The Palestine Chronology

Before dawn, Islamic Jihad and Hamas fire more than 30 rockets fr. Gaza at Sederot and the Negev, 3 of which lightly wound 3 Israeli security guards, 2 civilians. Early in the morning, the IDF fires missiles fr. helicopters at warehouses and an alleged weapons factory in Gaza City and Jabaliya r.c., marking Israel’s 1st military operations against Gaza since disengagement; orders the Rafah crossing shut, saying it will allow humanitarian aid only into Gaza through the Sufa crossing; fires missiles fr. naval vessels at Palestinian fishermen who attempt to go out to sea; drops leaflets on Gaza warning of harsh retaliation against further rocket fire; warns the PA that it is responsible for preventing attacks fr. Gaza. Abbas meets with Hamas officials in Gaza, secures their pledge to halt all armed demonstrations. Hrs. later, IDF aircraft fire 5 missiles at 2 cars in n. Gaza, assassinating 2 Hamas mbrs. (Nafiz Abu Hassanian, Rawad Farhat); 2 other Hamas mbrs. may have been targeted but escape. During the day, IDF fighter jets bomb open areas along the n. Gaza border used by Palestinians to launch rockets, while tanks, artillery, infantry gather along the n. Gaza border in preparation for a major operation. Meanwhile, the IDF seals the West Bank, fires on Palestinians waiting to cross a checkpoint outside Nablus, wounding 3 (1 seriously); conducts patrols in Jama‘in village nr. Nablus; raids 20 houses in Hebron, interrogating and photographing residents. In the evening, Sharon convenes his security cabinet, which approves an “all-out continuous offensive” called Operation First Rain, using artillery, air strikes, assassinations in Gaza, saying that if Palestinian violence continues after several days, the full cabinet will convene to consider sending infantry back into the Strip. (JP, REU, WP, YA 9/24; AP, HA, IMEMC, JAZ, NYT, WP, WT, XIN, YA 9/25; MEI, PCHR 9/29; IDF press release 10/9)

The IDF fires percussion grenades at Palestinian homes nr. Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on in Hebron knock down tents, kill 6 sheep, injure 10, vandalize Palestinian farms nearby; the IDF observes but does not intervene. In Khan Yunis, 10s of unemployed Palestinians demonstrate outside a municipal building demanding jobs and better living conditions, scuffle with PA riot police. As part of a plea agmt., PC mbr. Hussam Khadir (Ind.-Nablus), arrested by Israel on 3/17/03, pleads guilty in Israeli court to helping finance AMB attacks on Israelis. Some 200 PA police block the Gaza coastal road, fire in the air in a protest demanding higher wages. (REU 9/4; AP, IMEMC, NYT, WT 9/5; PCHR 9/8)

Citing retaliation for the 8/24 assassination of an Islamic Jihad mbr., an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device outside a bus depot in Beersheba, Israel, killing only himself, seriously injuring 2 Israeli security guards, lightly injuring at least 8 other Israelis; Abbas quickly denounces the bombing as a “terrorist attack” that undermines Palestinian national interests. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron (btwn. Nablus and Qalqilya) throw stones at local Palestinians, lightly injuring 1. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai burn Palestinian olive trees, grape vines in Hebron. (IMEMC 8/28; NYT, WP, WT 8/29; IMEMC 8/30; PR 8/31; PCHR 9/1; MEI 9/2)

Following the 8/24 IDF assassinations, Gaza Palestinians fire rockets at Sederot and the Negev for the 1st time since disengagement was completed, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus, in and around Hebron, and in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers rampage through a shopping district of East Jerusalem, vandalizing Palestinian stores, chanting “We don’t want Arabs,” threatening to expel Palestinians. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron stone, vandalize a Palestinian home, tear down a fence outside the home; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (IMEMC 8/25; NYT 8/26; PCHR 9/1)

The IDF completes the evacuation of settlers fr. Gaza, with residents of the last inhabited settlement, Netzarim (est. 1972, pop. 496, size 1,760 d., hrs. to evac. 7), and 300 disengagement protesters leaving willingly after holding final prayer service, with only minor scuffles with soldiers; Netzarim residents say they have applied to the Israeli government to move to the West Bank settlement of Ariel. The IDF also raids, searches houses in al-Mawasi. Overnight, 10s of armed Jewish settlers protesting disengagement march through at least 8 West Bank Palestinian villages nr. Homesh and Sanur, firing in the air, occupying the rooftops of Palestinian homes, vandalizing property; the IDF intervenes to remove them. During the day, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, occupying 2 houses as observation posts; conducts house searches, interrogations nr. Jenin, occupying 2 Palestinian homes as observation posts. Jewish settlers fr. Eli stone, lightly injure 2 Palestinians. Jewish settlers fr. Einav attack Palestinians, damage Palestinian crops and homes in Ramin village nr. Nablus. A French sound technician kidnapped in Gaza on 8/14 turns up at a PA police station in Gaza City; no group claims responsibility, though there are rumors that he was kidnapped by a prominent clan and was released only after Abbas freed 6 family mbrs. fr. jail. (HA, IMEMC, XIN 8/22; HA, NYT, WP, WT 8/23; PCHR, PR 8/25; NYT 8/28)

As of midnight local time, the IDF seals the Gaza Strip in preparation for disengagement implementation beginning on 8/17, making it illegal for Israelis to enter Gaza. During the day, some 7,500 PA security forces, overseen byEgyptian security officers, begin deploying nr. Gaza settlements to prevent Palestinians fr. approaching them. Before dawn, Palestinian gunmen fire on Kefar Darom, causing no damage or injuries; an IDF tank returns fire, accidentally targeting an IDF personnel carrier, wounding 5 IDF soldiers. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Tulkarm, closes the main street, interrogates residents; conducts arrest raids, house searches in villages around Tulkarm; occupies a house nr. Nablus as an observation post. Nr. Qalqilya, a Palestinian dies of heat stroke after being handcuffed by IDF troops, left in the sun for hrs. In light of threats by Jewish extremists to storm the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount and destroy the al-Aqsa mosque, 100s of Israeli police, troops deploy in and around the Old City of Jerusalem to prevent possible Israeli-Palestinian clashes; 1,000s of Muslims fr. Jerusalem and Israel attempt to converge to defend the site, but West Bank Palestinians are barred fr. entering Jerusalem, Israeli Palestinians under age 45 are banned fr. accessing the mosque compound. Jewish settlers gather outside Homesh settlement to protest the disengagement, throw stones at passing Palestinian vehicles. In Gaza, Jewish settlers block Palestinian access to roads btwn. Kefar Yam and Shirat Hayam. A French sound technician covering the disengagement in Gaza is kidnapped by unknown Palestinians; Hamas accuses the PA of not doing enough to protect internationals working in Gaza, says targeting foreigners should be a red line. In light of recent kidnappings, the UN moves all nonessential foreign staff in Gaza to Jerusalem until further notice. (AFP, XIN 8/14; IMEMC, WT 8/15; PR 8/17; PCHR, REU 8/18; IMEMC 8/19)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron (occupying 2 houses as observation posts); occupies a house in Nablus as an observation post. Jewish settlers beat 2 Palestinians nr. Tulkarm. In Qalqilya, 10s of armed AMB mbrs. storm, seal a government building, demanding jobs; PA security forces do not intervene. (HA, IMEMC 8/13; OCHA 8/17; PCHR 8/18)

The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) passes a resolution (668– 269) that condemns Israeli operations in the occupied territories, calls for dismantling of the separation wall, urges members to use financial means to “advocate for peace with justice,” but denies it is calling for divestment and rejects the idea of a boycott. An ELCA spokesman says the intention is to encourage “positive investment” to encourage the peace process, not to pull out funds. Jewish organizations say the move is “a camouflaged call to divest.” (REU 8/13; JAZ, YA 8/14; HA 8/15)

The IDF fires live ammunition at Palestinian protesters marching to their lands outside Qalqilya that have been cut off by the separation wall, seriously wounding 1; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and in al-Mawasi, Nablus, Tamun. In separate incidents in Karmil and Yatta, 5 Palestinians are injured when they accidentally trigger unexploded IDF ordnance. Jewish settlers protesting Israel’s planned evacuation of Homesh settlement in the West Bank march fr. nr. Tulkarm toward Nablus, throwing stones, bottles at Palestinian homes along the way; when Palestinian youths respond by throwing stones at the settlers, the IDF intervenes, fires percussion grenades and rubber bullets, injuring 2 Palestinian teenagers, 1 journalist covering the incident. (IMEMC 8/12; PCHR 8/18; PR 8/25)

The IDF continues arrest raids, house searches in Nur al-Shams r.c.; patrols in Nablus and nearby Dayr Istiyya. IDF soldiers, Jewish settlers close off an archaeological site nr. Ramallah, fire on local Palesinians who attempt to stop them fr. doing excavation work, wounding 9. In Jerusalem, some 70,000 religious Jews gather at the Western Wall in a peaceful protest against disengagement. (HA, IMEMC 8/10; NYT, PCHR 8/11; IMEMC 8/12; PCHR 8/18)

The IDF delays passage of an ambulance through the separation wall gate at Kafr Qadim to a hospital in Qalqilya, allowing a Palestinian heart attack victim to die; imposes curfews on ‘Ayn al-Bayda, Bardala, Kardala in the n. Jordan Valley; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, nr. Bethlehem, and in ‘Azun, Khan Yunis, Nur al-Shams r.c.; searches a home in Azariyya; patrols in villages around Jenin, in Nablus. During Abbas’s speech to the PC in Gaza City, several armed AMB mbrs. break into the courtyard of the PC building, stage a brief sit-in demanding jobs and government support, leave without incident when PA officials promise to look into their demands. (IMEMC, XIN 8/9; IMEMC, JAZ 8/10)

The IDF begins dismantling observation posts around Gaza settlements, replacing them with armored vehicles and tanks in preparation for disengagement; sends troops into Nur al-Shams r.c., searches homes, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront them, killing 1 Palestinian bystander, wounding at least 1; fires tank shells at a graveyard in Khan Yunis where Palestinian reportedly were preparing to launch a mortar, causing damage but no injuries; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in ‘Azun, Balata r.c., Dura, al-Khadir; occupies a house in Silat al-Dahir, turns it into an observation post; patrols in Nablus. Palestinian gunmen loyal to Fatah head Qaddumi kidnap 2 foreign UN workers, their Palestinian driver in Khan Yunis to pressure the PA to secure the release of Fatah mbr. Farah (arrested 8/7); the PA security forces storm the home of a local AMB cmdr., exchange fire with the kidnappers (2 kidnappers, 1 bystander are injured), free the 3 captives unharmed; Farah remains in custody. Citing incidents in Khan Yunis today and on 8/7, the ICRC suspends operations in Gaza to protest the lack of security. (FT, IMEMC, UNIS, XIN 8/8; FT, HA, IMEMC, JP, NYT, PRCS, WT 8/9; OCHA, PR 8/10; PCHR 8/11)

The IDF begins delivering letters to the roughly 1,600 Jewish settler families in the Gaza Strip and 4 West Bank settlements slated for removal under disengagement, giving them until 8/15 to evacuate their homes and receive full compensation; those remaining on 8/17 will be forcibly removed, will not be allowed to return to collect their belongings (which will be packed and shipped by the IDF), will not receive full compensation. (HA 8/8; NYT 8/9)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dura and Hebron (occupying 1 house in each as an observation post), Nablus, Nur al-Shams r.c.; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Israeli Palestinians observe a day-long general strike to protest the 8/4 Shafa ‘Amr attack. (HA, IMEMC 8/5; PCHR 8/11)

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) targets for “progressive engagement” 5 corporations (Caterpillar, Citigroup, ITT Industries, Motorola, United Technologies) it believes “contribute to the ongoing violence that plagues Israel and Palestine.” The church, as shareholders in these companies, will lobby them to halt actions that support occupation, threaten to divest if they do not. (AP, HA 8/5; Boston Globe, Seattle Times, NYT 8/6; CSM 8/8)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem and Tulkarm (also firing on residential areas), nr. Hebron, and in Jenin town and r.c., Ramallah; patrols in Nablus. Islamic Jihad admits that it fired the rockets at Sederot on 8/2 that killed a Palestinian boy; pledges to end rocket and mortar attacks in Gaza, cooperate with the PA ahead of disengagement. (IMEMC, PR 8/3; NYT, PCHR, WP 8/4; PCHR 8/11)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bani Na‘im s. of Hebron, fires on residential areas, wounding 2 Palestinian children; patrols in Aida r.c. (conducting random ID checks), Bala’a nr. Tulkarm (firing on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding 3 of them, 1 bystander), Bayt Khalil; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm; tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement btwn. Salfit, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Hebron uproot 80 Palestinian olive trees, beat 4 Palestinian farmers in nearby Yatta. Jewish settlers fr. Elon Moreh uproot 250 Palestinian olive trees outside Salfit. Some 10,000 Palestinian health workers in PA government clinics begin an openended strike, demanding an increase in pay; they have been observing occasional strike days over the past 3 wks., without response fr. the PA. In Tulkarm, 10s of PA special forces protest the PA’s decision to merge them under the PA public security. The Rafah zoo, demolished by the IDF during Operation Rainbow in 5/04 (see Chronology in JPS 133), reopens. (IMEMC, JAZ 7/30; IMEMC 7/31; PR 8/3; PCHR 8/4)

The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Jenin; patrols in Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Balata r.c., Dura, Nablus, al-Zahiriyya nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Neve Daniel nr. Bethlehem severely beat a 65-yr.-old Palestinian. (IMEMC 7/23; OCHA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF post in Hebron, wounding 2 soldiers; the IDF returns fire, killing a Palestinian bystander. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., fires on residential areas of Jenin r.c. and town. Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino rampage through Palestinian areas of Hebron, damaging Palestinian property, threatening residents. Jewish settlers fr. Beitar Ilit severely beat a 75-yr.-old Palestinian farmer working his land in Husan. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attack, vandalize Palestinian homes in Ourif nr. Nablus; the IDF intervenes to fire tear gas at Palestinians who attempt to fend off the settlers. Hamas mbr. Hamad Adah dies of injuries received in the 7/15 IDF air strike on Gaza City that assassinated 4 other Hamas mbrs. (AFP, IMEMC, PRCS 7/22; OCHA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Jenin; bulldozes 5 d. of olive trees in Kafr Qadim nr. Qalqilya; confiscates 8 d. of land outside Nablus to expand a buffer around an IDF post. A rocket fired by Palestinians at Gush Katif bloc hits a Palestinian house in Khan Yunis, killing 1 Palestinian child, wounding a 2d. A mortar fired by Palestinians at an IDF post in Gaza injures 1 IDF soldier. After an NIHC mtg. in Gaza, the PA, Palestinian factions announce that all factions have reaffirmed their pledge to observe a cease-fire, will remove all armed forces fr. the streets (except those of the PA security forces), will halt provocations and incitement. Israel agrees to renew contacts with the PA regarding coordination on the disengagement, which were suspended following the 7/12 suicide bombing. (IMEMC 7/21; NYT, WT, XIN 7/22; OCHA, PR 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

The IDF raids Yamun nr. Jenin, surrounds the house of wanted Islamic Jihad mbrs. Zahir and Warad Abahra (uncle and nephew), begins to bulldoze the house when they do not surrender, sparking an exchange of gunfire that leaves both men dead; also conducts arrest raids, bulldozes part of a 2d Palestinian home, uproots 10s of olive trees elsewhere in Yamun; razes the remains of a Byzantine church nr. Dayr al-Balah, known for its mosaic floors dating to 586 A.D.; fires on residential areas of Dura nr. Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm, around Hebron; sends undercover units to arrest a wanted Palestinian in Bethlehem; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land in Shufa nr. Tulkarm to widen the buffer zone around Avni Hefetz and Einav settlements; issues military orders confiscating 15 d. of land nr. Qalqilya for the construction of new settler bypass roads. 1,000s of Israeli disengagement protesters demonstrate in s. Israel for a 2d day. A Palestinian teenager stabs, lightly injures an Israeli in Jerusalem. Hamas fires 7 Qassam rockets, 19 mortars at Gush Katif and Neve Dekalim, injuring a foreign worker, damaging a house. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron throw stones at Palestinian cars on the Nablus–Qalqilya road, damaging 1 bus. PA security forces make a predawn raid on a Hamas educational center in Jabaliya r.c., seize computers and documents, while armed AMB mbrs. working with them torch 2 of the offices and 2 cars. (Senior Fatah, AMB officials say that in recent days, Abbas asked the AMB to help fight Hamas and ensure calm in Gaza in advance of disengagement, but that this is not official PA policy.) Hamas mbrs. attack the security forces and AMB mbrs., resulting in heavy clashes that leave 13 people wounded. In reaction, 100s of Palestinians demonstrate outside the PC offices in Ramallah to call for national unity and an end to the security chaos. Late in the evening, the Egyptian delegation secures agmt. of Fatah, Hamas to withdraw all armed forces fr. the streets of n. Gaza. 5 PA intelligence officers raid the al-Quds University forensics lab, the only forensics lab in the West Bank, rummage through and tamper with evidence in several murder, malpractice investigations; 100s of students mass to protect the lab, scuffle with plainclothes intelligence officers; the PA Justice Min. opens an investigation. (AFP, AP, IMEMC, XIN 7/19; MENA, VOI, VOP, YA 7/19 in WNC 7/20; HA, NYT, OCHA, PR, PRCS, REU, WAFA, WP, WT, XIN 7/20; VOP 7/20 in WNC 7/21; PCHR 7/21)

IDF tanks and infantry begin massing on Gaza’s northern border in apparent preparation for a major incursion. The IDF continues operations in and around Tulkarm; conducts predawn missile strikes on 3 auto repair garages, machine shops in Gaza City, Khan Yunis thought to be weapons factories, injuring 3 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm, arresting 26 Hamas, 4 Islamic Jihad mbrs.; also raids, searches homes in Mughraqa; fires on a group of Palestinians trying to cross the closed Abu Huli crossing into Gaza, wounding 4; conducts patrols nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm and in Dahaysha r.c., Nablus (firing on residential areas), Qalqilya, Tubas nr. Jenin. Hamas fires 10 mortars, 8 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza at Sederot and Nisanit settlement (lightly injuring 7 settlers). In Gaza City, some 10,000 Hamas supporters attend the funeral of 4 Hamas mbrs. assassinated on 7/15. In Bayt Lahiya, Hamas gunmen shoot, wound a PA security officer. In Khan Yunis, Palestinian gunmen associated with a Fatah splinter group set fire to the newly opened offices of Fatah head Faruq Qaddumi, then fire on PA security forces posts in the area. In Ramallah, AMB mbrs. fire in the air, order stores to close to protest Palestinian deaths in recent days; PA security forces deploy in response, ordering stores to reopen. (HA, IMEMC, JAZ, REU, YA 7/16; VOI, VOP 7/16 in WNC 7/17; HA, JAZ, JP, NYT, WP, XIN 7/17; VOP 7/17 in WNC 7/18; OCHA, PR 7/20; PCHR 7/21)

Israel releases the leader of the Islamic movement in Israel Shaykh Ra’id Salah, arrested in 5/03, after serving a sentence for directing funds to West Bank and Gaza charities that allegedly support “terrorism”; his sentence was reduced by more than a yr. for good behavior. (REU 7/17; VOI 7/17 in WNC 7/18; JP 7/18 in WNC 7/19; PR 7/20)

Citing retaliation for the death of an Israeli woman on 7/14, the IDF launches overnight missile strikes on 4 sites in Gaza: a Hamas cultural center in n. Gaza, 2 sites Palestinians have used to launch rockets in s. Gaza, and a metal workshop (alleged weapons factory) in central Gaza; at least 2 Palestinians are injured. Later in the day, an IDF drone fires a missile at a car driving in Gaza City, assassinating 4 Hamas mbrs. (Sabir Abu Assi, ‘Assim Abu Ras, Amjad Arafat, ‘Adil Haniyeh), wounding more than 12 bystanders; an IDF helicopter and ground troops fire 3 missiles at a car driving in Salfit, assassinating 3 wanted Hamas mbrs. (Muhammad Ayyash, Samir Dawahqa, Muhammad Mar’ai); an IDF helicopter fires at 3 Palestinians firing mortars at Gush Katif, injuring them. In clashes in Salfit after the assassinations, the IDF fatally shoots a stone-throwing Palestinian teenager. The Israeli strikes mark the definitive end of the 2/8 cease-fire; Hamas announces that it is considering massive retaliation. Israel blames Abbas for failing to crack down on militant groups. The IDF also continues operations in and around Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus. Overnight, PA police searching for Hamas gunmen clash again with Hamas mbrs., this time in Gaza City, leaving 2 Palestinian children dead; during the clash, Hamas mbrs. destroy a PA armored personnel carrier with rocket-propelled grenades, burn a police station and a PA office building; Hamas, Fatah quickly convene an emergency mtg. to defuse tensions. Palestinians fire a barrage of at least 19 rockets and 10s of mortars at Neve Dekalim, lightly injuring 2 settlers, damaging 5 houses; 1 shell hits an industrial zone in the Negev, sparking a fire. A Jewish settler seriously injures a Palestinian teenager in a hit-and-run incident in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai throw stones, bottles at Palestinian homes in Hebron and at a Palestinian teenager, lightly injuring him. An Israeli court sentences an East Jerusalem Palestinian to 5 mos. in jail for joining Force 17 in 2000, calling it a “severe crime”; says at least 80 “Jerusalem Arabs” have been indicted on similar charges since 9/00. (IMEMC, JTA, NYT, UNIS, WP, YA 7/15; VOI 7/15 in WNC 7/15; Interfax, ITARTASS, JP, MENA, VOI, VOP, XIN 7/15 in WNC 7/16; HA, IMEMC, NYT, PRCS, REU, WP, WT, YA 7/16; VOP 7/16 in WNC 7/17; HA 7/17; OCHA, PR 7/20; PCHR 7/21)

Announcing the start of a “sustained” campaign against Islamic Jihad, the IDF imposes 24-hr. curfews on Tulkarm town and r.c., al-Til, and Nur al-Shams r.c.; reinvades Tulkarm (turned over to PA security control on 3/22) and al-Til in its largest military operation since Israeli and the Palestinians agreed to an unofficial cease-fire on 2/8, fatally shooting a PA policeman, leaving a 2d PA policeman clinically dead, arresting at least 6 Palestinians with Islamic Jihad ties; 2 IDF soldiers are injured. Israel says it was forced to act in Tulkarm because the PA had not reined in militants there, citing the bombing as proof; the PA says the assault on Tulkarm is unjustified, since the 7/12 bomber came fr. al-Til, 5 mi. away, under Israeli military control. Late in the evening, the IDF raids Nablus, fatally shoots Islamic Jihad cmdr. Muhammad al-Assi when he attempts to elude arrest; detains an Islamic Jihad mbr., a British woman with him. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem; razes 4 bedouin tents, 6 animal pens outside Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba stone a Palestinian vehicle driving the Palestinian section of Hebron, injuring the driver. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar vandalize a Palestinian home, burn a Palestinian car nr. Nablus. In Bureij r.c., the PA security forces secure the release of 2 international aid workers (1 British, 1 Australian) kidnapped by a Palestinian family that hoped to use them as bargaining chips to secure the release of relatives jailed by the PA. An Israeli dies of injuries received in the 7/12 bombing. (AFP, IMEMC, JTA, NYT, PR, XIN 7/13; VOP 7/13 in WNC 7/13; VOI, VOP 7/13 in WNC 7/14; NYT, PCHR, PRCS, WP, WT 7/14; VOI 7/14 in WNC 7/15; JAZ 7/17; OCHA, PR 7/20; PCHR 7/21)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes outside Nablus that were built without permits; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron. IDF soldiers escorting Jewish settlers to Joseph’s Tomb nr. Balata r.c. exchange gunfire with local Palestinians, leaving 1 AMB mbr. dead, 1 AMB mbr. and 1 bystander wounded. In Gaza, 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. attempt to infiltrate Morag settlement, 1 is fatally shot by the IDF, 1 is wounded. In Gaza, a Jewish settler injures 3 Palestinians in a hit-and-run incident outside of Kefar Darom, local Palestinians race to the scene and IDF soldiers, other Kefar Darom settlers race to the driver’s defense, sparking clashes that leave 9 Palestinians injured, 2 seriously. In a separate incident in Gaza, a Jewish settler fr. Gadid injures a 57-yr.-old Palestinian farmer in a hit-and-run incident outside Khan Yunis. (XIN 7/6; VOP 7/6 in WNC 7/7; AFP, IMEMC, PCHR, PRCS 7/7; VOI 7/7 in WNC 7/8; ISM 7/12; OCHA 7/13; PCHR 7/14)

The IDF bulldozes 8 Palestinian homes, a gas station constructed without permits in areas of East Jerusalem slated for a new park; demolishes 22 structures (including a school) in Khirbet Tana nr. Nablus (pop. 450) built without permits, leaving only 2 buildings in the village and the 200-yr.-old mosque standing; imposes a curfew on ‘Ayn al-Bayda nr. Jenin, searches homes, arrests around 30 Palestinian farmers, shepherds who are not residents of the village; raids a municipal building in n. Ramallah, arresting 1 Palestinian; fires live ammunition at Palestinians protesting separation wall construction in Qutna nr. Jerusalem, wounding 2; fires on residential areas of Aida r.c.; raids, occupies 3 Palestinian homes in Yatta as observation posts. Hamas holds a prayer rally in Nablus calling on Palestinians to boycott the evening’s Palestine International Festival (an annual wk.-long festival, not held since 2000, that opened in cities across the West Bank on 6/30) performance in the city by pop singer Ammar Hassan, citing the impropriety of men and women dancing to “risqu´e” music as well as of holding such a celebration when families are still mourning the losses of the intifada; the AMB assures that it sanctioned the event after Hassan agreed to sing only “conservative songs”; the performance ultimately is disrupted by some masked AMB mbrs. fr. Nablus and Balata r.c., who fire guns in the air, destroy some sets, force Hassan to cut short his performance. (HA, REU 7/5; IMEMC, OCHA, PR, XIN 7/6; PCHR 7/7; PR 7/13; HA 7/28; PR 8/3)

The United Church of Christ passes a resolution calling for the use of “economic leverage” to promote Middle East peace, but rejects resolutions calling for divestment in companies that supply Israel with bulldozers, military equipment. Two additional resolutions also denounce all forms of violence in the Middle East, “including suicide bombing by Palestinians and the use of force by Israelis in perpetuating occupation of Palestinian lands,” and call on Israel to dismantle the separation wall. (JTA, WP 7/6; AP 7/7; CSM 7/8)

The IDF declares Gaza settlements closed military zones so that they may bar and remove from them any nonresident Israelis protesting disengagement, then evicts 150 right-wing Israeli disengagement protesters (mostly West Bank settlers, many aligned with the outlawed Kach movement) fr. an abandoned hotel in s. Gaza that they have been occupying for 1 mo.; detains, handcuffs for several hrs. 2 Israeli journalists covering the evictions. The IDF sends troops into Balata r.c., Nablus after Palestinians stating they are mbrs. of the AMB–Ayman Juda Brigade falsely claim to have captured 2 IDF undercover soldiers who entered the city; troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them (leaving 7 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier injured), detain and beat 2 Palestinian journalists covering the incursion; the AMB, Islamic Jihad deny involvement. The IDF fires on residential areas of Dura; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Hebron, 3 in Yatta, all bordering Jewish settlements; occupies 2 Palestinian homes nr. Tulkarm, 1 in Jenin as observation posts; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c., Bayt Fajjar, Hebron. An Israeli naval vessel fires on a Palestinian fishing boat off Gaza, wounding 1 fisherman. Jewish settlers fr. Gush Katif attack Palestinian traders, farmers waiting nr. the Tuffah checkpoint n. of Gaza City; the IDF intervenes, disperses the settlers. Nr. Nablus, 5 Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar throw stones at a Palestinian taxi. Hamas fires a Qassam rocket at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, WAFA, XIN 6/30; VOI, VOP 6 /30 in WNC 7/2; IMEMC, NYT, WP, WT 7/1; HA 7/3; OCHA, PR 7/6; PCHR 7/7)

The IDF seals the Gaza Strip; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone nr. the Rafah terminal to Egypt; conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin; patrols in Nablus; bulldozes around 170 d. of agricultural land e. of Yatta for construction of a road along the separation wall. An ailing 70-yr.-old Palestinian woman trying to reach a hospital in Jerusalem dies of a heart attack at an IDF checkpoint nr. Bethlehem after being delayed passage. (IMEMC 6/17; XIN 6/18; OCHA 6/22; PCHR 6/23)

Israel seals the West Bank and Gaza through 6/14 for the Shavut holidays. The IDF patrols in villages nr. Tulkarm, firing live ammunition at Palestinian stone-throwers who confront them in Saida, seriously injuring 1 bystander; patrols in, fires on residential area of Nablus. The PA executes 4 Palestinian prisoners convicted of murder (3 by hanging, 1 by firing squad), marking the 1st time in 3 yrs. that the PA has carried out the death penalty. An ailing Palestinian dies at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm when the IDF bars passage to a private car taking him to a hospital. Rival factions of the AMB exchange gunfire in central Ramallah, leaving 2 AMB mbrs. wounded. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba attack Palestinian homes s. of Hebron, causing damage but no injuries. (IMEMC 6/12; BBC, NYT, WT 6/13; HA 6/14; OCHA, PR 6/15; PCHR 6/16; PR 6/22)

Israel releases the last 398 Palestinian prisoners of 900 that Sharon promised to free in his 2/8 mtg. with PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas in Sharm al-Shaykh; 2 prisoners refuse release (1 to stay in prison with his brother, 1 to take the Palestinian high school matriculation exams [tawjihi] slated to be given to prisoners shortly). The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm and in Azariyya, Balata r.c., Nablus; searches, temporarily occupies a flour mill in Gaza’s al-Qarara for use as an observation tower to protect Jewish settlers traveling btwn. Gush Katif and Israel; begins work on a new segment of the separation wall s. of Nablus. Palestinian residents of Dayr al-Hatab nr. Nablus report that the IDF has for 3 wks. been bulldozing Palestinian land around Elon Moreh to create a buffer around the settlement. Israel issues tenders for the construction of 22 new housing units in Ma’ale Adumim settlement, despite U.S President George W. Bush’s calls to stop all settlement expansion. A Jewish settler injures a Palestinian girl in a hit-andrun incident n. of Ramallah. In Gaza City, 100s of armed Palestinians (mbrs. of PA military intelligence, the AMB, Fatah) protest the PA’s decision to dismantle the military intelligence service, merge it with the PA security forces, and retire a number of officers; some demonstrators fire in the air. (IMEMC, JP, JTA, WAFA 6/2; VOI 6/2 in WNC 6/3; WP, WT 6/3; IMEMC 6/4; OCHA, PR 6/8; PCHR 6/9)

The IDF reinforces troops in Qalqilya, Tamun; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Ramallah. PA security forces find, seal a smuggler’s tunnel on the Rafah border. Palestinians fire an antitank missile at an IDF patrol in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. A Jewish settler fr. Itamar driving nr. Nablus shoots, wounds a Palestinian walking along the road; the IDF evacuates him to an Israeli hospital. Jewish settlers severely beat 3 Palestinian farmers working their land outside Bethlehem. (HA, IMEMC, WAFA 5/31; VOI 5/31 in WNC 6/1; PCHR 6/2)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian with a hearing problem who fails orders to halt nr. Hebron’s Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs; fires on a Palestinian vehicle that passes an IDF post nr. Jenin, killing 1 Palestinian; tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Bayt Jala nr. Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus. A Palestinian is killed in Khan Yunis when the rocket-propelled grenade he launches toward a Jewish settlement misfires. Nr. Gaza City, 2 AMB mbrs. are killed, 3 (including at least 1 Hamas mbr.) are injured allegedly when a roadside bomb they are planting explodes prematurely. In Ramallah, an unidentified masked gunman fatally shoots Palestinian journalist Samir Rantisi, an aide to fmr. PA Information M Yasir ‘Abid Rabbuh; the PA suspects a criminal motive, while the Rantisi family believes he was killed because he was involved in an investigation into certain corrupt PA officials. A Palestinian wounded during an attack on an IDF post nr. Mevo Dotan on 5/28 dies. (IMEMC, PRCS 5/29; XIN, YA 5/29 in WNC 5/30; IMEMC, JAZ, JP, NYT 5/30; OCHA 6/1; PCHR 6/2)

The IDF fires missiles at Tal al-Za‘atar in n. Gaza, allegedly targeting Islamic Jihad mbrs. attempting to fire a rocket, but no injuries are reported; shells Jabaliya r.c., hitting a home, wounding 2 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin, Ramallah; patrols in Nablus; captures 4 unarmed Palestinians attempting to sneak across the Israeli border fence in central Gaza to find work; detains a Palestinian in Ariel settlement who apparently was living there secretly with his Jewish settler girlfriend (a fmr. IDF intelligence officer). Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF outpost nr. Mevo Dotan settlement nr. Jenin; the IDF returns fire, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding and arresting 2. Palestinians also fire an antitank missile at an IDF patrol nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In Hebron, 10s of Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba (some reports say Avraham Avino) attack and threaten 10s of Palestinians, vandalize and attempt to break into Palestinian homes, seriously injuring a 12-yr.-old Palestinian girl. Some 50 Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai attack a Palestinian home where a number of international peace activists are visiting; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (IMEMC, PRCS 5/28; YA 5/29; OCHA 6/1; PCHR 6/2)