The Palestine Chronology

The IDF reports Palestinian attacks have dropped 50% since Arafat's 12/16 cease-fire call, are down to an average of 11 incidents/day. Sharon, however, is still calling for 7 days of complete quiet before negotiations can resume. Israeli officials say the reduction since 12/16 does not warrant an easing of restrictions on Palestinians. (NYT 12/31; AKH, AYM, al-Quds 12/31 in WNC 1/2)

The IDF fatally shoots a total of 6 Palestinians in 2 separate incidents nr. Jewish settlements in Gaza. Among the dead is Ismail Abu al-Qumsan, a senior mbr. of the popular resistance comms. The IDF also shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes a sewerage network, telephone cables in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm. The PSF says it has arrested 3 DFLP mbrs., 2 Hamas mbrs., a PFLP mbr. for planning attacks on Israeli targets. The PA also says it has tried 5 PSF officers for involvement in attacks on Israelis, sentenced them to 18 mos.; has fired 2 other PSF officers, sentenced 1 of them to a yr. in prison for "anti-Israeli activities." Jewish settlers confiscate Palestinian farmland, uproot an olive grove to expand Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus. (HA 12/30; NYT, PMC, WT 12/31; LAW, PCHR 1/2; al-Quds 1/2 in WNC 1/3; PR 1/9; MEI 1/11)

The IDF declares the Kefar Etzion settlement checkpoint a closed military zone until 1/9 so as to prevent a delegation of 300 foreign nationals from traveling to Hebron on a solidarity visit to meet with Palestinians there. (EU parliament press release 12/30)

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)

Israel says it will ease travel of Christian pilgrims (fr. the territories, Israel, abroad) to Bethlehem but says Arafat still may not leave Ramallah. The IDF conducts arrest raids in the PA-controlled section of Hebron (arresting 8 Palestinians) and in Rafah (occupying 6 Palestinian homes); fires on residential areas of Nablus. In Ramallah, the IDF fires tear gas, sound grenades, rubber bullets at 1,000s of Palestinians and 350 foreign peace activists protesting the Israeli siege, injuring 15 Palestinians, 10 foreigners. The PSF shuts 2 metal workshops in Gaza that allegedly made homemade mortars for Hamas. (AP 12/27; WT 12/28; PCHR 1/2)

Unidentified gunmen reportedly fire across the Jordanian border into Israel, n. of Beit Shean, wounding 2 Israeli border patrolmen. The assailants then fire on, throw grenades at IDF soldiers who respond to the scene, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 2. IDF helicopters strafe the border area and no-man's-land, killing 2 gunmen, entering Jordanian territory only after obtaining the permission of the Jordanian security liaison. No group claims responsibility. Amman denies the gunmen are Jordanian, saying there is no proof they infiltrated fr. the kingdom. (BBC, CNN, REU 12/25; NYT, WP, WT 12/26; AYM 12/27 in WNC 12/28; QA 12/27, JT 12/28 in WNC 12/31; WJW 1/3)

Meanwhile, some 20 IDF tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs) temporarily enter Tamun in area A to arrest 7 Hamas mbrs. The IDF also fires on Palestinian fishing boats off Gaza, on residential areas of Rafah; but lifts the encirclement of Jericho, reporting a drop in violence there. (BBC, CNN, REU 12/25; NYT, PCHR, WT 12/26; AP, WT 12/27)

In n. Gaza, the PSF arrests the head of Islamic Jihad's military wing Shadi Muhana and his senior aide Mahmud Judeh. The IDF fires on a PSF checkpoint nr. Jinin, injuring 1 PSF officer, 1 Palestinian bystander; conducts an arrest raid in Gaza City. A Jewish settler driving nr. Qalqilya hits, seriously injures a Palestinian man. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/11. (PMC, WT 12/23; PCHR 12/26)

Hamas agrees in writing to suspend suicide bombings in Israel, mortar attacks on Israeli targets for the sake of Palestinian unity (see 12/19). Islamic Jihad also agrees to a temporary halt to suicide bombings. Meanwhile in Gaza, 100s of Palestinians attend the funeral for an Islamic Jihad mbr. killed on 12/20. As the funeral procession passes, the PSF headquarters in Jabaliya, masked Islamic Jihad mbrs. smash a police car, open fire on PSF officers, sparking a riot involving 1,000s of Palestinians and an exchange of gunfire that leave at least 6 Palestinians (all civilians) dead, more than 80 injured. Tonight, 60 of Gaza's local leaders hold an emergency mtg. to discuss arrangements to prevent further intra-Palestinian clashes. Following Friday prayers in Ramallah, reps. of all Palestinian factions, followed by 100s of Palestinians, stage a peaceful unity march on occupying IDF tanks, but the march turns violent when a few demonstrators throw stones at the tanks, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets on demonstrators, injuring 2. (AFP, HA 12/21; MA, VIRI 12/21, AYM 12/22, 12/24 in WNC 12/26; LAW, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/22; WP 12/23; NYT 12/24; SA 12/26 in WNC 12/27; AYM, SA 12/27 in WNC 12/28)

IDF forces pull back fr. parts of Nablus, Ramallah but reenter them later in the day. In Tal, IDF soldiers fire on protesters who assemble to block tanks fr. reentering Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian. The IDF also shells residential areas of Nablus, causing 1 Palestinian to die of a heart attack; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Karawat Bani Zayd. In Gaza, the PSF again attempts to take Hamas spokesman Rantisi into custody but clashes with 100s of Hamas mbrs. and supporters, leaving 15 rioters and PSF officers injured. Israel says attempts to arrest Rantisi were designed to fail. Late tonight in Gaza, the PSF fires on a group of Islamic Jihad mbrs. preparing to launch a mortar at a Jewish settlement, killing 1 Palestinian. (AFP, MM 12/20; NYT, WP, WT 12/21; AYM, al-Quds 12/22 in WNC 12/26; PCHR 12/26)

In Washington, Zinni briefs Powell on his talks with Israel, the PA. Afterward, the U.S. says it will Zinni back to the region once it sees "sustained and decisive" action by both sides toward halting violence, noting that the PA in particular must do more to "combat terror and violence." (USIS Washington File 12/20; MENA 12/21 in WNC 12/26)

All Palestinian factions agree to halt attacks inside Israel, for 1 wk., conditional on Israel suspending assassinations; Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP reject calls to halt attacks on Israeli targets in the West Bank, Gaza. Hrs. later, IDF helicopters fire 2 missiles at the car of Islamic Jihad's Sidir in Hebron in a 2d assassination attempt. Sidir jumps fr. his car before the missiles strike, receiving only minor injuries, but 2 cars behind his are destroyed, killing 2 Palestinian children, injuring at least 2 adults. Also in Hebron, the IDF fatally shoots wanted Hamas mbr. Yakub Idkaydik; 2 other Palestinians are shot dead in Gaza, Nablus. Israeli police bar PLO Jerusalem affairs official Sari Nusseibeh fr. holding an reception for foreign dignitaries in Jerusalem, marking the end of Ramadan; detain him for 2 hrs. of questioning. The U.S. denounces the action as "provocative." Palestinian gunmen ambush 2 vehicles in the West Bank, injuring 3 Jewish settlers. (AFP, AP, MM 12/17; AFP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/18; Guardian, LAW, PCHR 12/19; WJW 12/20; HA, MEI 12/21; JT [Internet] 12/25)

In a televised address, Arafat again urges Palestinians to halt attacks on Israeli targets, especially suicide bombings; vows that "any violation . . . will be seen as a trespass of our supreme national interest. . . [and] will be penalized firmly and strongly." Arafat also notes that he has already declared illegal the military wings of Hamas, Islamic Jihad (see 12/2). The PA says it has shut at least 25 Hamas, Islamic Jihad offices in the past 3 days, including the groups' newspapers. The U.S. says the PA must now take "all the steps it can to bring to justice those responsible for terrorist attacks and to destroy the organizations that would launch future attacks." (HA 12/16; MENA 12/16 in WNC 12/17; AFP, AP, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/17; Interfax, XIN 12/17 in WNC 12/18; MM 12/18; QA 12/18 in WNC 12/19; MA 12/18 in WNC 12/21; AP 12/19; MEI 12/21; HA 12/24)

After Arafat's speech, Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; occupies 3 Palestinian homes in Shaykh Ajlin, Shufa as military outposts. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/8. The Israeli cabinet approves a request by the Agricultural Min. to issue work permits for 6,000 Palestinians to enter Israel to help with harvests. (HA 12/16; AFP, AP, HA, NYT, WP, WT 12/17; AP, LAW, PCHR 12/19; HA 12/24)

In response to mortar fire on settlements in Gaza and across the border into Israel, which cause no damage, the IDF raids Bayt Hanun, bulldozing 5 Palestinian homes, 3 PSF posts, the local Fatah headquarters and killing 4 Palestinians, wounding 70, arresting 15 before withdrawing. After troops fatally shoot a 5th Palestinian allegedly attempting to infiltrate a Jewish settlement in Gaza, the IDF sends tanks into Rafah. The IDF also bulldozes the Nablus-Tubas road; confiscates a Palestinian home in Ramallah as an IDF outpost; breaks into the Voice of al-Quds radio station, damaging equipment, confiscating broadcasting gear; fires at a Red Crescent ambulance, wounding the driver; reinforces positions outside Bayt Lahia, Jabaliya. The PA closes 4 Hamas, Islamic Jihad offices in Gaza. (NYT, WP, WT 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19; MEI 12/21)

The IDF kills 8 Palestinians in clashes (including 6 PSF officers in Salfit, 2 Palestinians nr. Qarni crossing); conducts arrest sweeps in Asira Shamaliyya, Dura, Hebron, Nablus, Salfit, Tal, arresting at least 50 Palestinians; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Salfit, 36 in Khan Yunis (leaving over 350 people homeless); occupies 3 homes in Salfit, 1 home in Khan Yunis as military posts; sends tanks, bulldozers into Tamun in the West Bank. In retaliation for mortar fire, Israeli F-16s drop bombs on a Force 17 complex, a PSF office in Gaza City, injuring 7 Palestinians. Eyewitnesses in Salfit say at least 2 of the PSF officers killed were disarmed by IDF soldiers, told to lie on the ground, then were fatally shoot by soldiers. Palestinians in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh say they are suffering shortages of medicine, basic foods due to the ongoing IDF encirclement of the area. The IDF pulls out of Fatah tanzim leader Barghouti's house in Ramallah (see 12/13). (AP, HP, Jerusalem Times 12/14; NYT, WP, WT 12/15; HA, WT 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19)

The mayor of the Jewish town of Upper Nazareth announces plans to enlarge its jurisdiction by 3,700 dunams for construction of new neighborhoods, shopping centers. The 3,700 dunams will come fr. land expropriated in 1976 fr. the Arab town of `Ayn Mahil. Last wk., Upper Nazareth authorities bulldozed 2,000 old growth olive trees on confiscated `Ayn Mahil land for a new Jewish neighborhood that will be linked to Upper Nazareth. (Arab Association for Human Rights press release 12/15)

The IDF cuts electricity to Gaza City, Ramallah; sends tanks and F-16s to shell the control tower at Gaza airport, the PA headquarters in Gaza City and Ramallah (Arafat is unharmed), the PA naval police offices in Bayt Lahia, and PSF and Fatah offices nr. Gaza City, Ramallah, and Jinin; blows up the main radio, TV transmitters in Ramallah; bulldozes the Palestinian Media Center offices in Ramallah; occupies the home of Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti (who is not there at the time); makes incursions into PA-controlled areas of Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Beitunia, Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah, Sudaniyya, Tulkarm, al-Zahra; bulldozes Palestinian land in Rafah. A total of 4 Palestinians are killed during the day; shells strike the Friends Boys School, damaging 3 classrooms. In Gaza City, 2 Israeli missiles land nr. a mosque while Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin, Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahar are inside. Israel declares that the Zinni cease-fire talks are over, though Zinni had already planned to leave on 12/14 for Jordan and Egypt, then return to Washington. (AP, HP, MM, NYT, WP 12/13; MENA 12/13 in WNC 12/14; JP, HA, HP, NYT, WP, WT 12/14; HA 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19; MEI 12/21)

In Jinin, the PSF arrest senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Tawalbi, who is wanted by Israel. The arrest sparks riots in Jinin, with some 3,000 Palestinians, including local Fatah tanzim mbrs., firing guns and throwing grenades at PSF offices, burning cars; 1 protester, 1 PSF officer are injured. A Palestinian in Tulkarm dies of kidney failure after the IDF bars him fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. In a gesture to mark the start of Ramadan, Israel extends the Palestinian fishing area to 12 mi. off the Gaza coast, releases 30 Palestinian prisoners, resumes prison visits in Israel for Palestinian families in the West Bank. (MM 11/14; JP [Internet], HA, NYT, PCHR, WP 11/15; WP 11/19; MEI 11/23)

The State Dept. announces that Powell will deliver a major address on the Middle East on 11/19 to lay out the Bush admin.'s principles on Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Afterward, special envoys retired Marine Gen. Anthony Zinni, Asst. Secy. of State Burns will head to the region to revive cease-fire talks. Sharon should then come to Washington to meet with Bush ca. 12/3. (JP [Internet] 11/13; MM, WP 11/14; MM, NYT 11/15; AYM 11/17 in WNC 11/19; HA 11/18)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian woman in her Tulkarm home; reinforces positions in Jinin, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home in Tulkarm; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah, along the Green Line nr. Tulkarm and around Jerusalem; demolishes an aviary in nr. Bayt Lahia; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Hanun, al-Iktaba; closes 2 main north-south roads in Gaza. Palestinians report that in the past 2 days, the IDF has also bulldozed 400 trees, cultivated land, water works in the al-Mawasi area. (HP, REU 11/13; WP 11/14; PCHR 11/15)

Israeli Arab Atallah Abu Aida is arrested for smuggling arms to Palestinians in Hebron. (WT 11/14)

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)

A Palestinian is shot dead by IDF troops in Gaza. AMB gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Jinin, killing 1 settler. The IDF raids a Palestinian home in the PA-controlled section of Hebron, detaining 1 Palestinian, injuring 3, causing serious property damage; temporarily occupies a Palestinian home nr. Netzarim settlement. (WT 11/9; NYT, WT 11/10; PCHR 11/15)

The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Qalqilya, keeping a closure on the city, positioning itself to reinvade quickly if so ordered. The body of a PSF officer, missing since 10/20, is found in the area evacuated by the IDF; he had been shot 10 times. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/21. Israel tightens Palestinian access to East Jerusalem, deploying more border police, special forces units; placing new checkpoints nr. the "Greater Jerusalem" boundary at Anata, Bayt Hanina, Jaba', Shu'fat; closing the Bethlehem road checkpoint into the city; placing a closure on Azariyya. IDF troops, under cover of shelling and heavy machine gun fire, enter Rafah, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, damage 2 others. The IDF also reinforces troops in Jinin, Tulkarm; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, Tulkarm; digs a trench across the main Jinin-Nablus road. Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian store, vandalize several other shops in the Israeli-controlled section of Hebron; shoot, wound a Palestinian teenager in Silat al-Dahir; stone Palestinian cars in East Jerusalem. Egyptian officials say that 1,200 Palestinians are trapped on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border, that Israel is only allowing 200 Palestinians/day into Gaza. (AFP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 11/5; NYT, WP 11/6; al-Quds 11/6 in WNC 11/7; PCHR 11/8; MENA 11/19 in WNC 11/20)

On the sidelines of an Euro-Mediterranean economics conference in Brussels, Arafat, Peres hold informal talks with EU reps. on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. (AFP 11/5 in WNC 11/6; NYT, WT 11/6)

In response to the mortar attack on Gilo on 10/18, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bethlehem, Bayt Jala; occupies 10 Palestinian buildings in Bethlehem (including 2 hotels to house troops), several in Bayt Jala. The incursions spark clashes, which leave 3 Palestinians dead and at least 16 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier injured. In Ramallah, 2 Palestinians are killed by IDF shelling; a 6th Palestinian is killed in Gaza. IDF tanks completely surround Bayt Sahur, Nablus, Qalqilya. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Hanina, Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Qarni crossing. Churches in Jerusalem issue a statement calling on Israel to pull back, deescalate tensions, especially in Bethlehem. (BBC, HP, MM, REU 10/19; AP, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

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)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes leave a total of 3 Palestinians, 3 Jewish settlers dead. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians are shot dead in a failed suicide attack on an IDF post that lightly injures 2 soldiers. The IDF shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus, Rafah; places a closure on Nablus. A group calling itself the Fatah Hawks briefly detains 2 journalists (1 American, 1 British) in Rafah, telling them to warn the UK, U.S. that more kidnappings of their nationals could take place if their pro-Israel bias does not cease. Fatah denies involvement in the incident, noting it disbanded its Fatah Hawks wing in the mid-1990s; the PA vows to arrest the perpetrators. Jewish settlers damage Palestinian property, throw stones at Palestinians in Hebron; trespass onto Palestinian property, threaten residents with guns, damage a water system nr. HaHarsina Junction. (BBC, HA, MM 5/29; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/30; PCHR 6/4; Christian Peacemaker Teams press release 6/11)

Asst. Secy. of State Burns convenes Israeli-PA security talks in Tel Aviv. PSF head Rajub, Shin Bet head Avi Dichter boycott. No progress is made, but the sides agree to meet again. (AP, NYT, WP, WT 5/30; SA 5/31 in WNC 6/1; QA 6/3 in WNC 6/6)

As Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, 2 Islamic Jihad suicide bombers detonate a car bomb in Hadera, Israel, wounding 67. A Hamas suicide bomber attempts to ram an IDF post in Gaza, but soldiers fire on his approaching vehicle, detonating it; in response, the IDF demolishes a PA police station, shells residential areas of Rafah. Fatah activist Azzam `Abd al-Fatah Mezher is killed, 5 Fatah mbrs. are wounded when their car explodes. Israel says a grenade they were carrying exploded; the PA claims it is an assassination. (NYT, WP, WT 5/26; WT 5/27; MM 5/29; MEI 6/1; PCHR 6/4)

Lebanese celebrating the 1st anniversary of Israel's withdrawal fr. the south stage demonstrations along the blue line. A demonstrator is wounded when he tries to climb the border fence and is shot by IDF troops. (WP 5/26)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Palestinians fire mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza; in response, the IDF sends 5 tanks into nearby PA-controlled territory. The IDF also shells residential areas of Bayt Jala, Bethlehem; bulldozes 30 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Gaza City. (REU 5/24; WP 5/25; PCHR 6/4)

On the anniversary of the IDF pullout fr. s. Lebanon, Israel shoots down a civilian light aircraft that crosses the border fr. Lebanon, killing the pilot. Israel sends jets into Lebanese airspace to break the sound barrier. (HA, MM 5/24; RL 5/24 in WNC 5/29; NYT, WP, WT 5/25; MEI 6/1)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate slightly but are still at a relatively high level, leaving 1 Israeli civilian (a worker on a road crew nr. Ariel settlement) dead in a West Bank shooting. Bush phones Arafat, Sharon to urge both sides to contain violence. Sustained gun battles are reported nr. Gilo settlement outside Jerusalem, in Rafah. Palestinians fire 4 mortars, 12 homemade grenades at targets in Gaza; detonate a roadside bomb in the West Bank. IDF tanks enter 4 PA-controlled areas nr. Khuza in Gaza to bulldoze agricultural land, shell a PSF post; conduct an arrest sweep in Atil village. The PSF arrests the Palestinian owner of an iron-casting company on charges of manufacturing mortars. (AP 5/23; WP, MM, NYT, PCHR, WT 5/24)

U.S. Amb. Indyk, U.S. Consul General Ronald Schliecher hold talks with Sharon on the Mitchell Comm. findings, especially regarding a settlement freeze. Sharon calls for an unconditional cease-fire, which he says must be followed by a 2-mo. "cooling-off period" before any "concessions" can be discussed; orders the IDF to "stop taking the initiative in attacking Palestinians." The PA says sees no reason to clamp down on the intifada, make preemptive arrests without some confidence building gestures fr. Israel. (MM 5/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; MA 5/23 in WNC 5/24; MM, NYT, PCHR 5/24; MM 5/25; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1)

Although Sharon calls on the IDF to stop instigating attacks, the IDF continues to retaliate for Palestinian actions, responding to "life-threatening" incidents of stone-throwing with live fire, rubber-coated steel bullets, shells, and heavy machine gun fire, particularly at residential areas east of Jerusalem, Hawara, Khan Yunis. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem, 1 in al-Mughraqa; bulldozes Palestinian land in Beitunia, Hebron, al-Mughraqa, al-Qarara; erects new posts in al-Qarara, outside Ramallah. 100s of Palestinians stage a nonviolent march in Hebron to protest continued Israeli attacks on medical workers. Also in Hebron, Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars, and the IDF declares the vegetable market and Old Quarter a closed military zone. Jewish settlers also stone Palestinian cars on the Nablus-Qalqilya road; shoot and wound a Palestinian herder in Tubas, kill 3 sheep. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Netzer Hazani settlement in Gaza. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (Gush Shalom press release, HP 5/22; NYT, WP 5/23; NYT, PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; NYT 6/2)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Under police surveillance, Israelis, Jewish settlers march through Jerusalem to celebrate Jerusalem Day, marking Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. IDF helicopter gunships shell PSF post, a factory in Gaza where Israel claims mortars have been made. The IDF also sends tanks into al-Qarara to fire on several Palestinian homes; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Netzarim settlement; fires heavy machine guns at residential areas of Bayt Jala, al-Bireh, Hebron, Gaza City, al-Tira. (NYT, WT 5/21; London Press Association 5/21 in WNC 5/22; HP 5/22; NYT 5/23; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

Powell urges Israel, the PA to implement the Mitchell Comm. recommendations by declaring an unconditional cease-fire but does not endorse the comm.'s call for a settlement freeze (saying Israel should "restrain" settlement expansion as a confidence building measure after violence halts). Powell says he will not meet with Arafat or Sharon as discussed on 5/16; instead charges U.S. Amb. to Jordan William Burns, who has been nominated as asst. secy. of state for Near East affairs, with exploring what confidence building measures could be employed once violence ceases. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; ITAR-TASS 5/21, AYM, HJ, MENA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/22; MM, WP 5/23; AYM, HA, JT, MA, MENA, QA, al-Ra'i 5/23 in WNC 5/24; WJW 5/24; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a high level, leaving 3 Palestinians dead; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. IDF helicopters shell 5 PSF targets in Jinin, Tulkarm. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Azza refugee camp, Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Rafah. Palestinians fire 4 mortars at Gadid settlement in Gaza, causing no injuries. (LAW 5/19; HP, NYT, WT 5/20; NYT 5/21; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25)

The Arab League convenes an FMs mtg. to discuss Israel's sharp escalation of violence against the Palestinians on 5/18, issues a statement calling on Arab states to halt all political contacts with Israel as long as Israeli violence, blockages continue. (AP 5/19; MENA 5/19, JT, MENA, RMC 5/20 in WNC 5/21; NYT, WT 5/20; JT, al-Quds 5/21 in WNC 5/22; MM 5/22; WJW 5/24; MENA 5/28 in WNC 5/30)

In Netanya, Israel, a Hamas suicide bomber kills 5 Israelis, injures 110. After dark, Israel sends F-16s to drop 1,100-lb. bombs on PA security targets in Gaza City, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, killing 12 Palestinians, wounding 90--marking Israel's 1st use of warplanes against the Palestinian areas since the 1967 war. (Sharon makes the decision to use F-16s in a mtg. with FM Shimon Peres and DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer; he has not met with his security cabinet in 3 wks.) An IDF officer is also killed when his car is ambushed in the West Bank. Britain, European Union (EU), Russia, the UN, the U.S. condemn the sharp escalation; urge PA, Israeli leaders to bring violence to a halt. (AP, BBC, HA, JP [Internet], MM, REU 5/18; AFP, Interfax 5/18, al-Quds 5/19, JT, MA, RMC 5/20 in WNC 5/21; LAW, PCHR, NYT, WP, WT 5/19; QA 5/19, El Pais (Madrid) 5/22 in WNC 5/23; HP, NYT, WT 5/20; al-Ra'i 5/20, MA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; MM 5/21 PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

The UN Security Council (UNSC) accepts UN Secy.-Gen. Kofi Annan's 5/2 proposal for a staged reduction of UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) troops. (UN press release 5/18)

Israel's Internal Security M Uzi Landau says Sharon is escalating Israel's response to Palestinian unrest and may resort to "all-out" combat if violence continues apace. The IDF sends bulldozers into Rafah to demolish several greenhouses; tanks covering the bulldozers fire several shells. The IDF also shells a PSF post in Qalqilya; conducts arrest raids in Aqraba, Nablus. Palestinians fire several mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza, hitting 1 home but causing no injuries. (Globes 5/17 in WNC 5/18, 5/21; WP, WT 5/18; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes, now in their 8th mo., continue, with Israel Defense Force (IDF) increasingly striking Palestinian targets and entering areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA) without provocation so as to "keep them guessing and [have] them spend more time defending themselves" and with Palestinians stepping up their sniping at soldiers and settlers and firing of mortars (especially in Gaza). To date, around 511 Palestinians, 82 Israelis have been killed. Today, 1 Palestinian is shot dead by IDF troops. The IDF also shells the PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) offices in Jabaliyya, Jinin; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; sends tanks, bulldozers into 2 PA-controlled areas in Gaza, occupying a multistory building in al-Qarara nr. Gush Katif settlement and a factory in Dayr al-Balah. IDF soldiers at a checkpoint on the Nablus-Ramallah road halt a Red Crescent ambulance en route to pick up a critically ill patient, severely beat 3 medics, empty the ambulance and damage supplies; the harassment ends when the International Comm. of the Red Cross (ICRC) intervenes. (AFP [Internet], HP 5/16; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/17; LAW, WT 5/18)

The IDF concedes that the 5/14 attack on a PSF post in Beitunia that left 5 PSF officers dead was a "blunder" and that the area was quiet when soldiers attacked. (WP 5/17; AN, HJ 5/17 in WNC 5/18, 5/21; HA, NYT 5/18)

PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh appeals to Congress to support the recommendations of the Mitchell Comm., the U.S.-led international inquiry into the causes of the al-Aqsa intifada headed by fmr. U.S. sen. George Mitchell. The comm.'s preliminary report (submitted to Israel and the PA on 5/1) suggests a two-pronged approach to restoring calm based on Israel halting all settlement construction, the PA making a 100% effort to halt violence. The comm.'s final report is expected in 1 wk. The State Dept. says Secy. of State Colin Powell is considering meeting with Sharon, Arafat on the sidelines of his trip to Africa, Europe 5/22+n30. (WT 5/18)

In Washington, U.S. Pres. George W. Bush holds a strategy session on the Middle East with his top foreign policy advisers, including Secy. of State Powell, Secy. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, National Security Adviser (NSA) Condoleeza Rice. Powell advocates using the recommendations of the Mitchell Comm. and the Jordanian-Egyptian initiative as the base for a cease-fire plan. Both plans call for a full freeze on settlement construction, which admin. officials claim they cannot directly demand from Israeli PM Ariel Sharon. (MM 5/16; MM, NYT 5/17)

Palestinians mark Nakba commemoration day by observing 3 minutes of silence. Large rallies are held in every major Palestinian city in the West Bank and Gaza, after which a recorded message by Arafat is read over loudspeakers. Israeli Arabs hold marches to the sites of their destroyed villages. Marches, rallies are also held in Amman (where 1,000s demonstrate), Cairo, Tehran, Washington. (MM 5/15; IRNA, MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/16; SA 5/15, HJ, JT, al-Quds 5/16 in WNC 5/17; NYT, WP, WT 5/16; WJW 5/17; HA, WP 5/18)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate due to the Nakba anniversary, leaving 5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli settler dead, some 250 Palestinians wounded. In an apparent assassination in Gaza, the IDF fires a tank shell at the car driven by `Abd al-Hakim al-Manama, bodyguard of Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin, killing him and a passenger. In Ramallah, an IDF soldier shoots French TV reporter Bertrand Aguirre, who captures his targeted shooting on video; Aguirre escapes fatal injury because he is wearing a bulletproof vest. A Palestinian woman gives birth at an IDF checkpoint when soldiers refuse to let her pass to reach a hospital. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Tulkarm. (AP, LAW 5/15; HP, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; PCHR 5/17; CSM 5/18; JP 5/25)

The Higher Follow-Up Comm. for the Arab Community (HFCAC), composed of Israeli Arab political and community leaders, reports that Israel is restricting the freedoms of Israel Arabs in light of the al-Aqsa intifada. Israeli Arab journalists, poets have been detained for questioning, warned against "incitement" for writing on the intifada; community activists have received threatening telephone calls fr. police, intelligence officials; Israel police have opened investigations against 4 Israeli Arab MKs; 1 Israeli Arab has been placed under administrative detention; several Israeli Arabs have had their passports confiscated for taking part in a trip to Syria. (HFCAC press release 5/15)

In Washington, PA senior negotiator Abbas holds talks with Secy. of State Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on halting violence, Arafat visiting the U.S. (WP, WT 5/16; MENA 5/16 in WNC 5/17; NYT 5/17, 5/21)

Israel, the PA submit their official responses to the Mitchell Comm. report, generally welcoming the report as a basis for a cease-fire. (MM 5/15; NYT 5/16; AYM 5/16 in WNC 5/18; NYT 5/17)

Israel reinforces troops in Shaba` Farms, directs machine gun fire across the border into Lebanon, flies helicopters along the border area. (RL 5/15 in WNC 5/16)