The Palestine Chronology

The IDF revives Operation Violet Iron in Khan Yunis in response to the firing of 55 mortars and 23 Qassam rockets fr. the area in the past wk., attempts to assassinate 2 Hamas mbrs. by firing a missile at their car, injuring the 2 men and several passersby; heavily shells residential areas, wounding 14 Palestinians. The IDF also sends troops into Nablus, then fires on residential areas, stonethrowing youths who confront the troops; conducts arrest raids, house searches in alAmari r.c., Bayt Omar, Hebron, Jenin, al-Til nr. Tulkarm. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket, a mortar at a Jewish settlement and IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on attack a foreign TV crew filming Palestinian children on their way to school in Hebron. Unidentified gunmen fire on the campaign offices of presidential candidate Salhi in Ramallah, causing no injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/23. (JAZ, JTA 12/28; VOI, VOP 12/28 in WNC 12/30; WT 12/29; PCHR 12/30)

The IDF undercover units raid Nablus, assassinate wanted AMB mbr. Wa’il Riyahi; fire on a Palestinian car driving nr. a Jewish settlement in Hebron, wounding 4 Palestinian civilians, evacuating 1 seriously wounded to an Israeli hospital by helicopter; occupies 2 Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah as military posts, holding the families inside; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, Nablus, Rafah (seriously wounding a pregnant Palestinian woman with a bullet to the head); conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, nr. Ramallah. In Gaza, Hamas mbr. dies when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. Israel releases 159 Palestinian prisoners (those with only 2 yrs. or less left in their sentences, none of whom harmed Israelis, 10s of whom were arrested for working illegally in Israel). (AP 12/27; VOI, VOP 12/27 in WNC 12/29; AP, NYT, WP 12/28; VOP 12/28 in WNC 12/30; PR 12/29; PCHR 12/30)

IDF operations continue in Khan Yunis, where 2 Palestinians are killed in an explosion at the home of a leading Hamas mbr.; Palestinians say IDF tanks shelled the house, whereas the IDF says the men were preparing a bomb that exploded prematurely. The IDF withdraws fr. Khan Yunis late in the day, pledging to return as necessary to halt rocket fire, calling the open-ended operation Operation Violet Iron. The IDF turns over security control of Bethlehem to the PA security forces btwn. Christmas Eve and Armenian Christmas on 1/19; says it will give IDF soldiers manning checkpoints around Bethlehem special instructions on how to handle Christian tourists. The IDF tightens Palestinian movement around Nablus; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun (among the injured are children ages 2, 11, 14), Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm. Palestinians fire at least 12 mortars at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing minor damage but no injuries. (AFP, HA 12/23; VOI 12/23 in WNC 12/25; NYT, WP 12/24; PCHR 12/30)

Palestinian municipal elections begin, with voting in 26 West Bank municipalities. Hamas wins 27% of the seats, Fatah 59%. (PM 12/23; JAZ 12/23 in WNC 12/25; AP, NYT, WP, WT 12/24; JAZ 12/25, JAZ, VOP 12/26 in WNC 12/28; PR 12/29; MEI 1/7)

The IDF seals Jericho for the day; closes the Gaza coastal and the Jenin–Nablus roads to Palestinian traffic; makes an incursion into Shaykh Ajlin neighborhood in Gaza City, shells residential areas, bulldozes 69 d. of agricultural land; fires on Brazil r.c.; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin, and in Hebron, Nablus, and Nur al-Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm. A West Bank Palestinian sneaks across the Green Line, fatally stabs an Israeli woman outside her home in Moshav Nehusha, 1 mi inside Israel; no word on whether he is arrested or escapes. Palestinians fire an antitank missile at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, damaging a synagogue but causing no injuries. (JTA 12/21; VOP 12/21 in WNC 12/23; PCHR, WP 12/23)

The IDF continues operations in Khan Yunis until midday, killing another 2 Palestinian resistance mbrs., wounding around 23; sends troops into Bethlehem, arrests a 9-yr.-old Palestinian boy, takes him to Gilo checkpoint at the entrance to town, where troops question him for 4 hrs. before releasing him, leaving him to walk home; tightens Palestinian movement around Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, injuring a 4-yr.-old and a 16-yr.-old Palestinian inside their homes; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets toward Sederot, 2 land inside Israel and 1 in n. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya r.c. on 10/1/04. (MENA, VOP 12/18 in WNC 12/21; WP, WT 12/19; CSM, PM 12/20; PCHR 12/23)

Palestinians fire 4 mortars at an IDF post outside Atzmona settlement in s. Gaza, injuring 11 IDF soldiers; also fire 2 mortars at hot houses and an IDF post in Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. In response, the IDF gunships destroy a carpentry workshop in Rafah that allegedly served as a Hamas weapons factory and cache. The IDF also fatally shoots an Islamic Jihad mbr. planting a roadside bomb outside a Gaza settlement; fires on residential areas of Rafah, seriously injuring a 3-yr.-old Palestinian girl inside her home; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayt Dajan nr. Nablus, Bayt Omar nr. Hebron, al-Qarara, Zayta nr. Tulkarm. The Knesset approves $20 m. for construction of a Palestinian-only road btwn. Anata and Azariyya n. of Jerusalem as part of Israel’s West Bank separation plan. (HA 12/16; JAZ, VOI 12/16 in WNC 12/18; PR 12/22; PCHR 12/23)

The IDF demolishes areas of Bilin village nr. Ramallah for construction of the separation wall, firing on 10s of residents who attempt to block the demolition, wounding 5; raids Ramallah, assassinates AMB cmdr. Kamil Ghannam; fires on “suspicious figures” near the Rafah border, killing 1 PA security officer on patrol, wounding 2; sends troops, reinforced by helicopters, into Gaza City, shelling residential areas, bulldozing 40 d. of agricultural land; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Rafat nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Silat alHarithiyya nr. Jenin. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Hebron; begins bulldozing large areas of agricultural land in Dayr Ballut southwest of Nablus for construction of the separation wall. In retaliation for house demolitions in Khan Yunis on 12/13, Palestinians fire a mortar at nearby Neve Dekalim settlement, hitting a greenhouse, killing 1 Thai worker, injuring 2 Thais. Palestinians fire 12 more mortars during the day, causing no damage or injuries. (AFP, REU, XIN 12/14; HA, IDF Radio, VOI 12/14 in WNC 12/16; HA, NYT, PR 12/15; VOI 12/15 in WNC 12/17; PCHR 12/16)

Hamas, the Fatah Hawks (Fatah’s armed wing, which has not staged an attack on an Israeli target since the 1st intifada) take joint responsibility for detonating a massive bomb underneath an IDF checkpoint on the Gaza-Egypt border, killing 5 IDF soldiers, wounding at least 10; armed Palestinians exchange fire with IDF soldiers attempting to remove the wounded, leaving 1 Palestinian attacker dead. The IDF imposes a curfew on Talluza nr. Nablus; shells an elementary school in Khan Yunis, injuring 7 children; fires on, detains crew mbrs. of 2 Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in al-Fara‘a r.c.; shells residential areas, bulldozes 24 d. of agricultural land and 8 greenhouses nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Askar r.c., Hebron. Palestinian shepherds herding nr. ‘Aqraba nr. Nablus severely beat a Jewish settler fr. Itamar settlement who attempts to steal their sheep; other Palestinians alert police, who intervene, detain several Palestinians. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron throw stones, bottles at Palestinian houses nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs (IMEMC, WP 12/12; JAZ, MENA, VOI 12/12 in WNC 12/14; MM 12/13; JAZ 12/13 in WNC 12/15; HA, MM, PR 12/15; AYM 12/15 in WNC 12/18; PCHR 12/16; PR 12/22)

The IDF attempts to assassinate wanted Palestinian Resistance Comm. (PRC) leader Jamal Abu Samhadana, firing a missile at his car as he drives in Gaza, wounding him, 2 bodyguards, 1 bystander; fatally shoots a Palestinian who enters a closed military zone nr. the Gaza-Egypt border; fires a missile at the Bayt Lahiya home of AMB cmdr. Mahmud al-Madhun in an attempt to assassinate him; bulldozes 50 d. of land in Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Kafr Khalil nr. Qalqilya, Nablus, Tulkarm r.c.; sends troops into al-Qarara to patrol; temporarily detains PA presidential candidate Bassam Salhi at a checkpoint into Jerusalem, saying he does not have a permit to enter the city to campaign. Israeli contractors guarded by Jewish settlers fr. Tzofim nr. Qalqilya uproot 117 olive trees in nearby Jayyus for creation of a new settlement enclave to be called North Tzofim. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in a 4/21/04 IDF raid on Gaza City. (HA, JAZ 12/9; JAZ, VOP 12/9 in WNC 12/11; HA, JAZ, NYT, WP 12/10; VOP, YA 12/10 in WNC 12/14; PRCS 12/15; PCHR 12/16; MEI 12/17)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Hamas mbrs. who attempt to attack an IDF outpost in Gaza; fires missiles at a culture and art center affiliated with Islamic Jihad in Khan Yunis, damaging the building but causing no injuries; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes, 25 bedouin shacks and livestock pens in Anata nr. Jerusalem; bulldozes 1 d. of land in Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in Marda nr. Nablus, Qarawat Bani Zayid and Rantis nr. Ramallah, Yabad nr. Jenin. An IDF soldier is killed, a 2d is injured when a smugglers’ tunnel they are investigating on the Rafah-Egypt border collapses. (VOI 11/29 in WNC 12/1; WP 11/30; PCHR 12/2)

Senior Hamas mbr. Shaykh Hassan Yusuf says that Hamas will halt all attacks on Israelis during the PA election campaigns, would consider a cease-fire agmt. if Israel agrees to reciprocate by releasing Palestinian prisoners, withdrawing fr. occupied land, halting assassinations. The AMB also says it is considering a ceasefire. (AP 11/29; WP, WT 11/30; al-Ahram 12/3)

The IDF sends troops into Salfit, raids Prisoners’ Support Society offices, confiscates files and a computer, vandalizes furniture; raids offices, confiscates documents of 2 cultural societies in Bethlehem, Qarawat Bani Hassan; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh, Haris and nearby Nablus, al-Mughraqa, Qalqilya, Tulkarm r.c.; shells agricultural areas of al-Qarara. The IDF platoon cmdr. responsible for the deliberate shooting of a 13-yr.-old Palestinian girl in Gaza on 10/5/04 is indicted on charges of misuse of a firearm, ordering subordinates to lie about the shooting, violation of military regulations. Palestinians fire 6 mortars at a Jewish settlement in s. Gaza, 5 mortars at an IDF post on the Gaza-Egypt border, causing no damage or injuries. (XIN 11/22; VOI 11/23 in WNC 11/25; PCHR 11/25; WP 11/28)

The Fatah Central Comm. votes (13– 0, with 2 mbrs. not voting) to nominate PLO head Mahmud Abbas as the party’s candidate in the upcoming PA presidential elections, slated for 1/9/05; calls on the PA to hold legislative elections before mid-2005. (XIN 11/22; JAZ 11/22 in WNC 11/24; MM, WP 11/23; QA 11/23 in WNC 11/25; PR 11/24; al-Ahram 12/3; BBC 12/10)

U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell ends a 2-day trip to Israel, Ramallah to discuss ways to accelerate the peace-making process and revitalize the Palestinian economy. He presses the sides to do everything possible to ensure that the maximum number of Palestinians, including those in East Jerusalem, are able to participate in the PA presidential elections on 1/9/05. Sharon says he will consider withdrawing troops fr. population centers, will do all he can to facilitate Palestinian movement during voting. (NYT, REU, WP, WT 11/22; JAZ, VOI, VOP 11/22 in WNC 11/24; al-Arabiyya TV 11/22 in WNC 12/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/23; WP 11/28; MEI 12/3)

The IDF shells residential areas, fires on stone-throwing youths in Nablus, killing 2 15-yr.-old Palestinian boys; fatally shoots a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays too close to Gaza’s Netzarim settlement; fires on residential areas of Rafah; shells, bulldozes 18 d. of land in Wadi alSilqa. (VOI, VOP 11/20 in WNC 11/23; WT 11/21; PCHR 11/25)

Within hrs. of Arafat’s death, the PC, in keeping with the Basic Law, formally swears in PC speaker Rawhi Fattuh as interim head of the PA until elections are organized within the next 60 days;Qurai‘ maintains the position of PM, responsible for daily PA operations. Qaddumi is elected as head of Fatah by the 15-mbr. Fatah Central Comm. Abbas is voted head of the PLO by the PLO Exec. Comm. The State Dept. says that it is prepared to help the Palestinians hold elections if asked; says that Israel still must carry out Gaza disengagement. France sends Arafat’s body off to Egypt with full military honors. Throughout the day, Palestinians across the territories rally, demonstrate in honor of Arafat. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/11; JAZ, VOI, VOP 11/11 in WNC 11/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/12)

The IDF raids Shaykh Ajlin, exchanging fire with armed Palestinians (leaving 1 Palestinian dead), shelling residential areas (killing 2 Palestinian civilians, wounding 7), bulldozing 120 d.; fatally shoots an Egyptian who apparently infiltrated into Gaza fr. Egypt; fatally shoots 3 Palestinians (at least 2 of them armed) s. of Netzarim; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Bayt Omar nr. Hebron, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 10; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall nr. Jayyus, wounding 2 with live ammunition; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus. Some 100 AMB mbrs. (some armed and masked) outside Arafat’s headquarters in Ramallah call for an investigation into Arafat’s death and rumors he was poisoned by Israeli agents, chant slogans denouncing Abbas, fmr. PA security chief Muhammad Dahlan as agents for the CIA. Israeli border police disperse 100s of Palestinians conducting nationalist marches in East Jerusalem in memory of Arafat. In Haifa, Israeli police disperse some 100 Israeli Palestinians holding a candlelight vigil for Arafat, detain a woman carrying a Palestinian flag. ( JP, VOI, YA 11/11 in WNC 11/13; HA 11/17; PCHR 11/18)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians who enter a closed military zone nr. the Israeli border fence east of Gaza City; fires on stone-throwing youths and market areas in Nablus, killing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Jenin; blows up a Palestinian home nr. Nablus; bulldozes 20 d. in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Beitunia, Jenin (also sealing 4 offices of Islamic charities). Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket into s. Israel, fire 2 mortars into Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing light damage but no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’ale Shomron nr. Qalqilya uproot 10s of Palestinian olive trees, bar local Palestinian residents fr. harvesting their groves; IDF soldiers observe but do not intervene. ( JP, VOP, YA 11/9 in WNC 11/11; WP 11/10; VOI 11/10 in WNC 11/12; PRCS 11/11)

Arafat reportedly slips deeper into a coma, possibly suffering a stroke, and is put on life support. In light of Israel’s refusal to allow his burial in Jerusalem, the PA requests that he be buried in Ramallah after lying in state in Cairo. Doctors still do not know the cause of Arafat’s illness, though they have completely ruled out malignancy, poisoning. (AP, BBC, MM, REU 11/9; AFP, JAZ, JT, VOI, VOP 11/9 in WNC 11/11; Financial Times, NYT, PR, WP, WT 11/10)

The Israeli security cabinet, IDF senior cmdrs., Fatah Central Comm., PLO Exec. Comm. hold emergency mtgs. to discuss Arafat’s failing health, after he reportedly slips into a “reversible coma.” The PLO Exec. Comm. grants PA PM Ahmad Qurai‘ temporary responsibility for urgent matters involving the PA security services and finances. Hamas calls for formation of a collective leadership, in which it would participate, to rule until elections are held. The IDF places troops in the West Bank and Gaza on alert, fearing an upswing in violence if Arafat dies; the PA does the same with its security forces. The IDF also demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on residential areas of al-Brazil r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus, nr Hebron. (AFP, BBC, HA, REU, WP, XIN 11/4; AFP, JAZ, MENA, VOI, VOP, XIN 11/4 in WNC 11/6; BBC, CSM, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/5; VOP, XIN 11/5 in WNC 11/9; PRCS 11/11)

The IDF sends troops, helicopters into Rafah; fires on residential areas, fatally shooting a Palestinian taxi driver, wounding 4 Palestinians; demolishes 20 Palestinian homes (leaving 177 people homeless), 15 shops, 4 sewing factories. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian bystander during a bungled undercover arrest raid in Jenin; bulldozes 18 d. of Bayt Lahiya land nr. Dugit; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Ramallah. A Palestinian sniper wounds 2 IDF soldiers guarding a Jewish settlement in s. Gaza. Palestinians fire mortars at an IDF post in Gaza, lightly injuring 3 IDF soldiers, 1 Israeli military contractor; fire a mortar at Gush Katif, wounding 2 Jewish settlers. (PRCS 11/3; VOI, VOP 11/3 in WNC 11/5; NYT, PCHR, WT 11/4; VOI 11/4 in WNC 11/6; PRCS 11/11)

Arafat’s health takes another turn for the worse; doctors admit him to the intensive care unit after he reportedly slips in and out of consciousness several times. (JAZ 11/3, 11/4 in WNC 11/6; BBC, NYT, WT 11/4)

Ramadan begins; the IDF restricts access to Jerusalem for Friday prayers. The IDF shells Jabaliya r.c. fr. the surrounding hills to the east; carries out an air strike on the camp, killing 1 Hamas mbr., 2 AMB mbrs; fatally shoots a 65-yr.-old Palestinian woman eating dinner in her Jabaliya home. In the evening, the IDF withdraws troops to the periphery of most n. Gaza population centers, formally ending Operation Days of Penitence. The UN estimates that during the 17-day operation, the IDF killed 114 Palestinians, demolished as many as 95 Palestinian homes, leveled more than 1,000 d.; Palestinian Center for Human Rights puts the figures at 112 Palestinians killed, 87 houses demolished, 839 d. leveled. The IDF says that soldiers killed a number of AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad military cmdrs. and destroyed a number of factories and workshops where Qassams could be made, that Palestinians fired 14 Qassam rockets fr. the area during the 17-day period. Palestinians fire 2 Qassams at Sederot today, causing no damage. Late in the evening, the IDF bulldozes another 3 Palestinian homes, 2 stores in Bayt Hanun. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Nablus; arrests 2 Jewish settlers who attack Palestinians harvesting olives outside Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo nr. Ramallah attack Palestinians harvesting olives in neighboring al-Mughayyir; IDF soldiers observe but do not intervene. (BBC 10/15; IDF Radio, VOI, VOP 10/15 in WNC 10/19; NYT, WP, WT 10/16; HA, NYT 10/17; B’Tselem press release 10/18; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21; MEI 10/22)

The IDF further expands Operation Days of Penitence into Bayt Lahiya, sending in another 45 tanks, 20 armored bulldozers to level 30 d.; shells Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya from land and sea, killing 1 Hamas mbr. and wounding 2 in the Bayt Lahiya cemetery; directs heavy machine gunfire at residential areas of Jabaliya. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, seriously injuring a 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl in an UNRWA classroom. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Jalbun nr. Jenin, 1 in Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus and surrounding camps, and in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah. Unidentified assailants attempt to assassinate the PA’s Gaza public security head Musa Arafat, remote detonating a car bomb outside his Gaza City office; no one is injured. Unidentified gunmen break into the Fatah headquarters in al-Bureij r.c., fatally shoot senior Fatah figure Muhammad Issa; Fatah, Hamas mbrs. take to the streets to in protest. (HA 10/12; AFP, VOI, VOP 10/12 in WNC 10/14; MEZ, NYT, PR, WP, WT 10/13; al-Quds 10/13 in WNC 10/19; NYT, PCHR, WP 10/14; JPI, MEI 10/22; PR 10/27)

In n. Gaza, the IDF shells residential areas of Jabaliya; expands its incursion into Bayt Lahiya, killing 1 armed Palestinian in an air strike, directing heavy machine gun fire at residential areas, occupying several Palestinian homes. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF makes a 3d attempt (see 8/26) to assassinate Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Muhammad Khalil, firing a missile at his home in Rafah, wounding 4 bystanders; exchanges gunfire with armed Palestinians in Dayr al-Balah, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on residential areas in Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home, conducts arrest raids, fires on stonethrowing youths in Nablus. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attack Palestinians harvesting their olive groves in Asira, shooting and wounding 1 Palestinian, scuffling with others until the IDF separates the sides. (HA, MEZ, XIN 10/11; VOI, VOP 10/11 in WNC 10/13; NYT 10/12; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

The IDF fires a missile at 2 Palestinian boys (ages 12 and 15) playing with pipes and sticks in a street Jabaliya r.c., killing them; says video footage fr. drones in the area appeared to show militants preparing to launch a rocket. Also in n. Gaza, the IDF fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, seriously wounding a 12-yr.-old child in her home; demolishes 1 Palestinian home north of Bayt Hanun. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in an IDF attack on Jabaliya on 9/30; a 16-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/1; a 22-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Bayt Hanun on 10/3. The IDF also fires on 2 Palestinians who approach the Israeli border fence nr. the Sufa crossing into Israel in s. Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian while the other escapes; fires on residential areas, demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Rafah; shells residential areas, bulldozes 86 d. nr. Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, 2 antitank missiles at IDF troops in Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF moves troops into Balata r.c. and Tulkarm, fires on residential areas, then fires on stonethrowing youths who confront the troops; halts a Palestinian school bus at a Hebron checkpoint, detains 3 students; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Arub r.c., Jenin r.c., and in villages around Nablus, Tulkarm; bulldozes 60 d. southwest of Hebron for construction of the separation wall. The UNRWA delivers food, water to half of the 600 Palestinian families (ca. 3,300 individuals) who have been trapped in their homes east of Jabaliya r.c., unable to leave and without electricity or water since Days of Penitence began on 9/29. (United Nations Information Service 10/7; PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/7 in WNC 10/11; MEZ, WP 10/8; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

In Egypt, a huge truck bomb explodes at the Hilton hotel in Taba, 2 smaller bombs explode at hotels further south along the Red Sea in Nuwayba and Ras al-Shaytan in what appear to be al-Qa‘ida attacks targeting Israelis vacationing for the Sukkoth holidays; 34 people are killed (including at least 13 Israelis, 9 Egyptians, 2 Italians, 1 Russian), some 150 are wounded. (BBC, HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; ITAR-TASS, MA, MENA, MM, VOI, VOP 10/8, MENA, al-Quds 10/9, VOI 10/10 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/9; NYT 10/10; al-Ra’i 10/10, AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/14; LBC 10/10, MM 10/11; VOP 10/11 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/12; MM, NYT, PR 10/13; JP, WJW 10/14; MM 10/15, 10/18, 10/19; WT 10/20; MEI 10/22; WP 10/26)

In continuing operations in n. Gaza, the IDF kills 5 Palestinians (including at least 2 civilians, one of them a 15-yr.-old girl) in shelling and gunfire in Jabaliya. In retaliation, Palestinians fire an antitank missile at an IDF patrol in n. Gaza, wounding 2 troops; fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF fires warning shots at a group of Palestinians in Khan Yunis, killing a 4-yr.- old Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. In the West Bank, 2 wanted Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are killed, a 3d wanted Palestinian and 4 bystanders are injured in an exchange of fire during an IDF arrest raid on Ramallah; the IDF says the soldier was killed by friendly fire. The IDF bulldozes a grove of 120 olive trees nr. Tulkarm, large areas of agricultural land in Surif for construction of the separation wall; imposes a curfew on Palestinians in Hebron to allow Jewish settlers to hold Sukkoth parades, during which settlers throw bottles, stones at Palestinian homes; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm. A 70-yr.-old Palestinian dies fr. injuries she received in Nablus on 7/22/04. (MM, NYT, WP 10/4; AFP, IDF Radio, VOI, YA 10/4 in WNC 10/6; HA, NYT, PRCS, WP 10/5; PCHR 10/7; JPI 10/15)

The al-Aqsa intifada enters its 5th yr. The IDF continues operations in Jenin, searching homes, arresting some 80 Palestinians, fatally shooting a mentally handicapped Palestinian who leaves his Jenin home after dark during the curfew (ongoing since 9/25); the death brings Palestinians to the streets to riot; the IDF fires on protesters (killing a 17-yr.-old Palestinian, wounding 6), blows up a Palestinian home. The IDF also raids Nablus, arrests, then fatally shoots wanted AMB mbr. Majdi Khalifa in an outright execution; sends troops into Shaykh Ajlin nr. Gaza City; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., Tulkarm r.c. and villages around Nablus, Ramallah. Palestinians fire at least 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, damaging a house but causing no injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF sends 30 tanks into Bayt Hanun, Jabaliya r.c. in response, also cutting electricity to n. Gaza. Palestinians release without comment CNN producer Ali (kidnapped on 9/27), who says his captors were AMB mbrs.; the AMB denies this. Jewish settlers fr. Itamar burn 100s of d. of olive groves belonging to nearby Bayt Furik. (AP, HA, MM, PM, REU 9/28; AFP, VOI, VOP 9/28 in WNC 9/30; MM, NYT, PR, PRCS, WP, WT 9/29; VOI, YA 9/29 in WNC 10/1; PCHR, WJW 9/30; PCHR 10/1)

The IDF fires missiles at the car of PRC leader Muhammad Abu Nusayra as he drives in Khan Yunis in an attempt to assassinate him; he is seriously wounded, his bodyguard Ali al-Sha‘ir is killed, several bystanders are injured. A Palestinian teacher is killed by stray IDF machine gun fire outside a Khan Yunis school. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 Palestinians near the border fence in central Gaza; fatally shoots 2 Palestinians who “approach” an IDF convoy in Balata r.c.; fires on stonethrowing Palestinians in ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., on residential areas of Rafah (wounding a 9-yr.-old Palestinian inside her home); conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., al-Khadir and in and around Hebron, Nablus; raids, searches an ambulance building. Armed Palestinians ambush a carload of CNN reporters in Gaza City, kidnap Jerusalem-based producer Riyad Ali, leaving others unharmed. A Jewish settler fatally shoots a Palestinian driving nr. Itamar, is arrested by Israeli police but is quickly sent home to serve 1 week’s house arrest. (PRCS 9/27; AFP, PSCT, VOI, VOP 9/27 in WNC 9/29; JAZ, MM, NYT, PM, WP, WT 9/28; VOI 9/28 in WNC 9/30; PR 9/29; PCHR, WJW 9/30; JPI 10/8)

In Gaza, 3 Palestinian gunmen fr. the Abu Rish Brigades (a Fatah offshoot), Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian Resistance Comms. (PRC) attack an IDF post outside Morag, fatally shooting 3 IDF soldiers before 2 are shot dead; 1 escapes, wounds an Israeli journalist, is then shot dead. The IDF sends troops into Nablus and surrounding camps, fires on residential areas, blows up 2 Palestinian homes; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; fires rubber bullets at Palestinian, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall outside Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and Nablus, and in al-‘Aza, Bethlehem, Jenin town and r.c., al-Khadir, al-Mughraqa; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Mughraqa; bulldozes 6 Palestinian homes, 40 d. of agricultural land in Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Nur al-Shams on 9/14; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received in Rafah on 9/19. (BBC, MM, XIN 9/23; VOP 9/23 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT, WP 9/24; HA, PR 9/29; PCHR 9/30)

The IDF assassinates Hamas mbrs. Nabil al-Su‘aidi and Rabah Zaqqut, firing a missile at their car as they drive in Gaza City, wounding 5 bystanders (including 2 children); fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., then fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops; raids an Islamic charitable trust and elementary school in Hebron, confiscating equipment, money; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c., Jenin, Nablus. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing light damage but no injuries. The AMB also executes 2 Palestinian collaborators in Tulkarm. In Hebron, a Jewish settler attacks, beats 2 Palestinian Waqf employees cleaning the Muslim side of the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, is later arrested by the Israeli police. (AP, HA, JTA, MM 9/20; JAZ, VOI, VOP 9/20 in WNC 9/22; PCHR, WP, WT 9/21; JAZ 9/20, VOI 9/21 in WNC 9/23; PCHR 9/23)

The IDF clashes with Palestinians in Nablus, fatally shooting a 17-yr.-old Palestinian girl standing on the roof of her home; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. British MP Ian Gibson suffers a mild stroke while on a tour of Gaza with a medical charity; the IDF bars a Palestinian ambulance fr. taking him across the al-Ram checkpoint into East Jerusalem, forcing him to wait 90 mins. for an Israeli ambulance, which at 1st refuses to take him to nearby Makassid Hospital, favoring an Israeli hospital farther away; Gibson is stabilized in satisfactory condition at Makassid, but Britain lodges a formal complaint. (HA 9/19; PR 9/22; Guardian, PCHR 9/23)

The IDF seals Jenin, Tulkarm; divides Tulkarm into 3 separate areas; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids nr. Ramallah and in al-Khadir, Nablus, Salfit, Surif, Yatta. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Masked gunmen thought to be AMB mbrs. ambush senior PA security official Brig. Gen. Muhammad Batrawi, the Arafat-appointed financial comptroller of the security forces in Gaza, hold him in Nussayrat r.c. for 3 hrs., release him unharmed. In Khan Yunis, 20 armed AMB mbrs. occupy the local Labor Min. office for 2 hrs., demanding jobs for the unemployed. A Palestinian prisoner dies in Israeli custody. (VOP, XIN 9/16 in WNC 9/18; NYT, WP, WT 9/17; QA, VOI, YA 9/17 in WNC 9/21; PR 9/22; PCHR 9/23)

The IDF assassinates senior AMB Jenin mbr. Mahmud Abu Khalifa (whom it tried to assassinate on 8/30), wanted AMB mbrs. Amjad and Yamin Abu al-Hayja in a missile strike on their car Jenin; shells agricultural areas nr. Netzarim (injuring a Palestinian woman working her field), residential areas of Rafah; raids a dorm at Ramallah’s Education College, interrogates students; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Aza r.c., Dahaysha r.c., Nablus and neighboring Kafr Khalil, al-Zahiriyya nr. Hebron, al-Qarara. Late in the evening, the IDF shells residential areas of Rafah nr. the Philadelphi Route, destroying 1 Palestinian home and a 4-story apartment building, leaving 53 Palestinians homeless. A Hamas mbr. dies of injuries received in the 9/7 IDF strike on Gaza City, bringing that toll to 15. In Nablus, some 100 AMB mbrs. set fire to the home of PA police officer Hamas Hajat (who along with his family is in hiding) in revenge for his killing of an AMB mbr; the house is destroyed, no one is injured; some 100 PA policemen observe the arson but do not intervene. (PRCS 9/13; VOI, VOP 9/13 in WNC 9/15; WP, WT 9/14; PR 9/15; PCHR 9/16; MEI 9/24)

The IDF pulls troops out of n. Gaza, ending a 4-day operation that left 8 Palestinians dead, 100 wounded, 10,000s without electricity or water, 50 Palestinian homes demolished or severely damaged. The IDF further restricts Palestinian movement in the n. Jordan Valley; imposes curfews on Asira and Qussin nr. Nablus; fires on residential areas of Tulkarm r.c. and town; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Duha nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Iktaba nr. Tulkarm, Silwad; detains a Palestinian paramedic at a checkpoint outside Tulkarm for several hrs. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Netzarim settlement in s. Gaza, damaging 1 house, lightly injuring 2 soldiers. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (HA, JP, MENA 9/11 in WNC 9/14; WP 9/12; PRCS 9/13; PR 9/15; PCHR 9/16)