The Palestine Chronology

The IDF sends troops back into Nablus and neighboring Balata r.c., blowing up a metal workshop, conducting house searches, shooting and seriously wounding 1 Palestinian. The IDF also fatally shoots a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone outside Nussayrat r.c.; sends bulldozers into al-Qarara nr. Khan Yunis under cover of heavy shelling to level houses previously demolished, tear up roads leading to 3 residential neighborhoods; fires on residential areas of Rafah. 10s of Jewish settlers in Hebron break windows, attempt to set fire to furniture in several Palestinian homes, destroy a water pumping station and a generator; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (AFP 8/21; PCHR 8/26)

The IDF continues bulldozing operations in Khan Yunis, pulling out early in the morning; imposes a daylong curfew on Wadi al-Hussein nr. Hebron, also transforms an empty Palestinian house into an observation post; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Aza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 8/19 in Brazil r.c. (PRCS 8/20; PCHR 8/26)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Nablus but by evening lifts the curfew, withdraws troops, ending Operation Full Court Press. The IDF fires on 2 Palestinians who stray into a closed military zone in Rafah, injuring 1, then fatally shoots another Palestinian youth who attempts to reach him to provide aid; later shells residential areas of Rafah, killing a 62-yr.-old Palestinian; fires tear gas, live ammunition at Palestinians waiting to cross al-Mahatin checkpoint nr. Dayr al-Balah in central Gaza; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis (seriously damaging a hospital); bulldozes 60 d. of agricultural land, shells residential areas in Wadi al-Silqa in s. Gaza; occupies a building under construction in Hebron as a military post. Late in the evening, the IDF sends bulldozers into Khan Yunis, demolishing 4 Palestinian homes. Palestinians fire 5 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly inuring 1 Israeli. (HA, XIN 8/19; NYT 8/20; PCHR 8/26)

The IDF launches a predawn air strike on the home of wanted Hamas mbr. Ahmad Jabari in Gaza City, assassinating 2 Hamas mbrs. and 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. (all relatives of Jabari), killing 2 bystanders, wounding 7; Jabari is moderately wounded. The IDF lifts the curfew on all of Nablus, except the Old City and al-‘Ayn r.c.; seals al-Fara’ r.c. nr. Nablus, patrolling streets, firing on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops; fires missiles at 2 workshops in Gaza City (alleged to be weapons factories), destroying both but causing no injuries; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, 4 shops in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; raids, confiscates equipment and files fr. a charitable association nr. Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c., Nablus, Qalqilya; begins bulldozing a 350 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) nr. Qalqilya for construction of the separation wall. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Gaza’s Neve Dekalim settlement, lightly injuring 2 Jewish settlers; detonate a roadside bomb by an IDF tank in Gaza, causing some damage but no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Pdu’el raze olive trees, place barbed wire around a plot of Palestinian land outside Salfit. Some 60 internationals, 20 Palestinians who began a Freedom March along the separation wall route to protest the wall’s construction in Zababda nr. Jenin on 7/30 arrive at their destination, Jerusalem, a day ahead of schedule. (NYT, PCHR, WP 8/18; PCHR 8/19, 8/25)

The IDF continues operations in Nablus, conducting house searches, firing on stonethrowing youths, fatally shooting a 9-yr.- old Palestinian sitting on the stoop of his home. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbrs. laying a roadside bomb outside Gaza’s Atzmona settlement; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Brazil r.c.; directs heavy machinegun fire at residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem and nr. Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Ramallah; raids the offices of the National Society in Dahaysha r.c., arresting 3 employees, confiscating computers, sparking clashes with local Palestinians, wounding 5. The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders for construction of 1,001 new housing units in 4 Jewish settlements (Ariel, 214; Beitar Ilit, 604; Karnei Shomron, 42; Ma’ale Adumim, 141). (HA, MM 8/17; VOP 8/17 in WNC 8/19; MM, NYT, PCHR, PR, WP, WT 8/18; PCHR, WJW 8/19; MM 8/20, 8/23; MEI 8/27)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fires missiles at 4 Palestinians allegedly preparing to fire a Qassam rocket fr. Bayt Hanun into Israel, killing 2; continues large-scale operations (dubbed Operation Full Court Press) in Nablus that began on 8/7, imposing a curfew, fatally shooting a Palestinian standing on his roof, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops; blows up 3 residential buildings housing 13 Palestinian families (76 individuals) in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Brazil refugee camp (r.c.), Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes 2 wells, a commercial building in Bayt Hanun; conducts arrest raids, house searches in villages outside Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Hanun, orders Palestinians to evacuate several homes nr. Erez Crossing, searches and digs around homes for several hrs. looking for tunnels. Islamic Jihad fires 2 mortars at Gaza’s Gush Katif settlement as a solidarity gesture with the Palestinian prisoners (on hunger strike since 8/15), causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (AP 8/16; PRCS press release, WP, WT 8/17; PR 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

The IDF shells, directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis, Rafah (wounding 1 woman inside her home); sends troops into Balata r.c., Nablus under cover of shelling, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding 6; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Yatta. A 13-yr.- old Palestinian dies of injuries received during the 8/8–9 IDF raid on Rafah. A newspaper runs an ad signed by 144 prominent Palestinians, demanding government reform, new elections. More than 100 unemployed Palestinian university graduates temporarily occupy a PA building in Gaza, demanding the PA find them jobs. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai throw stones at, lightly injure a 15-yr.-old Palestinian in Hebron. (HA, WT 8/14; WP 8/15; PR 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Rafah, shelling residential areas, demolishing 10 Palestinian homes and a carpentry workshop; during the operation, 1 IDF soldier is wounded by a Palestinian sniper. Later in the day in Rafah, the IDF deliberately fires on a PRCS ambulance, 5 uniformed doctors, 2 uniformed nurses, a clearly identified driver distributing first aid kits (donated by Germany) to Palestinians made homeless by IDF demolitions in an attempt to scare them away, causing no injuries. In Nablus, the IDF detains 3 BBC journalists, a Palestinian doctor who attempt to enter an apartment for a prescheduled interview with a resident, not realizing that the building had been occupied as an IDF observation post; the IDF releases them with an apology after 3 hrs. of questioning. The IDF also bulldozes 100 dunams of land in Mughraqa nr. Netzarim settlement, destroying 5 wells and related irrigation works; conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Tulkarm; raids the Islamic Charitable Association of Hebron, confiscating computers and office equipment, sealing the offices; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Tulkarm and villages nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. Late in the evening, the IDF raids Gaza City’s Zaytun neighborhood, searching homes, shelling and firing on residential areas. (AFP, HA, PM, XIN 7/12; HA 8/13; PR 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

A medium-sized bomb left by the AMB Jenin faction in a bag nr. the Qalandia checkpoint n. of Jerusalem explodes, killing 2 Palestinians and injuring 6 Israeli border police officers (2 seriously, 1 moderately), 10 Palestinians (including a 6-yr.-old in a coma). The IDF continues a major raid on Khan Yunis, demolishing 13 Palestinian homes, firing missiles at a residential neighborhood “to deter gunmen,” wounding 12 Palestinians; fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., killing 1 Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Rafah, seriously injuring a 5-yr.-old girl; conducts raids in and around Hebron; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem. Israel bars entry at Ben-Gurion Airport to British journalist Eva Jasciewicz, who appeals her deportation, is jailed pending a court ruling. (HA, XIN 8/11; JP, VOI, YA 8/11 in WNC 8/13; MM, NYT, PCHR, PR, WP, WT 8/12)

The IDF sends troops into Nablus, Tulkarm r.c., sparking stone-throwing by youths, then opening fire, shelling residential areas, withdrawing. Later in the day, the IDF again fires on stone-throwing youths in Nablus, killing a Palestinian teenager, wounding 10. During the day, the IDF also fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in villages outside Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Qalqilya; resumes bulldozing begun 2 wks. ago in Wadi Rahal e. of Bethlehem for construction of a settler bypass road. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops, heavy vehicles into Khan Yunis, bulldozing 3 Palestinian homes and several dunams of land, firing on and shelling residential areas; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. Palestinian gunmen fire on a Jewish settler bus nr. Barqan settlement, lightly injuring 2 Jewish settlers. (HA 8/10; PR, WP, WT 8/11; PCHR 8/12)

The IDF resumes work (halted by Israeli court order in late 2002) on a settler bypass road in Hebron linking Kiryat Arba settlement to the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, demolishing 3600-yr.-old historic buildings (including 11 residential apartments); local Jewish settlers harass Palestinians in the area. The IDF also continues operations in Rafah begun overnight, demolishing 12 Palestinian homes; uproots 130 dunams of citrus groves s. of Gaza City; raids the offices of the al-Islah Islamic Association in Bethlehem, confiscating computers, files; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, al-Qarara; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Yatta. Jewish settlers burn 60 olive trees in Marda village nr. Salfit. A 12- yr.-old Palestinian shot by the IDF in Khan Yunis on 8/7 dies of his injuries. (HA, PM 8/10; PR 8/11; PCHR 8/12)

The IDF pulls out of Bayt Hanun, pulls back from the outskirts of Jabaliya r.c., ending Operation Active Shield, revealing the widespread destruction (including an estimated 3,900 dunams bulldozed, 10,000s of trees razed) wrought since it entered and sealed the area on 6/28. At the Bayt Hanun municipal office, 6 armed, masked AMB mbrs. break up a news conference called by 3 PC mbrs. to discuss the pullout, denounce the PA for failing to do anything while the area was under siege. After the pullout, Palestinians fire at least 7 Qassam rockets toward Sederot and the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF also fires on, shells residential areas of Khan Yunis (wounding a Palestinian inside a hospital nearby, seriously damaging a home), nr. Gaza City; fires on, demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Khuza nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Halhul nr. Hebron, Ramallah. A 12-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Some 150 Jewish settlers erect tents on a new unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Hebron, harass local Palestinians. Sharon orders 3,700 acres of Palestinian land to be annexed to Ma’ale Adumim settlement for construction of a new neighborhood, linking the settlement to Jerusalem 4 mi. to the west. (AP, BBC, HA, MA, MM, REU 8/5; VOI, VOP 8/5 in WNC 8/7; VOI 8/5 in WNC 8/10; AFP, MM, NYT, WT 8/6; al-Quds 8/6 in WNC 8/10; PR 8/11; PCHR 8/12; NYT 8/18)

In continuing operations in Bayt Hanun, the IDF fires on residential areas, fences off a 46-dunam plot of land nr. the Erez crossing that was previously bulldozed. During the day, the IDF also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis (wounding a staff mbr. inside a local hospital, a Palestinian inside his home), Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c., Tulkarm, Yatta; demolishes several “civilian structures” in al-Walaja village northwest of Bayt Jala for construction of a separation wall segment around Bethlehem; announces plans to seize a total of 4,980 dunams of land in the Hebron area for construction of the separation wall. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops, military vehicles, helicopters into Khan Yunis, shelling and firing on residential areas, killing a Palestinian woman inside her home, demolishing 8 Palestinian homes. (PR 8/4; PCHR 8/5)

The IDF fires on a funeral procession for ARB head Abu Sitta in Khan Yunis, killing a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 7; fatally shoots 4 Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. a Israeli border fence e. of al-Bureij r.c; sends troops into Nablus, sparking stone-throwing, then firing on demonstrators, wounding 1 stone-thrower, 1 bystander; fires missiles at a 3-story building in Gaza City owned by the family of a female suicide bomber, demolishing the structure, injuring 2 Palestinians; raids a wedding party in Bayt Jala, arrests 2 guests; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayta, the central Gaza Strip. Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, bringing the total number of rockets fired at the town in the past 3 days to 14; none caused damage or injuries. Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists begin a 3-wk. Freedom March to protest the separation wall; the march begins in Zababda nr. Jenin and plans to end in Jerusalem on 8/19. (VOI, VOP 7/30 in WNC 8/3; NYT, WT 7/31; WT 8/1; PR 8/4; PCHR 8/5)

The IDF assassinates ARB Rafah cmdr. ‘Amr Abu Sitta and his dep. Zaki Abu Zarqa, firing a missile at their car as they drive in Rafah; fatally shoots Islamic Jihad Tulkarm cmdr. Zahir Ashqar in an exchange of gunfire during an arrest raid in Tulkarm. The IDF also tightens access to Bayt Hanun; steps up bulldozing in Jabaliya r.c.; demolishes 18 Palestinian homes in Rafah; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun and al-Zawiyya nr. Qalqilya, Bayta, Dahaysha r.c., Tubas, Tulkarm r.c. An AMB mbr., an Islamic Jihad mbr. are killed in an explosion outside Gaza’s Netzer Hazani settlement, reportedly when laying a roadside bomb. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. (MM 7/29; MENA, VOI 7/29 in WNC 7/31; NYT, WP 7/30; PR 8/4; PCHR 8/5)

The IDF continues bulldozing operations in Bayt Hanun, also firing on residential areas, partially demolishing a Palestinian home. During the day, the IDF also raids the Shaykh Ajlin neighborhood of Gaza City, occupying 1 Palestinian home as an observation post, demolishing a 4-story commercial building, bulldozing 100 dunams of land; bulldozes a Palestinian home, a bird farm, 12 dunams of land in Rafah; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bayt Laqia; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding a staff member inside a local hospital with several live bullets; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Arub r.c., Bayt Laqia, Jenin, Tubas. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops, military vehicles, helicopters into Rafah, shelling residential areas, blowing up 3 Palestinian homes; occupies a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah. Palestinians report that the IDF is currently issuing permits for up to 2,800 Palestinians/day to enter Israel through Erez, but that only around 1,500 qualified Palestinians/day are able to reach the crossing because of other IDF restrictions on Palestinian travel. Palestinians hold rallies across Gaza in solidarity with Bayt Hanun residents, denounce PA inaction to halt the IDF siege that began on 6/28; protesters, armed AMB mbrs. block the Erez Crossing to prevent PA Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir, Education M Na‘im Abu al-Hummus fr. entering Gaza fr. the West Bank to take part in the rallies. Arafat accepts the resignation of PA coastal police chief Juma‘ Ghali, who earlier resigned to protest Musa Arafat’s appointment. (PCHR 7/29; PR 8/4; PCHR 8/5; MEI 7/23)

In the predawn hrs., the IDF sends troops, military vehicles, helicopters into Gaza City, occupies and searches several buildings, sparking heavy clashes with Palestinians, killing 1 armed Palestinian, 1 bystander; withdraws later in the morning. In ongoing operations in Bayt Hanun, the IDF raids, severely damages a school, bulldozes additional land. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, severely injuring a Palestinian inspecting the remains of his demolished home; bulldozes 7 Palestinian homes in Khan Yunis, 1 in Tulkarm; fires on residential areas of Tulkarm r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah and in Nablus, Tubas. The Israeli Agriculture Min. orders the planting of 72,000 olive trees around West Bank Jewish settlements so that “ownership of the trees will be in Jewish hands only and would prevent transfer of lands to Palestinian hands in the future.” (PM 7/27; NYT, PR, YA 7/28; PCHR 7/29)

Qurai‘ rescinds his 7/17 resignation after Arafat orders the PC to refer corruption cases to the PA general prosecutor for possible legal action and promises (without a timetable) to permanently consolidate security forces into 3 bodies, give the PM more authority over PA police. (SA, VOP 7/27 in WNC 7/29; MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 7/28; DUS 7/28, AYM 7/29 in WNC 8/3; WJW 7/29; AYM 8/6 in WNC 8/10)

The IDF sends troops into Bayta nr. Nablus, sparking stone-throwing, then firing on protesters, wounding 1; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis (fatally shooting an 11-yr.-old Palestinian girl in the courtyard of her home and wounding 3 others, including a farmer in a field 300 m away), Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. The IDF also beats, detains an off-duty but uniformed Palestinian paramedic attempting to aid an ailing Palestinian in a broken-down taxi outside Nablus; the International Comm. of the Red Cross intervenes to secure his release. Elsewhere in the West Bank, an IDF soldier severely beats in the head with his rifle butt a Palestinian student who steps out of line at a checkpoint; Israeli women volunteering with Checkpoint Watch peace group intervene, saving his life. (VOI 7/26 in WNC 7/28; PM 7/27; VOI 7/27 in WNC 7/29; PR 7/28; MM, PCHR 7/29) 

IDF undercover units assassinate local AMB mbrs. Hani Awayda, Mahdi Tanbur in Tulkarm, opening fire on them as they sit in an outdoor caf´e, also killing 4 bystanders, wounding a 3d AMB mbr. IDF helicopters rocket a Gaza City building (the IDF claims it is a Hamas workshop, Palestinians say it is the home of a Hamas mbr.) twice during the day, wounding 4 Palestinians, destroying the building. The IDF also expands operations in Bayt Hanun, searching homes and a medical clinic (temporarily detaining some patients and staff), bulldozing 300 dunams; fatally shoots a 50-yr.-old mentally handicapped Palestinian woman who enters a closed military zone nr. Rafah (the same woman was wounded in a similar incident in the area on 9/8/02); begins digging a trench around the Rafah border crossing; fires on residential areas of Bayt Rima, Khan Yunis; bulldozes 5 farm buildings, 5 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire a mortar, an antitank rocket at Gaza’s Neve Dekalim settlement, slightly wounding 6 Israeli children. Jewish settler leaders rally 10,000s of Israelis (organizers say 200,000, police say 70,000; mostly settlers, ultra-Orthodox) to form a human chain stretching 56-mi. fr. Nisanit settlement in n. Gaza to the Western Wall in Jerusalem to protest plans for an Israeli withdrawal fr. Gaza. (JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 7/25 in WNC 7/27; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 7/26; VOP 7/26 in WNC 7/28; PR 7/28; PCHR 7/29)

The IDF fatally shoots a 16-yr.-old Palestinian standing on the roof of his home in Bayt Hanun; sends troops into Nablus, sparking stone-throwing, then firing on demonstrators, wounding 1; fires on Palestinian residential areas of Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Tubas, Yatta. In Gaza, unidentified armed Palestinians raid, set fire to a PA police station in Gaza City, causing serious damage; 20 armed AMB mbrs. take over the Local Government Min. offices in Khan Yunis, demanding the reinstatement of at least 11 AMB mbrs. fired fr. their security jobs and the dismissal of Musa Arafat, leaving after the PA pledges to look into reinstating those fired. In Ramallah, Palestinians rally in support of Arafat. In his 1st appearance since intra-Palestinian violence in Gaza began on 7/16, Arafat denies he is facing a crisis, dismisses Qurai‘’s attempt to resign, pledges to carry out reforms. (NYT, WP, WT 7/25; PCHR 7/29)

The IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad mbrs. ‘Abd al-Ra’uf Abu ‘Assi, Hazim Irhayim, firing missiles at their car as they drive through Gaza City, injuring 1 bystander; sends troops into Nablus, sparking stone throwing, then firing on protesters, wounding 5; demolishes a Palestinian home in Yatta; bulldozes a Palestinian home, 6 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas nr. Nablus and in Ramallah, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayt ‘Umar nr. Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah. In ongoing operations in Bayt Hanun, the IDF raids the offices of an agricultural cooperative society, demolishes a factory, bulldozes more than 6 dunams of land. Some 10,000 Palestinians (including a significant number of armed, masked men, likely AMB) hold a pro-reform rally outside the PC headquarters in Gaza. (REU 7/22; JAZ, VOP 7/22 in WNC 7/24; MM, WP, WT 7/23; YA 7/23 in WNC 7/27; WT 7/24; PCHR 7/29)

The IDF bulldozes a main street, a deserted Palestinian home, water and sewerage networks nr. Bayt Hanun; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops, military vehicles, helicopters into Rafah, firing on residential areas, demolishing 18 Palestinian homes; fires missiles at a workshop in Khan Yunis, destroying it. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket into a Negev kibbutz, damaging a home but causing no injuries. Armed AMB mbrs. kidnap Nablus local governate head Fadil Shuli; accuse him of collaboration with Israel, corruption, failing to provide local security; release him after several hrs. without explanation. (JTA, MA, MM, PR 7/21; JAZ, VOI 7/21 in WNC 7/23; PCHR 7/22; VOI 7/22 in WNC 7/24; PR 7/28)

The PC votes to support the recommendations of a report prepared by a recently appointed special comm. on the political and security situation in the Palestinian territories, urging Arafat to accept Qurai‘’s resignation, appoint a new government with expanded powers that could restore stability in Gaza, undertake comprehensive reforms. (MM 7/21; JAZ, VOP 7/21 in WNC 7/23; NYT, WP, WT 7/22; HJ 7/23 in WNC 8/3; NYT 7/26)

The IDF fatally shoots a 17-yr.-old Palestinian boy throwing stones at troops in Balata r.c.; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 2 Palestinian girls (ages 3 and 12) in their homes; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians nr. Nablus, injuring 5; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Dayr al-Balah, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm; continues bulldozing operations in Bayt Hanun, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes; starts bulldozing Palestinian agricultural land for construction of a new road fr. Erez Crossing to the e. of Bayt Lahia. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI 7/19 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/21; PCHR, PM 7/22)

To calm protests in Gaza, Arafat named Brig. Gen. ‘Abd al-Raziq al-Majayda as head of public security for the West Bank and Gaza, making him Musa Arafat’s superior. The AMB, National and Islamic Higher Coordinating Comm. for the Intifada (NIHC) say the change is insufficient, only true reforms and halt to corruption will improve conditions in Gaza. Qurai‘says his resignation stands. (BBC, MM 7/19; AN, al-Quds 7/18 in WNC 7/21; NYT, WP, WT 7/20; JAZ, SA, VOP 7/20 in WNC 7/22; SA 7/21 in WNC 7/23; PR 7/23; MEI 7/23)

The IDF closes the Rafah crossing to Egypt indefinitely, citing security concerns; conducts an overnight raid into Saida nr. Tulkarm, firing on residential areas, rounding up residents for questioning, exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, killing 2 wanted Palestinians; conducts house searches in Bizariyya in the West Bank, causing a 57-yr.- old Palestinian woman to suffer a fatal heart attack; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Askar r.c., ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Bayt Rima, al-Khadir, al-Mughraqa; fires on Palestinians waiting to cross a checkpoint in the al-Mawasi area of s. Gaza, wounding 5; fires on residential areas of Rafah; bulldozes large areas of agricultural land, demolishes 2 civilian cars in Bayt Hanun. A 4-yr.-old Palestiniandies of injuries received in Rafah on 7/7. (VOP 7/18 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/21; PCHR 7/22)

Outside the PC headquarters in Gaza, Fatah mbrs. continue to protest against Musa Arafat’s appointment. In the evening, some 150 armed AMB mbrs. attack the PA military intelligence headquarters in Rafah, using a bulldozer in an attempt to break into the complex, exchanging gunfire with security guards, leaving 18 Palestinians (including at least 3 AMB mbrs., several bystanders) wounded. AMB mbrs. also attack the PA military intelligence building in Khan Yunis, setting 2 offices ablaze, stealing weapons, freeing some detainees, wounding a security guard in an exchange of fire; staging marches in Nussayrat r.c. Navy security chief Juma Ghali, an Arafat loyalist, resigns his position to protest the Musa Arafat appointment. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/19; SA 7/19 in WNC 7/21; AYM 7/19 in WNC 7/24; PR 7/21; WP 7/22)

The IDF demolishes 3 brick factories, bulldozes agricultural land in continuing operations in Bayt Hanun; fires on residential areas of Rafah, Tulkarm r.c.; bulldozes 50 dunams of land nr. Jabaliya; conducts arrest raids nr. Tulkarm and in Araba, Qabatya. Armed PRC mbrs. ambush, kidnap Gaza police chief Ghazi Jabali, exchanging gunfire with this bodyguards, wounding 2; parade him through the streets of al-Bureij r.c., accusing him of stealing $22 m. in public funds; release him unharmed. Mbrs. of the Abu Rish Brigades (ARB; a Fatah offshoot) kidnap 4 French citizens, hold them hostage at a Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) office in Khan Yunis for several hrs., demanding that the PA fire corrupt security officials, before releasing them unharmed. Separately, ARB mbrs. kidnap Palestinian security official Khalid Abu al-Ula in Khan Yunis, free him by the end of the day. In the evening, Gaza’s PSF head Rashid Abu Shiblak, Gaza’s General Intelligence chief Amin al-Hindi resign, citing “the state of anarchy and chaos” in Gaza, the PA’s refusal to implement reforms, but Arafat refuses to accept their resignations. (NYT 7/16; VOI 7/16, HJ, VOI 7/17, AYM, HA, MA, al-Ra’i, YA 7/18, SA 7/19 in WNC 7/21; WP, NYT, WT 7/17; AYM 7/18, JP 7/20 in WNC 7/22; MM 7/19; DUS 7/19, AYM 7/20 in WNC 7/23; HA 7/20; NYT, PR 7/21; PCHR, WP 7/22; MEI 7/23; JPI 7/30; PR 8/4; AYM 8/6 in WNC 8/10)

The IDF assassinates wanted senior Hamas mbr. Malik al-Din, fatally shooting him as he emerges fr. his Hebron home to surrender; tightens restrictions on Palestinians traveling the Tulkarm–Nablus road nr. Einav settlement; demolishes a Palestinian home in Khan Yunis, fires on residential areas of Jenin, Tulkarm r.c., Rafah, Yibna nr. Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayt ‘Awa nr. Hebron. Bethlehem, al-Bireh, Dahaysha r.c., Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Yatta. (MA 7/15; MA, VOI, VOP 7/15, VOP 7/16 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/21; PCHR 7/22)

The IDF fires on a 12-truck UN convoy delivering humanitarian aid to Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas of Rafah; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Jenin; conducts arrest raids in and around Hebron as well as in al-‘Arub, Balata r.c., Ramallah. (XIN 7/14; VOP 7/14 in WNC 7/16; PCHR, PM 7/15; VOP 7/15 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/21)

The IDF raids Jenin, fatally shoots local Islamic Jihad cmdr. Numan Tahayna in an assassination, also searches a hospital; conducts arrest raids, searches houses, bulldozes 159 dunams in al-Qarara; conducts arrest raids in Wadi al-Silqa, detaining 50 men and boys, taking them to an IDF base for questioning, releasing all but 5, plus bulldozing 1 Palestinian home, 51 dunams of land; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c., Bayt Iqsa nr. Ramallah, al-Bireh, Dayr Sharaf nr. Nablus, Hebron, Jayous nr. Qalqilya; fires missiles at a workshop in Gaza City, completely destroying it; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, al-Maghazi. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Gush Katif (causing light damage but no injuries), an antitank rocket at an IDF post in Rafah (causing no damage or injuries). A Jewish settler deliberately runs into an elderly Palestinian man with his car nr. Bethlehem, killing him. (VOI, VOP 7/13 in WNC 7/15; NYT, PR, WT 7/14; VOP 7/14 in WNC 7/16; PCHR 7/15)

The IDF raids Khan Yunis, bulldozes a Palestinian home that the IDF claims is a “militant gun post,” killing 1 wheelchairbound Palestinian trapped inside, despite pleas fr. his family to halt the demolition; the IDF demolishes another 30 Palestinian homes completely, 3 partially during the day. The IDF also demolishes a factory, bulldozes land, searches homes in Bayt Hanun; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Dahaysha r.c., 1 in Jenin, 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya, Ramallah. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in Rafah, in neither case causing damage or injuries. (NYT 7/12; VOI, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/14; NYT 7/13; VOI 7/13 in WNC 7/15; PR 7/14; PCHR 7/15)

The IDF raids a section of Gaza City nr. Netzarim settlement, occupies an abandoned house, shells a house (causing extensive damage but no injuries), bulldozes 20 dunams of land. The IDF also bulldozes 4 Palestinian homes, 2 “animal farms,” 45 dunams of land, an irrigation network in Khan Yunis; razes 10s of dunams of citrus trees nr. Bayt Lahia; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Jenin r.c., Qalqilya. A Palestinian fires on, tosses a grenade at an IDF post nr. Bayt Hanun (causing damage but no injuries), escapes. (VOI 7/9 in WNC 7/13; PCHR 7/15).

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues its nonbinding opinion on the separation wall, ruling (14-1, with only American judge Thomas Buerghenthal dissenting) that segments built on occupied Palestinian territory violate international law and should be removed or not built. (HA, JT, WP, WT 7/9; AYM, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, VOP 7/9, AN, DUS, HJ, MENA, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, VOP, XIN 7/10 in WNC 7/13; NYT, WP, WT 7/10; AYM 7/11, 7/13 in WNC 7/16; HJ 7/11, AN, JT, SA, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/14; JTA, MM 7/12; Asia Times, MA, MM 7/13; al-Quds 7/13 in WNC 7/15; al-Ra’i 7/13 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/14; MEI 7/23)