The Palestine Chronology

Under extreme pressure fr. the U.S., Israel agrees to pull tanks, troops out of and away fr. PA-controlled areas (including Jinin), halt assassinations. Arafat orders the PSF to use "maximum self-restraint," hold their fire even if attacked; threatens opposition groups with harsh reprisals if they stage any attacks inside Israel. Sharon still demands 48 hrs. of complete quiet before he will authorize Peres-Arafat talks. Israeli-Palestinian clashes taper of dramatically, but incidents are still reported. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Nablus; demolishes equipment, buildings in the Gaza port; fires on 6 Palestinian schools in Hebron, injuring 11 students, parents. (MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 9/19; ATL, Interfax 9/19 in WNC 9/20; WJW 9/20; SA 9/20 in WNC 9/26; Jerusalem Times, WP 9/21; MEI 9/28; LAW 9/29)

The U.S. says it has more evidence linking Bin Laden to the 9/11 attacks. Laying the groundwork for a military response, Bush labels the attacks "acts of war," begins to rally "an international coalition to combat terrorism." The U.S. presses Pakistan in particular to cooperate with any U.S. military action against neighboring Afghanistan, Bin Laden's base of operations. Congress adopts (100-0 in the Senate, 408-0 in the House) a joint resolution that the admin. says frees the White House from having to seek a formal declaration of war to carry out military action. (AP 9/12; NYT, WP, WT 9/13; MENA, al-Ra'i 9/13 in WNC 9/14; Dawn [Islamabad] 9/17; MM 9/19; MEI 9/28)

Israel sends 22 tanks into Jinin and nearby Arraba and Tamun. Tanks shell targets while F-15s, F-16s drop bombs, killing 8 Palestinians, wounding 50, leveling the PSF headquarters and 2 Force 17 office in Jinin, 2 PSF offices in Arraba and Tamun. Among the dead are 3 suspected Islamic Jihad mbrs. who barricade themselves in a building in Arraba during an IDF arrest sweep, are killed when the IDF shells the building. IDF soldiers also open fire on 2 taxis nr. Gaza's al-Mahatin Junction, killing 2 Palestinians, injuring 8; arrest Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. Ahmad Zagayr (Fatah) in his Jerusalem office, take him to the Russian Compound prison; direct heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Khadir, Khan Yunis; bulldoze Palestinian land for a new settler bypass road to Gush Katif; reinforces troops around Nablus; conduct arrest raids in Arraba, Hizma. A Jewish settler is killed by a Palestinian sniper nr. Qalqilya. (HP, MEZ, MM 9/12; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/13; MENA 9/13 in WNC 9/14; al-Quds 9/13, SA 9/14, al-Majallah 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WP 9/14; PMC 9/15; MEI 9/28)

At least 60 IDF tanks take up positions outside Jinin, shell residential areas, killing 1 PSF officer and wounding 4 in what Palestinians fear is the 1st stage of a major retaliation for the 9/9 Nahariya bombing. The IDF also enters PA-controlled areas of Gaza City; shells residential areas of Rafah; reinforces positions outside Nablus, Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in al-Arub, Bayt Qad. Jewish settlers place caravans on a new site east of Kefar Darom; dig trenches, topple electricity poles in the Palestinian section of Hebron. Overnight tonight, the IDF seals the PA intelligence and security offices in Azariyya, a DFLP office in Abu Dis. (HP 9/10; BBC, MM, NYT 9/11; MEI 9/14; LAW 9/20; MEI 9/28)

Powell phones Peres twice to press Israel to move ahead with cease-fire talks with Arafat. Israel, the PA discuss the issue throughout the day, agreeing that Arafat and Peres could meet as early as 9/11 but differing over the venue. Talks are suspend around midnight without agreement. (AFP, HP, MM 9/10; AFP, AN, MA, MENA 9/10, MENA 9/11 in WNC 9/12; NYT 9/12, 9/13)

An Israeli Arab suicide bomber detonates a device at a train station in the n. Israeli town of Nahariya, killing 3 Israeli Jews, injuring 63, most lightly. Israel blames the PA, saying the bomber crossed into Jinin to get explosives fr. Hamas, and the PA ignored requests to arrest him. In retaliation, the IDF attacks 5 PA security and political offices in al-Bireh, Jericho, Jinin, Nablus, and Ramallah, injuring 5 Palestinians. In the Jordan Valley, Islamic Jihad mbrs. ambush a Jewish settler minibus, killing 2 Jewish settlers. Another Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb next to a bus in Bayt Lid, killing only himself, injuring 3 Israelis. 1 Palestinian is killed in clashes with the IDF in Gaza. Israel also arrests PA Jerusalem affairs adviser Ziad Abu Ziad; expels him fr. the city, claiming he had entered without a permit. This evening, Sharon meets with his security cabinet, which votes to step up attacks on Palestinian targets. (HA 9/9; AFP 9/9 in WNC 9/10; JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/10; NYT 9/11; WJW 9/13; MEI 9/14; JP 9/24: MEI 9/28)

In an apparent assassination attempt on senior Fatah official Muhammad Mansur, the IDF fires rockets into the Fatah headquarters in a residential area of Ramallah, causing no injuries. Mansur left the building just before the attack. Nr. Rafah, an explosion in a building known to be used by tanzim mbrs. leaves, 1 tanzim mbr. dead, 1 injured; the tanzim accuses Israel of carrying out an assassination. Israel admits to the attempt on Mansur, but denies staging the Rafah incident. The IDF directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Hanun, al-Bireh, Dura, Nablus, Rafah; closes roads around Khan Yunis, the al-Mawasi area; occupies a Palestinian home in al-Khadir; raids, shuts a secondary school in Baqa` al-Sharqiyya; conducts arrest sweeps in Burqa, Jinin, al-Khadir, Tulkarm, Yabid. Armed Jewish settlers fire on Palestinian shops in Hebron, causing serious damage but no injuries; IDF soldiers do not intervene. (HP 9/8; WP, WT 9/9)

The WCAR closes after agreeing on a final statement that expresses concern over the "plight of the Palestinian people under foreign occupation," endorses the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in secure and independent states, recognizes the right of refugees to return to "freely return to their homes." Israel says it is "satisfied" with the text. (Globe and Mail, HP 9/8; NYT, WP, WT 9/9; MENA, al-Quds, SAPA 9/9 in WNC 9/10; WT 9/10; JP, MEI 9/14)

The IDF assassinates Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader Abu Ali Mustafa (Mustafa Zibri), the most prominent Palestinian leader targeted to date, firing missiles at his office in al-Bireh. (22 U.S. citizens also live in the building where Mustafa worked; 3 are lightly injured in the attack.) In response, 1,000s of Palestinians take to the streets in Bethlehem, Gaza City, Jinin, Nablus, Tulkarm to protest. The U.S. criticizes Israel for "inflaming an already volatile situation and making it much harder to restore calm"; says Israel must also take economic, security steps to alleviate pressure on the Palestinians. Also in response to the Mustafa killing, Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo settlement; the IDF then sends tanks into neighboring Bayt Jala (area A). The IDF also sends tanks, bulldozers into Rafah in response to Palestinian gunfire; destroys 3 Palestinian houses, sparking a fierce gun battle. Palestinians ambush a settler vehicle nr. Nablus, kill 1 Jewish settler. (AP, CNN 8/27; AFP, Interfax, MENA 8/27 in WNC 8/28; BDL, LAW, MM, NYT, REU, WT 8/28; MA, XIN 8/28 in WNC 8/29; MM 8/29; AYM 8/28, ATL, IRNA, JT 8/29 in WNC 8/30; al-Ra'i 8/29, MENA, al-Quds, SA 8/30 in WNC 8/31; PMC 8/30; MEI, MM 8/31; AYM 8/31 in WNC 9/10; HA 9/1; JP 9/7; MEI 9/14)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving a total of 7 Palestinians dead. IDF forces in Rafah refuse to allow a PA delegation to cross the checkpoint into Egypt unless they consent to be strip searched, which they refuse. Palestinians throw grenades at, fire on IDF posts on the border with Egypt, causing no injuries. The IDF shells residential areas of Rafah in response, hitting a Palestinian home and killing senior tanzim mbr. Samir Abd al-Az (Abu Zayd), his 2 young children in what may be an assassination. Palestinians fire mortars at an Israeli settlement in Gaza, causing no damage; the IDF responds by shelling, destroying a PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) post, a Force 17 office nr. Khan Yunis, injuring 3 PSF officers. IDF troops fatally shoot a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Rafah, 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus; direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, Jenin, Khan Yunis. (HP 8/19; MENA 8/19 in WNC 8/20; AFP, HP, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 8/20; JT 8/20 in WNC 8/21; NYT 8/21; LAW 8/22; AYM 8/24 in WNC 8/27)

Israeli FM Shimon Peres says that Israel and the PA have had contacts "on different levels" regarding implementing cease-fire, that he plans to meet with PA head Yasir Arafat soon. The PA says it supports holding an Arafat-Peres mtg. in principle. (MM, NYT 8/20; AYM 8/20 in WNC 8/21; al-Quds 8/21 in WNC 8/22; MA 8/23 in WNC 8/24)

The IDF reinforces positions around Bayt Jala in response to an hrs.-long exchange of gunfire btwn. Bayt Jala, Gilo; F-16s also overfly the area. In Hebron, Israeli undercover agents assassinate local Fatah tanzim leader Imad Abu Sunayna, who was on Israel's most-wanted list. Israeli undercover agents also arrest several Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Jinin; based on their confessions, police reportedly find, disarm a bomb nr. Haifa. A Palestinian sniper shoots, wounds an Israeli truck driver nr. Ma'ale Adumim. The IDF sends tanks into Khan Yunis; conducts arrests raids in al-Arub, Bayt Umar, Baqa` al-Sharqiyya, Izbat al-Tayib. Armed Jewish settlers block the Nablus+nRamallah road, stone and club Palestinian cars. Demonstrations continue outside Orient House. An alleged Palestinian collaborator dies in PA custody. Israel says it will facilitate the transfer of 17,000 heads of livestock fr. the Elat port to the PA areas over the next few days. (AP, HA, HP, IGPO, MEZ, REU 8/15; Guardian [Internet], NYT, WP 8/16; NYT, WP, WT 8/17)

In Washington, Mubarak adviser Baz holds mtgs. with White House, State Dept., CIA officials, warning that the U.S.'s continued "inaction" in the Middle East could allow extremists to take hold in moderate Arab counties, undermine U.S. prestige. Baz urges the U.S. to more clearly define to both sides in an even-handed way what is needed to proceed with the Mitchell recommendations. (MENA 8/15 in WNC 8/16; NYT 8/16)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device at a crowded West Jerusalem pizzeria, killing 13 Israelis, 1 American, 1 Brazilian and wounding at least 90. Afterward, angry Israelis in Jerusalem, Jewish settlers in Hebron attack Palestinians in the streets, with little intervention fr. Israeli police, soldiers. Fearing a massive Israeli strike, Palestinians throughout the occupied territories close offices and stores, take refuge in their homes. Meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen fire on a vehicle nr. Jinin, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 3. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Jericho, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Rafah; bulldoze a Palestinian home in Gaza. (AP, BBC, HA 8/9; ITAR-TASS, MENA 8/9 in WNC 8/10; NYT, PMC, WP, WT 8/10; JT 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WP 8/11)

Immediately after the bombing, the IDF senior command, Israeli cabinet convene separately to discuss response scenarios. The cabinet agrees to a new strategy of hitting PA targets only with the aim of forcing Arafat to choose btwn. a full cease-fire, destruction of the PA. This evening, Sharon meets with his security cabinet, which also decides to set up new police stations in East Jerusalem. (HA 8/9; CNN, HA, JP [Internet], LAW, NYT, REU, WP, WT 8/10; MENA 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WT 8/11; Times [London] 8/13; WT 8/15)

Late tonight (2:00 a.m. local time), Israel sends F-16s to destroy a PSF post in Ramallah; sends more tanks into Gaza, bulldozing 1 PSF post. Israeli security forces occupy 10 unofficial PLO offices in East Jerusalem, including Orient House (the symbolic PLO FMin.); also detain 8 Orient House employees for questioning, confiscate files, remove the Palestinian flag, raise an Israeli flag. The IDF takes over the Abu Dis mayor's residence, several surrounding homes Israel claims are used as PA security command centers, marking the 1st reoccupation of sites in area B. Sharon declares that "Orient House will not open again. Ever. We will not leave Abu Dis." The State Dept. says the actions mark a "political escalation." Russia warns Israel has crossed a "dangerous line." In response, Israel removes the Israeli flag fr. Orient House. (HA 8/9; CNN, HA, JP [Internet], LAW, NYT, REU, WP, WT 8/10; MENA 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WT 8/11; JT, al-Quds 8/12 in WNC 8/14; Times [London] 8/13; AYM 8/13, SA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; ATL 8/15 in WNC 8/16)

A PA security court in Nablus sentences another Palestinian to death for collaborating with Israel in the 2/19 assassination of Hamas mbr. Mahmud Madani. (Independent [Internet] 8/10)

In Ramallah, 2 IDF missiles narrowly miss the car of Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti in an apparent assassination attempt. Israel claims that a Force 17 mbr. traveling in a 2d vehicle, injured in the attack, was the intended target. Arafat appeals to the U.S., China, the EU, Russia to intervene with Israel to prevent violence fr. spinning out of control. The IDF also destroys a Palestinian olive grove nr. Nablus, 20 dunams of agricultural land in Jericho; shells residential areas nr. Bethlehem. Palestinian gunmen exchange fire with IDF forces outside Gilo settlement. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (NYT, PMC, WP, WT 8/5; al-Quds 8/5 in WNC 8/6; LAW, PMC 8/6; MEI 8/10)

In Tel Aviv, 1,000s of Israelis take part in a Peace Now march protesting Israeli violence against Palestinians. (Gush Shalom press release 8/5; NYT, WJW 8/9)

Although the official PA news agency WAFA carries another appeal for a halt to armed attacks against Israel, the clashes continue at a high level. A Palestinian woman carrying a bomb is detained, disarmed at the Tel Aviv central bus depot. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, injuring 1 settler. Fearing massive protests against the 7/31 Nablus attack, Israel places age restrictions on Palestinians attending Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. Palestinian gunmen fatally shoot a suspected Palestinian collaborator in Bethlehem. PA officials say some 60 suspected collaborators have been arrested in Jinin. (AP, HA, REU 8/3; WP, WT 8/4; MEI 8/10)

After a UN comm. concludes that UNIFIL erred in its handling of the 10/00 video but did not conspire against Israel in bad faith, Secy.-Gen. Annan invites Israel, Lebanon to send officials to New York to view the edited tapes, evidence collected at the scene. (NYT, WP, WT 8/4; NYT 8/8; WJW 8/9; MEI 8/10)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian said to be planting a bomb nr. Nablus, sparking a gun battle lasting several hrs., leaving 2 Palestinians wounded. Another Palestinian is caught attempting to plant a bomb on an Israeli bus in Kiryat Shimona. IDF commandos land a helicopter nr. a PSF post nr. Nablus, abduct low-level Fatah mbr. Murad Bisharat, who is released hrs. later; Israel Radio reports he was kidnapped by mistake, a senior Fatah mbr. was the intended target. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. In response, the IDF sends 3 tanks into a nearby PA-controlled area. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Bayt Sahur, Bethlehem, Hebron, al-Khadir, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Ramallah, Tulkarm; demolishes part of a girls' school in Hebron. Israel's Jerusalem Municipality confiscates 100 dunams of Palestinian land in the Jabal al-Mukabir neighborhood of East Jerusalem for a settler bypass road. A PA security court sentences a Palestinian to death for collaborating with Israel in the 7/25 Darwaza assassination. (HA, HP 8/2; NYT, WP 8/3; AYM 8/4 in WNC 8/10; MEI 8/10; HA 8/8)

In Nablus, 10,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of those in the 7/31 IDF attack in Nablus. Palestinians across Jerusalem, Gaza, the West Bank observe a general strike; marches are held in Jinin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm, refugee camps in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel continues to defend the assassination strike, saying it will carry out more such assaults if Israeli lives are at risk. Meanwhile, 1 Palestinian is killed in a severe clash with the IDF in Hebron. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah, Ramallah, Silat Dahir, Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, searches in Abu Dis, al-Arub, Nablus; reinforces positions around Birzeit, Jinin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. A pipe bomb explodes in Jerusalem, causing no injuries. Palestinian gunmen kill 3 suspected Palestinian collaborators in Bethlehem, Ramallah. (REU 8/1; HP, NYT, WP, WT 8/2; LAW 8/6; MEI 8/10)

Responding to Mubarak's urgent appeal (8/1), Bush states that "we're still very much engaged in the process . . . that we take violence very seriously," but not indicating the U.S. will do more. Egyptian FM Maher says Egypt is "astonished that the United States has not reacted with the necessary firmness to this [latest] Israeli behavior." (NYT, WP, WT 8/8; AKH 8/8 in WNC 8/10)

The PA suspends participation on the trilateral security comm. to protest Israel's 7/31 strike against Hamas. (WP 8/2, 8/6)

The IDF shells Hamas's press office in Nablus, killing 8 Palestinians, wounding 7. Among the fatalities are Hamas political leaders Jamal Mansur and Jamal Salim, the targets of assassination and prominent public figures known for running a network of welfare programs and medical clinics. Also killed are Fahim Dawabsha, another Hamas mbr. on Israel's wanted list; 2 journalists interviewing Mansur; 2 children outside the building. The attack triggers firefights, especially around Jerusalem; mortar strikes; and 2 ambushes of Jewish settler vehicles that leave 7 settlers wounded. 100s of Palestinians gather outside the Hamas office to protest. Sharon terms the attack "one of our most important successes." The State Dept. "strongly deplores" the "highly provocative" incident. Egypt's Mubarak sends an "urgent letter" to Bush pressing for U.S. to intervene with Israel. Meanwhile, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat; sends tanks, bulldozers into Bayt Sahur to shell residential areas, demolish part of a home, a water network; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, Gaza City, al-Khadir, Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes additional land outside Ramallah; conducts arrest sweeps in Bayt Hanina, East Jerusalem, Shu`fat, al-Tur, Wadi al-Juz; sets up a new checkpoints nr. Nablus, Ramallah, Zawata; tightens the closures on Salfit, Tulkarm. IDF soldiers also severely beat 2 journalists at a checkpoint nr. Qalandiyya; 2 Palestinians are killed in clashes elsewhere. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in East Jerusalem. (AP, HP, LAW, PMC, REU 7/31; MENA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MENA 7/31, ATL, JT, MA, MENA, XIN 8/1 in WNC 8/2; NYT, WP, WT 8/1; XIN 8/1, AN 8/2 in WNC 8/3; HP 8/2; MENA 8/4 in WNC 8/6; LAW 8/6; JP, MEI 8/10)

A PA security court sentences 4 Palestinians to death for collaborating with Israel in the assassination of senior Fatah official Thabet Thabet on 12/31/00. A 5th defendant is acquitted. (WT 8/1; AYM 8/4 in WNC 8/10; WT 8/7)

The UNSC votes unanimously to extends the UNIFIL mandate through the end of 1/02, implement the staged troop reduction endorsed on 5/18. (UN press release 7/31; AFP 8/1 in WNC 8/2; MEI 8/10)

Israel assassinates senior Hamas mbr. Salah al-Din Darwaza, firing 5 antitank missiles at his car as he drives through Nablus. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Morag attack a PSF post, a residential building in Rafah, sparking an exchange of gunfire involving the IDF and PSF that leaves 3 soldiers injured. The IDF bulldozes the PSF post, surrounding agricultural land. In response, Palestinians fire a mortar at Morag, causing no damage. (LAW 7/25; HP, NYT, WP 7/26; JP 8/3)

At the weekly trilateral security comm. mtg., the PA warns that it will not be able to continue the security mtgs. if Israeli assassinations continue. The PA hands Israel a list of 31 Jewish settlers wanted for carrying out attacks on Palestinians, warning that the PA will take action if Israel does not arrest them. (AFP [Internet], NYT 7/25; MM, WJW 7/26; al-Quds 7/26 in WNC 7/27; SA 7/30 in WNC 7/31)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes increase sharply. Palestinian gunmen shoot at a vehicle nr. Nablus, wounding 3 Jewish settlers. In retaliation, the IDF temporarily reoccupies a hill inside PA-controlled Nablus and shells PSF buildings in the city, killing 1 PSF officer, wounding 2 officers and a child. The IDF also occupies 3 Palestinian homes in nearby Kafr Khalil, which it does not surrender when troops withdraw fr. Nablus. Outraged settlers attack a nearby Palestinian village, smashing windows of Palestinian cars and an ambulance with stones and rifle butts, burning olive groves. After 1 Jewish settler is killed, 1 is wounded by a Palestinian sniper in Hebron, the IDF shells several Palestinian buildings, destroying a PSF post, injuring 2 PSF officers, up to 92 Palestinian civilians, and cutting off power to the PA-controlled area of the city. Angry settlers stone Palestinian homes, set fire to a garage, 1 car in Hebron; smash taxi windows, slash tires in the nearby Palestinian village of Halhul. (AP 7/12; MM, NYT, WP 7/13; MA, al-Quds 7/13 in WNC 7/16; In Focus 7/18)

Sharon sends his son Omri to Ramallah to stress to Arafat "the absolute need to stop the terror and violence," reportedly warns that Israel is prepared to launch a major strike if Palestinian attacks do not cease. (HA, MM, NYT 7/13; WP, WT 7/14; SA 7/14 in WNC 7/17; MM 7/16; MM 7/19)

Palestinians fire another mortar at Nahal Oz kibbutz, causing no damage. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian passenger in a taxi that passes a checkpoint without stopping. The IDF also shells residential areas of al-Khadir; bulldozes Palestinian trees btwn. Abu Dis and Jabal al-Mukabir; tightens the closures on Bethlehem, Nablus. Inside Israel, Israeli police arrest a Palestinian carrying a bomb. The body of a Palestinian suspected of collaborating with Israel is found in a West Bank village. Israel's Peres says that, although the PA is still not making a 100% effort to halt violence, evidence in recent days suggests that the PSF is taking action against renegade gunmen; Israeli security sources corroborate reports that Arafat has ordered the PSF place a number of wanted Palestinians in "protective custody" but say Israel considers this "insufficient." Peres also says that 15 illegal settlement outposts should be dismantled within 2-3 wks. (HA, HP 7/11; NYT, WP 7/12)

The Israeli government orders the demolition of 34 Palestinian homes in al-Midya, on the border of the Green Line, where Israel intends to create a buffer zone with the West Bank. The Jerusalem Municipality also orders the demolition of 2 more houses and 15 dunams of surrounding land in Shaykh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, for construction of a train line linking West Jerusalem with the Pisgat Ze'ev settlement. (Orient House press release 7/11; PMC 7/12)

In Jeddah, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) calls on the U.S. to fulfill its international obligations to protect the Palestinians and to stop applying a double standard in favor of Israel, or turn the matter over to the UN. (MM 7/16, 7/20)

Nr. Rafah, IDF troops open fire on stone-throwing Palestinians, killing a 11-yr.-old Palestinian boy. 2 IDF soldiers are injured by a roadside bomb nr. Nablus. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Rafah, al-Sudaniyya; fire heavy machine guns at an PSF post in Bayt Sahur; open fire on Palestinians at al-Mintar crossing and in al-Bireh, Hebron, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; occupy a Palestinian home in al-Khadir as a military outpost; seal an entrance to Tulkarm. Jewish settlers ambush a Palestinian taxi nr. Ramallah, shooting and wounding 4 Palestinians; set fire to 5 Palestinian cars, vandalize several homes in Hebron; vandalize homes on the Zatara-Nablus road; fire at Palestinians in Tulkarm; severely beat 3 Palestinians in Jinin. Arafat instructs the PSF to place a number of Palestinians wanted by Israel in "protective custody." (PMC 7/7; NYT 7/8; NYT, WT 7/9 NYT 7/11; HA 7/11; WJW 7/12)

Palestinians fire up to 6 mortars, several grenades at an IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF fires a shell at a Palestinian vehicle in Khan Yunis, injuring 5 Palestinians. Around 1,000 Palestinian demonstrators clash with IDF soldiers at a checkpoint outside al-Bireh. Another serious clash is reported in Tulkarm. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur, Silat al-Dahir; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Salfit; places a closure on Bayt Furik; tightens the closure on Dayr Istya, Qalqilya; sets up new blockades, checkpoints around Azun, Nablus, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers raise 10s of trees in Dayr Balut, cut of running water to 6 Palestinian villages nr. Nablus. (AFP [Internet], HP 6/29; HP, NYT, WP 6/30)

Around 100 Israeli, international peace activists attempt to reach the Palestinian village of al-Khadir, nr. Bethlehem, where they have planned to set up a "peace camp" with local Palestinians to protest ongoing Israeli violence. The activists are halted outside the village by the IDF, which says the area is a closed military zone, although settlers passes unimpeded. When the activists set up a nonviolent roadblock to settler vehicles, Israeli police arrest the organizers, forces the others onto their busses and back to Tel Aviv. Inside al-Khadir, 150 Palestinian participants also demonstrate, but the IDF disperses them with gunfire, wounding 4, and imposes a curfew. (Gush Shalom press release 6/29)

On the sidelines of a conference in Lisbon, Arafat, Peres hold talks on maintaining the cease-fire. (RTP Internacional TV [Lisbon] 6/30 in WNC 7/2; AFP [Internet], NYT, WT 7/1; MM 7/2, 7/5)

Hizballah fires rockets at an IDF post in Shaba` Farms, injuring 2 soldiers. Israel sends warplanes into Lebanese air space 5-6 times. (Daily Star [Internet] 6/30; al-Safir 6/30 in WNC 7/2; WT 7/1: MM, WP, WT 7/2; al-Safir 7/4, SA 7/5 in WNC 7/7; MEI 7/13)

Islamic Jihad mbrs. fire on the Jewish enclave of Hebron, causing no injuries; the IDF tightens its closure on the Palestinian section of the city. The IDF also sends 5 armored vehicles into Silat al-Dahir (under curfew for 7 days) to occupy several homes under construction for use as military outposts; confiscates 100s of dunams of Palestinian land nr. Morag settlement; bulldozes Palestinian land in al-Qarara; conducts arrest sweeps in Dayr Istya (occupying 1 home as an observation post), Kfar Dik; reinforces the closure on Nablus by digging a trench across a road, establishing a new checkpoint; recloses the Birzeit+nRamallah road. Jewish settlers destroy Palestinian olive groves in Bizarya, Burqa, Ras Karkar, Tulkarm; attack a Palestinian farm in Bani Odeh, killing 50 sheep; throw stones at Palestinian cars on the Qalqilya-Nablus road. (HP, MM 6/26; NYT, WT 6/27)

In Washington, Bush, Powell hold "an unusually blunt" mtg. with Sharon on how to proceed with the cease-fire plan. Sharon says he will not move onto the 6 wk. cooling-off stage until violence completely ceases for 10 days; only after 8 wks. of total calm would Israel make any confidence-building gestures. Bush stresses the PA's progress in reducing violence to date, urges Sharon to be "more receptive" to the cease-fire proposals, recommends that the cooling-off period begin immediately. (AP, MM 6/26; AYM, al-Quds 6/26 in WNC 6/27; BBC, HA, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/27; NYT, WJW, WP 6/28; MA 6/29, 7/1 in WNC 7/2; JP 7/6; see also WP 6/20)

In an apparent IDF assassination, Osama Jawabiri, a mbr. of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) and on Israel's wanted list, is killed by a bomb planted in a public phone in Nablus; 2 children are wounded. Israel complains that none of the wanted Palestinians on the list given to the PSF on 6/22 have been arrested, but Arafat says he has arrested a number of militants in recent days, including Fatah mbrs. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/25; AYM 6/25 in WNC 6/26; DUS 6/25 in WNC 6/27; NYT 6/26; WJW 6/28; MEI 6/29)

IDF soldiers fatally shoot 1 Palestinian at a roadblock nr. Ramallah. (Soldiers say the man was "moving suspiciously," they fired at his legs but "somehow struck" him in the heart.) IDF sends troops into PA-controlled al-Qarara; flies low-level F-16 sorties over Jinin, breaking the sound barrier; bulldozes 3 Palestinian homes in Gaza City, nr. Netzarim settlement; tightens the closures on Ramallah, Tulkarm (digging more trenches across roads leading to the city). The PSF arrests 2 Palestinians in the shooting death of a Greek monk on 6/12. Inside Israel, a pipe bomb hidden in a trash can explodes in a bus station in Hadera, causing no injuries. A Palestinian sniper kills a Jewish settler nr. Nablus. In response, Jewish settlers enter a nearby Palestinian village, damage buildings, set fire to an olive grove. Settlers also raze an olive grove nr. Tulkarm. 10s of armed Jewish settlers protest outside Sharon's offices in Jerusalem. (HA, JP [Internet], PMC 6/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/21; MA 6/21 in WNC 6/22; QA 6/21 in WNC 6/25; MEZ 6/24; MEI 6/29)

After further talks with his security cabinet, Sharon decides not to abandon the Tenet plan but says Arafat has "done nothing" to stop violence, warns that plans for a major military strike are ready but will be held in abeyance for now. Arafat accuses Israel of focusing on isolated incidents while ignoring PA successes in controlling violence; notes that the IDF has not stopped using tanks, machine guns against Palestinians or prevented Jewish settlers fr. harassing, attacking Palestinians. EU, U.S. say the PA is making a noticeable effort but should do more. (AP 6/20; NYT, WP, WT 6/21; DUS 6/25 in WNC 6/27)

At the weekly trilateral security comm. mtg., Israel presents a timetable for the IDF to completely lift its blockades in the West Bank, Gaza and to redeploy to 9/28/00 positions, but says it will not implement it until all violence ceases. Several District Coordination Offices (DCOs) have reopened in the West Bank as required in stage 2 of the cease-fire, which ends today. Israel has also reopened 5 mi. of sea off to Gaza fishermen; allowed 1,000s of Palestinian workers to return to an industrial park on the Gaza border; left 2 of 9 Palestinian homes in Rafah that the IDF occupied as security outposts. (NYT, WT 6/21; AYM 6/23 in WNC 6/26)

After phone calls to Arafat, Mubarak, and Sharon, Bush announces he will send Powell to the region next wk. to reinforce the shaky cease-fire. (MM 6/20; MENA 6/20 in WNC 6/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/21; JT 6/22 in WNC 6/25)

Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. Jewish settlers fire on Palestinian homes in Safarin, injuring 1 Palestinian; place 3 mobile homes, a tent on a new settlement site nr. Tulkarm. The IDF reinforces the blockade on Tulkarm, digging 3 trenches around the city; tightens closures on Jinin, Nablus; digs trenches around Tubas. Another Israeli injured in the 6/1 Tel Aviv bombing dies of her injuries, raising the toll fr. the attack to 22. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 6/17. (MM 6/19; AP, NYT, WP, WT 6/20; WJW 6/21; LAW 6/23)

Israel accuses the PA of failing to act to prevent "terrorism" during the 1st wk. of the cease-fire implementation, declares that the 6-wk. cooling-off period (stage 3 of the Tenet plan) will not begin on 6/20 as scheduled, demands that Sharon "reassess" the cease-fire with the Palestinians. Sharon convenes his security cabinet to discuss the issue. (AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/20; MM 6/21; DUS 6/25 in WNC 6/27)

Lebanon says that in 6 days, Syria has withdrawn 6,000 troops fr. the Beirut area. Some troops reportedly have redeployed to the Biqa` Valley, but most have returned to Syria. (NYT 6/20; JT 6/20 in WNC 6/21; Economist [Internet] 6/21; al-Nahar 6/22 in WNC 6/26; al-Nahar 6/26 in WNC 6/28; MEI 6/29)

An IDF intelligence officer is fatally shot by his Palestinian informant, who in turn is shot dead by the officer's bodyguard. The Brigade of Shalhavet and Gilad takes responsibility for killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 3 in a 2d drive-by shooting. Jewish settlers also attack Palestinians in Sha'r and Tammun, severely injuring 3. The IDF directs shells and heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Nablus; confiscates 100s of dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis to create a buffer zone around Gush Katif bloc, set up a new IDF post; confiscates 10s of dunams nr. al-Mintar crossing; conducts an arrest raid into Nablus. (AP, HP, MM 6/14; MA [Internet], NYT, WP, WT, YA [Internet] 6/15; al-Quds 6/15 in WNC 6/19; AYM 6/18 in WNC 6/20; WJW 6/21)

The PA-Israeli cease-fire implementation begins. The IDF moves tanks out of most PA-controlled areas; moves troops out of Netzarim Junction; reopens major Gaza roads to Palestinian traffic; reopens the Gaza+nEgypt border crossing. The IDF does not redeploy forces fr. Nablus, Rafah, and Ramallah, where most of the day's clashes occur; Sharon says Israel will not lift closures in areas where the cease-fire has not been implemented or has been violated. West Bank PSF head Rajub announces on IDF Radio that Arafat has called on all Palestinian security forces to abide by the cease-fire. (AP 6/14; HA, NYT, WP, WT 6/15)

Syrian troops turn over to the Lebanese army 5 strategic positions in and around Beirut. (RL 6/14 in WNC 6/15; MM, WT 6/15; AFP, RL 6/15 in WNC 6/18; NYT 6/16, 6/20; MEI 6/29)

2 Palestinians die of injuries received earlier, including senior Fatah mbr. Bardawil who was wounded on 6/5 in a possible assassination attempt. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; raids 3 PA-controlled areas in Gaza, 1 in Hebron; occupies an uninhabited building in Nablus for use as an IDF post. Palestinians fire mortars at 2 Gaza settlements, causing no damage. Jewish settlers attempt to set up a new enclave nr. Nablus, where a settler was killed a wk. ago, but the IDF intervenes, declares the area a closed military zone. IDF troops bar an ambulance carrying a Palestinian man suffering a heart attack fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital; the man dies en route to the hospital via a 2d, longer path. Troops also bar a Palestinian woman in labor from crossing a checkpoint to reach Jericho hospital 40 m. away; after she gives birth, the soldiers allow her to walk through the crossing with her newborn. Israeli security forces arrest a number of Palestinian fr. Hebron working illegally inside the Green Line; escort them to Gaza, where they are barred fr. returning to Hebron. (HA, HP 6/8; HA 6/11)

CIA Dir. Tenet holds preliminary mtgs. with Sharon in Tel Aviv, Arafat in Ramallah. Israel presents two lists of Palestinians it wants arrested immediately: 34 Palestinians who committed anti-Israeli attacks and were released fr. PA prisons since the intifada began; some 300 Palestinians that "participated in the recent violence against military and civilian targets." The PA says it will coordinate with Israel and act on tips to prevent attacks, noting that it has already passed information to Israel regarding 2 possible suicide bombings since 6/1, but will not make preventive arrests without probable cause. (HA, MM 6/7; HJ, MENA, al-Quds, SA 6/7 in WNC 6/8/; MM, NYT, WP 6/8; DUS 6/8 in WNC 6/11; NYT 6/9)

In Ramallah, reps of the nationalist and Islamist groups give PLO Exec. Comm. secy. Mahmud Abbas a memorandum calling on Arafat to open a "national dialogue" to discuss forming an emergency government that includes all Palestinian factions. (AYM 6/8 in WNC 6/11; HJ 6/10 in WNC 6/12; AYM 6/12 in WNC 6/14)

In retaliation for the injury to a settler baby on 6/5, 100s of armed Jewish settlers torch several Palestinian homes in Luban al-Sharqiyya and al-Sawiya nr. Nablus. When Palestinians confront the settlers, IDF troops fire on them with rubber-coated steel bullets, seriously wounding several. 1,000s of settlers rally in Zion Square in Jerusalem to denounce Sharon, to demand he declare war on the Palestinians. Settlers also attack Palestinians, foreign journalists in Hebron; place 5 caravans on Khillat al-`Ayn hill nr. al-Khadir to establish a new settlement. The IDF confiscates 200 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Ramallah, bulldozes 1,000 olive trees in preparation for a new settler bypass road. Israel reopens the Egypt, Jordan border crossings to Palestinians, but not to goods; allows 2,000 Palestinians to return to their jobs in the West Bank, Gaza industrial zones on the borders with Israel. A Palestinian, last seen on 4/4 when he was taken into PSF custody, is found at an IDF checkpoint nr. Bethlehem, claiming to have escaped fr. the PA General Intelligence Service fearing he would be killed. (PMC, REU 6/6; MENA 6/6 in WNC 6/7; HA, HP, NYT, WP 6/7; MENA 6/7 in WNC 6/8; AFP [Internet], MM 6/8)

CIA Dir. Tenet meets with Mubarak in Cairo, with King Abdallah, Burns in Amman before heading to Israel and the PA areas to meet with Israeli, the PA officials. (MM, WP, WT 6/6; MENA 6/6 in WNC 6/7; WP 6/7)

In Ramallah, senior Fatah mbr. Ashraf Bardawil is injured when a bomb in or nr. his car explodes; IDF helicopters are hovering over the area at the time, raising speculation it was an assassination attempt. The IDF also arrests Majdi Alawna, a senior PA liaison official with Israel in Nablus, on charges of sabotaging cooperation with Israel. Nr. Ramallah, IDF troops fire rubber bullets to disperse a crowd of Palestinians protesting the closure of the Ramallah-Birzeit road, injuring 6. Palestinian stone-throwers seriously a Jewish settler baby nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian fields, grain storage units in Hawara, Jit. Israel allows shipments of food, fuel into the West Bank, Gaza for the 1st time since the 6/1 bombing. Another Israeli injured in the 6/1 Tel Aviv bombing dies, raising the toll to 21. (HA, MM, REU 6/5; MM, PMC, WP 6/6; WJW 6/7)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes leave a total of 2 Palestinian, 1 Jewish settler dead. Israeli DM Ben-Eliezer approves deployment of special forces units to bolster the IDF in the West Bank; some units will operate undercover, lying in ambush for Palestinian attackers, while others will operate overtly in a show of force. Jewish settlers increase vigilante attacks in the West Bank, shooting at and stoning Palestinian cars, beating a group of Palestinians nr. Nablus. In Bethlehem, a Palestinian, previously questioned by the PSF for selling land to Israelis, is killed in a drive-by shooting outside his home, raising speculation that Palestinians targeted him as a collaborator. (HA, MM, NYT 6/1; HP 6/2)

In Washington, Israeli pres. Moshe Katsav meets separately with Bush, Powell; asks the U.S. to set a deadline for the Palestinians to halt attacks on Israel. Bush makes no commitment. Afterwards, Katsav says Bush did not ask Israel not to retaliate against Palestinian attacks; warns Arafat that he has a "few days, no more" to end the violence or face a sharply escalated IDF military response. Powell phones Arafat and asks him to "implement the Mitchell Comm.'s call for an immediate, unconditional cease-fire." (JP [Internet] 5/31; WP, WT 6/1; WJW 6/7)

Orient House head and PLO Jerusalem Affairs M Faisal Husseini dies unexpectedly of a heart attack in Kuwait. (BBC, CNN, HA, JP [Internet] 5/31; AFP 5/31 in WNC 6/1; MM, WP, WT 6/1; DUS 6/11 in WNC 6/12; al-Quds 6/20 in WNC 6/22)

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)

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)