The Palestine Chronology

The IDF attempts to assassinate senior Hamas military leader Jamal Jarrah, firing 2 missiles at his car as he drives in Gaza City, wounding 1 of his passengers, 10 bystanders; the attack marks Israel’s 1st targeting of a Hamas figure since 10/20 and comes soon after the IDF’s 12/26 declaration that it would not target the group. The IDF fires on farmers nr. Morag settlement (killing 1 Palestinian), Palestinian workers laying a sewage channel (seriously wounding 1), Palestinians passing nr. an IDF patrol in Ramallah (wounding 6), residential areas of Dayr al-Balah and Rafah (injuring 3); bulldozes 25 dunams of land nr. Dayr al-Balah; conducts house-to-house searches in Nablus, arrest raids in Jenin. A Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron hits, injures a 5-yr.-old Palestinian boy. (HA 12/30; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/31; PCHR 1/1)

The IDF pulls troops out of Nablus, lifts the 24-hr. curfew after a wk. of operations, during which 10s of Palestinians were detained; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, hitting an 8-yr.-old Palestinian in the chest with live ammunition; conducts arrest raids in and around Hebron, in Rafah. Israeli authorities demolish 7 Israeli Arab homes, a mosque in unrecognized villages in the Negev. Young Fatah mbrs. in Rafah waylay, essentially kidnap Arafat aide Ramzi Khoury, Gaza governor Muhammad al-Kidwa at the border crossing as they return fr. Cairo; take them on a forced 4 hr. tour of the recent IDF destruction in Rafah, protesting the PA’s failure to provide for 1,000s of homeless Palestinians. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians, Palestinian houses in Hebron. (WT 12/30; PCHR 1/1; MEI 1/9; HA 1/13)

Israel says it will retaliate for the 12/25 PFLP suicide bombing but will not hit Hamas targets, since Hamas has refrained fr. attacks inside Israel for several mos. The IDF demolishes the bomber’s family home in Bayt Furik within hrs. The IDF also fires live ammunition at some 200 Israeli, Palestinian, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest along the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, wounding 1 Israeli (who had just finished 3 yrs. IDF service), 1 American; fires tear gas at another group of protesters at the separation wall west of Ramallah; fires on a funeral process in nr. Khan Yunis (wounding 5 boys, ages 11–18), residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids nr. Khan Yunis; bulldozes 8 dunams of land in al-Qarara. In Gaza, 10,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral for Islamic Jihad’s Humayid, assassinated by the IDF on 12/25. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/25. (WT 12/27; JTA, NYT, PRCS, WP, WT 12/28; CSM 12/29; PCHR, WJW 1/1; MM 1/5; BBC 1/6; JPI 1/8; MEI 1/9)

The IDF pulls troops out of Nablus but continues operations in Balata r.c.; demolishes a 3-story apartment building in Rafah; fires on Palestinians attempting to circumvent roadblocks around Bayt Furik nr. Nablus, wounding 1; fires on Palestinian teenagers on their way to school in Hebron, wounding 2; searches buildings in Khan Yunis; bulldozes 50 dunams of land nr. Abu Huli checkpoint in central Gaza. A Palestinian is killed in Nablus when his car mysteriously explodes; the IDF alleges he was transporting a car bomb. A Palestiniandies of injuries received in Rafah on 12/23. (PM 12/24; NYT, PCHR 12/25)

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)

The IDF conducts searches, arrest raids in Balata r.c., al-Bireh, Jenin, al-Amari r.c.; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c., Jenin. An Islamic Jihad mbr. is killed when his car mysteriously explodes in s. Gaza in what may be an assassination. A leaflet signed by the AMB denounces the Geneva Accord, threatening Palestinians who took part in its drafting. At the Rafah-Egypt border crossing, some 200 Palestinians harass some 50 Palestinian drafters of the Geneva Accord en route to the Geneva Accord unveiling in Switzerland, hitting and kicking several drafters, causing no serious injuries. (Daily Star, JP, NYT 12/1; LAW, PCHR 12/4; PR 12/10) 

In Amman, King Abdallah of Jordan receives Qurai‘, agrees to transmit to Bush a series of PA ideas for restarting road map implementation when he visits Washington on 12/4. (VOP 11/30 in WNC 12/2; MEI 12/19)

The IDF continues operations in Rafah, bulldozing 2 shops, 2 greenhouses; fires on residential areas of Gaza City; conducts house searches, arrest raids in villages around Ramallah, in Salfit. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received in the 9/9 Rishon Letzion suicide bombing, bringing that toll to 9. The Palestinian Authority (PA) Preventive Security Forces (PSF) arrests 1 of its own officers in connection with the fatal shooting of 2 IDF soldiers on 11/18. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing light damage, no injuries. (JP, MM 11/19; VOI, YA 11/19 in WNC 11/21; PCHR, WP 11/20; PCHR 12/4)

A joint task force comprising the Jewish Agency, Israeli government, IDF announces plans to invest tens of millions of dollars in a project to bring Jewish Diaspora youths (ages 18–26) to Israel for yr.-long visits aimed at “reinforcing Jewish identity and Zionist feelings in the Diaspora.” The goal is to bring 20% of Jewish Diaspora youths to Israel by 2010, in hopes that 30% of those would eventually immigrate. (HA 11/19)

An al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) gunman opens fire on an IDF checkpoint outside Jerusalem, killing 2 IDF soldiers; the gunman escapes toward al-Khadir village; the IDF seals al-Khadir, conducts house-to-house searches, arresting 3 Palestinians. The IDF raids Rafah, sparking an exchange of gunfire that leaves 1 Palestinian dead and 11 wounded, demolishing 7 Palestinian homes, damaging 2 others; fires on Palestinians at Qarni and Surda crossings for no apparent reason, wounding 3; shoots, wounds a 16-yr.-old Palestinian who breaks curfew in Asira nr. Nablus; fires on stone-throwing youths in Burqa nr. Nablus, wounding 3; fires on Palestinian farms nr. Netzarim settlement, killing 1 horse, wounding another; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus. The IDF also arrests a Palestinian farmer harvesting his olive grove nr. Salfit, threatens to bulldoze the grove and family home if the family returns to the site; 50 mbrs. of Rabbis for Human Rights, B’Tselem intervene, harvest the olives for the family, vow to stay on the site, block bulldozing until the issue is resolved. In Gaza, Palestinians fire an antitank missile at a Jewish settler convoy, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, HA, ISM press release, MM 11/18; NYT, WP 11/19; VOP 11/19 in WNC 11/21; PCHR 11/20)

The IDF expels another 2 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees to Gaza; demolishes at least 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Tarqumiyya (nr. Hebron); bulldozes 3 dunams of land in al-Mughraqa. The IDF, border police fire tear gas, percussion grenades into a peaceful crowd of more than 300 Palestinians, 30 ISM volunteers staging a nonviolent march fr. Tulkarm toward the separation wall, beating and arresting several marchers. (ISM press release 11/13; PCHR 11/20)

The IDF reinforces its troop presence in n. Jerusalem, surrounding villages; sends tanks, troops into Maghazi r.c. in search of wanted Palestinians, shells residential areas (wounding 5, destroying 1 Palestinian home), exchanges fire with Hamas mbrs. attempting to block the incursion, killing Hamas mbr. Mu‘amin Mughari; opens fire on a group of Palestinians nr. the Qarni crossing, killing a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy; raids Jenin, capturing local Islamic Jihad cmdr. Amjad Obeid, sparking rioting and an exchange of gunfire in which 1 Palestinian is killed; raids, fires on residential areas of Balata r.c. (killing 1 Palestinian), Rafah; fatally shoots 2 Palestinian teenagers apparently attempting tosneak across the Israeli border at Bayt Hanun to find work; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Jenin, 1 in Rafah, a greenhouse nr. Rafah. The PSF arrests 2 AMB mbrs. for plotting attacks inside Israel. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (AP, MM, NYT 11/7; al-Quds 11/7 in WNC 11/11; WP 11/8; PCHR 11/13)

Israeli DM Shaul Mofaz announces that Israel is immediately “easing” restrictions on Palestinians by allowing 3,000 Palestinian businessmen fr. the West Bank, 1,000 fr. Gaza into Israel; allows 1,500 West Bank laborers into the Atarot industrial area. At the same time, however, the IDF reinforces checkpoints in Gaza; reduces the number of hours that Rafah border crossing with Egypt is open; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c., killing a 12-yr.-old Palestinian some distance away; fires on 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. planting a roadside bomb in Gaza, killing 1, wounding the other; sends tanks intothe center of Nablus, firing tear gas at a girls’ elementary school; sends tanks into Jenin, shelling 2 carpet stores, causing extensive damage; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Palestinian gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Jenin, wounding 1. (AFP, IDF Radio10/29; VOP 10/29 in WNC 10/30; NYT, PCHR, WP 10/30; PCHR 11/11)

The IDF fatally shoots an 11-yr.-old Palestinian in Dayr al-Balah; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., wounding 2 Palestinian children, 2 ISM volunteers. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing minor damage but no injuries. 2 Palestinians die of injuries received in Rafah a wk. ago. In Haifa, the wife of Israeli Arab MK Issa Makhoul is unhurt after a small explosive device detonates under her car; no group takes responsibility. (AFP, HA 10/24; NYT 10/25; PCHR 10/30, 11/5)

Over 15 hrs., Israeli warplanes and helicopters launch 5 strikes against targets in Gaza, killing at least 10 Palestinians, wounding more than 135: the 1st demolishes a Gaza City building allegedly housing a Hamas missile factory, injuring 12 bystanders; the 2d hits a truck driving through Gaza City, apparently transporting items salvaged fr. the site of the 1st attack, assassinating Hamas mbrs. Iyad Hilu and Khalid Masri, killing 1 bystander, wounding at least 9; the 3d targets an alleged Hamas armory, causing no casualties; the 4th targets 2 PFLP mbrs. who flee their car in Nussayrat r.c., before the missile strikes, a 2d salvo hits rescuers and onlookers who arrive on the scene, killing at least 7 bystanders, wounding 103 (including 4 left brain dead, among them the 2 PFLP targets); the 5th restriking the building targeted in the 1st attack to“complete the attack,” injuring another 12 bystanders. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 PFLP mbrs. laying a roadside bomb nr. the Gaza-Israel border fence; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Rafah. (AFP, BBC, HA, MM 10/20; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/21; ATL, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, VOP 10/21 in WNC 10/23; HA, MM, NYT, PR 10/22; MM, NYT, PCHR 10/23; MEI 10/24; WP 10/25)

The IDF sends troops back into Rafah in what is officially called Operation Root Canal 2, demolishing 10 more Palestinian homes, wounding 4 Palestinians, including a Palestinian photographer shot in the face. International aid organizations note that since 10/10 the IDF has cleared 2 full blocks of homes in some neighborhoods to create an empty zone along the Egyptian border. Amnesty International says the Israeli destruction “constitutes a war crime.” The IDF also sends troops into Tulkarm town and r.c., imposing a curfew, fatally shooting a Palestinian who fails to obey orders to halt, firing on residential areas, arresting 4 ISM volunteers; conducts arrest raids, fires on residential areas in Nablus; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. Israel announces plans to expel to Gaza 15 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees, mbrs. of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. (AP, BBC, MM, PRCS, WP 10/14; MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/14 in WNC 10/16; NYT, PR, PRCS, WP, WT 10/15; PCHR 10/16)

The IDF continues Operation Root Canal in Rafah, reportedly demolishing some water, sewage networks. UNRWA chief Peter Hansen estimates that the IDF has demolished 114 Palestinian homes, housing some 1,240 Palestinians, damaged another 117 since the incursion began. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian nr. Morag settlement; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes and 2 bird farms, kills 15 sheep, bulldozes 7 dunams of land in Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes a cow pen, 2 dunams of land in Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets into the Negev, causing light damage but no injuries. In Gaza City, 3 unidentified gunmen ambush, shoot, wound Sa‘ad Sihaybar, aide to the PA atty. gen., outside his home. (HA, WP, NYT 10/13; al-Quds 10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14; PCHR 10/16)

The IDF shoots, wounds 4 Palestinians attempting to bypass the new checkpoint separating Rafah, Khan Yunis (see 10/5); continues bulldozing land nr. Morag settlement (Palestinians say some 400 dunams have been leveled since 10/5); demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah; searches buildings in Jenin (including a medical relief building, Charity Fund Comm. offices), confiscating files, computers; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, detaining 31 alleged Islamic Jihad mbrs. Hamas fires 16 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. The PA reports that the IDF, Israeli police have rounded up some 2,350 Palestinian laborers inside the Green Line in the past 24 hrs. for return to the territories. (HA, MM 10/6; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/7; PCHR 10/9; MEI 10/10)

An IDF soldier nr. the Israeli-Lebanese border is fatally shot by an unidentified gunman apparently shooting fr. Lebanon. (HA, MM 10/6; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/7; MEI 10/10)

A female Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device in a Haifa restaurant, killing 14 Israeli Jews, 5 Israeli Arabs, wounding around 50. (The bomber, Hanadi Taysir Jaradat, who had just graduated fr. law school in Jordan, watched as IDF undercover units assassinated her brother and cousin, both Islamic Jihad mbrs., outside their family home in Jenin on 6/12/03.) Israel says Arafat is to blame for failing to order the PSF to take steps to dismantle Islamic Jihad. Bush says the bombing “underscores once again the responsibility of the Palestinian authorities to fight terror,” says “the new Palestinian cabinet must dedicate itself to dismantling the infrastructure of terror,” does not call for Israeli restraint; Powell also phones Israeli FM Silvan Shalom to express condolences and strong condemnation of the attack, but does not urge restraint. In response, the IDF shells, demolishes an empty Palestinian home in Gaza City, and empty garage in Bureij r.c.; makes a failed assassination attempt on an Islamic Jihad mbr. in central Gaza, firing missiles at him in an open field, but missing him; moves troops into Jenin. Mbrs. of the Israeli peace group Gush Shalom, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) surround Arafat’s Ramallah headquarters to act as human shields should Israel attempt to “remove” him. During the day, the IDF also raids Tulkarm r.c., assassinates AMB mbr. Sirhan Biharan Hassin Sirhan, whom Israel says killed 5 Israelis in Kibbutz Metzer on 11/10/02, also killing a 9-yr.-old Palestinian bystander; fires on residential areas of Rafah. A Palestinian toddler dies of injuries received on 10/2; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received in 2002. (GS, HA 10/4; AFP, MENA, VOP 10/4, AFP, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, VIRI, VOP, XIN 10/5 in WNC 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MM, WP 10/6; al-Ra’i 10/6 in WNC 10/8; HA, MM, NYT 10/7; PR, WP 10/8; PCHR, WJW 10/9; MEI 10/10; MM 10/17)

The IDF seals the West Bank and Gaza for the Yom Kippur holiday, which ends midnight on 10/6. In addition, the IDF closes the gates through the separation wall n. of Tulkarm, trapping residents of Baqa‘ al-Sharqiyya, Nazlat Abu Nar, Nazlat Issa—located btwn. the Green Line and the separation wall. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Qabatya; bulldozes 3 dunams of land in al-Maghazi r.c. An IDF soldier is found guilty of manslaughter in the deaths of 4 Palestinians (ages 5, 6, 13, and 56) and the wounding of 5 others in Jenin on 6/21/02, when he ordered at least 10 tank shells, machine guns fired at residential areas to enforce a curfew. (NYT, WP 10/4; HA 10/6; PCHR 10/9, 10/16)

The IDF lifts the seal on the West Bank and Gaza, imposed on 9/26; bars a Palestinian heart attack victim fr. crossing a checkpoint nr. Hebron, allowing her to die; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Hebron, 1 in Jenin; fires on residential areas of Jenin, Nablus, Rafah; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths in Nablus, wounding 2 stone-throwers (ages 10, 12), 2 bystanders inside their homes. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries; fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Einav settlement, causing damage but no injuries. (HA 9/29; VOP 9/29 in WNC 10/1; PCHR 10/2)

The IDF seals the West Bank and Gaza for Rosh Hashanah, which begins at sundown and lasts through 9/28; conducts arrest raids in Jenin r.c., arresting senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Faris Wahada; fires on residential areas of Rafah, wounding 1. An Islamic Jihad gunman infiltrates a Hebron Jewish settlement, fatally shoots 2 Jewish settlers (including a 7-mo.-old girl), wounds 2 before being shot dead by security guards. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 9/19. (HA 9/26; NYT, Palestine Chronicle, WP 9/27; MM 9/29; PCHR 10/2)

The IDF fatally shoots an Islamic Jihad mbr. whoattempts toinfiltrate a Jewish settlement in Gaza; fires on a Palestinian elementary school in Rafah for 15 mins., wounding 1 student, 1 teacher; fires on Palestinians nr. Dugit; demolishes a Palestinian home in Abu Dis; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes, 17 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Jenin, Khan Yunis, Ramallah. 1 of the Jewish settlers convicted on 9/17 of plotting attacks on Palestinians reveals that his group had planned simultaneous attacks on several mosques, including al-Aqsa, during Friday prayers. Palestinians reportedly fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing nodamage or injuries. (PM 9/23; VOP 9/23 in WNC 9/25; HA, NYT, WT 9/24; PCHR 9/25)

The IDF fatally shoots AMB mbr. Fadi Abu Zant in Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, bulldozes some telephone, water, electricity networks in Rafah. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in Rafah, wounding 1 IDF soldier. In Shati‘ r.c., armed Hamas mbrs. kidnap a PSF officer whom they accuse of being a collaborator for participating in the recent arrest of a senior Hamas activist in Gaza City. An Israeli court in Jerusalem convicts 3 Jewish settlers fr. Bayt Ayin of attempted murder and illegal weapons possession in connection with a 4/02 attempt to blow up a Palestinian girls’ school in al-Tur. (JTA, REU 9/17; HA, PCHR 9/18; JP 9/21 in WNC 9/23; PR 9/24)

The IDF drops a half-ton bomb on the Gaza City home of Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahar in an attempt to assassinate him; Zahar is wounded, his son,a body guard, a 3d Palestinian are killed, 26 Palestinians (including Zahar’s wife, daughter) are injured, his house and an adjacent building are destroyed. The IDF also tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Tulkarm; opens fire on stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c., killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 1; opens fire on Palestinian youths attempting to cross the separation wall nr. Silat al-Harith, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 1, arresting 1; arrests 20 Palestinians in Rantis, the home of both 9/9 suicide bombers; fires on residential areas of Abasan, al-Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, bulldozes a small plot of land in Dayr al-Balah. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received in the 9/9 Rishon Letzion bombing; an Israeli civilian dies of injuries received in the 9/9 Jerusalem bombing. Israeli FMin. spokesman Gideon Meir confirms that the Hamas leadership did not authorize the 8/19 suicide bombing, that it was staged by a renegade Hamas cell in Hebron. (BBC, HA, MM 9/10; YA 9/10 in WNC 9/12; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 9/11)

Under pressure fr. the U.S., Qurai‘ drops his conditions for accepting the PM nomination, announces that he will begin forming a new government; may seek PC’s permission to form a security-oriented “crisis cabinet” of only 6–8 mbrs. in the next few days, rather than a full cabinet. (AP, HA 9/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/11; JP 9/11 in WNC 9/13)

The IDF seals the West Bank and Gaza and tightens restrictions on Palestinian movements (including reimposing all Gaza checkpoints removed after the Palestinian ceasefire declaration on 6/29), expecting retaliation for its 9/6 attempt to assassinate Shaykh Yasin. In Khan Yunis, the IDF fires 4 missiles at the home of Hamas mbr. ‘Abd al-Salam Abu Musa, claiming it is a Hamas arsenal; Abu Musa escapes moments before the attack, which injures 15 bystanders, damages 9 surrounding homes. The IDF alsoarrests PA official Akram Tubasi on charges of smuggling weapons fr. Egypt to Gaza; demolishes a Palestinian home in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Jaba’, Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Hamas mbrs. detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in Gaza, lightly wounding 3 soldiers. (Israel National News 9/7; NYT, WP, WT 9/8; PCHR 9/11)

Arafat nominates PC speaker and Oslo architect Ahmad Qurai‘ to replace Abbas as PM. Qurai‘ says he would accept the nomination, provided he receives assurances of cooperation fr. the EU, Israel, U.S. (AP, BBC, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/8; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/9; AYM, ITAR-TASS 9/9 in WNC 9/11; MM 9/10)

An IDF warplane drops a 550-lb bomb on a Gaza City building in an attempt to assassinate Hamas founder and spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, several senior Hamas leaders meeting there, destroying the top floor of the 3-story building, lightly injuring Yasin, 14 others. Following the attack, the IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement across the West Bank. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian teenager suspected of attempting to infiltrate Israel nr. Jabaliya, initially wounding him in the leg, then denies access toan ambulance for 19 hrs., allowing him to bleed to death; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian children in Bayt Furik (wounding 2, ages 9, 10), Nablus (wounding 4); also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Asira, Bayt Furik, Rafah. Wanted Hamas mbr. Massud dies of injuries received in an IDF assassination attempt on 8/26. (AFP 9/6; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/7; IDF Radio, IRNA, MA, MENA, NHR, al-Quds, SA, VOI 9/7 in WNC 9/9; DUS, al-Quds 9/7, AN 9/8 in WNC 9/10; MM 9/8; QA, SFR 9/9 in WNC 9/12; PCHR 9/11; MEI 9/12)

With no PC vote of confidence forthcoming, Abbas resigns as PM, citing no way of reaching a workable security arrangement with Arafat, lack of support fr. the U.S., on going militarism and little diplomatic effort by Israel. (NYT 9/6; MENA, al-Quds, XIN 9/6, JP, JT, MA, MENA, XIN, YA 9/7 in WNC 9/9; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/7; AN, DUS, al-Ra’i, 9/7, AN, AYM, ITAR-TASS, SA 9/8 in WNC 9/10; AYM 9/7, 9/9 in WNC 9/11; MM 9/9; Le Monde 9/9 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/10)

The IDF continues operations in Nablus for the 4th day, blowing up a building in the Old City suspected of being a Qassam missile factory, the 1st found in the West Bank, and clashing with Palestinian protesters, leaving 12 injured; confiscates 360 dunams of land in Nazlat Issa, 300 dunams of land in Baqa‘ al-Sharqiyya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; shells areas of Rafah. The PSF seals 5 more tunnels on the Rafah border; Israel says the PA’s actions are not serious. Palestinians fire a Qassam-2 rocket fr. Gaza toward Ashkelon, causing no damage or injuries. In response, the IDF assassinates senior Hamas mbr. Ahmad Aishtawi, firing rockets at his car in Gaza City, also killing senior Hamas mbr. Wahid Hamad, 2 aides, wounding more than 12 bystanders (HA, PM 8/24; NYT, WP, WT 8/25; WT 8/26; PCHR 8/28)

Overnight, Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. In a 1st step to cracking down on Palestinian militants in Gaza, the PSF finds and seals 3 smugglers’ tunnels in Rafah leading to Egypt, also seizing some arms and makes some arrests; deploys 10s of officers near the n. Gaza border to halt the firing of Qassam rockets at Sederot, reportedly exchanging gunfire with Hamas mbrs. The PA calls on Palestinian factions to reaffirm the cease-fire; Hamas, Islamic Jihad say they would agree to another truce if Israel were a party too; Israel says it would not participate. The IDF continues to impose a 24-hr. curfew on Nablus, cuts off all access to Bethlehem; searching house-to-house for arms, digging up floors and breaking down walls to search for hidden weapons, clashing with protesters, leaving 16 Palestinians injured; fires tank shells at Khan Yunis, seriously wounding 1 Palestinian; opens fire on stone-throwing Palestinians protesting IDF operations in Nablus, wounding 16. An Israeli wounded in the 8/19 bombing dies of her injuries, bringing that toll to 21. (HA 8/23; HA, WP, WT 8/24; IDF Radio, MA, VOI, YA 8/24 in WNC 8/26; QA 8/27 in WNC 8/29; PCHR 8/28)

In Gaza City, 10,000s of Palestinians march in the funeral procession for Hamas’s Abu Shanab. IDF snipers fire on 3 wanted AMB mbrs. in a “semi-open room” a top a Nablus hospital, assassinating 1 AMB mbr., wounding 2. The IDF retakes control of Gaza’s main north–south road, setting up checkpoints that divide the Strip into thirds; makes brief incursions into Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur; reestablishes checkpoints it abandoned in recent wks. as part of the process of road map implementation; bulldozes 8 dunams of land in Rafah; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Nablus, 1 in Tulkarm; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. The IDF also arrests an IDF soldier, resident of a West Bank Jewish settlement, for participation in a militant settler cell, bringing to 9 the number of Jewish settlers recently arrested on terrorism charges. Israel breaks ground on a new section of the separation wall n. of Abu Dis. (BBC, MM 8/22; HA, NYT, WP, WT 8/23; HA, MA 8/25 in WNC 8/27; WP 8/26; PCHR 8/28; HA 9/29)

The IDF seals the West Bank and Gaza; surrounds, tightens closures on all Palestinian cities; sends additional tanks to the outskirts of Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, detaining 17 Palestinians, including relatives of the 8/19 bomber; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Late in the evening, the IDF imposes curfews on, sends tanks and troops into Hebron (raiding, searching 3 mosques), Jenin, Nablus (where residents report hearing helicopters, machine gun fire through most of the night), Tulkarm (where the IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian, wounds 7). Israel also opens the Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif to non-Muslims without agreement of the Waqf; some 150 Jews under police protection visit the site. (HA, REU 8/20; YA 8/20 in WNC 8/22; MM, NYT, PCHR, PM, WP, WT 8/21)

Abbas convenes the PA Executive Authority (EA, or cabinet) to discuss how to respond to the 8/19 suicide bombing; puts 4 recommendations to PA head Yasir Arafat for approval, threatening to resign if he does not accept them all, which he does. (HA 8/20; HA, NYT, WP 8/21; AYM 8/24 in WNC 8/26)

Israeli PM Ariel Sharon convenes his security cabinet, which approves “a series of military steps” against Hamas, Islamic Jihad, which Israel would launch only if the PA fails to take action itself. (HA 8/20; JP, YA 8/20 in WNC 8/22; NYT, WP 8/21; IDF Radio, QA, VOI, YA 8/21 in WNC 8/23)

U.S. Pres. George W. Bush phones Sharon to tell him that Israel has a right to defend itself following the “vicious” 8/19 bombing, reportedly does not urge restraint. U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell phones Abbas tourge him to take action against Palestinian militant groups immediately. (HA 8/20; WP 8/21; HA 8/24; AYM 8/24 in WNC 8/26)

Some 3,000 Palestinians attend a Hamas rally in Jabaliya r.c., demanding Israel’s immediate release of Palestinian prisoners; Hamas warns that the ceasefire will not hold unless Israel is more forthcoming with concessions. In what the PSF terms a “misunderstanding,” Dahlan’s bodyguards shoot, wound a Hamas mbr. they thought was about to shoot at Dahlan’s car driving nr. Erez crossing. In response, some Hamas mbrs. set fire to PA cars outside a Gaza City PSF office. In the evening, the PSF sets up roadblocks nr. Gush Katif and Kefar Darom settlements, nr. Khan Yunis and confiscates several weapons found in vehicle searches, which began on 7/7. The IDF captures 4 Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel to work, wounding 2; demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah. Armed Jewish settlers halt, search an ambulance outside Nablus. (HA, MM, PRCS 7/11; HA, JP, NYT, WT 7/12; al-Quds 7/13 in WNC 7/16; PM 7/15; PCHR 7/24)