The Palestine Chronology

The IDF shells a house in Gaza’s Shatti r.c. in an attempt to assassinate PRC n. Gaza cmdr. ‘Abd al-Karim al-Quka, who, along with 4 Palestinians, is injured. The IDF also denies an ailing 60-yr.-old Palestinian passage through a checkpoint to a Nablus hospital, allowing him to die; continues bulldozing operations in Bayt Hanun, demolishing 2 PSF posts; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes, 26 shops, an olive oil factory in Barta nr. Jenin for construction of the separation wall, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, injuring 6; fires on residential areas of Nablus; conducts arrest raids, house searches in villages around Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and in Anata, Hebron. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets into the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. An unknown assailant shoots, seriously wounds Executive Authority (EA) mbr. and fmr. information M Nabil ‘Amr twice in the leg in an attempted assassination, firing through a window at ‘Amr, inside his Ramallah home. ‘Amr, who has previously called for reforms in the PA, had just returned home from a TV interview in which he criticized Arafat’s performance. (BBC, WP 7/20; VOI 7/20 in WNC 7/22; MM, NYT, PR, REU, WT 7/21; JAZ 7/21 in WNC 7/23; CSM, PCHR, PM 7/22; DUS, HJ 7/23 in WNC 7/27; al-Ra’i 7/24 in WNC 7/29; VOP 7/29 in WNC 7/31; AYM 7/30 in WNC 8/3; MM 8/3; PR 8/4)

A parcel bomb explodes next to a Tel Aviv bus stop, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 20 Israelis, marking the 1st fatal bombing inside Israel since the 3/14 Ashdod bombings; AMB takes responsibility. Sharon, stressing that the bombing proves the need for the separation wall, calls the bombing the “first murder sponsored by the International Court of Justice.” Palestinians also fire an antitank missile at Gaza’s Atzmona settlement, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home and a factory, fires on residential areas in Bayt Hanun; demolishes a Palestinian home in Qabatya. (VOI 7/11 in WNC 7/13; MM, NYT, WT 7/12; PR 7/14; PCHR 7/15; MEI 7/23)

The IDF raids a section of Gaza City nr. Netzarim settlement, occupies an abandoned house, shells a house (causing extensive damage but no injuries), bulldozes 20 dunams of land. The IDF also bulldozes 4 Palestinian homes, 2 “animal farms,” 45 dunams of land, an irrigation network in Khan Yunis; razes 10s of dunams of citrus trees nr. Bayt Lahia; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Jenin r.c., Qalqilya. A Palestinian fires on, tosses a grenade at an IDF post nr. Bayt Hanun (causing damage but no injuries), escapes. (VOI 7/9 in WNC 7/13; PCHR 7/15).

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues its nonbinding opinion on the separation wall, ruling (14-1, with only American judge Thomas Buerghenthal dissenting) that segments built on occupied Palestinian territory violate international law and should be removed or not built. (HA, JT, WP, WT 7/9; AYM, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, VOP 7/9, AN, DUS, HJ, MENA, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, VOP, XIN 7/10 in WNC 7/13; NYT, WP, WT 7/10; AYM 7/11, 7/13 in WNC 7/16; HJ 7/11, AN, JT, SA, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/14; JTA, MM 7/12; Asia Times, MA, MM 7/13; al-Quds 7/13 in WNC 7/15; al-Ra’i 7/13 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/14; MEI 7/23)

The IDF sends tanks, helicopters, troops into Rafah allegedly in search of smugglers’ tunnels, fires on residential areas; stages a major raid into Jenin to arrest wanted AMB mbr. Khalid al-Hawi, ultimately killing him in a shootout outside his home; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis (killing 1 Palestinian child in his bed), fires on residential areas of Rafah; bulldozes 500 dunams of citrus trees east of Jabaliya r.c.; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes, a farm nr. Hebron for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, al-Qarara. A 15-yr.-old Palestinian girl dies of injuries received during an IDF raid on Rafah a wk. ago. (XIN 7/5; VOI, VOP 7/5, VOP 7/6 in WNC 7/9; WT 7/6; PR 7/7; PCHR 7/8)

The IDF continues operations in Bayt Hanun, announcing plans to create a buffer zone around the town to prevent rocket fire, firing missiles into residential areas (killing 3 Palestinians, injuring 21), bulldozing at least 100 dunams of olive and citrus trees; raids Rafah allegedly to search for more smugglers tunnels, demolishes 7 Palestinian homes completely and 5 partially, severely damages 15 shops; makes a rare incursion into Jericho with some 40 military vehicles, reinforced by helicopters, declaring the town a closed military zone, demolishing 1 Palestinian home, arresting some 35 Palestinians; partially demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, a mosque, a garage, a bird farm in al-Qarara; exchanges gunfire with Palestinian militants in Gaza City, wounding 5; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, Biddu and Qutna nr. Ramallah, Jericho, al-Mughraqa, Nur al-Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm; fires live ammunition, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in Dayr Ballut nr. Qalqilya, lightly injuring 10s. (JTA, MM 7/1; IDF Radio, VOI, VOP 7/1 in WNC 7/3; HA, NYT 7/2; PCHR 7/8)

The IDF continues operations in Bayt Hanun, fatally shooting an alleged Hamas mbr., bulldozing roads. The IDF also bulldozes 15 Palestinian homes, 15 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids and house searches in, fires on residential areas of Nablus. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing light damage but no injuries. The Israeli High Court rules in favor of 7 village councils n. of Jerusalem that a 30 km separation wall segment violates Palestinians’ rights, recommends that the IDF come up with a revised route. (BBC, HA, JTA, MM, REU 6/30; MA, VOI, VOP 6/30 in WNC 7/2; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 7/1; al-Quds 7/1 in WNC 7/9; MM, NYT 7/2; MM 7/7; HA, PCHR 7/8; MEI 7/9)

The IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bayt Hanun to raze 300 dunams of olive groves, side roads allegedly used by Palestinians who fire rockets at Sederot; fatally shoots 2 armed AMB mbrs. who confront the IDF patrol, wounding a 3d; fires on residential areas, mortally wounding a Palestinian, barring an ambulance fr. reaching him, allowing him to bleed to death; searches homes. The IDF also raids al-Quds Open University campus in Yatta, interrogates 10s of students, fires on stone-throwing students, wounding 3; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus, Salfit; issues confiscation orders for 300 dunams of Palestinian land s. of Nablus for construction of the separation wall; fires on Palestinian residential areas nr. Gaza’s Morag settlement; fires on Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall nr. Azariyya. (JP, VOI 6/22 in WNC 6/24; HA, NYT, PR 6/23; PCHR 6/24)

The IDF fires on a delegation of British, UN officials touring the destruction in Rafah, causing no injuries; Britain lodges a formal complaint with Israel. Nr. Salfit, the IDF also fires a new type of gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall, sending some 50 protesters to the hospital with severe convulsions, temporary blackouts, impaired vision, difficulty breathing; troops then raid a local hospital that treated the injured, beat medical workers. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids and house searches, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, severely damages 11 in Wadi al-Silqa.Palestinians fire a mortar at Kefar Darom settlement, killing a Thai worker in a greenhouse; fire a Qassam rocket toward Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Unidentified assailants fire 25 shots at the empty, parked car of senior Fatah mbr. and Arafat loyalist Hani al-Hassan; Hassan blames Palestinian collaborators. (JTA 6/21; VOI 6/21 in WNC 6/23; MM 6/22; PR 6/23; PCHR 6/24; NYT 6/25)

The Palestinian Resistance Comms. (PRCs) fire a new Nasser 3 rocket, with a longer range than the Qassam 2, at Sederot, causing minor damage to a wall, garden shed; also fire 2 mortars at Gaza’s Kefar Darom settlement, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF fires missiles at 2 metal workshops (suspected Hamas weapons factories) in Gaza City, destroying the buildings but causing no injuries. The IDF also bulldozes 77 dunams of agricultural land in Bayt Hanun, 37 dunams nr. Khan Yunis; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Qarara, 1 in Rafah; fires on residential areas of, conducts arrest raids in Askar r.c., then fires on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 4; raids residential areas nr. Dayr al-Balah, firing on homes, arresting several Palestinians, occupying and partially demolishing 1 house, destroying a fence and gas pipelines to a fuel station; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Jenin, nr. Nablus. (HA, MA, MM, REU 6/18; VOI, VOP 6/18, VOI 6/19 in WNC 6/22; WP 6/20; PCHR 6/24)

The IDF partially reopens the Erez crossing into Israel for the 1st time since 3/15, issuing permits for 513 Palestinian workers over age 35 (though only around two-thirds are able to enter Israel because of prolonged searches). The IDF also sends tanks, troops into Palestinian residential areas nr. Gaza’s Netzarim settlement, creating sand berms around 4 Palestinian homes, causing some damage to the buildings, destroying a well and a bird farm; conducts arrest raids in Tubas; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c. and Nablus, wounding 5; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; raids a home in Hebron, severely beating 25 residents; razes a grove of 400 olive trees in s. Nablus for construction of a new separation wall segment. (VOP 6/17 in WNC 6/19; PCHR 6/24)

The IDF raids Balata r.c., takes up sniper positions atop a number of houses, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian inside his home; conducts house searches in the Old City of Nablus, blowing the doors off 8 houses and 53 shops, detonating explosives to clear an alley blocked by barrels they fear could be booby trapped, damaging a church and a mosque; demolishes 15 Palestinian homes s. of Ramallah for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids in Anabta, Nablus, al-Ram and nr. Bethlehem, Jenin, Ramallah. Palestinians fire an antitank round at an IDF patrol in Gaza, lightly injuring 2 soldiers. (VOI, VOP 6/15 in WNC 6/17; NYT 6/16; VOI, VOP 6/16 in WNC 6/18; PCHR 6/17)

The IDF assassinates AMB Balata r.c. cmdr. Khalid Marshud, firing missiles at his taxi in Nablus, also killing the taxi driver, seriously wounding 2 bystanders. The IDF also eases a curfew on Nablus, allowing Palestinians over age 30 to exit and enter; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Bethlehem, 2 in al-Qarara (also bulldozing 6 dunams of land); conducts arrest raids in, fires on residential areas of Jenin; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, al-Mughraqa, Nablus. The IDF starts construction of a 3.5 km segment of the separation wall east of Ariel settlement. (AP, HA, MM 6/14; VOI, VOP 6/14 in WNC 6/16; NYT, WP 6/15; PR 6/16; PCHR 6/17; MEI 6/24)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Rafah, wounding a 9-mo.-old baby; razes a Palestinian home, 65 dunams of agricultural land in al-Qarara; bulldozes 1.5 dunams of citrus trees, a telephone network in Dayr al-Balah; fires tear gas, live ammunition at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists protesting against the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, injuring a Palestinian cameraman working for Agence France-Presse and a South African protester, arresting an American; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Askar r.c., Bethlehem, Husan, Jenin town and r.c., al-Mughraqa, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Yatta. The IDF also begins removing 40 earthen mounds, gates blocking Palestinian roads in the West Bank, easing Palestinian movement slightly; flying roadblocks, checkpoints at the entrances to towns and villages—the main barriers to Palestinians’ free movement—will remain. (XIN 6/13; PCHR 6/17)

The IDF fatally shoots a 14-yr.-old Palestinian in Nablus, an 18-yr.-old Palestinian in Bethlehem; occupies a Palestinian home, fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Bayt Fajjar nr. Bethlehem, mortally wounding 1 Palestinian bystander, barring others fr. removing him to an ambulance, allowing him to bleed to death; bulldozes 5 Palestinian homes, 200 dunams of citrus groves in Bayt Hanun; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bayt Surik in n. Jerusalem; bulldozes 16 dunams of land in al-Qarara, 13 dunams and an irrigation network in Wadi al-Silqa; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Jenin (where Palestinian gunmen fire on troops, injuring 1 IDF soldier) and nr. Ramallah; fires tear gas, rubber bullets at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists staging a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall nr. Salfit, injuring 50. IDF undercover units raid a wedding in Ramallah, arrest 3 wanted Hamas mbrs., 1 of whom is the groom. Hamas distributes $100,000 in aid to 87 families fr. the Zaytun section of Gaza City whose homes were damaged or demolished during the 5/11–13 IDF raids there. (VOI, YA 6/10 in WNC 6/12; NYT, WP 6/11; VOI, VOP 6/11 in WNC 6/15; PCHR 6/17)

The IDF fires missiles at 2 car repair shops (suspected weapons factories) in Gaza’s Shatti r.c., destroying them, causing no injuries; begins bulldozing work on al-Quds University campus in Abu Dis for construction of the separation wall around Jerusalem, breaking agreements not to build on university land; demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c., Jenin, al-Khadir; fires on Palestinian, Israeli, international demonstrators staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, wounding 2 Palestinians (1 with live ammunition); fires on residential areas nr. Khan Yunis, Ramallah. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket into Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. In response, the IDF shells a Gaza City building housing a Hamas office, causing a fire, wounding 2 Palestinians. Israel says that all 187 Israeli businesses will be withdrawn fr. the Erez Industrial Zone for their own protection, leaving some 5,000 Palestinians unemployed. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by IDF soldiers, throw stones at Palestinians in Hebron. (Globes, Qol Yisra’el Radio 6/8; VOI, VOP 6/8 in WNC 6/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP 6/9; VOI, YA 6/9 in WNC 6/11; PCHR 6/10)

The IDF fatally shots a mentally handicapped Palestinian who ignores orders to halt nr. Tulkarm; fires on Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, wounding a 14-yr.-old Palestinian with live ammunition; strings a new fence along an 800-m section of a settler bypass road nr. Khan Yunis, leaving a Palestinian family trapped in their home in the 70-m noman’s-land created btwn. the old and new fences; raids, seals an Islamic charitable organization in Tulkarm, confiscating $11,000 of checks to aid poor families, $1,000 in cash, stamps, computer and office equipment; searches a house, bulldozes 500 m2 of land nr. Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Anabta, Arub r.c., Hebron, Nablus. (VOI, YA 6/7 in WNC 6/9; HA 6/8; PCHR 6/10)

The IDF blocks all branch roads leading to the main Jerusalem–Ramallah road; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Qalandia r.c., fatally shooting a wheelchair-bound Palestinian; fatally shoots a Palestinian in a cemetery nr. Gaza’s Neve Dekalim, suspecting he might attack; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis (seriously wounding a Palestinian woman inside her home), Rafah r.c.; raids Balata r.c., firing on houses, stonethrowing youths who confront troops, injuring 4; begins work on a new segment of the separation wall around Jerusalem nr. Salfit; conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Tamun nr. Jenin. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in central Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers in Hebron raze a 1.5 dunam Palestinian garden nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad nr. Qalqilya fire on a herd of Palestinian sheep, killing several; the IDF arrests 2 Palestinians who confront the settlers in protest. An Israeli court sentences Fatah’s Barghouti to 5 life terms plus 40 yrs. for conspiracy and membership in a “terror” organization (see 5/20). (XIN 6/6; MENA, VOI, VOP 6/6 in WNC 6/8; NYT, WP, WT 6/7; MA, VOI, VOP 6/7 in WNC 6/9; HA 6/8; PR 6/9; PCHR 6/10; MEI 6/11)

Sharon’s cabinet endorses (14-7) his revised Gaza disengagement plan to withdraw fr. all settlements in Gaza, 4 in the West Bank in 4 stages, each requiring cabinet approval. (HA 6/6; al-Quds 6/6, ITAR-TASS 6/7 in WNC 6/10; NYT, WP, WT 6/7; VOI 6/7 in WNC 6/9; PR 6/9; MM 6/10; Forward 6/11)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Ramallah, raids and searches an apartment building, arrests 3 Birzeit University students; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Hebron for construction of the separation wall; bulldozes land in al-Qarara in apparent preparation for a new IDF post; bulldozes 10 dunams of agricultural land in Wadi al-Silqa; fires on residential areas nr. Gaza’s Morag settlement; conducts arrest raids nr. Hebron, Nablus. (VOI 6/5 in WNC 6/8; PCHR 6/10)

The IDF demolishes 18 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Bayt Laqia nr. Ramallah, residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in villages around Bethlehem. IDF fires nr. Khan Yunis, sparking a fire in a wheat field that destroys 2 dunams of crops; confiscates 11.5 dunams of Palestinian land in Bayt Jala for construction of the separation wall; strings barbwire along the western part of al-Khadir outside Bethlehem, cutting off residents from their outlying farmlands; similarly cuts off the southern part of Husan nr. Bethlehem by bulldozing large areas of agricultural land. (MM 6/3; VOI, VOP 6/3 in WNC 6/5; PCHR 6/10)

The IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Anata, 2 in Sur al-Bahir for construction of the separation wall nr. East Jerusalem; demolishes another Palestinian home in Brazil r.c.; bulldozes 50 dunams of agricultural land nr. Qalqilya for a new settler bypass road to a small settler enclave nr. Alfe Menashe settlement; conducts arrest raids in Nablus and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah. (VOP 6/2 in WNC 6/4; MM, PCHR, PM 6/3; IDF Radio, VOI, VOP 6/3 in WNC 6/5; PCHR 6/10)

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, killing only himself, lightly injuring 2 IDF soldiers. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian, wounds a 2d nr. Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes tents and tin shacks housing 95 Palestinians nr. a settler bypass road leading to Gaza’s Gush Katif bloc; bulldozes 12 dunams of land in Wadi al-Silqa nr. Dayr al-Balah, 9 dunams nr. the Rafah crossing; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah; imposes a curfew on, conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jaba‘ nr. Jenin; confiscates 5,500 m2 of agricultural land nr. Salfit, located btwn. the separation wall and the Green Line, that provides income for some 60 Palestinian families. In Hebron, 15 Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinian homes. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during the IDF raid on Rafah on 5/20. (VOP 5/28 in WNC 6/1; NYT 5/29; PCHR 6/3)

In the pre-dawn hours, the IDF imposes a 24-hr. curfew, begins house-to-house searches in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah bordering the Philadelphi Route, occupies some buildings as observation posts; begins digging a trench to separate a section of Rafah r.c. fr. the rest of the camp, demolishing at least 3 Palestinian homes, cutting water and electricity supplies. Around daybreak, the IDF begins bulldozing operations, launches 3 missile strikes inside Rafah: the 1st killing 3 Hamas mbrs., wounding 5 gunmen and bystanders; the 2d killing 1 Hamas mbr. laying a roadside bomb nr. a mosque where Palestinians are leaving dawn prayers, also killing 5 bystanders, wounding several others, starting a fire that severely damages the mosque; the 3d hitting a residential area, killing 7 Palestinians (many in their homes), wounding at least 16. The IDF reports killing at least 3 more Palestinians, demolishing at least another 9 Palestinian homes during the day. A 20th Palestinian reportedly dies when explosives he is handling detonate. At least 2 ambulances are deliberately targeted by IDF snipers. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF ambushes, assassinates wanted al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbr. Muhammad Obeid as he drives nr. Sanur nr. Jenin, also wounding his passenger; raids Jenin r.c., fatally shoots wanted AMB mbr. Ahmad Judah in an apparent assassination, wounding a 2d Palestinian; fatally shoots an AMB mbr., a Palestinian gunman in separate incidents in Nablus; conducts arrest raids targeting Hamas in Tulkarm; orders the confiscation of 380 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem for construction of the separation wall. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in 4/04. (BBC, HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, PRCS, PM, WP 5/18; ITAR-TASS, ITV, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, XIN 5/18 in WNC 5/20; HA, NYT, PR, WP, WT 5/19; PCHR 5/20; NYT 5/21; PR 5/26)

The IDF seals Rafah as the 1st step in what the government says will be a major military offensive against Palestinian militants, dubbed Operation Rainbow. Tanks, armored personnel carriers, armored bulldozers, helicopters, troops ring the city, firing on any traffic attempting to enter or exit. Many residents nr. the Philadelphi Route evacuate their homes, taking their belongings with them. IDF troops also fire on the area to encourage Palestinians to leave. In Gaza City, the IDF fires missiles at offices of Fatah, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, causing damage but no reported injuries. The IDF also imposes a curfew on Silwad nr. Ramallah, fires on stone-throwing youths, killing 1 Palestinian; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, Bethlehem, Yatta nr. Hebron; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron for construction of the separation wall; evacuates the unauthorized settlement outpost Mitzpe Yitzhar nr. Nablus; arrests an Israeli Arab fr. Um al-Fahm for allegedly plotting with Hamas to stage attacks inside Israel. (AFP, HA, MM, WP 5/17; VOI, VOP 5/17 in WNC 5/19; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/18; PR 5/19; PCHR 5/20; JPI, MEI 5/28)

As Israeli-Palestinian tensions continue to run high in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fatally shoots 3 Palestinians who enter a closed military zone nr. Gaza’s border with Israel; fires missiles at 3 sites in Gaza City (the local Fatah headquarters, Hamas’s al-Risala newspaper, an electrical transformer), cutting electricity to part of the city, wounding at least 3 Palestinian children. Gaza crossings into Israel remain closed for the 8th consecutive week. Rejecting a 5/15 petition by a Palestinian human rights group, the Israeli High Court says the IDF may widen the Philadelphi Route buffer zone along the Gaza border with Egypt, potentially demolishing 100s of Palestinian homes, ruling that the army has a “real, imminent need” to do so. The IDF announces over loudspeakers in Rafah’s Bloc O section, where much bulldozing has occurred, that Palestinians have 24 hrs. to evacuate their homes; fires on residential areas to encourage Palestinians to leave. The International Comm. of the Red Cross begins setting up a tent camp in Rafah able to provide emergency housing for 1,500 Palestinians left homeless by IDF bulldozing operations in the past wk. and those fleeing in fear of further demolitions. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha refugee camp (r.c.) nr. Bethlehem, begins bulldozing 45 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of Palestinian land nr. Jerusalem for a new segment of the separation wall. (AFP, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; AFP, MM, NYT 5/17; VOP 5/17 in WNC 5/19; PCHR 5/20)

In Gaza, 2 Islamic Jihad gunmen open fire on Jewish settlers holding a memorial service at the roadside site nr. Khan Yunis where 5 Jewish settlers were killed on 5/2, causing no injuries; IDF troops return fire, killing both men, and then demolish 11 Palestinian homes, bulldoze 22 dunams of land that allegedly provided cover for the gunmen. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian who strays too close to the separation wall nr. Abu Dis; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Qabatya. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI 5/9 in WNC 5/11; AP, MM, NYT 5/10; VOP 5/10 in WNC 5/12; PR 5/12; PCHR 5/13)

Sharon tells his cabinet that he plans to present a revised unilateral disengagement plan in about 3 wks. The announcement divides the cabinet, with some mbrs. threatening to quit if Sharon does not go through with his original plan, others vowing to quit if he does. (HA, VOI, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/11; NYT, WP 5/10; MM 5/11)

The IDF fatally shoots wanted senior Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Imad Janajra (target of assassination on 4/23 when the IDF killed a college professor in a case of mistaken identity) outside Nablus in an apparent assassination; raids Dayr al-Balah, demolishes 1 building, fires on stonethrowing Palestinians, killing 1 Palestinian, seriously wounding 17, including a Palestinian photographer covering the scene for AFP; fires on 2 Palestinians who approach Gaza’s Qarni crossing through a closed military zone, killing 1 Palestinian while the other escapes; begins construction of the separation wall nr. Qalandia; conducts large-scale arrest raids in Hebron, taking at least 60 Palestinians to an unknown destination; conducts smaller arrest raids in Bethlehem, Nablus, Tulkarm (reportedly detaining Hamas’s Tulkarm head Rifat Nafif); confiscates 22 dunams of Palestinian land in Far‘un nr. Tulkarm; bulldozes 7 dunams of land, 1 Palestinian home in Wadi al-Silqa; demolishes a 3-story apartment building and 7 Palestinian homes, severely damages 9 homes, bulldozes 3 dunams of land in Rafah; fires at stone-throwing youths outside Nisanit settlement. Without explanation, Israel releases Hamas cofounder Muhammad Taha, held in administrative detention since 3/03, in Gaza. (VOI, VOP, XIN 5/5 in WNC 5/7; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/6; VOI 5/6 in WNC 5/8; VOP 5/8 in WNC 5/11; PCHR 5/13)

The IDF conducts major house searches and arrest raids in Silwad, home of the exiled Damascus-based Hamas political leader Khalid Mishal and Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades West Bank cmdr. Ibrahim Ma’ari Hamid, arresting 70 Palestinians (including Hamid’s 5 brothers, 9 of Hamid and Mishal’s sons, among other relatives). The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Gaza’s Kissufim crossing into Israel; shoots, mortally wounds a stone-throwing Palestinian in al-Fawwar r.c., denies medics access, allowing him to bleed to death; handcuffs a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy to the hood of a jeep nr. Biddu, using him as a human shield to prevent Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall there fr. throwing stones at them; raids 3 Palestinian schools in Silat al-Dahir nr. Jenin, orders teachers and students home, declares schools closed for 2 days; stages a late-night raid on al-Fawwar r.c. nr. Hebron, fatally shooting a Palestinian, occupying a 3-story apartment building as a base, conducting house-to-house searches; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Dayr al-Balah, Jenin, and in Dura (confiscating files fr. the offices of an Islamic charity), Jalazun r.c., Nablus, Rafah; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah. Palestinians attack an IDF post at Hawara checkpoint s. of Nablus, killing 1 IDF soldier; attack an Israeli border patrol unit in Hebron, overturning their jeep, injuring 3 officers; fire 2 Qassam rockets at Gaza’s Nisanit settlement, wounding 1 Jewish settler; fire several rockets into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI, VOP, YA 4/19 in WNC 4/21; NYT 4/20; VOP 4/20 in WNC 4/22; PCHR 4/22; PR 5/5)

The IDF fires on international, Israeli, Palestinian peace activists staging a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall nr. Biddu, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 8; demolishes the PA Agriculture Min. dir. gen.’s home in Dayr al-Balah; fires on stone-throwing youths in Bethlehem, Burqa, Hebron, Qalandia, villages nr. Ramallah, Silwad; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Arub r.c., Dahaysha r.c., Dura. Hamas fires 5 Qassam rockets at Israeli targets in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. In Gaza City, 10,000s of Palestinians take part in the funeral of Rantisi, his bodyguards; the Church of the Nativity closes its doors for the afternoon in protest of the Rantisi assassination. Late in the evening, 2 Israeli Arabs fire on an Israeli border patrol in the Galilee, causing no damage or injuries; the patrol returns fire, killing 1, wounding 1; the AMB takes responsibility. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba bulldoze 5 dunams of nearby Palestinian land, clash with Palestinians who attempt to stop them; the IDF intervenes to arrest 3 Palestinians, does not halt the bulldozing. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 4/16. (PSCT, VOP 4/18 in WNC 4/20; AFP, AP, NYT, WP, WT 4/19; PR 4/21; PCHR 4/22)

The IDF continues operations in Rafah, withdrawing early in the morning; bars Palestinians ages 16–35 fr. traveling through the Rafah checkpoint, Palestinians under age 45 fr. praying at al-Aqsa Mosque; shells a Palestinian car that accidentally enters a closed military zone in Tulkarm, seriously injuring the driver; opens fire on Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Beitunia, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian; bulldozes 25 dunams of land in al-Qarara, 8 dunams nr. Dayr al-Balah; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Dura, al-Walaja nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Hebron seriously beat a Palestinian, fracturing his shoulder. (AFP 4/16; VOP 4/16 in WNC 4/20; WT 4/17; PCHR 4/22)

The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Biddu, wounding 12; blows up 2 Palestinian homes in Bethlehem, 1 in Nablus; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem and in a-lArub r.c., East Jerusalem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; demolishes a PSF post, bulldozes 1.5 dunams of agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah. In Gaza City, 3,000 Palestinians demonstrate for the release of jailed Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, other Palestinian prisoners. Jewish settlers attempting to rebuild the illegal outpost in Hebron removed on 4/13 scuffle with IDF troops; 2 settlers are injured. Late in the evening, the IDF begins sending troops into Rafah allegedly to search for smugglers’ tunnels, firing on residential areas. (HA 4/14; VOP 4 /14 in WNC 4/16; PCHR 4/15, 4/22)

Meanwhile in Washington, Bush meets with Sharon, formally endorses Sharon’s unilateral disengagement plan, marking a dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward the peace process (HA, MM, REU 4/14; JP, VOP 4/14 in WNC 4/16; al-Ra’i 4/14, AFP, DUS, THWR, TSHR, VOP, XIN 4 /15 in WNC 4/17; HA, JP, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 4/15; CSM, HA, FT, JT, MEI, MM 4/16; AFP, DUS, ITARTASS, MENA, NHR, al-Ra’i 4/16 in WNC 4/20; NHR 4/16 in WNC 4/27; WP 4/17; JTA 4/19; PR 4/21; MEI 4/30)