The Palestine Chronology

The IDF blows upa2d smugglers’ tunnel to Egypt in Rafah (see 12/9), demolishing a Palestinian home; fires on residential areas of Birzeit, Brazil r.c. Israeli police say that in recent days, they have arrested 9 East Jerusalem Palestinians on suspicion of putting together a Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount security patrol financed by the PA. Jewish settlers unilaterally evacuate 1 unauthorized settlement outpost in the central West Bank; the IDF says it has received orders to dismantle another 5. An Israeli military court exonerates for lack of evidence PA General Intelligence officer Musa Shahin, who was placed in administrative detention in 7/02 for allegedly firing on 2 IDF posts. (HA 12/10; al-Quds 12/10 in WNC 12/16; PCHR 12/11)

Islamic Jihad says that it could agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders “on a temporary basis.” (VOP 12/10 in WNC 12/12)

A 2-day donors’ Ad Hoc Liaison Comm. mtg. opens in Rome. (AP, MM 12/10; AFP, VOP 12/10 in WNC 12/12; MM, NYT 12/11; VOP 12/11 in WNC 12/13; Jerusalem Times 12/18)

The IDF imposes curfews on Salfit, 6 surrounding villages; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding a 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl inside her school; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c.; seals a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gaza’s Gadid settlement, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian prisoner who suffered a stroke in Israel’s Megiddo prison on 12/4 dies; the PA says that he was healthy when he entered prison, that Israel was negligent in delaying his transportation to a hospital. (VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; VOI 12/9 in WNC 12/11; PR 12/10; PCHR 12/11)

Palestinian factions end a round of cease-fire talks in Cairo, with the factions refusing to adopt a unilateral cease-fire but expressing a “general readiness” for a comprehensive cease-fire involving Israel. (MENA, QA, VOP, al-Zaman [London] 12/8 in WNC 12/10; AYM 12/8, al-Quds 12/9 in WNC 12/11; MM, WP 12/9; MM 12/10; QA 12/11 in WNC 12/16; QA 12/12, AYM, SA 12/14 in WNC 12/16; al-Quds 12/18 in WNC 12/23; MEI 12/19)

The UN General Assembly (UNGA) passes a nonbinding resolution calling on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the Hague to issue an advisory opinion on the legality of Israel’s separation wall. (HA 12/8; ITAR-TASS, VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; HA, MM, WP 12/9; JP 12/9 in WNC 12/10; PR 12/10; THWR 12/12 in WNC 1/16; MEI 12/19)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian outside Ramallah who throws a Molotov cocktail at soldiers; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian in an exchange of fire in Jenin; fires on residential areas of Nablus, Rafah, Ramallah; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Jenin, 1 in East Jerusalem, 1 in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, Nablus. Israel approves construction of 1,720 new housing units in West Bank, Gaza Jewish settlements, raising to 2,819 the number of units approved since the road map was announced. (MM 12/2; NYT, PR, WP12/3; LAW, PCHR 12/4)

Israel says it would only seriously consider resuming peace talks with Syria if Damascus “renounces terror” (including halting all aid to Hizballah and Palestinian groups) and agrees to resume talks “without preconditions” (i.e., without starting talks fr. the point at which they left off in 3/00). (HA 12/2) (see 12/1)

Before dawn, the IDF launches a major raid on al-Amari r.c. in Ramallah that lasts 16 hrs., sending in nearly 100 armored vehicles supported by helicopters to attack Hamas targets; the IDF warns the PA before entering Ramallah, promises that no operations will take place nr. PA head Yasir Arafat’s headquarters. During the raid 3 Hamas mbrs. and an 11-yr.-old Palestinian boy are killed, 29 Hamas mbrs. are arrested, 9 youths who throw stones at troops are wounded, 2 Palestinian homes (1 in al-Amari r.c., 1 in Ramallah) are demolished. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Jenin, Qalqilya, Rafah, Tulkarm town and r.c., and villages around Nablus. Israel begins construction of a new Jewish settlement neighborhood in East Jerusalem called Golden View. (AP, JP, MM, NYT 12/1; VOI, VOP, YA 12/1 in WNC 12/3; NYT, WP 12/2; LAW, PCHR 12/4; MEI 12/5)

In Geneva, some 150 Israelis and Palestinians involved in the drafting of the unofficial Geneva Accord hold a formal unveiling of their peace initiative at a ceremony attended by fmr. U.S. pres. Jimmy Carter and addressed byfmr. Polish pres. Lech Walesa, fmr. South African pres. Nelson Mandela. Arafat does not endorse the details of the plan, but issues a statement declaring it a “brave and courageous initiative.” Sharon continues to denounce it as “subversive.” (BBC, HA, MM, NYT 12/1; MENA, QA, VOP 12/1 in WNC 12/3; HA, JP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/2; ITAR-TASS, Le Monde, XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/4; PR 12/3; QA 12/3 in WNC 12/6; MM, WJW 12/4; MEI 12/5; PR 12/10; JPI 12/12)

In an extensive New York Times interview, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad urges the U.S. to support the resumption of Israeli-Syrian peace talks. The U.S. brushes off the overture. (NYT 12/1; VOI, YA 12/1 in WNC 12/3; SANA 12/1, 12/2 in WNC 1/6; MM, WT 12/2; MM 12/3; MA 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MM 12/4; THWR 12/5, THWR, Tishrin 12/6 in WNC 1/9; MM 12/8, 12/10)

The IDF demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah; bulldozes 200 Palestinian olive trees in East Jerusalem, clearing the land for Jewish settlement expansion; conducts arrest raids in Ramallah. (PR 12/3; LAW, PCHR 12/4)

The IDF eases the encirclement (in place since the 9/9 suicide bombings) of 6 major Palestinian cities, excluding Jenin and Nablus, in an apparent bid to aid Qurai‘ in forming a cabinet; confiscates 424 dunams of Palestinian land in the n. Jordan Valley for construction of the separation wall; blows up a Palestinian home in Silwad (nr. Ramallah); conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; shells a main water reservoir in Bayt Hanun, cutting the water supply to the area. Palestinians who are allowed to reach their olive groves for the 1st time since the harvest began report that Jewish settlers have felled 100s of trees nr. Sawiyya (nr. Ely settlement) outside Hawara (where a curfew remains in effect; see 11/4); the IDF confirms the reports, also requests an additional NIS 20 m. fr. the Finance Min. for the fortification of Jewish settlements. Jewish settlers also beat up a Palestinian in East Jerusalem. (AFP, HA, MM 11/5; VOP 11/5 in WNC 11/7; NYT, PCHR 11/6; VOP 11/6 in WNC 11/8; MA 11/7 in WNC 11/11; PCHR 11/13)

The IDF fatally shoots wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Mazin Salama in Tulkarm; shells residential areas of Rafah, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 3 (ages 55–65); fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, critically wounding an 18-mo.-old Palestinian in his home; begins leveling a 120-dunam area of Palestinian land nr. Hebron to create a settlers-only bypass road; discovers, destroys a car bomb in Nablus, allegedly being prepared for an attack in Israel; conducts arrest raids around Jenin. Saying Israel has no responsibility to meet its road map obligations until Palestinians crack down on militant groups, the Israeli Housing Min. approves construction of 600 new housing units in Jewish settlements in and around East Jerusalem. (BBC, HA, MM 10/2; VOP 10/2 in WNC 10/4; NYT, WP, WT 10/3; PCHR 10/9)

Overnight, the IDF launches a major raid on Bureij r.c., firing air-to-surface shells at the home of wanted Hamas mbr. Muhammad Bashir Akel, assassinating him and demolishing his home; surrounding the home of, attempting to arrest Bureij Islamic Jihad leader Jawad Shahin (not at home at the time), sparking a gun battle that kills Islamic Jihad mbr. Nur Abu Armana and 1 IDF soldier, wounds 7 IDF soldiers; demolishing Shahin’s home; killing a 3-yr.- old Palestinian girl and wounding at least 6 bystanders. The IDF also raids Hebron, assassinating wanted Hebron Islamic Jihad leader Diab Shuwayki (whom Israel has tried to assassinate twice previously) and Dura Islamic Jihad leader ‘Abd al-Rahim Talhami, wounding a 3d Islamic Jihad mbr.; fatally shoots a Palestinian attempting to plant a pipe bomb nr. Morag settlement; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 4. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian woman fr. Hebron stabs, lightly wounds an IDF soldier, is arrested. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire 2 antitank rockets at an IDF post nr. Gadid settlement and fire on IDF patrols nr. Psagot and Gush Katif settlements; no damage or injuries are reported. In Abu Dis, construction workers digging the foundations for the separation wall unearth a previously unknown Byzantine monastery. A Palestinian woman dies of injuries received during the apparent IDF assassination of Abu Sawarih on 9/18. (AFP, BBC, HA, PCHR, WT 9/25; MENA, VOP 9/25 in WNC 9/27; HA, NYT, WP 9/26; al-Quds 9/26 in WNC 10/4; PR 10/1; PCHR 10/2)

The IDF fatally shoots an armed AMB mbr. wearing an IDF uniform at Erez crossing; blows up a Palestinian store in Hebron; raids, imposes a curfew, fires on residential areas of Tulkarm r.c. The IDF alsoreleases a 3d Jewish settler suspected of plotting attacks on Palestinians, saying his movements will be restricted until an investigation is completed. The IDF denies permission to 2 private firms to remove pre-1967 Jordanian landmines fr. an area in East Jerusalem slated for construction of a Palestinian school, stating that although the work would be done by contractors, there would be an unacceptable “risk to soldiers,” who would have to certify their work. (HA 9/8; PCHR 9/11)

The IDF fatally shoots an Islamic Jihad mbr. at a roadblock when he allegedly emerges fr. his car with a gun; fires on Palestinians in Bayt Furik (wounding 2), Rafah (wounding 1); demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem, 1 in Rafah. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire 5 antitank rockets at Gush Katif settlement, damaging 1 building. A Hamas mbr. dies of injuries received in the 9/1 IDF assassination of Husary. An 11- yr.-old Palestinian girl dies of injuries received in the 8/26 IDF assassination attempt on Massud. (HA, WP, WT 9/3; PCHR 9/4)

A Palestinian suicide bomber fr. Hebron detonates a device on a bus in West Jerusalem, killing 15 Israelis, 5 Americans, wounding more than 100 (13 seriously, 13 moderately), and violating a unilateral 3-mo. Palestinian cease-fire declared on 6/29. (Initially, Islamic Jihad claims responsibility, and Hamas denies it. After the bomber is identified as a known Hamas mbr., Hamas accepts responsibility but says it still adheres tothe cease-fire, this was a 1-time action to retaliate for the 8/14 IDF assassination of Islamic Jihad Hebron cmdr. Muhammad Sidr. Analysts suggest the bombing may be a joint operation or the work of a Hamas offshoot.) PA PM Mahmud Abbas, whois meeting with Islamic Jihad leaders at the time tourge them toextend the cease-fire to 6 mos., breaks off the mtg., denounces the attack, cancels cease-fire talks with Hamas scheduled for 8/20. Israel suspends further talks on a transfer of territory to PA control. The IDF sends tanks, troops into Hebron, surrounding villages to conduct searches, arrest raids; demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Jabal Mukabir in East Jerusalem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Israeli authorities demolish an Israeli Arab home in Lod, the 40th to be demolished in 2003; the Prime Minister’s Office reports that Israel has also demolished 117 bedouin homes in the Negev this yr. In Nablus, a shootout btwn. rival AMB factions fr. Nablus, Balata r.c. leaves 1 AMB mbr. dead. (HA, JP, MM 8/19; MENA 8/19 in WNC 8/21; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/20; IDF Radio, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JP, MA, MENA, VOI, YA 8/20 in WNC 8/22; MM, PCHR, WJW 8/21; QA, al-Quds 8/21 in WNC 8/23; al-Ra’i 8/21, AYM, al-Ra’i 8/22 in WNC 8/26; JPI 8/22; JPI, MM 8/29)

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

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

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

An AMB suicide bomber fr. Nablus detonates a device in a supermarket in Rosh Ha’ayn, just across the West Bank border, inside Israel, killing 1 Israeli, wounding 10; the area was already on alert after the PA informed Israel of reports of a pending attack. Soon after, a Hamas suicide bomber fr. Nablus, retaliating for the IDF killing of 2 Hamas mbrs. on 8/8, detonates a device at a bus stop outside Ariel settlement, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 3. Israel freezes the release of another 76 Palestinian prisoners who were to be freed today; seals Azun and Qalqilya to conduct searches for Palestinians who may have aided the bombers, arresting several persons; places a closure on Nablus; otherwise says it will not respond. Abbas, in Qatar, cuts short his visit to the Gulf, heads to Amman, where he condemns the bombings but also Israeli provocations. The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in the Jabal Mukabir area of East Jerusalem. (BBC, HA, MM 8/12; Interfax, MENA, XIN 8/12 in WNC 8/14; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/13; JP, MA, VOI, YA 8/13 in WNC 8/15; NYT, PCHR, WP 8/14)

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

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

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

The IDF locates missing Israeli taxi driver Eliyahu Goral, bound but unharmed, in a house in Beitunia; says he was seized in East Jerusalem, the victim of a robbery gone awry, not a kidnapping by militant Palestinians. The IDF fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. (HA, MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 7/16; PCHR 7/24)

An East Jerusalem Palestinian fatally stabs an Israeli on promenade in Tel Aviv, wounds 2 others, is wounded and captured by police; a statement faxed to Reuters takes responsibility in the name of the AMB, but AMB spokesmen say the group was not involved. Israel says it will release Irishman Morgan, whom it confirms is not a Real IRA mbr. The IDF fires on cars traveling on the main north–south road in Gaza, apparently to halt traffic for passage of a Jewish settler convoy fr. Gush Katif. More than 40 Israeli tour guides file suit in Israeli court against the PA for earnings lost because of intifada violence. (BBC, HA, JTA, MM, WP 7/15; AFP 7/15 in WNC 7/18; NYT, PR, WP, WT 7/16; MM, NYT 7/17; MM 7/18; PCHR 7/24)

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

The IDF dismantles 5 unauthorized settlement outposts (all of them uninhabited), announces plans to remove another 9 (only 4 of them inhabited); more than 100 Jewish settlers try to bar soldiers fr. removing a water tower at 1 unpopulated site. Meanwhile, the IDF demolishes 13 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanun, 1 in the Old City of Hebron; fatally shoots 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate Netzarim settlement; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun; raids, imposes a curfew on Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Dayr al-Balah. Jewish settlers harass Palestinians in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shaykh Jarrah. Israeli police round up 1,370 Palestinians laborers working inside Israel without permits. (HP 6/9; XIN 6/9 in WNC 6/12; NYT, WP, WT 6/10; PR 6/11; JP 6/11 in WNC 6/13; LAW, PCHR 6/12)

The IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 3 in Yatta; conducts arrest raids in Jenin. In Jerusalem, some 20,000 Jewish settlers demonstrate against the Aqaba summit. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement, a rocket at an IDF post, both in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. In a move deliberately timed with the Aqaba summit, Tourism M Benny Elon begins work to set up offices of the pro-transfer Moledet party in 1 of the 2 Palestinian homes next to the U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem’s Shaykh Jarrah neighborhood that Jewish settlers have been trying to seize for 1 yr. (see 4/27/03). (JP 6/4 in WNC 6/7; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 6/5; PCHR 6/12; PR 6/25)

In Aqaba, Bush meets with Abbas, Sharon, King Abdallah; then meets with Abbas, Sharon only. Afterward, Abbas and Sharon each give carefully worded statements reiterating their commitments to peace. (HA, MM 6/4; Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JT, MENA, QA, SA 6/4 in WNC 6/7; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/5; DUS, JP, JT, MA, MENA, NHR, QA, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, SA, SFR, Star, YA 6/5 in WNC 6/8; al-Quds 6/5, DUS 6/6 in WNC 6/10; MM 6/6; THWR , TSHR 6/7 in WNC 7/11; JPI 6/13; PR 6/18; JPI 6/20)

The IDF conducts overnight raids in Khan Yunis and Rafah areas, fatally shooting Hamas mbr. Muhammad al-Qidra in al-Qarara in an apparent assassination; continues major arrest raids in Jenin, rounding up all men ages 15 to 40 for questioning; assassinates a wanted tanzim mbr., demolishes a Palestinian home; demolishes 8 Palestinian homes in Rafah r.c., 1 in Khan Yunis. A Reuters photographer is shot, wounded in the leg apparently by Palestinian gunfire while covering a clash in Nablus. (PCHR 5/29; VOI 5/29 in WNC 6/2; AFP, HA, WP, WT 5/30; PCHR 6/5)

Israel’s Jerusalem Municipality submits plans to the Interior Min. for construction of a new Jewish settlement on a hill on the East Jerusalem border with the West Bank, nr. Abu Dis. The settlement, to be called Qidmat Tziyon, would have 230 housing units built by several Jewish donors, primarily AmericanJewish millionaire Irvin Moscowitz, who has been involved in numerous other settlement projects. (MA 5/29 in WNC 5/30)

In his 2d mtg. with Abbas, Sharon agrees to make several gestures easing restrictions on Palestinians. The PA says those steps would mark a “genuine effort” by Israel to improve the lives of Palestinians, but would not take the place of ending the occupation. (HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/30; SA 5/30 in WNC 6/2; al-Quds 6/1 in WNC 6/4; WT 6/2; MA 6/2 in WNC 6/3)

A female suicide bomber, Hiba Daraghma, detonates a device in an Afula mall, killing 2 Israeli Jews, 1 Israeli Arab, wounding 48; the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) and Islamic Jihad each claim responsibility, indicating they may have jointly planned the operation. In Gaza, a 2d Palestinian suicide bomber on a bicycle detonates a device as he passes an IDF jeep outside Kefar Darom, lightly injuring 3 IDF soldiers. The IDF fatally shoots a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Jabaliya r.c.; continues bulldozing land in Bayt Hanun (nearly 800 dunams have been razed since 5/15); demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Hebron, 1 in central Gaza; fires on a high school in Bayt Furik, wounding 1 student; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets (1 at Sederot, 1 at a Jewish settlement in Gaza), causing no damage or injuries. Israeli police arrest 8 East Jerusalem Palestinians for membership in Hamas and plotting to hijack a bus, kidnap an IDF soldier. (HA, MM 5/19; Interfax, MENA, VOI 5/19 in WNC 5/20; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/20; HP 5/21; QA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; LAW, PCHR 5/22; MEI, NYT 5/30)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus outside French Hill settlement in East Jerusalem, killing 6 Jewish settlers, 1 West Bank Palestinian laborer, wounding 12 settlers; as rescue workers arrive at the scene, a 2d Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in the area, killing only himself. (Reports indicate that the 2 bombers today and the 1 yesterday were friends fr. Hebron, possibly mbrs. of the same soccer team.) The IDF expels Mahmud al-Safuri, brother of detained Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Haj ‘Ali al-Safuri, fr. Jenin to Gaza for 2 yrs. for allegedly aiding his brother in staging attacks; this is the first such forced transfer since 9/4/02. The IDF also seals the West Bank, places closures on most villages, cities; continues operations in Bayt Hanun, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, demolishing 3 Palestinian homes, bulldozing more land, tightening the closure; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian in Khan Yunis; chases, fires on a group of laborers on their way to work in Israel, causing 1 Palestinian to suffer a fatal heart attack; bulldozes 120 dunams of land in Abasan; demolishes 10 Palestinian homes in Rafah r.c.. Sharon convenes a cabinet mtg. to discuss responses, overrules calls to expel PA head Yasir Arafat. Palestinian gunmen fatally shoot an alleged collaborator in Nablus. (WT 5/18; ITAR-TASS 5/18 in WNC 5/19; HA, MM, NYT, WP 5/19; MM, PCHR 5/20; HA, MM, PR 5/21; LAW, PCHR 5/22; HA 5/23; al-Haq 5/24; NYT 6/13)

In light of the Jerusalem bombing, Sharon postpones plans to leave for Washington today to meet with Pres. George W. Bush regarding implementation of the road map; convenes his security cabinet to discuss retaliation. (NYT, WP, WT 5/19; VOI 5/20 in WNC 5/21)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Hebron; raids 2 medical clinics in Nablus and Ramallah, destroying computers, vandalizing the offices, stealing equipment, arresting 1 doctor, 1 administrator, 2 paramedics; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; bars several international aid workers fr. entering Gaza, without giving a reason (see 5/1); arrests an East Jerusalem Palestinian for driving a suicide bomber to West Jerusalem to stage an attack in 2002. AMB gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Ramallah, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 2. (HA, Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees 5/5; NYT 5/6; SA 5/3, MA 5/4 in WNC 5/5; VOI 5/6 in WNC 5/7; NYT 5/7; PCHR 5/8; AIDA 5/12)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Kafr Ni’ma, Khan Yunis, Ramallah; imposes a curfew on Qalqilya; shells residential areas of Rafah. Late in the evening, at least 20 armed Jewish settlers accompanied by Tourism M Benny Elon attempt to serve eviction papers to 2 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem’s Shaykh Jarrah neighborhood that settlers have tried to seize for 1 yr.; settlers beat, seriously injure 4 Palestinians; Israeli police intervene, halt the attack, say they will examine the validity of the eviction warrant, but do not arrest the settlers. The IDF “evacuates” an uninhabited unauthorized outpost set up on an deserted IDF base nr. Hebron; Jewish settlers file a petition delaying the IDF’s evacuation of a 2d, inhabited outpost nr. Hebron. (HA 4/28; LAW, PCHR 5/1; ICHAD 5/4; PR 5/7)

The IDF undercover units conduct arrest raids in Jenin, shooting and wounding 5 Palestinians, detaining 4; conduct additional arrest raids in Aida r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Jalah, Nahalin, Ramallah. The IDF also fires rubber bullets at several Palestinian children (ages 9–14) allegedly violating a curfew in Hebron, wounding 1; fires live ammunition at a checkpoint nr. Gaza City for no apparent reason, injuring 1 Palestinian child, damaging several vehicles; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Furik, threatens to demolish a 3d house if the son of the family does not turn himself in for questioning; bulldozes 10s of dunams of olive groves in East Jerusalem to make way for a settler bypass road. A roadside bomb explodes nr. an IDF vehicle in Hebron, causing no damage or injuries. Hamas fires 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. (HA 4/21; HA 4/23; LAW, PCHR 4/24)

U.S. dir. of the reconstruction of Iraq U.S. Lt. Gen. Jay Garner (ret.) arrives in Baghdad to begin work. Garner visited Israel in 1998 at the expense of the pro-Israel lobbying group the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs (JINSA), has signed a statement blaming the Palestinians for Israeli-Palestinian violence, has said that the U.S. needs Israel to project U.S. force in the Middle East. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/22)

Overnight, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who strays too close to Netzarim settlement. The IDF also raids Balata r.c., arresting 5 Islamic Jihad mbrs., blowing up their apartment; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara, Salim, Tulkarm r.c. (targeting Fatah); demolishes 4 Palestinian homes containing 11 housing units in Issawiyya, 3 in Salim, 1 nr. Nablus. An Israeli court sentences an East Jerusalem Palestinian to 25 yrs. for firing on Jewish settler vehicles, causing no injuries. Israel’s Finance Min. awards the Israeli town of Sederot, which has experienced light damage and light injuries fr. Palestinian mortar and rocket attacks, “front line status,” which gives residents property and income tax breaks of up to 30% and $13.5 m. in aid. Peace Now reports that Jewish settlers have recently established anew or reoccupied at least 6 unauthorized settlement outposts. (HA 4/7; MA 4/7 in WNC 4/9; HA, PM 4/8; PR 4/9; LAW, PCHR 4/10)

The IDF blows up 1 Palestinian home in Tulkarm, 1 in Amari r.c.; partially demolishes a small mosque, bulldozes 3 grave sites nr. Netzarim settlement; fires at stone-throwing Palestinians in Jenin, Kafr ‘Ayn, Qarawat Bani Zaid, injuring a total of 7 (including 1 who is arrested, severely beaten, dumped outside a nearby village); conducts arrest raids targeting Hamas in Hebron. A Jerusalem court sentences an East Jerusalem Palestinian to 19 yrs. in prison for organizing a “terror cell” comprising mbrs. of the Bethlehem PSF; the alleged cell never staged any attacks. (AP, HA 4/1; VOI 4/2 in WNC 4/3; PCHR 4/3)

A Nazareth magistrate court tosses out the 2001 indictment against Israeli Arab MK Azmi Bishara for organizing trips for Israeli Arabs to visit family in Syria, ruling the visits were of a humanitarian nature, did not amount to treason for contact with a hostile government, and took place before Bishara was stripped of parliamentary immunity in 11/01, but says it will pursue charges against his aides. (ADL, HA 4/1)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian), Tulkarm r.c. (fatally shooting a 2d Palestinian); bulldozes 20 dunams of land in, fires on residential areas of Rafah. Israel also reinforces its security presence in East Jerusalem, fearing demonstrations against the war in Iraq after Friday prayers; 30,000 protest in Gaza city, smaller rallies are held in West Bank towns, but nothing is reported in East Jerusalem; the IDF fires on demonstrators nr. Qalandia, wounding 2. (HA 3/28; PR 4/2; PCHR 4/3)