The Palestine Chronology

The IDF makes a major raid into Nablus in a campaign against the “developing terrorist infrastructure” there, killing 4 Palestinians, including senior PFLP mbrs. Jibril Awwad and Firas Haneni, Hamas mbr. Majdi Bahish in what appear to be assassinations, wounding 2. (VOI, VOP, YA 12/18 in WNC 12/20; WP 12/19; PR 12/24; PCHR 12/25)

In a major policy address given to the annual Herzliya Conference on Israeli strength and security, Sharon threatens that if Palestinians do not show progress on the road map soon, he would end negotiations and unilaterally define Israel’s “security lines,” taking large areas of the West Bank, keeping all of Jerusalem, and removing a number of Jewish settlements. He vows that such steps “will be fully coordinated with the United States.” (AP, HA, MM, NYT, REU 12/18; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/19; ITARTASS, MA, al-Quds, YA 12/19, al-Quds 12/20, HA, MA, YA 12/21 in WNC 12/23; NYT, WP 12/20; AYM 12/21 in WNC 12/24, 12/25; PR 12/24; Forward 12/26; MM 1/6; MEI 1/9)

The IDF sends 20 tanks, troops into Rafah to arrest senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Khalid Qadi, sparking a gun battle that leaves 6 Palestinians dead (including 2 Hamas mbrs., 3 bystanders, 1 medic evacuating the wounded), 20 injured; the IDF captures Qadi, demolishes his plus 8 other Palestinian homes. The IDF also issues orders barring Israeli citizens fr. entering Palestinian villages in area B (technically, parts of the West Bank under PA civil and Israeli security control) as of 12/21; demolishes another Palestinian home nr. Hebron; places a curfew on Jenin, fires on residential areas. (MM, NYT, WP 12/11; VOP 12/11 in WNC 12/13; PRCS 12/12; VOP, YA 12/12 in WNC 12/16; PR 12/17; PCHR 12/18; MEI 12/19)

Forthe 1st time in more than a yr., the IDF allows Palestinian store owners in Hebron to open their shops, clean their store-fronts. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 Hamas mbrs. laying a roadside bomb in Gaza; fatally shoots a Palestinian baggage handler at the Rafah crossing to Egypt, mistakenly believing he was attacking when he ran to help someone with their luggage; transfers 12 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees to Gaza; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, partially destroying 1 Palestinian home. (NYT, REU 12/6; NYT 12/8; PCHR 12/11)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian at a checkpoint in s. Gaza after he opens fire on a car carrying Jewish settlers, wounding 3; fatally shoots a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays too close to Aley Sinai settlement; conducts arrest raids in Ramallah. Late in the evening, 2 Palestinian gunmen (1 Hamas, 1 Islamic Jihad) infiltrate an IDF barracks at Netzarim settlement, fatally shooting 3 IDF soldiers, wounding 2 before the Hamas mbr. is shot dead, the Islamic Jihad mbr. escapes. 2 Palestinians die of injuries received in the 10/20 IDF attack on Nussayrat r.c., bringing that toll to at least 10. Palestinians also fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. In Tulkarm, the AMB executes 2 Palestinians suspected of providing Israel with information used to assassinate an AMB mbr. on 10/4. Israel issues tenders for construction of 333 new housing units in West Bank Jewish settlements. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian cars, property in Hebron. (HA 10/23; VOP 10/23 in WNC 10/25; AFP, HA, MM, NYT, WP 10/24; VOP 10/24, MENA 10/26 in WNC 10/28; NYT, WT 10/25; NYT 10/26; HA, MM 10/27; MM 10/28; AYM 10/28 in WNC 10/30; PR 10/29; PCHR 10/30; MEI 11/7)

The IDF lifts restrictions on West Bank Palestinian vehicular traffic; continues operations in Rafah, demolishing several more Palestinian homes, crushing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy to death, wounding 3 other boys. Later, IDF troops pull out of al-Brazil r.c. (where 15 Palestinian homes have been demolished since 10/15), Rafah, to “regroup and refresh” before resuming operations.AMB gunmen ambush an IDF patrol outside the West Bank settlement of Ofra, killing 3 IDF soldiers, wounding 1; the IDF places curfews on Ramallah and surrounding villages tosearch for the gunmen. The IDF also fires on Palestinians violating curfew in Jenin, seriously wounding 2. Hamas mbrs. fire 8 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MM, NYT, WP 10/20; al-Quds 10/21 in WNC 10/23; PR 10/22; PCHR 10/23; MEI 10/24; MM 10/27; AYM 10/28 in WNC 10/30)

Unidentified Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb outside Erez crossing as a U.S. emb. convoy (carrying the cultural attache, en route to interview Fulbright scholarship candidates) passes, destroying 1 of 4 armored cars, killing 3 U.S. security officers, wounding 1 U.S. diplomat; the convoy passes along a route and at a time a CIA detail involved in monitoring road map progress usually passes through the area, despite mos. of warnings fr. the PA of the dangers of routine movements, conspicuous bodyguards. AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Comms. (PRC) deny responsibility, though a phone call to the press claims the attack on the PRCs’ behalf. After this 1st successful targeted attack against Americans by Palestinians, the U.S. for the 1st time discloses that in 6/03 a roadside bomb went off nr. a CIA vehicle in Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. Palestinians also detonate a smaller roadside bomb nr. an IDF convoy in Gaza, injuring 3 IDF soldiers. The IDF sends troops back into Brazil r.c., fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, searching and occupying homes, bulldozing land, demolishing a number of houses, shelling residential areas; arrests a Palestinian woman who attempts to stab a soldier at a Tulkarm checkpoint; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; imposes a curfew on Nablus, escorts 100s of ultra-Orthodox Jews on a pilgrimage to Joseph’s Tomb. Israel orders another 3 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees expelled to Gaza (see 10/14). An Israeli Arab dies of injuries received in the 10/4 Haifa bombing, bringing that toll to 21. (BBC, HA, MM, PR, PRCS 10/15; XIN 10/15, al-Ra’i 10/16 in WNC 10/18; AP, HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 10/16; MM, WP 10/17; AYM 10/18 in WNC 10/25; PR 10/22; WJW 10/23; JPI, MEI 10/24; JPI 10/31)

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 places closures on all West Bank Palestinian towns; shuts main Gaza roads, dividing the Strip into 4 sections; calls up additional reserves to strengthen patrols along the Green Line; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Salfit; searches an elementary, a secondary school in Husan while classes are in session, severely beating 1 teacher, 1 student who attempt to block soldiers. (HA, NYT 10/7; VOI 10/7 in WNC 10/9; MA 10/7 in WNC 10/10; MM, NYT 10/8; PCHR 10/9; MM 10/20)

The IDF releases a map pinpointing what it says are the homes and offices of Palestinian militant leaders in Damascus (including Hamas’s Musa Abu Marzuq and Khalid Mishal, Islamic Jihad’s Ramadan Shallah, PFLP-GC’s Ahmad Jibril; 10 sites listed as the military or media offices of Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP-GC), saying it illustrates the extent of the Palestinian “terror network” in Syria; separately Sharon says that Israel would attack its enemies “any place, in any way.” Israel reinforces troops, artillery on its n. border. (AN, BBC, HA, NYT 10/7; VOI 10/7 in WNC 10/9; MA 10/7 in WNC 10/10; AP, HA, MM, NHR, NYT 10/8)

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)

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)

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 conducts arrest raids in Hebron (targeting Hamas, Islamic Jihad); fires on farmers working their fields nr. Khan Yunis, forcing them to leave; makes incursions in Nablus; sends troops into Ramallah to halt a marked al-Ayyam vehicle, arrests 4 Palestinian journalists; announces that it has arrested 3 PFLP mbrs. in recent days for plotting an attack on IDF forces in the West Bank. Hamas, Islamic Jihad say their cease-fire may have to be reassessed if the U.S. fails to urge Israel to halt construction of the separation wall. (AP 7/30; PCHR 8/7)

Dahlan, Mofaz discuss IDF redeployment fr. Jericho (where the IDF has no presence) and Qalqilya (encircled by the separation wall, with 1 IDF checkpoint providing entry, exit). Dahlan rejects the offer as hollow. (HA, IDF Radio, MA, MM, NYT, YA 7/31; VOI 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

The PSF says it has released 9 PRC mbrs. recently arrested after the comms. agreed to abide by the Hamas–Islamic Jihad cease-fire. The IDF begins construction of a permanent fence in the Old City of Hebron separating the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarch fr. the Palestinian-controlled section of the city; shoots, wounds a Palestinian “acting suspiciously” in Tulkarm; fires on Palestinians who reportedly attack an IDF outpost in s. Gaza, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, detaining 15 Palestinians, including a local Islamic Jihad leader. Late in the evening, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device in a home in Kfar Yavetz, in central Israel nr. the West Bank, killing 1 Israeli; a statement by Islamic Jihad’s Jenin cell says it has broken the ceasefire since Israel has not complied with requirements to free all Palestinian prisoners, but senior Islamic Jihad officials, including chief spokesman in Gaza Muhammad al-Hindi, say the attack was not coordinated with the group’s leadership, which reaffirms its adherence to the cease-fire. Unidentified Palestinians fire on, detonate a roadside bomb nr. workers building Israel’s separation wall nr. Qalqilya, causing no injuries. In separate incidents, the PSF arrests 3 Palestinians nr. the Gaza border with Israel. (BBC, MM, NYT, WT 7/8; MM, NYT, PR, WP 7/9; SFR 7/9 in WNC 7/12; PCHR 7/10; JPI 7/18)

As gestures to the PA, Israel announces a halt to deporting families of West Bank Palestinian militants to Gaza; releases 34 Palestinian prisoners, including senior Gaza PSF official Sulayman Abu Mutlak, who was arrested in early 5/03 and is freed for lack of evidence. Overnight, Palestinians fire an antitank rocket at Kefar Darom, wounding 4 Jewish settlers; the Palestinian resistance comms. (PRCs) and a Rafah-based Fatah offshoot called Abu Rish, neither of which agreed to the cease-fire, claim responsibility; meanwhile, the PSF arrests 4 PRC mbrs., an AMB mbr. in connection with the attack; the IDF shuts Gaza’s main north–south road for 6 hrs. to search for the assailants, without success. Abbas condemns the rocket attack and the 6/30 fatal shooting of a Bulgarian worker as “acts of sabotage.” The PSF also arrests 2 Palestinians in Khan Yunis on charges of firing mortars at Gush Katif on 7/1. The IDF raids Qalqilya, arresting local AMB head Ibrahim Mansur, fatally shooting his aide Mahmud Shawar (reportedly 1st wounding him in the leg, then executing him with gunshots to the head); the AMB vows to respond within 24 hrs. The IDF also imposes a curfew on, conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm; fires on Palestinians waiting to cross a Khan Yunis checkpoint, wounding 1; bulldozes 8 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Dayr al-Balah. Sharon authorizes Israeli police to crack down on crime among bedouin in s. Israel. (HA, MM 7/3; MA, VOI 7/3, AYM 7/5 in WNC 7/10; NYT, WP, WT 7/4; NYT 7/6; MM 7/8; PR 7/9; PCHR 7/10)

The IDF assassinates wanted Hamas mbr. Akram Abu Sarhana, firing missiles at his taxi as he drives nr. Khan Yunis; of the 4 others in the taxi, 1 Palestinian woman is killed, another wanted Hamas mbr. Muhammad Siyam (possibly the primary target) and 2 other passengers are wounded; around 10 other bystanders are injured; Israel claims the Hamas mbrs. were en route to stage an attack. In Bayt Hanun, 2 Hamas mbrs. are killed, an IDF soldier is wounded in an exchange of gunfire. The IDF also demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dayr al-Balah, al-Qarara. Based on an intelligence tip, Israeli police in Kafr Qasim arrest 2 West Bank tanzim mbrs. carrying a 5-lb bomb, apparently on their way to Petah Tikva to stage an attack. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr Nablus, fire 5 mortars at settlements in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Israel says it will begin having fmr. South Lebanon Army (SLA) mbrs. patrol on buses to prevent Palestinian attacks, arguing that the SLA mbrs. “have special abilities that will help in the identification and apprehension of potential suicide bombers.” (HA, MM 6/25; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 6/26; PCHR 7/3)

In a move that Israel claims will save the road map, the IDF arrests more than 130 alleged Hamas mbrs. and supporters in Hebron (including women, elderly men, and 1 pregnant woman, who collapses, is taken to the hospital), 30 Palestinian “terror suspects and their helpers” in Nablus. In its deepest incursion into PA areas in Gaza in recent wks., the IDF sends bulldozers into Khan Yunis and Rafah, firing on residential areas, demolishing 5 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 2 in Khan Yunis, also razing 13 dunams of land. The IDF also finds, disables a booby-trapped bicycle nr. a s. Gaza settlement, a bomb in a car in Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Nablus. Palestinians fire 4 mortars at Gaza settlements and 1 Qassam rocket toward the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF removes 2 tents comprising an unauthorized outpost erected in recent days; meanwhile, Jewish settlers set up 2 new unauthorized outposts elsewhere in the West Bank. A PA general intelligence unit raids, closes the Voice of al-Aqsa radio station in Gaza city. The move apparently aims to curb incitement, though the PA says the station was set up without a permit. (BBC, HA, MM 6/24; HA, NYT, WP, WT 6/25; PCHR, Palestine Information Center 6/26)

Israeli police charge 5 Islamic Movement leaders with “service to an outlawed organization, holding funds belonging to an outlawed organization, and moneylaundering,” for funneling some $10 m. to Hamas charity groups in the occupied territories fr. abroad. At least 2 of the mbrs., including Islamic Movement leader Ra‘ad Salah, are charged with membership in a terrorist organization and contact with a foreign agent (Nabil Mahzomah, an Israeli Arab who was deported to Lebanon in the mid-1980s and allegedly has worked as an agent for Iranian, Lebanese intelligence). The groups they reportedly had contact with were Charity Coalition (outlawed in 2/02), the al-Aqsa Fund (outlawed in 1992), Interpal (outlawed in 1997), the Holy Land Fund (outlawed in 1997). (HA, MM 6/24; HA, NYT, WT 6/25)

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)

The IDF reports that in the past 24 hrs., it arrested 1,300 Palestinians for being inside Israel illegally, deported all but 19 to the occupied territories. Today, the IDF opens fire on stone-throwing youths in Yamun, killing a 15-yr.-old Palestinian, wounding 6 others ages 9–14; raids the only emergency medical clinic in the Old City of Nablus, vandalizing the building, destroying medicine; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, injuring 7 children on their way to school; conducts arrest raids in Hebron (targeting Hamas), Silat al-Haratiyya, Silat al-Dahir, Tamun, Tubas, Yabad; digs trenches alongside roads in Araba, Yabad, bulldozes land in Khan Yunis, Rafah. The IDF seizes a boat off the northern coast manned by a Hizballah mbr. and 7 arms smugglers, carrying explosives detonators. Israel claims that the boat was bound for Egypt, the Hizballah mbr. intended to infiltrate Gaza from there, carrying arms ordered by Arafat; Arafat and Hizballah deny this. The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders for construction of 502 new housing units in Ma’ale Adumim settlement. Israel announces plans to banish 2 West Bank Hamas mbrs. being held in administrative detention to Gaza for 2 yrs., citing “security reasons.” (HA, HP, UPMRC 5/22; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; JP 5/23 in WNC 5/27; PR 5/28; LAW, PCHR, WJW 5/29)

Abbas opens talks with Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders on a cease-fire. The groups say they would agree to halt attacks inside Israel if Israel stopped targeting militants. (HA 5/22; HA, WP, WT 5/23; JP, SA 5/23 in WNC 5/27)

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)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in Hebron, killing 2 Jewish settlers. Nr. Qalqilya, 2 Palestinian gunmen infiltrate a settlement, wound 2 Jewish settlers before being killed; no group takes responsibility. The IDF continues operations in Bayt Hanun, fatally shooting an Islamic Jihad mbr., wounding 24, bulldozing land, firing on residential areas; demolishes 7 Palestinian homes in Rafah refugee camp (r.c.), 2 in al-Mughraqa; bulldozes 120 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of Palestinian agricultural land in Khan Yunis. The IDF also fires flares e. of Khan Yunis, staring a fire in a wheat field; bars Palestinian firefighters fr. reaching the area, allowing 32 dunams to burn. In Hebron, Jewish settlers beat a pregnant Palestinian, causing her to suffer a miscarriage; set fire to a Palestinian home. (NYT, WP 5/18; MM 5/19; PR 5/21; LAW, PCHR 5/22; NYT 5/30)

Despite the Hebron bombing, new Palestinian Authority (PA) PM Mahmud Abbas, Israeli PM Ariel Sharon meet in Jerusalem regarding the road map, marking their 1st meeting and the 1st senior-level PA-Israeli talks since 9/26/00. Sharon says he cannot accept the road map but offers to redeploy the IDF from 1 (unnamed) West Bank Palestinian city and fr. n. Gaza in exchange for a commitment to crack down on militant groups. (NYT, WP, WT 5/18; MM 5/19; AYM 5/20 in WNC 5/23; NYT, PR 5/21; HA 5/23; al-Musawwar 5/23 in WNC 5/27; HA 5/28; MEI 5/30)

The IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza for Passover; makes an arrest raid in Nablus in which 1 wanted Palestinian, 1 IDF soldier are killed in an exchange of gunfire; fires rockets fr. a Rafah watchtower, killing Islamic Jihad military cmdr. ‘Abd al-Hamid Abu al-Aysh, who was allegedly planting a roadside bomb; fatally shoots a Palestinian who resists arrest in Hebron; shoots, wounds a Palestinian grazing sheep nr. Qalqilya; conducts other arrest raids in Balata r.c., Bethlehem, Jenin; demolishes a Palestinian home in Hebron. A Hamas mbr. throws grenades, fires on the Qarni crossing and is fatally shot by Israeli security guards; 2 Israeli civilians are killed in the exchange, at least 1 by Israeli gunfire, 7 are wounded; Hamas says the attack was in retaliation for the 4/8 Arabid assassination. (HA 4/15; NYT, PR, WP, WT 4/16; LAW, PCHR 4/17)

An IDF bulldozer crushes, kills American International Solidarity Movement (ISM) worker Rachel Corrie, part of a group blocking bulldozers fr. demolishing a Palestinian home in Rafah. The IDF also seals the West Bank, Gaza for Purim (3/17–19); fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, killing 1 Palestinian; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian standing in his doorway in Rafah; bulldozes 2 dunams of land, 12 olive trees in Dayr al-Balah; raids areas around Bethlehem, Salfit. Arafat cancels the al-Azhar University workers union elections, fearing a landslide victory by Hamas, Islamic Jihad. (BBC, LAW 3/16; ITV, MA 3/16 in WNC 3/17; JP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/17; WT 3/18; PR 3/19; PCHR, WJW 3/20; MEI 3/21)

The IDF carves out a 4 mi2 “security zone” in Gaza around Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, Jabaliya r.c. to prevent Palestinians fr. firing rockets, mortars into Israel; stations 100 military vehicles in the zone; razes 100 dunams of land; says troops will stay indefinitely. The IDF also fatally shoots 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who attempt to infiltrate Netzarim settlement; conducts house searches in Nablus, breaking through walls to move from house to house. In the West Bank, 2 Hamas mbrs. dressed as yeshiva students infiltrate Kiryat Arba settlement, fatally shoot 2 Jewish settlers, wounding 6 before being killed by armed settlers. (HA 3/7; NYT, WP, WT 3/8; WP 3/9; PR 3/12; LAW, PCHR, WJW 3/13)

At the UNSC, UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports that Iraq is cooperating with inspectors, who have yet to find evidence of WMDs; estimates inspections could be completed within wks. U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell replies that Iraq clearly has not met the requirements for cooperation, disarmament set out in UNSC Res. 1441, saying, “There are some people who simply, in my judgment, don’t want to see the facts clearly.” The U.S., Britain submit a draft UNSC res. that would give Iraq until 3/17 to reveal all its WMDs or face retaliation. France, Germany, Russia argue for completing UN inspections, saying that lack of progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is much more of a threat to the region than Iraq. (WP 3/7; NYT, WP, WT 3/8; NYT 3/9; MM 3/10)

A Hamas suicide bomber fr. Hebron detonates a device on a bus in Haifa, killing 14 Israelis, 1 American, wounding 40; Israel seals the West Bank and Gaza borders until further notice, vows to respond “but not [on] a scale that would disrupt any U.S. preparations for a possible attack on Iraq.” Overnight, Palestinians also reportedly fire 13 antitank missiles and grenades at IDF forces on the Rafah border, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Nablus, 1 in Qalqilya, a mosque in Rafah r.c. that had been heavily damaged in earlier attacks; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Qalqilya (targeting Fatah), Ramallah (nabbing senior Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Abdallah Barghouti), Yamun; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Late in the evening, the IDF launches a major raid into Jabaliya r.c., sending in 50 tanks and helicopters, firing several missiles, killing 3 Palestinians, wounding 11; fatally shoots Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad al-‘Asas in an exchange of gunfire in Bethlehem, leaving 1 IDF soldier wounded. A Jerusalem court sentences Israeli Arab Murad Ajluni to life plus 20 yrs. for taking part in a 3/02 AMB shooting in Tel Aviv that left 3 Israelis dead. (HA 3/5; Interfax, VOI 3/5 in WNC 3/6; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/6; MA 3/6 in WNC 3/7; HA 3/7; LAW, PR 3/13; PCHR 3/13; JPI 3/14)

The IDF raids a branch of the Arab Bank in Azariyya, East Jerusalem, confiscates documents related to bank accounts belonging to Jerusalem residents allegedly linked to Hamas. A roadside bomb explodes nr. a Jewish settler bus in the West Bank, causing no injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/23. (HA, JTA 2/27; PCHR 3/6; LAW 3/13)

The Knesset approves (68–48) Israeli PM Ariel Sharon’s (reelected on 1/28/03) new coalition government. The 68-seat coalition includes the right-wing, pro-settler National Religious Party (6 seats), opposed to creation of a Palestinian state; the right-wing, secular nationalist Shinui (15 seats), which supports unilateral separation; and the ultraright-wing National Union Party (7 seats), which represents Jewish settlers, opposes talks with the Palestinians, and advocates expelling PA head Yasir Arafat and Palestinians from the occupied territories and annexing the land. Acting FM Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud) becomes finance minister, acting Finance M Silvan Shalom (Likud) becomes FM; Likud’s Tshai Hanegbi (previously under criminal investigation by Israeli police) becomes internal security minister; Mofaz remains DM. Sharon says that the economy will be his 1st priority, the peace process his 2d; that the Palestinians would have to give up the right of return, agree to Jerusalem remaining the unified capital of Israel, and halt all violence if they want a comprehensive peace. (HA, MM, NYT, WP 2/27; NYT, WP, WT 2/28; MA 2/28 in WNC 3/3; WT 3/1; MEI 3/7)

The IDF assassinates wanted PFLP mbr. Imad Mabruk in al-`Ayn r.c.; fatally shoots an armed Palestinian nr. a Jewish settlement in Gaza; arrests 3 Hamas mbrs. nr. Ramallah carrying 44 lbs. of explosives, allegedly en route to stage a suicide bombing; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Rafah, 1 in Sawahara; conducts arrest raids in Kefar Darom, Nablus. A Palestinian wounded in Tulkarm on 2/9 dies of his injuries. A roadside bomb explodes nr. an IDF patrol in Rafah, causing no injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza for 3 days, citing concerns there will be anti-Israeli attacks during the Id al-Adha holiday. (AP, HA 2/10; VOI 2/10 in WNC 2/11; HA, NYT, WT 2/11; VOI 2/11 in WNC 2/12; PR 2/12; PCHR 2/20)

IDF operations in Gaza City continue until early morning, destroying much of the central market, 13 workshops, and 6 Palestinian homes, injuring 10s of Palestinians. Soon after troops pull out, Hamas fires 6 Qassam rockets into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israel DM Mofaz says that the government is considering a full military reoccupation of Gaza. Nr. The IDF also shells “suspicious figures” nr. the Egypt-Gaza border, killing a 50-yr. old. Palestinian outside his home, a 7-yr.-old Palestinian playing in an open field, seriously wounding his 5-yr.-old brother; demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Hebron. This evening the IDF places a “total closure” on the West Bank and Gaza, confining Palestinians to their towns, villages under curfew until the morning of 1/29, after the 1/28 Israeli elections. The Shomron military court sentences an Islamic Jihad mbr. to 17 consecutive life sentences for participation in a 6/02 bombing at Megiddo Junction. (HA, LAW, WP 1/26; HA, MM, NYT, WP 1/27; LAW, PCHR, PR 1/29; MEI 2/7)

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Powell says that Israel must do more to ease the Palestinian humanitarian situation, offer the Palestinians more than a "phony state diced into a thousand different pieces"; that a Palesitnian state must be a “real state.” (HA 1/26; al-Quds 1/27 in WNC 1/29; MM 1/28)