support national unity efforts, a PSF attempt to disarm them would go against unity efforts, removing the basis of the cease-fire agmt. Abbas says he will not order the PSF to disarm the militant groups, though PA police will confiscate unlicensed weapons found during inspections of vehicles at PSF checkpoints. The IDF, PSF launch a joint search for a missing Israeli taxi driver feared kidnapped by Palestinians seeking a prisoner swap. The IDF fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding a woman in her home; conducts arrest raids in Ramallah. Jewish settlers in Hebron attack Palestinians, occupy a Palestinian home and surrounding land. (BBC, WP 7/14; PM 7/15; PR 7/16; PCHR 7/24)

In Ramallah, 10s of Palestinian refugees attack, lightly injure Palestinian pollster Khalil Shikaki, vandalize his office to prevent him fr. holding a press conference to release data showing that while 95% of refugees polled wanted Israel to recognize the right of return, only a minority (10% overall; 23% in Lebanon, 13% in the occupied territories, 5% in Jordan) percentage would want to return to their homes in what is now Israel, 54% overall would accept monetary compensation in lieu of return. (HA 7/13; JP, NYT, WP, WT 7/14; PR 7/16; MM 7/28)

In Dayr al-Ghasun, Palestinians, accompanied by ISM volunteers, for the 1st time attempt to gain access to farmland newly cut off by Israel’s separation wall to plant fall crops, but the IDF denies them passage; the wall cuts off 500 farmers fr. 3,000 dunams of village crop land. Nr. Nablus, the IDF arrests 6 ISM mbrs. who remove 2 earthen roadblocks barring Palestinian traffic on a local road. The IDF also issues order for the confiscation of 424 dunams of land n. of Tulkarm (for construction of the separation wall), 100s of dunams of land in al-Khadir (reportedly to expand Ofra settlement); tightens roadblocks around Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah; fires on a PSF post in Rafah, causing no injuries; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah; demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Hebron. Palestinians rally in Khan Yunis to call for Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners. Jewish settlers scuffle with IDF soldiers attempting to evacuate an unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Nablus. A Palestinian boy is hit and killed by a Jewish settler driving nr. Nablus. (AP, HP, ISM press release 7/10; NYT, PMC 7/12; PR 7/16; PCHR 7/24)

IDF undercover units raid a house in Burkin, arrest wanted tanzim cmdr. Iyad Shalayish, fatally shooting his brother and critically wounding his sister-in-law, who live next door, when they come to the window to see what is going on. The IDF also detains, interrogates for 9 hrs. at a local Jewish settlement 3 Palestinian children (ages 10, 11) caught throwing stones nr. Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Ramallah. Shin Bet says it has recently arrested 4 senior Islamic Jihad mbrs. in West Bank raids. Jewish settlers stone a Palestinian car driving nr. Hebron, seriously injuring the driver. (HA, PR 7/9; VOI 7/9 in WNC 7/11; NYT, PCHR, WT 7/10; PR 7/16)

The IDF bulldozes 100 dunams of land southwest of Rafah; detains 4 ISM mbrs. at a “peace camp” set up in Arraboni as a nonviolent demonstration against construction of the separation wall; fires on Palestinian residential areas nr. Morag settlement; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Ramallah. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, ISM press release 7/9; PCHR 7/10)

The PSF says it has released 9 PRC mbrs. recently arrested after the comms. agreed to abide by the Hamas–Islamic Jihad cease-fire. The IDF begins construction of a permanent fence in the Old City of Hebron separating the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarch fr. the Palestinian-controlled section of the city; shoots, wounds a Palestinian “acting suspiciously” in Tulkarm; fires on Palestinians who reportedly attack an IDF outpost in s. Gaza, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, detaining 15 Palestinians, including a local Islamic Jihad leader. Late in the evening, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device in a home in Kfar Yavetz, in central Israel nr. the West Bank, killing 1 Israeli; a statement by Islamic Jihad’s Jenin cell says it has broken the ceasefire since Israel has not complied with requirements to free all Palestinian prisoners, but senior Islamic Jihad officials, including chief spokesman in Gaza Muhammad al-Hindi, say the attack was not coordinated with the group’s leadership, which reaffirms its adherence to the cease-fire. Unidentified Palestinians fire on, detonate a roadside bomb nr. workers building Israel’s separation wall nr. Qalqilya, causing no injuries. In separate incidents, the PSF arrests 3 Palestinians nr. the Gaza border with Israel. (BBC, MM, NYT, WT 7/8; MM, NYT, PR, WP 7/9; SFR 7/9 in WNC 7/12; PCHR 7/10; JPI 7/18)

Israel releases 9 administrative detainees, all arrested during the 6/24 sweep of Hebron, as a goodwill gesture to the PA. The IDF redeploys to the outskirts of Bethlehem, turning security control over to the PSF; the IDF will continue to patrol Bayt Jala, control the area around Rachel’s Tomb (an especially high separation fence around the tomb reportedly is planned), but otherwise vows not to enter the town unless the PA is unable to prevent an imminent attack on Israelis fr. the city. The IDF confiscates 283 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis, for a new settler bypass road for Morag; enters the offices of the Hebron Rehabilitation Comm. (HRC), orders all HRC reconstruction projects to halt; demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem; moves the Ganei Tal settlement fence east, bringing 4 Palestinian homes within the settlement’s zone of control. Palestinian gunmen fire on Israeli construction workers building the separation wall nr. Tulkarm, lightly injuring 1 Israeli security guard; fire on an IDF patrol in Nablus, causing no injuries. A roadside bomb explodes along the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, REU 7/2; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 7/3; al-Quds 7/7 in WNC 7/10; PCHR 7/10; MEI 7/11; HA 7/17)

In a move that Israel claims will save the road map, the IDF arrests more than 130 alleged Hamas mbrs. and supporters in Hebron (including women, elderly men, and 1 pregnant woman, who collapses, is taken to the hospital), 30 Palestinian “terror suspects and their helpers” in Nablus. In its deepest incursion into PA areas in Gaza in recent wks., the IDF sends bulldozers into Khan Yunis and Rafah, firing on residential areas, demolishing 5 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 2 in Khan Yunis, also razing 13 dunams of land. The IDF also finds, disables a booby-trapped bicycle nr. a s. Gaza settlement, a bomb in a car in Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Nablus. Palestinians fire 4 mortars at Gaza settlements and 1 Qassam rocket toward the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF removes 2 tents comprising an unauthorized outpost erected in recent days; meanwhile, Jewish settlers set up 2 new unauthorized outposts elsewhere in the West Bank. A PA general intelligence unit raids, closes the Voice of al-Aqsa radio station in Gaza city. The move apparently aims to curb incitement, though the PA says the station was set up without a permit. (BBC, HA, MM 6/24; HA, NYT, WP, WT 6/25; PCHR, Palestine Information Center 6/26)

Israeli police charge 5 Islamic Movement leaders with “service to an outlawed organization, holding funds belonging to an outlawed organization, and moneylaundering,” for funneling some $10 m. to Hamas charity groups in the occupied territories fr. abroad. At least 2 of the mbrs., including Islamic Movement leader Ra‘ad Salah, are charged with membership in a terrorist organization and contact with a foreign agent (Nabil Mahzomah, an Israeli Arab who was deported to Lebanon in the mid-1980s and allegedly has worked as an agent for Iranian, Lebanese intelligence). The groups they reportedly had contact with were Charity Coalition (outlawed in 2/02), the al-Aqsa Fund (outlawed in 1992), Interpal (outlawed in 1997), the Holy Land Fund (outlawed in 1997). (HA, MM 6/24; HA, NYT, WT 6/25)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas mbr. Abdallah Qawasmi, ambushing and shooting at his car as he drives through Hebron; Israel claims Qawasmi plotted the 6/11 Jerusalem bus bombing; Sharon calls the killing a “successful and very important act.” The IDF also bulldozes a Palestinian home, a poultry farm, 3 dunams of land nr. Dayr al-Balah. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during the IDF assassination of Lidawi on 6/13, bringing that toll to 1. (NYT, WP, WT 6/22; VOI 6/22 in WNC 6/24; MM, WP 6/23; AYM 6/23, al-Ra’i 6/24 in WNC 6/26; PR 6/25; PCHR 6/26; MEI 6/27)

Hamas gunmen fire on a vehicle driving nr. Ofra settlement, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 3. A bicycle laden with explosives explodes nr. an IDF checkpoint in central Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; soldiers find, disarm a larger roadside bomb nearby. The IDF fatally shoots a mentally disabled Palestinian woman nr. Morag settlement in s. Gaza, later admitting the shooting was a mistake; demolishes a gas station, bulldozes 8 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; razes 1 Palestinian home, a poultry farm, 1 dunam of land in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Hebron. Jewish settlers reestablish an unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Neve Tzuf that was evacuated earlier in the wk. (HA, JP 6/20; NYT, WP, WT 6/21; PR 6/25; PCHR 6/26)

En route to a Quartet mtg. and a World Economic Forum conference in Jordan, Powell stops in Israel to meet with Sharon, then in Jericho to meet with Abbas. (HA, MM 6/20; AYM 6/20, MENA, NHR, SA 6/21, Der Spiegel [Hamburg] 6/23 in WNC 6/24; NYT, WP, WT 6/21; MM 6/23; MM, PR 6/25; MEI 6/27; THWR 6/27 in WNC 7/29)

The IDF fires on a Palestinian cell phone company car in Dayr al-Balah, wounding 2 company workers; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Rafah (also bulldozing 5 dunams of land), 1 in Jenin, 1 nr. Khan Yunis (also bulldozing 3 dunams of land), 1 nr. Nablus; bulldozes a Palestinian gas station in Silwan; conducts arrest raids in Askar r.c., Bayt Lahia, Bethlehem, Hebron; searches homes in Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah (including ransacking the home of a Palestinian-American family); fires on residential areas of Bayt Lahia; tightens the closure on Tulkarm. In Hebron, 6 IDF soldiers reportedly severely beat a Palestinian teenager, kicking him, hitting him with their rifle butts. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Native Haasara moshav inside Israel, causing damage but no injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in the 6/10 attempted assassination of Rantisi, bringing that toll to 4. A Tel Aviv court sentences a 17-yr.-old Israeli Arab to 2 yrs. in jail for planning to carry out a suicide bombing; the court says the sentence is light because the boy turned himself in to authorities. (HA, HP 6/18; MENA 6/18 in WNC 6/20; LAW, PCHR, WT 6/19; PCHR 6/26)

The IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Askar r.c., Balata r.c.; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 1 in Issawiyya; bulldozes 26 dunams of land in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c., Nablus, Qabatiyya, Qalqilya, Tulkarm; searches homes in Dayr al-Balah, occupying 1 as an IDF post; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Ramallah. Palestinians reportedly fire an antitank missile at an IDF post in Gaza, injuring 1 soldier, a civilian worker; fire 3 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. IDF F-16s break the sound barrier over the Gaza Strip throughout the day. Late in the evening, at least 1 Palestinian gunman fires on an Israeli vehicle just inside the Israeli border nr. Qalqilya, killing a 7-yr.-old Israeli girl, wounding 3; the AMB, PFLP-GC each claim responsibility. Israeli police detain Mufti of Jerusalem Ikrima Sabri for questioning as part of the investigation into whether the Islamic Movement laundered money for Hamas. The IDF says it has drawn up a list of another 19 unauthorized outposts to be dismantled; of the original list, 10 uninhabited outposts have been removed, while 5 inhabited ones are slated for removal in the next few days. (AFP, AP, HA, HP 6/17; VOI, YA 6/17 in WNC 6/19; HA, MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 6/18; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR 6/19; JPI 6/27)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians (including AMB mbr. Rifat Azati), fires on a funeral procession, bulldozes 20 dunams of land in Rafah; raids, imposes a curfew on, fires on residential areas of Faria r.c.; tightens the closure on Jenin; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Qaddura, Qalqilya, Salfit; sets up more roadblocks around Nablus, Ramallah. A Jewish settler bus hits, injures a 4-yr.-old Palestinian outside Bethlehem. Jewish settlers harass Palestinians, vandalize property in Yatta, throw stones at an ambulance nr. Nablus. (HA, HP 6/16; HP 6/17; LAW, PCHR 6/19)

The IDF raids Bayt Hanun, killing an AMB mbr., wounding 7 Palestinians; reimposes a curfew on Palestinian areas of Hebron after lifting it for 3 hrs.; bulldozes 39 dunams of land in Bayt Hanun, 12 dunams in Dayr al-Balah; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c.; conducts arrest raids in Araba, Bethlehem, Hebron. A 7-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Israel’s attempted assassination of Rantisi on 6/10, bringing that toll to 3; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 6/8. Palestinians fire Qassam rockets fr. Rafah for the 1st time, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF dismantles 1 uninhabited settlement outpost (possibly the same one dismantled on 6/9, reoccupied on 6/10). Peace Now says that Jewish settlers have set up 5 new unauthorized settlement outposts in the past wk. (WT 6/15; HA, HP, MM, NYT, WP 6/16; PR 6/18; LAW, PCHR 6/19)

The IDF opens fire on stone-throwing youths in Askar r.c., killing 1 Palestinian; bars a Palestinian heart attack victim fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital, allowing him to die; places a curfew on villages northwest of Nablus, patrols streets, firing in the air; fires on stone-throwing youths in Askar r.c., injuring 2; fires on residential areas of Hebron, Tulkarm; fires at Palestinians at a roadblock outside Dayr al-Balah for no apparent reason, causing no injuries; demolishes 7 Palestinian homes and 11 greenhouses, bulldozes 57 dunams of land in Rafah; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes, a bird farm, and 3 greenhouses, bulldozes 52 dunams of land in Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids outside Ramallah. (HA 6/14; VOI 6/14 in WNC 6/17; PM, WP 6/15; HP 6/16; LAW, PCHR 6/19)

Israeli DMin. security negotiations coordinator Amos Gilad, PA Security Affairs M Muhammad Dahlan meet in Ramallah to discuss Israel’s proposal to turn over security control for n. Gaza to the PA. (NYT, WP 6/15; JP 6/15 in WNC 6/17; NYT 6/16; PR 6/18)

The IDF assassinates Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Fuad Lidawi, firing missiles at his car as he drives in Gaza City, wounding 28 bystanders (including 11 children); later fires missiles at a warehouse in Gaza City that allegedly contains Qassam missiles, 50 yds. fr. the home of Shaykh Yasin. The IDF blows up a cave in Dayr Ghassana (see 5/24), burying 3 wanted Palestinians, leaving them for dead; local residents dig out, save the men; in retaliation, the IDF raids, vandalizes the village medical clinic. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in the IDF’s 6/12 assassination of Abu Srour and Taha, bringing that toll to 7. An AMB gunman fires on an IDF patrol nr. Karmela Menashe settlement, outside Jenin, fatally shooting 1 IDF soldier, wounding 2. The IDF also demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Dura, 1 in Hebron; bulldozes 3 dunams of land in Dayr al-Balah; places a curfew on, conducts arrest raids in Bayt Sahur; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Palestinians also fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, damaging a house but causing no injuries. (AFP, HA 6/13; NYT, WP, WT 6/14; VOI 6/14 in WNC 6/17; HP 6/16; PR 6/14; LAW, PCHR 6/19)

In Umm al-Fahm, 100,000s of Israeli Arabs attend a rally in support of Islamic Movement mbrs. arrested by Israel on 5/13. (HA 6/13)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas mbrs. Ibrahim Abu Srour, Yasir Taha, firing missiles at their taxi as it drives through Gaza City, also killing Taha’s pregnant wife and infant daughter, the taxi driver, 3 passersby (including 2 toddlers), wounding 29 bystanders. Late in the evening, IDF undercover units assassinate wanted Islamic Jihad mbrs. Fadi Jaradat, Salih Jaradat in Jenin. A Israeli wounded in the 6/11 bus bombing dies, bringing that toll to 17. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in the IDF assassination on 6/11, bringing that toll to 9. Palestinian gunmen fatally shoot an Israeli businessman outside Jenin, fire on Jewish settlers in Hebron, causing no injuries; the AMB, Hamas each claim responsibility. The IDF obstructs streets in the Palestinian section of Hebron by digging trenches, creating rubble berms, also cutting water and electricity lines. (AP, BBC, HA, MM, PCHR 6/12; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/13; PR 6/18; LAW, PCHR 6/19)

A Hamas suicide bomber dressed as an Orthodox Jew detonates a device on a bus in Jerusalem, killing 15 Israelis, 1 Eritrean, injuring more than 60. Israeli DM Shaul Mofaz immediately authorizes the IDF to use “whatever means necessary” to “completely wipe out Hamas,” saying Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin is a viable target. Half an hr. later, an IDF helicopter fires on a car stuck in a Gaza City traffic jam, assassinating senior Izzeddin al-Qassam mbrs. Titu Massud and Suhayl Abu Nahil, also killing 6 Palestinian bystanders, wounding 35 (including 14 children). In the evening, IDF helicopters strike another car in Gaza City, killing Hamas mbrs. Muhammad Daghmash and Rawi Abu Kumayl. The IDF also raids Hebron, imposing a curfew, building roads, blocking streets with sand barriers, concrete blocks; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah (damaging another 11), 1 in Jaba; fires on a funeral procession outside Khan Yunis, wounding 1. (AP, BBC, HA 6/11; ITAR-TASS, MENA 6/11 in WNC 6/13; LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 6/12; AFP, QA 6/12 in WNC 6/14; PR 6/18; LAW, PCHR 6/19; JPI 6/20; HA 6/25; MEI 6/27)