The Palestine Chronology

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a powerful device on a bus in Haifa, killing 14 Israelis, 1 Filipino, and injuring more than 40. Arafat condemns the attack, outlaws "any movement, organization, or gathering" that does not abide by his cease-fire order, orders confiscation of illegal weapons, reiterates plans for a crackdown, saying that around 90 Palestinians have already been arrested. Israel dismisses the arrests as "a stunt," seals PA areas, bans all Palestinian vehicular traffic, shells residential areas of Jinin. In one of several similar incidents in the Bethlehem area, 20 PSF officers attempting to arrest journalist Issa Zawahara, who has ties to Islamic Jihad, are chased off by an angry crowd of Palestinians. Arafat later meets with PA security heads, convenes the Palestinian Council (PC) to discuss the recent attacks. (AFP, AP, HA 12/2; AFP, ATL, Interfax, LPA, XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/3; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/3; DUS, MA 12/3 in WNC 12/4; WT 12/4; AYM 12/4 in WNC 12/5; LAW 12/5; WJW 12/6; MEI 12/7; JP 12/14)

Sharon, Bush meet at the White House. Sharon says he does not expect Arafat to take serious steps to arrest those responsible for recent suicide attacks, says Israel will "do what we have to do to protect our citizens." Neither Bush nor U.S. officials urge Israeli restraint. (JP [Internet] 12/2; LPA 12/2 in WNC 12/3; MM, WP, WT 12/3; WT 12/4; VIRI 12/4 in WNC 12/5; MM 12/5)

Meanwhile, Hamas also takes responsibility for a drive-by shooting in Gaza, which leaves 1 Jewish settler dead. In the Jordan Valley, 7 settlers are wounded in a 2d drive-by shooting. Palestinians in Bayt Jala fire on Gilo, injuring 2 settlers. Armed Jewish settlers accost Palestinians in Hizma. An Israeli security guard outside an East Jerusalem bank fatally shoots a Palestinian, apparently fearing that he was about to stage an attack. The IDF fatally shoots 4 Palestinians nr. a Jinin checkpoint, 1 Palestinian in Tulkarm; fires a tank shell at a Palestinian in Qabatiyya, killing him. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Aida, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Salim; conducts arrest raids in Abu Dis, Azariyya, Burqa. In Gaza, some 1,000 Hamas supporters rally in support of continued attacks on Israeli targets. In Nablus, 300 Palestinians attend a rally against political arrests sponsored by the National and Islamic Higher Comm. for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC). (HA 12/2; XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/3; PMC, REU, WP 12/3; LAW 12/5)

In Baqa` al-Sharqiyya, a Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device as IDF commandos raid his hide-out, wounding 2 commandos. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/6. The IDF tightens the closures on Jinin, Salfit, Tulkarm; directs gunfire at a Jordanian diplomatic vehicle traveling nr. the Erez crossing; bulldozes agricultural land in Bayt Lahia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities evict, confiscate the home of a Palestinian family; give evacuation orders to 2 other families. Israel also bars PA Telecommunications M Imad al-Faluji fr. leaving the PA areas to attend an Arab League mtg. in Cairo. A Jewish settler driving nr. Bethlehem hits a 5-yr.-old Palestinian boy, seriously injuring him; the IDF blocks his transportation to a hospital for over 1 hr. In a similar incident, a 4-yr.-old Palestinian boy is hit, injured by a Jewish settler nr. Jinin; due to the closure, it takes the boy's father 2 hrs. to get him to a hospital less than 1 mi. away. (HP 11/8; MA, MENA, Voice of Israel 11/8 in WNC 11/9; PMC 11/10; AYM 11/14 in WNC 11/19; PCHR 11/15)

The White House says that Bush will not meet with Arafat on the sidelines of the upcoming UNGA session because the PA has not done enough to stop "terrorism." (WT 11/9; AN, QA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; AYM 11/11, Le Monde 11/13 in WNC 11/14)

Israeli police question Israeli Arab MK Talib al-Sana on suspicion of sedition for reportedly stating in an interview with Abu Dhabi TV that a Palestinian attack on the Israeli DMin. on 8/5 was legitimate since the target was military and not civilian. (JP [Internet] 11/9) (see 11/6)

The Lebanese cabinet formally rejects U.S. requests to freeze Hizballah assets. (SAF 11/8 in WNC 11/9; NYT, WP 11/9; SAF 11/10 in WNC 11/13; al-Nahar 11/10, al-Anwar [Beirut] 11/11 in WNC 11/14; MM 11/13; WJW 11/15; MEI 11/23) (11/2)

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

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

An Islamic Jihad gunman opens fire on a bus in French Hill settlement in East Jerusalem, killing 2 Jewish settlers and wounding around 50 before being shot dead by 2 border police officers, 1 IDF soldier, 1 armed settler. Despite the attack, Sharon agrees to continue the withdrawal fr. PA areas beginning with Qalqilya on 11/5. The IDF launches a predawn missile attack on PSF posts in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Dayr al-Balah, and Jabaliya, which Israel claims housed mortar factories; 1 senior PSF officer is killed. The IDF also shells residential areas of Tulkarm; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Shatti camp; shells, partially destroys a PSF roadblock nr. Hebron. (NYT, WP 11/4; NYT, WP, WT 11/5; PCHR 11/8; JP 11/16)

Peres says that he is preparing a personal peace initiative, that he will probably meet with Arafat on the sidelines of a 2-day economic conference that opens in Spain on 11/2. Sharon, expressing surprise, reminds Peres he must coordinate any mtgs. with Arafat with the PM's Office. (AP, MM 10/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/31; HA 11/6; HP 11/7; MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9; JP 11/11 in WNC 11/14) (see Peace Monitor)

Israel demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. The U.S. condemns the action as highly provocative. The IDF conducts raids into Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia under intense shelling and heavy machine gun fire, hitting electricity generators, cutting power to the area; also makes arrest raids in Araba, Tulkarm; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; fires on Palestinian fishermen off Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes 10s of dunams of Palestinian land in Wadi Qana, reportedly to expand Ma'ale Shomron settlement; bulldozes 6 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Netzarim settlement; reinforces troops on the Nablus-Qalqilya road (cutting power to the area), around Tulkarm. Palestinians fire several mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. The PA says it has arrested 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in connection with the Hadera attack on 10/28. Families of Palestinians placed under 6-mo. administrative detention by the PSF over the past 2 wks. hold a demonstration outside PSF offices in al-Bireh, Ramallah; scuffle with PSF officers. (LAW 10/30; HP, LAW, NYT, WT 10/31)

In the Galilee, 400 Israeli police clash with 1,000 Israeli Arabs residents of al-Tira and Taybeh protesting the government's expropriation of village lands for a highway, leaving more than 40 Israeli Arabs (including 3 MKs), 18 police officers injured. (JP [Internet] 10/30; HA 10/31)

The U.S. strongly condemns Israel's recent incursions into Palestinian towns, calls for Israel's immediate withdrawal. The EU, Russia, UN, and U.S. send a delegation of senior envoys to meet with Arafat to urge him to "address Israel's security concerns," to make "absolutely certain" that the PA arrests those responsible for the Ze'evi assassination. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; MA, QA 10/23 in WNC 10/24; AYM 10/23, MA, al-Quds 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM 10/24; NYT 10/27)

Peres arrives in Washington for 2 days of consultations with senior U.S. admin. officials. Peres is accompanied by a dozen senior Israeli officials, IDF officers, who plan to brief U.S. officials, Jewish leaders on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. (NYT, WP 10/23; HA 10/26)

Meanwhile, the IDF has entered or surrounded and cut off every major Palestinian population center in the West Bank. Fighting is especially heavy in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian opens fire on Jewish settlers in Talpiot settlement, wounding 4 before being shot dead by the IDF. In an apparent assassination, wanted Izzeddine al-Qassam mbr. Ayman Abu Halawih is killed, his 3 passengers are injured when his car explodes in Nablus. A 3d Palestinian is fatally shot by IDF troops nr. Tulkarm. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/21. A Palestinian woman in labor is denied passage through an IDF checkpoint to a Bethlehem hospital; she gives birth at the crossing, the baby dies. A Palestinian, detained since 10/18, dies in PA General Intelligence custody; the PA claims he committed suicide. The IDF bulldozes land in Rafah, demolishing 4 Palestinian homes, at least 9 stores. Israeli authorities also demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem. (LAW, MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

In Jerusalem, nearly 100,000 Israelis demonstrate in favor of increased military attacks on the Palestinians, equating Arafat to Bin Laden, calling for the removal of Arafat and the PA. (NYT, WP 10/23; MM 10/24; JP 11/9)

Hizballah fires rockets at IDF positions in Shaba` Farms. Israeli warplanes, artillery strike Hizballah positions in response. No injuries are reported. The U.S. warns Hizballah, Israel against escalating tensions. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; SAF 10/23 in WNC 10/24; SAF 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM, WJW 10/25)

In Gaza, a Hamas mbr. is killed when a bomb in his house explodes in what may be an Israeli assassination. The IDF eases 1 roadblock on the Ramallah-Jerusalem road but tightens others around Badu, Bayt Hanina, Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, Tulkarm; sets up a new roadblock at the entrance to Qafin village; flies warplanes over Tulkarm. Israeli police issue evacuation orders to Palestinian families living on 18 dunams of land in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Shaykh Jarrah, where Jewish settlers want to establish a new enclave. Israeli police also dismantle a vegetable market nr. Damascus Gate in Jerusalem. Jewish settlers fatally stab a Palestinian waiter in East Jerusalem restaurant. (HP 10/16; LAW, WT 10/17)

Sharon says he would accept the creation of a Palestinian state, but it would have to be demilitarized, and Israel would have to control all borders, all of Jerusalem, security zones in the West Bank and Gaza. (MA 10/16 in WNC 10/17; HA, WP 10/17)

Islamic Jihad detonates a car bomb in a parking garage in Talpiot settlement in East Jerusalem, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Jinin, Rafah; tightens the closure on Jinin, Khan Yunis, Ramallah, Tulkarm; bars teachers, students fr. entering a school in Hawara; raids a 2d school in Nablus. Jewish settlers severely beat 2 Palestinian children en route to school in Nablus; bulldoze 350 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Mihula; raid Kafr Laqif village nr. Qalqilya, attack several Palestinians, set fire to an olive grove. The IDF bars a pregnant Palestinian woman in labor fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital, forcing her to give birth at the crossing. (AP, HP 10/1; GS, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; MM 10/3; LAW 10/10; MEI 10/12)

Senior Israeli, PA security officials discuss cease-fire implementation. Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer authorizes the IDF to remove roadblocks around Jericho, reopen the Rafah crossing into Egypt, ease Palestinians' passage through checkpoints, withdraw tanks from areas "where quiet is maintained." (Israeli DMin. press release, JP [Internet] 10/1; AYM 10/1 in WNC 10/2; al-Quds 10/2 in WNC 10/3)

Inside Israel, Israeli Arabs observe a general strike, stage protests to mark the 1st anniversary of the 10/00 riots, which left 18 Israeli Arabs dead (13 killed by Israeli police; 5 by Israeli civilians). Israeli police keep a distance fr. demonstrators; no violence is reported. (MM 10/1)

Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem observe a general strike. IDF soldiers seriously beat mbrs. of an Egyptian TV crew filming the strikes nr. Qalqilya; fatally shoot 1 Palestinian wanted for killing a Jewish settler on 7/24. The IDF also bars a pregnant Palestinian fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital to deliver her baby; directs shells/heavy machine gun fire residential areas of Gaza City, Rafah; shuts the Rafah crossing; reinforces the closures on Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian residents of Hebron. Israeli police arrest 10 protesters outside Orient House. (AP, HA, HP, REU 8/13; AYM 8/13 in WNC 8/14; CNN, NYT, WP, WT 8/14; MENA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; NYT 8/15)

     Late this evening, the IDF sends tanks and bulldozers, escorted by helicopters, into Jinin to surround PA offices, demolish the local PSF headquarters and a PSF checkpoint; soldiers also occupy the local governor's office. The PSF, which evacuated the sites hrs. earlier, does not engage the IDF troops; the incursion sparks only isolated exchanges of gunfire, which leave 3 Palestinians wounded. Israel says the move--marking the IDF's 1st sustained foray into a major PA-controlled city--is to punish the PA for not halting a number of recent suicide bombers who have come fr. Jinin; says it has no intention of permanently reoccupying the area. (AP, HA, HP 8/13; CNN, NYT, WP, WT 8/14; ITAR-TASS 8/14 in WNC 8/15; MEZ, NYT, WT 8/15; SA 8/16 in WNC 8/17)

Egypt dispatches a high-level delegation, led by Mubarak adviser Baz, to Washington for 4-days of talks with U.S. officials to urge the U.S. to focus on restarting Israeli-Palestinian negotiations as well as resuming security contacts. (MENA, SA 8/13 in WNC 8/14; WP 8/14; MENA, SA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; NYT 8/16)

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)

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)

The IDF demolishes at least 14 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem in the largest demolition campaign in the city in recent yrs., leaving 150 Palestinians homeless, injuring 20. Israeli police scuffle with Palestinian residents, injuring 5, arresting several. Later, the IDF demolishes 10 Palestinian homes in Gaza, sparking an exchange gunfire that leaves 5 Palestinians wounded. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. and IDF post nr. Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, killing himself, causing no other injuries. A critically ill Palestinian man dies of a heart attack when the IDF delays his ambulance passage through a checkpoint. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received on 7/8. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur (hitting a PSF post); tightens access to Jerusalem and the closure on Jinin, Tulkarm; places a curfew on Sinjil, fires percussion grenades for no apparent reason. Jewish settlers place caravans on confiscated Palestinian land in Ramin to expand Annab settlement; stage a 4-hr. assault on Palestinians, their property in Hebron, also attacking journalists who come to cover the incident. Palestinians fire mortars at 2 Gaza settlements, causing no damage. (HP, LAW, MM 7/9; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/10; PMC, WT 7/11; JT, al-Quds 7/11 in WNC 7/12; HJ, JT 7/12 in WNC 7/13; ATL 7/12 in WNC 7/16; MEI 7/13; HA 7/24)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. 1 Jewish settler is fatally shot nr. Itamar settlement. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. IDF bulldozers push 150 yds. into PA-controlled territory nr. Netzarim settlement to demolish Palestinian agricultural land. The IDF also shells residential areas of Tulkarm. (NYT 5/8; WP, WT 5/9; al-Quds 5/9 in WNC 5/10; WJW 5/10; LAW 5/11; MA 5/11 in WNC 5/14)

Dismissing Mitchell Comm.'s conclusion that settlements are a barrier to peace, Sharon vows to continue expanding Jewish settlements; says settlements are not illegal because they are built "not on occupied territory, but disputed territory." The State Dept. says Sharon's plans (announced 5/6) to seek an additional $350 m./yr. for settlement construction "risks further inflaming the already volatile situation . . . and is provocative." (NYT, WP 5/9; WP 5/10; MEI 5/18)

Israel's Public Security Min. says it has drawn up a list of 11 offices operated by the PA in East Jerusalem, which it plans to close in the near future to "thwart any activity by the PA infringing on our sovereignty in Jerusalem." (MA 5/8 in WNC 5/9; WJW 5/10; AYM 5/10 in WNC 5/11)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Nr. Ma'ale Adumim settlement, 4 Palestinian gunmen ambush a Jewish settler's vehicle, seriously injuring 2 settlers. Palestinians also fire homemade mortars at Netzarim settlement, causing no damage. The IDF shells residential areas Bayt Sahur; seals main roads leading to Dayr al-Balah (destroying a vocational school, a girls' school, 1 home), Jericho, Jinin, Nablus, Tulkarm; conducts arrest sweeps in East Jerusalem, Ras al-Amud; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Nablus. Palestinians in Jinin, Nablus, Qalqilya note IDF reinforcements in their areas. The IDF issues a demolition order for a Palestinian clinic in Aqraba nr. Nablus, which 2 wks. ago treated 2 IDF soldiers injured in a car accident. (HP, MM 2/22; HP, WT 2/23; al-Quds 2/23 in WNC 2/26; MA 2/23 in WNC 2/26; LAW 3/1)