The Palestine Chronology

The IDF assassinates Hamas mbr. Nasir Abu Shuka with an exploding cell phone in Bureij r.c.; fatally shoots a PFLP mbr. who throws a grenade at an IDF patrol in Rafah; fatally shoots a Palestinian youth nr. Netzarim settlement; demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Jenin, 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aza r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Sahur, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; bulldozes 45 dunams of land in Wadi al-Silqa. In Gaza, an AMB mbr. is killed by friendly fire during an attempted AMB ambush of an IDF patrol. Palestinians also fire an antitank rocket at an IDF patrol nr. Gaza’s Neve Dekalim settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 2/5; WP 2/6; VOP 2/6 in WNC 2/10; PCHR 2/8, 2/12)

In Gaza, 2 Palestinian children (ages 12, 14) armed with knives infiltrate Netzarim settlement, are shot at and wounded by a settler rabbi, captured by IDF troops. The IDF erects a new checkpoint at the e. entrance to Askar r.c.; fires on Palestinians who throw stones at the new crossing, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 9. The IDF also fires tear gas at Palestinians crossing the Anata + n. Jerusalem checkpoint, causing 1 pregnant Palestinian woman to miscarry; conducts arrest raids in Hebron (targeting Hamas), Ramallah (targeting the PFLP). An Islamic Jihad mbr. is killed apparently when a grenade he is carrying explodes. The body of a missing Palestinian is found nr. Nablus; the IDF says he was apparently killed by IDF gunfire on 1/1. Late in the evening, the IDF sends 50 tanks, bulldozers into Khan Yunis; demolishing around 30 workshops, stores, offices, a clinic; clashes with Hamas mbrs., fatally shooting 1 Palestinians, wounding 13; bulldozes 9 dunams of land; conducts arrest sweeps, house searches. The IDF also raids Bayt Hanun, demolishing a Palestinian home, killing 1 Palestinian in the process. (HA 1/11; VOI 1/11 in WNC 1/13; HA, WT 1/12; HA, NYT, WP 1/13; LAW, PCHR, PR 1/15)

The IDF fire on a PSF patrol operating btwn. Dayr al-Balah and Kefar Darom settlement, killing 1 PSF officer, seriously injuring a 2d. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Brazil camp; bulldozes Palestinian land around Netzarim settlement. (PCHR 11/8)

In Spain, Peres, Arafat hold a brief 1-on-1 mtg. to discuss how to widen their cease-fire, restart peace talks. Arafat says that the PA has cracked down on Hamas, arrested more than 60 PFLP mbrs. since the Ze'evi assassination on 10/17. Peres tells Arafat he must arrest at least another 10-15 of Israel's most wanted. (RNE 11/3 in WNC 11/5; NYT, WT 11/4)

Sharon cancels plans to come to the U.S. on 11/11 for the opening of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) session, where he was expected to meet with Bush. (NYT, WP, WT 11/4; WP 11/5; NYT 11/6)