The Palestine Chronology

In Gaza, The IDF fatally shoots Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud al-Burai allegedly en route to stage a suicide attack on Netzarim settlement; a 2d Islamic Jihad mbr. gets away. The body of a Jewish settler missing for a wk. is found in a cave nr. Jaba in the West Bank. The IDF fires on residential areas of Brazil refugee camp, Tal al-Sultan; eases the closure on Bethlehem. (REU 12/28; NYT, WP, WT 12/29; WT 12/30; LAW, PCHR 1/2)

More than 700 Israeli, Palestinian peace activists march in Jerusalem in support for an independent Palestinian state, renewal of peace talks. In Ramallah, the IDF fires live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas to disperse a peaceful demonstrators, injuring 5. (GS, NYT, WP 12/29; PCHR 1/2)

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

Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in a Haifa bus station, lightly injuring 11 Israelis. During a predawn arrest raid in Anabta that nets some 25 Islamic Jihad suspects, the IDF opens fire on 2 cars of PSF officers (1 marked, 1 civilian), killing 4 PSF officers, wounding 2; blows up 1 Palestinian home. The IDF also fatally shoots 1 Palestinian taxi driver at a crossing in Jinin; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. Palestinian gunmen ambush a car in the West Bank, seriously injuring a Jewish settler. (BBC, WP 12/9; MENA 12/9 in WNC 12/11; NYT, WP, WT 12/10; AYM 12/10 in WNC 12/12; LAW 12/12)

U.S. envoy Zinni convenes another unproductive trilateral security comm. mtg.; warns Israel, the PA that if they do not make serious efforts to implement a cease-fire within 48 hrs., he will call off his mission. In Gaza, the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB), Hamas, Islamic Jihad issue a signed statement offering to suspend suicide bombings and gunfire inside Israel, if Israel stops assassinations, bombardment of Palestinian areas. The IDF dismisses the offer. (BBC, HA 12/9; JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/10; MM 12/11; AYM 12/11 in WNC 12/13; al-Quds 12/13 in WNC 12/14; MEI 12/21)

In a signal to the Palestinians, Sharon convenes his weekly cabinet mtg. at the IDF's West Bank headquarters. At his request the inner cabinet approves an escalation of attacks on PA security installations. (BBC, HA 12/9; WT 12/10; Guardian 12/19)

Israel continues to strike PA targets, destroying offices of Force 17, the PA General Intelligence Service, PSF in Rafah. The IDF fatally shoots 4 Palestinians in the West Bank; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. An Israeli dies of injuries received in the 12/1 Jerusalem bombing. The IDF also enters PA-controlled Rafah to bulldoze 2 PSF posts; directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif settlement, causing no injuries. In Jerusalem 500 Israelis attend a Peace Now protest against Israeli military actions. (NYT, WP 12/8; WP, WT 12/9; MM 12/10; LAW 12/12)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Palestinian gunman kills an Israeli security officer in the Israeli village Kefar Hess, nr. the West Bank border. A Palestinian dies in a mysterious explosion in Bethlehem. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/9. Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron hits, seriously injures an 82-yr.-old Palestinian man. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Hebron enter the Palestinian village of Halhul, vandalize property, fire in the air, throw stones at cars, assault residents. Jewish settlers, under IDF protection, move caravans and electrical generators to a new settlement site outside Jinin. The IDF confiscates, bulldozes 10s of dunams of land in Jabi', n. of Jerusalem, for annexation to Adam settlement. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land along the Gaza border, nr. Bayt Hanun; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Khan Yunis; tightens the closure on Hebron. (HP, PMC 11/11; AFP, NYT 11/12; MM 11/13; PCHR 11/15)

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

In a predawn raid on Bayt Rima (area A), the IDF kills at least 5 Palestinians, wounds 10s, arrests 11, invades homes, interrogates residents, imposes a curfew, and seals the village, barring medics, ambulances, journalists fr. entering. 1 of the Palestinians bleeds to death awaiting medical treatment. The IDF cmdr. admits that at least 2 of those killed were armed but not firing and were attempting to flee. Soldiers bulldoze 2 Palestinian homes in the village; a 3d is destroyed by fire during the raid; 5 others are occupied by troops. Israel confirms it has arrested 2 of 4 Palestinians whom it is certain were involved in the 10/17 Ze'evi murder, but says 2 trigger men are still at large. Another 5 Palestinians are killed elsewhere in the West Bank in clashes with the IDF. Israeli attacks intensify in Bethlehem and nearby Aida, Aza refugee camps, which have been surrounded by IDF tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs) for several days. The IDF demolishes shops at the entrance to Aza to ease the entry of tanks, APCs; deliberately fires tank shells at a Palestinian home in Aida destroying it. In an apparent assassination outside Bethlehem, an IDF tank and APC corner, open fire on a Palestinian car, killing Issa Jiryis Elali. Jewish settlers open fire on a Palestinian vehicle nr. Hebron, wounding 6 Palestinians. (AP, BBC, HP, NYT, PCHR, PMC 10/24; AYM 10/24 in WNC 10/25; JT, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/25; MM, NYT, WP 10/26; see also AYM 10/23 in WNC 10/25; MA 10/25 in WNC 10/26)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In Gaza, a Hamas mbr. is killed when a bomb in his house explodes in what may be an Israeli assassination. The IDF eases 1 roadblock on the Ramallah-Jerusalem road but tightens others around Badu, Bayt Hanina, Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, Tulkarm; sets up a new roadblock at the entrance to Qafin village; flies warplanes over Tulkarm. Israeli police issue evacuation orders to Palestinian families living on 18 dunams of land in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shaykh Jarrah, where Jewish settlers want to establish a new enclave. Israeli police also dismantle a vegetable market nr. Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. Jewish settlers fatally stab a Palestinian waiter in East Jerusalem restaurant. (HP 10/16; LAW, WT 10/17)

Sharon says he would accept the creation of a Palestinian state, but it would have to be demilitarized, and Israel would have to control all borders, all of Jerusalem, security zones in the West Bank and Gaza. (MA 10/16 in WNC 10/17; HA, WP 10/17)

The IDF withdraws fr. Palestinian areas of Hebron, vandalizing several homes, cars before leaving. The National Union and Yisrael Beitunia bloc (led by Tourism M Rehavam Ze'evi, Infrastructure M Avigdor Lieberman) quits the governing coalition in protest, leaving Sharon with control of 76 of the Knesset's 120 seats. As troops withdraw, Jewish settlers attempt to storm the vacated Palestinian neighborhoods, also vandalize several homes and shops, but are halted by soldiers, who arrest 21 (all released later in the day). The IDF also eases passage through roadblocks in a handful of areas, including Ramallah, and expands fishing areas off Gaza, in keeping with cease-fire steps. (HA, MM, WP, WT 10/15; AFP, MM, NYT, WP,WT 10/16; MA 10/16 in WNC 10/17; LAW 10/17)

Meanwhile, however, Hamas mbr. Hamad Marshud is killed when a flechette device, apparently planted by the IDF, explodes in a car outside his Nablus office. The State Dept. reiterates the U.S.'s strong opposition to Israel's assassination policy. The IDF also maintains closures on most West Bank, Gaza areas; surrounds, seals Bayt Umar; conducts arrest raids in Dayr Istya; begins building a bridge to link the Gaza settlements of Gush Katif, Kissufim, confiscating 150 dunams of Palestinian land; hands eviction orders to 250 tradesmen at a market area nr. Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Surik, Dayr Istya. Nr. Ramallah, armed Jewish settlers bar Palestinians farmers fr. reaching their olive groves, firing on them, beating them, burning cars. In Jerusalem, Israeli authorities raid the offices of several Palestinian lawyers, architects; search, photograph, destroy company files. (HP 10/15; MENA 10/15 in WNC 10/16; HP, NYT, WP, WT 10/16; LAW, WT 10/17)

In London, Arafat meets with British PM Tony Blair, who calls for the creation of a "viable Palestinian state, as part of a negotiated and agreed settlement, which provides peace and security for Israel." (AP, NYT 10/15; London Press Association, MENA, SA 10/15 in WNC 10/16; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/16; AN, MENA 10/16 in WNC 10/17)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas mbr. `Abd al-Rahman Hamad, fatally shooting him at his home in Qalqilya. Israel admits to the killing, which the U.S. calls "unhelpful." Meanwhile, the IDF eases closures in some Palestinian areas where there has been no violence but also tightens access to Jerusalem, directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, establishes a new police station in East Jerusalem, conducts arrest raids in Bayt Amin. Jewish settlers attack, seriously injure 3 Palestinian farmers on the Nablus+nRamallah Road. (AP, WP, WT 10/15; al-Quds 10/15 in WNC 10/16; HP 10/15)

The Israeli cabinet meets to discuss the dramatic reduction in violence in recent days. Although the cabinet does not approve the decision, Sharon declares that the IDF is prepared to pull out of areas A in Hebron that the army seized on 10/4-5. (WP 10/14; MM, WP 10/15; al-Quds 10/15 in WNC 10/16; WT 10/16; WJW 10/18)

Peres and Qurai` meet again in Jerusalem along with Israeli, PA security officials to discuss cease-fire implementation. Israel agrees to open the main road in Khan Yunis, which has been closed for months; reopen Rafah crossing to Egypt, the Allenby Bridge crossing to Jordan for several hrs. every day; gradually remove IDF roadblocks, withdraw IDF troops over a 3 wk. period if calm remains; allow VIP passage btwn. the West Bank, Gaza for senior PA officials, security forces; to allow family visits btwn. the West Bank, Gaza; allow entry of 2,000 Palestinian businessmen into Israel. (JP [Internet] 10/14; HP 10/15)

Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza continue demonstrations to mark the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. The IDF clashes with protesters, killing 3 Palestinians, wounding more than 100. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The main hot spots are Hebron, Qarni crossing, Rafah. Inside Israel, 1,000s of Israeli Arabs hold rallies in Arraba, Haifa, Jit, Kafr Manda, Kafr Qana, Nazareth, Sakhnin, Umm al-Fahm; demonstrations in Nazareth, Umm al-Fahm turn violent with protesters clashing with police, vandalizing stores, but no injuries are reported. The IDF directs shell, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Bireh, Brazil camp, Hebron, Khan Yunis, Yibna; sets fire to a Palestinian orchard nr. a bypass road outside Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Ramallah. Jewish settlers install a tower, water reserve, electricity hook-up to a new settlement enclave btwn. Suisa, Ma'on settlements. (HP 9/29; NYT, WP, WT 9/30; al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/9; MM, WT 10/1; Independent, NYT 10/2; WJW 10/4; LAW 10/10)

Israel, the PA each complain that the other has not undertaken the steps required in the initial 48 hr. stage of the Tenet plan. Sharon meets with his inner cabinet, which agrees to allow Peres to continue truce talks with PA officials, but says it will resume "initiated actions" in 48 hrs. if violence continues. (HP 9/29; NYT, WP, WT 9/30; al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/9; MM, WT 10/1; Independent, NYT 10/2; WJW 10/4; LAW 10/10)

The IDF kills a total of 6 Palestinians, wounds more than 100 (at least 50% with live ammunition) in confronting demonstrations across the West Bank, Gaza marking the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. (In Nablus alone, 10,000 Palestinians rally.) A 7th Palestinian dies in a mysterious explosion. The worst fighting is in Hebron (where the IDF shells residential areas, killing 2; and Palestinians fire on 2 vehicles, lightly injuring 2 Jewish settlers), Qarni crossing, Rafah (where an IDF tank reportedly fires into a crowd, killing 3 Palestinians). In Rafah, some 150 Palestinians clash with PSF officers attempting to disperse demonstrators, vandalize 3 empty PSF offices. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Salfit. Jewish settlers destroy 100 dunams of Palestinian crop land, several greenhouses nr. Mihula. (HP, MM 9/28; HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; Le Monde 9/29 in WNC 10/2; HP, WP, WT 9/30; al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM 10/1; IRNA 10/3 in WNC 10/4; HA 10/21)

Despite increasing violence, Israel, the PA reconvene the trilateral security comm. for the 1st time since 7/25. Arafat issues another statement calling on Palestinian to adhere to the cease-fire. (AFP, MM 9/28; HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; MM 10/1)

In response to Islamic Jihad gunfire in the Jordan Valley that leaves a Jewish settler dead, Peres sides with Sharon against holding a mtg. with Arafat. Fatah tanzim leaders, a senior mbr. of the Fatah-linked AMB state that, despite Arafat's recent calls, they will continue to view the IDF and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza as legitimate targets. Palestinians fire 1 mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. Israel's new 18 mi. buffer zone along the Green Line n. of Jerusalem goes into effect. The IDF bulldozes 20 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Oranit settlement; declares the Hebron market a closed military zone; begins work on a new settlement bypass road to Kefar Darom, damaging agricultural land, water networks belonging to Dayr al-Balah residents; conduct arrest raids in villages around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Salfit; confiscates 1 Palestinian home in Harmala for use as an IDF outpost; reinforces the closure on Jinin. (HP, Los Angeles Times [Internet], MM 9/24; CNN, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; al-Quds 9/25 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)

The U.S. freezing assets of 27 individuals, organizations with reported links to Bin Laden; threatening to freeze U.S. assets of foreign financial institutions that do not follow suit. Affiliates of Hizballah, Palestinian opposition groups are not included. (NYT, WP, WT 9/25)

Israel initiates land, sea, air strikes against PA targets in the West Bank and Gaza, leaving 3 Palestinians dead and destroying the PA intelligence headquarters in Gaza City, the naval headquarters in Nussayrat, a PA police station in Rafah. Israel claims the action is in response to mortar attacks staged fr. those areas. In East Jerusalem, DFLP gunmen ambush a Jewish settler vehicle, killing 1 settler, wounding 1. IDF troops guarding Har Homa settlement direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Sahur, injuring at least 8 Palestinians. Troops continue to bombard the town as Red Crescent medical workers attempt to reach the wounded, killing a Palestinian paramedic, destroying 3 ambulances. The IDF also arrests PC vice chmn. Bishara Daoud on his way to Jerusalem to participate in the coronation of the new Greek Orthodox patriarch, detain him for interrogation. (AP, HP, WP 9/15; LAW, PMC, WP, WT 9/16; NYT 9/20; LAW 9/29)

Israel-Palestinian clashes in the Bayt Jala-Gilo area continue to escalate, spread to neighboring Aida refugee camp, leaving 13 Palestinians wounded. European Union (EU) foreign policy dir. Javier Solana shuttles btwn. Arafat and Peres, discussing the idea of a limited cease-fire that would incorporate an IDF withdrawal fr. the area. (Arafat, Peres speak directly by phone; Powell phones Sharon, Arafat.) This afternoon, the PSF sets up new roadblocks around Bayt Jala to deter Palestinian gunmen fr. entering. After 5 hrs. without gunfire, the IDF begins to leave Bayt Jala. Solana urges Arafat, Peres to discuss expanding the Bayt Jala-Gilo understandings into a full cease-fire. (BDL, HP, MM 8/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/30; WJW 9/6)

Meanwhile, the settler group, the Committee for Road Safety, fatally shoots a Palestinian in the West Bank. Nr. Tulkarm, tanzim mbrs. fatally shoot an Israeli civilian; the IDF fires on Palestinians, killing 1, wounding 4. The IDF also sends tanks into Rafah; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes, agricultural land in Dayr al-Balah; reinforces tanks, bulldozers outside Khan Yunis; demolishes a PSF post, erects a new IDF checkpoint on the Rafah-Khan Yunis road. 15 Jewish settlers (mostly women and children) attack Palestinian vendors in the Hebron market; IDF soldiers watch but do not intervene. (HP 8/29; HP, NYT, WP, WT 8/30)

Late this evening, 2 mbrs. of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) infiltrate an IDF post nr. Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, attack the barracks with hand grenades and automatic weapons fire, killing 3 IDF soldiers and wounding 7 before they are killed. In response, the IDF sends 16 tanks, heavy equipment deep into Rafah to bulldoze the PSF headquarters, take over several small PSF posts, killing 1 PSF officer, wounding 2 Palestinians; troops pull out after a few hrs. Earlier, mbrs. of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) open fire on a car outside Givat Ze'ev in the West Bank, killing 3 Jewish settlers, wounding 2 children. (BBC 8/25; HA, JP [Internet], NYT, WP, WT 8/26; HA 8/27; SA 8/27 in WNC 8/28; MEI 8/31; JP 9/7)

Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem observe a general strike. IDF soldiers seriously beat mbrs. of an Egyptian TV crew filming the strikes nr. Qalqilya; fatally shoot 1 Palestinian wanted for killing a Jewish settler on 7/24. The IDF also bars a pregnant Palestinian fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital to deliver her baby; directs shells/heavy machine gun fire residential areas of Gaza City, Rafah; shuts the Rafah crossing; reinforces the closures on Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian residents of Hebron. Israeli police arrest 10 protesters outside Orient House. (AP, HA, HP, REU 8/13; AYM 8/13 in WNC 8/14; CNN, NYT, WP, WT 8/14; MENA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; NYT 8/15)

     Late this evening, the IDF sends tanks and bulldozers, escorted by helicopters, into Jinin to surround PA offices, demolish the local PSF headquarters and a PSF checkpoint; soldiers also occupy the local governor's office. The PSF, which evacuated the sites hrs. earlier, does not engage the IDF troops; the incursion sparks only isolated exchanges of gunfire, which leave 3 Palestinians wounded. Israel says the move--marking the IDF's 1st sustained foray into a major PA-controlled city--is to punish the PA for not halting a number of recent suicide bombers who have come fr. Jinin; says it has no intention of permanently reoccupying the area. (AP, HA, HP 8/13; CNN, NYT, WP, WT 8/14; ITAR-TASS 8/14 in WNC 8/15; MEZ, NYT, WT 8/15; SA 8/16 in WNC 8/17)

Egypt dispatches a high-level delegation, led by Mubarak adviser Baz, to Washington for 4-days of talks with U.S. officials to urge the U.S. to focus on restarting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations as well as resuming security contacts. (MENA, SA 8/13 in WNC 8/14; WP 8/14; MENA, SA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; NYT 8/16)

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint in the West Bank, injuring 3 IDF soldiers. In retaliation for the killing of a settler on 8/7, the IDF places a curfew on `Ayn Bus, Jama'in; shells a Force 17 post, a PA military intelligence post in Salfit and a Force 17 office in Asira, destroying the buildings but causing no injuries. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Asira, Jericho; tightens closures on Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Rafah; reinforces troops around al-Mahatin, Qalqilya; bulldozes 10 dunams of agricultural land in al-Qarara. (AP, HP 8/8; WP 8/9)

Israel eases the IDF's open-fire restrictions, allowing soldiers initiate fire if Palestinians who "appear to be preparing an attack." A Jewish settler is fatally shot outside Tzofim settlement. The IDF seals neighboring Qalqilya in response. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bethlehem; tightens the closures on Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm. 2 roadside bombs explode nr. IDF convoys in the West Bank, causing no damage. (PMC, WP, WT 8/8)

The U.S. rejects PA requests to intervene with Israel to prevent the further deterioration of violence and to send international observers to the region immediately, instead dispatching Dep. Asst. Secy. of State Satterfield for a week-long tour of the region. He will discuss regional tensions with officials in Lebanon, Syria, Israel, and the West Bank and Gaza, but will not bring new initiatives. (NYT, WP, WT 8/8; NYT 8/10; JT 8/12 in WNC 8/14)

The IDF assassinates Hamas student activist `Amr Hadiri (also reported as Omar Madiri), firing missiles at his car as he drives in Tulkarm. Also nr. Tulkarm, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian allegedly planting a roadside bomb. A Palestinian opens fire outside the Israeli DMin. in Tel Aviv, wounding 8 IDF them soldiers, 2 Israeli civilians. He is wounded, captured in his attempt to flee and later dies of his injuries. Palestinians open fire on a Jewish settler family driving in the West Bank, killing 1 pregnant settler, seriously wounding her husband, lightly injuring 2 children. In response, the IDF seals Jericho, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and parts of Bethlehem, Hebron, Jinin. IDF helicopters shell the PSF headquarters in Rafah. The Israeli DMin. broadcasts a list of 7 wanted Palestinians (3 Islamic Jihad, 2 Fatah, 1 Hamas, 1 PFLP), vowing to take action against them if the PA does not arrest them immediately. (AFP [Internet], PMC, REU 8/5; AFP [Internet], JP [Internet], LAW, NYT, WP, WT 8/6; WJW 8/9; MEI 8/10)

Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. Afterward, PSF officers attempt to arrest the group at a checkpoint, exchanging gunfire with them, wounding 3. In Haifa, Israeli police arrest a Palestinian for planting a bomb nr. a building complex, dissemble the device. Israel announces that several days ago, the Shin Bet arrested Arafat bodyguard Anis Namura on charges of organizing a group to carry out attacks on Israeli targets in the West Bank. The PA denies Namura is a Force 17 mbr. Palestinians report that the IDF has recently moved more helicopters into Jewish settlements in the West Bank. (WP 7/22; MM 7/23; REU, WT 7/24; MEI 7/27)

At a Likud Central Comm. mtg. in Tel Aviv, Sharon is criticized for "being soft," not "crushing" Arafat, the PA. Leading the criticism is fmr. PM Benjamin Netanyahu. (MM, NYT, WP 7/23; MA 7/23 in WNC 7/24; MM 7/25, 7/26; MEI 7/27; JP 8/3)

Israel continues to reinforce its West Bank forces, stationing paratrooper units in areas nr. Bethlehem, Jinin. Palestinians fire 4 mortars at Netzarim settlement, Nahal Oz kibbutz inside Israel. The IDF files low-level F-16 sorties, drops thermal balloons over the Gaza Strip; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Palestinian residential areas of Hebron, setting 7 Palestinian homes on fire; tightens the closures on Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers reportedly confiscate several Palestinian homes in the Palestinian section of Hebron nr. Kiryat Arba. In Bethlehem, 1,000s of Palestinians hold anti-Israeli demonstrations following the funeral for Hamas's Saada. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 7/16. (AP, HA, HP 7/18; NYT 7/19)

At a G-8 preparatory mtg. in Rome, the FMs of Britain, France, Germany, Italy insist that dispatching an impartial observer force to the West Bank and Gaza is necessary to restore a lasting cease-fire, renew peace talks. Secy. of State Powell says sending a force is "premature," since Israel does not approve, but he does not reject the idea outright. (WP, WT 7/19)

The IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades's Bethlehem regional cmdr., Omar Saada, firing 2 wire-guided missiles at his home, also killing a Hamas colleague. When neighbors and relatives come to the scene to survey the damage, the IDF fires a 3d missile, killing Saada's brother (a peace activist) and a 4th Palestinian, wounding 10. The PA arrests 5 Palestinians for allegedly collaborating with Israel on the strike. For the 1st time, West Bank Palestinians fire 2 mortars at the Jewish settlement of Gilo, outside Jerusalem, causing no damage. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gunfire at Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur in response. The IDF also shells residential areas of Qabatiyya (destroying a Force 17 post), Tulkarm; raids al-Arub, Fajar, al-Fawar, Salfit; places a closure on Qalqilya, reinforces troops in the area. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in al-Fawar. The IDF says it defused 2 bombs in Tel Aviv, outside a West Bank settlement. (AFP [Internet], BBC, CNN, HP, PMC 7/17; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/18; AYM, SA 7/19 in WNC 7/20; AP 7/21; WT 7/23; MEI 7/27)

Sharon phones Bush to urge him to press for a statement strongly condemning Arafat at the upcoming G-8 summit. Sharon also reportedly tells Bush that Israel plans to carry out "preventive operations" in the near future. An hr. later, Sharon receives a call fr. Powell urging Israeli restraint, but, late this evening, the IDF sends tank, troop reinforcements into the West Bank in its largest deployment since the start of the al-Aqsa intifada, raising speculation that a massive attack is imminent. (MM 7/20)