Before dawn, the IDF sends troops back into Aida r.c., Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c. in the largest incursion since Israeli PM Ariel Sharon declared the end of the 1st stage Operation...
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May 27, 2002
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March 18, 2002
The IDF begins withdrawing fr. Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Jenin. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Netzarim; makes incursions and directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at...
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February 28, 2002
In the morning, the IDF sends troops, tanks into Balata (an AMB stronghold); surrounds and attacks Jenin r.c. without entering it. The massive two-pronged operation, called Colorful Journey, meets...
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December 2, 2001
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,...
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October 28, 2001
Under U.S. pressure, Sharon pulls the IDF out of Bethlehem, Bayt Jala. Jewish settlers assault journalists covering the pullout. Islamic Jihad gunmen kill 4 Israelis, wound 30 in a drive-by...
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October 19, 2001
In response to the mortar attack on Gilo on 10/18, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bethlehem, Bayt Jala; occupies 10 Palestinian buildings in Bethlehem (including 2 hotels to house troops),...
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September 22, 2001
The IDF shells residential areas of Hebron; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, al-Dawha. (HP 9/24)
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August 30, 2001
The IDF apparently attempts to assassinate DFLP West Bank head Qays Samurai (Abu Layla) by planting an explosive device in his home in Ramallah; tanzim mbr. Anwar Aliya in an ambush by...
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August 14, 2001
Several hrs. after entering Jinin on 8/13, the IDF withdraws. Significant exchanges of gunfire btwn. Bayt Jala and neighboring Gilo settlement prompt the IDF to reinforce positions around Bayt...
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July 31, 2001
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...
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July 20, 2001
In Hebron, 2 explosions rip through a Palestinian home next door to the local Fatah headquarters, killing 2 Palestinians, including Fatah tanzim leader Raja Abu Rajab, and wounding 10....
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July 19, 2001
Mbrs. of the Comm. for Road Safety, the armed wing of the militant Jewish settler group Kach, spray a Palestinian vehicle with automatic weapons fire, leaving 3 Palestinians dead, 4 wounded. The...
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May 20, 2001
The IDF shells the home of PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub, injuring 6 bodyguards; Rajub, his family are home but are not injured. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at al-Arub...
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April 16, 2001
Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to escalate, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. 5 Palestinian mortars fr. Gaza land nr. the town of Sederot inside Israel, only 4 mi. fr. Sharon's farm,...
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December 15, 2000
Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate, leaving 8 Palestinians dead, including senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Sa'ir al-Khruf, who is assassinated by the IDF. (1 Palestinian dies en route to...
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December 11, 2000
Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. In Nablus, IDF soldiers assassinate senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Anwar Mahmud Hamran. A 2d Palestinian dies of wounds received earlier. Jews...
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November 27, 2000
On this 1st day of Ramadan, Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The PA announces it has arrested 2 Hamas mbrs. in connection with the...
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November 8, 2000
Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify, especially in Gaza. 4 Palestinians are killed by IDF troops, 2 others die of injuries received earlier, and 1 Israeli customs official is ambushed and killed...
Before dawn, the IDF sends troops back into Aida r.c., Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c. in the largest incursion since Israeli PM Ariel Sharon declared the end of the 1st stage Operation Defensive Shield on 4/21, conducting house-to-house searches; occupying the UNRWA school in Dahaysha r.c.; arresting 10s of Palestinians, including wanted Fatah mbr. Ahmad Mughrabi, blowing up his home; declaring the area a closed military zone, barring entry to journalists; occupying Bethlehem Radio 2000 offices, seriously damaging, confiscating equipment; directing shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas, seriously damaging several homes. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Umm al-Sharayit; withdraws to the outskirts of Tulkarm, but maintains a curfew; tightens controls on Palestinian movement across the West Bank. In the evening, a AMB suicide bomber (a cousin of AMB Nablus cmdr. Titi, assassinated on 5/22) detonates a device in cafe in Petah Tikva, killing 2 Israelis, injuring 37. A bomb is found, neutralized in French Hill settlement. (HP, LAW, NYT 5/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/28; ITAR-TASS 5/28 in WNC 5/29; LAW 5/29; MEI 5/31)
The IDF begins withdrawing fr. Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Jenin. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Netzarim; makes incursions and directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in and around Dayr al-Balah, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Umar, al-Jadida; directs heavy machine gun fire at Aida camp. Hamas fires 2 Qassam missiles at Ashkelon, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolish a Palestinian bus station. (HP 3/18; Mezan, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/19; LAW 3/20)
Zinni convinces Israel, the PA to resume trilateral security comm. mtgs. (HA, HP 3/18; XIN 3/18 in WNC 3/19; MM, NYT, WP 3/19; QA, XIN 3/19 in WNC 3/20; MEI 3/22)
In the morning, the IDF sends troops, tanks into Balata (an AMB stronghold); surrounds and attacks Jenin r.c. without entering it. The massive two-pronged operation, called Colorful Journey, meets strong resistance, touching off fierce gun battles that continue into the night, leaving 1 IDF soldier and at least 11 Palestinians dead (4 in Balata, including Balata AMB leader Kayid Abu Mustafa; 7 in Jenin, including 6 PSF officers), wounding over 150 Palestinians (over 100 in Balata, 40 in Jenin). Troops bar ambulances fr. entering the camps to aide the wounded. In the afternoon, the IDF declares a brief cease-fire, ordering unarmed residents to leave Balata, but few do--most fearing permanent exile. The IDF cuts electricity and water to the camp; evicts, demolishes several Palestinian homes at the edge of the camp; conducts house-to-house searches, breaking through walls to move fr. building to building, demolishing at least 5 homes, damaging 100; occupies a UN-operated boys school. Israel says the operation is designed to arrest Palestinians wanted for "terrorist attacks," but none are arrested during the day. As the day progresses, violence spreads to other West Bank towns, especially in the Bayt Jala-Gilo area. The IDF also sends tanks to surround Tulkarm; tightens closures on Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Qalqilya, Ramallah, as well as access to Jerusalem; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; occupies a PSF post in Tamun; directs heavy machine gun fire at Aida r.c., Bayt Jala, Bethlehem; bulldozes Palestinian land in Azariyya for construction of a settler bypass road. The PA suspends trilateral security comm. talks. (AP, HP, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP 2/28; BDL, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/1; AFP 3/1, AYM 3/2, XIN 3/3 in WNC 3/4; WP, WT 3/2; LAW 3/6; MEI 3/8)
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)
Under U.S. pressure, Sharon pulls the IDF out of Bethlehem, Bayt Jala. Jewish settlers assault journalists covering the pullout. Islamic Jihad gunmen kill 4 Israelis, wound 30 in a drive-by shooting in Hadera, are fatally shot by Israeli police. AMB gunmen kill 1 IDF soldier on the West Bank-Israeli border, escape into the West Bank. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Nablus, al-Ubayat; reinforces positions in Jinin, Tulkarm; opens fire on 9 Palestinian schools in the PA-controlled section of Hebron, injuring 4 students with rubber-coated metal bullets, 15 with tear gas; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Qalqilya. Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars outside Silwad. (HP 10/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/29; QA 10/29 in WNC 11/1; LAW 10/31)
In response to the mortar attack on Gilo on 10/18, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bethlehem, Bayt Jala; occupies 10 Palestinian buildings in Bethlehem (including 2 hotels to house troops), several in Bayt Jala. The incursions spark clashes, which leave 3 Palestinians dead and at least 16 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier injured. In Ramallah, 2 Palestinians are killed by IDF shelling; a 6th Palestinian is killed in Gaza. IDF tanks completely surround Bayt Sahur, Nablus, Qalqilya. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Hanina, Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Qarni crossing. Churches in Jerusalem issue a statement calling on Israel to pull back, deescalate tensions, especially in Bethlehem. (BBC, HP, MM, REU 10/19; AP, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; PCHR 10/24)
The IDF shells residential areas of Hebron; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, al-Dawha. (HP 9/24)
The IDF apparently attempts to assassinate DFLP West Bank head Qays Samurai (Abu Layla) by planting an explosive device in his home in Ramallah; tanzim mbr. Anwar Aliya in an ambush by undercover units in Tulkarm. Samurai is not home at the time; Aliya is wounded. The IDF completes its withdrawal fr. Bayt Jala, taking up positions just outside the town and warning it will reenter if shooting at Gilo resumes. Clashes in Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm leave a total of 1 Israeli civilian, 3 Palestinian dead, 40 Palestinians wounded. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Qarni crossing and residential areas of Bayt Wazan, al-Bireh, Brazil refugee camp, Yatta; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Rafah; blocks a marked UN convoy fr. entering Rafah to inspect the demolished Palestinian homes; sets up new roadblocks at the entrance to Tulkarm, on 3 roads to Jerusalem; reinforces troops around Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Ni'lin, confiscating papers fr. the local Fatah office, arresting 3 Palestinians; opens the main Gaza road that was sealed on 8/28. (HP, JP [Internet], MM, PMC 8/30; MENA 8/30 in WNC 8/31; HA, JT, NYT, WP, WT 8/31)
Several hrs. after entering Jinin on 8/13, the IDF withdraws. Significant exchanges of gunfire btwn. Bayt Jala and neighboring Gilo settlement prompt the IDF to reinforce positions around Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, Bethlehem during the day, raising speculation that a 2d Jinin-style operation is planned. The IDF does not move into these towns but does direct heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Jala; occupy 3 buildings outside Bayt Jala; enter, impose curfews on 3 nearby villages in area C. Israeli DM Ben-Eliezer says he suspended an incursion after the PA began to restrain gunmen in Bayt Jala. Israel announces it will allow 459 trucks carrying food and fuel to enter Gaza. Overnight, the IDF shells residential areas of Hebron. (CNN, NYT, REU, WT 8/14; AP, HA, IGPO, HP, MEZ, NYT, REU 8/15; NYT, WT 8/16; al-Quds 8/16)
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)
In Hebron, 2 explosions rip through a Palestinian home next door to the local Fatah headquarters, killing 2 Palestinians, including Fatah tanzim leader Raja Abu Rajab, and wounding 10. Fatah claims it was an IDF assassination; Israel accuses Fatah of making false accusations to escalate the violence. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in and around Hebron, setting fire to 1 home, injuring 2 Palestinians. Jewish settlers fire on, throw stones at Palestinians driving nr. Ramallah, critically injuring 1; set a Palestinian home on fire in Nabi Salih. Palestinians, the IDF exchange gunfire around Gilo-Bayt Jala. (HP 7/20; WP, WT 7/21; HA 7/22; MEI 7/27)
Mbrs. of the Comm. for Road Safety, the armed wing of the militant Jewish settler group Kach, spray a Palestinian vehicle with automatic weapons fire, leaving 3 Palestinians dead, 4 wounded. The gunmen then run an IDF roadblock and escape into Israel. In Hebron, the IDF shells Palestinian residential areas, injuring 20, and exchanges gunfire with Force 17, PSF officers; Jewish settlers fire on, try to set fire to several Palestinian homes, causing no injures. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala. Palestinian gunmen fire on a settler bus nr. Ariel, causing no injuries; the IDF seals 3 nearby Palestinian villages while troops sweep the area. (AFP [Internet], AP, MM 7/19; HP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/20; WP, WT 7/21; MA 7/22 in WNC 7/23, 7/24; al-Quds 7/22 in WNC 7/25; MM 7/24; MEI 7/27; JP 8/3)
At the G-8 preparatory mtg. in Rome, FMs unanimously adopt a resolution supporting "third-party monitoring" as a means of facilitating a cease-fire, but agree that both Israel, the PA would have to approve. Powell backs the resolution after the wording is changed to call for "third-party monitors" rather than "international observers." Israel denounces the proposal. (AFP [Internet], AP, BBC, HA 7/19; MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 7/20; MENA 7/20, AFP, MENA 7/22 in WNC 7/23; AYM 7/21 in WNC 7/25; WP 7/23; MEI 7/27)
The IDF shells the home of PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub, injuring 6 bodyguards; Rajub, his family are home but are not injured. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at al-Arub refugee camp, Bayt Jala, al-Bireh, Hebron, al-Khadir, Ramallah. Jewish settlers establish a new settlement enclave in Nabi Salih, nr. Ramallah; occupy 2 Palestinian shops in Jerusalem's Old City; set Palestinian wheat fields on fire nr. Hebron. Israel's Peace Now reports that at least 15 new Jewish settlement sites have been established since Sharon was elected in 2/01. (HP, Peace Now press release 5/20; NYT, PMC, WT 5/21; HA, WP 5/22; HA, MM, NYT 5/23; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)
The Mitchell Comm. gives Israel, the PA its final report, which is identical to its preliminary report (see 5/16). Comm. heads Mitchell and fmr. sen. Warren Rudman send a letter to the Anti-Defamation League stressing that the report makes no direct linkage between halting violence, halting settlements. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; ITAR-TASS 5/21, AYM, HJ, MENA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/22; MM, WP 5/23; AYM, HA, JT, MA, MENA, QA, al-Ra'i 5/23 in WNC 5/24; WJW 5/24; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2)
Angry over Sharon's decision to use F-16s on 5/18 without consulting the full cabinet or security cabinet, the full Israeli cabinet limits the "kitchenette" (Sharon, Peres, Ben-Eliezer) to ordering strikes against 3 types of Palestinian targets without prior approval. (HA 5/21; MA 5/21 in WNC 5/22)
U.S. VP Dick Cheney states that the Israel should stop using American-supplied F-16s against Palestinian targets. Sharon says Israel will use as much military force against the Palestinians as it deems necessary. (MM, NYT, WT 5/21; al-Quds 5/21 in WNC 5/22; QA 5/21 in WNC 5/23; WJW 5/24; MEI 6/1)
Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to escalate, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. 5 Palestinian mortars fr. Gaza land nr. the town of Sederot inside Israel, only 4 mi. fr. Sharon's farm, causing no damage. Although Hamas claims responsibility, Israel says the PA is "undoubtedly" behind the manufacture of homemade mortars, which Palestinians have increasingly used since late 1/01. After a mtg. of Sharon's inner cabinet, the IDF carries out 4 hrs. of land, sea, air strikes against PA security posts across the Gaza Strip, hitting Gaza City's main police headquarters, at least 7 Force 17 posts in Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Rafah; 1 PSF officer is killed, 36 Palestinians are injured. IDF officials say they are preparing for a "rolling episode." The IDF sets up roadblocks dividing the Strip into 3 parts; closes the border with Egypt; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Bayt Hanun (217 dunams destroying 11 Palestinian homes), Rafah; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, al-Khadir; occupies 2 Palestinian homes nr. Morag settlement as IDF posts. In the West Bank, the IDF shells residential areas in Aida refugee camp, Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, al-Khadir. The PA cancels a security mtg. with Israel in protest (see 4/11). (AP, MEZ, MM, NYT, WP 4/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/18; WJW 4/16; LAW, MEI, NYT 4/20; JP 4/27)
At Israeli FM Peres's urging, Jordanian FM Khatib comes to Tel Aviv as planned (see 4/15). He presents Sharon, Peres with a formal, written version of the Jordanian-Egyptian nonpaper. Sharon tells Khatib the proposal a "nonstarter," but Peres says it will be studied. (AP, MM, NYT, WP 4/17; JT 4/17 in WNC 4/18; MM 4/19; MEI 4/20; Economist [Internet] 5/3; MEI 5/4)
The Israeli DMin. asks the Finance Min. to release a $936 m. supplement to the DMin. budget to cover the costs of the last 6 mos. of the al-Aqsa intifada. (HA 4/17)
Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate, leaving 8 Palestinians dead, including senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Sa'ir al-Khruf, who is assassinated by the IDF. (1 Palestinian dies en route to the hospital when his ambulance is detained by the IDF for over 1 hr.) In Nablus, 20,000 Palestinians attend a funeral for 3 of the dead killed overnight. Israel allows a small number of West Bank, Gaza Palestinians over age 35 to attend Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. Those that are barred scuffle with Israeli police who respond with rubber bullets, stun grenades, tear gas. The IDF also placed curfews on Salfit, Qasrah to conduct an arrest sweep. IDF directed shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in Aida, Aqbat Jabir camp, Bayt Jala (damaging an elementary school), al-Bireh, Dayr al-Balah, Nablus, Ramallah (damaging the PA Local Government Min.), Tulkarm; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land across Gaza, in Qalqilya. In Rafah, the IDF fires a shell at a family protesting the bulldozing of their land, injuring 6 children. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian property around Qalqilya, shoot at Palestinians in Silt al-Thahir (wounding 1). (ADM, LAW 12/15; NYT, WP, WT 12/16; PCHR 12/18; NYT 1/17)
Israel's Ben-Ami meets with Arafat at Erez to discuss resuming peace talks, holds follow-up mtg. with PA Information M `Abid Rabbuh in Tel Aviv. The State Dept. says that midlevel Israeli, PA negotiators may come top Washington the wk. of 12/18. (NYT, WP 12/16) (see 12/10)
In Gaza, over 30,000 Palestinians attend a Hamas rally in support of continuing the al-Aqsa intifada no matter what stand the PA regarding negotiations with Israel. (MEI 12/22)
Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. In Nablus, IDF soldiers assassinate senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Anwar Mahmud Hamran. A 2d Palestinian dies of wounds received earlier. Jews settlers stone Palestinian cars outside Ofra settlement, destroy several Palestinian cars in Hawara, bulldoze 7 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis. Israel moves the Beitar Forest checkpoint marking the Green Line btwn. West Bank, Israel 300 m. to the east, effectively annexing a 5-dunam area to Israel. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in Aida, Bayt Jala (damaging 8 homes), Bayt Jibrin, Dahaysha camp, al-Khadir, Khan Yunis (cutting off electricity), Rafah; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Dugit and Gush Katif settlements, Nablus, Ramallah. (LAW 12/11; BDL, NYT, WT 12/12; PCHR 12/18; HA 12/19; JP 12/22; WJW 12/28)
Israeli FM Ben-Ami flies to Paris to meet with 1 or more senior Arab officials in advance of U.S. special envoy Ross's meeting with Arafat in Rabat tomorrow. (MA [Internet], MM, NYT, WT 12/12; MA [Internet] 12/13; JT [Internet] 12/14; NYT 12/15)
On this 1st day of Ramadan, Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The PA announces it has arrested 2 Hamas mbrs. in connection with the 11/22 Hadera car bombing. In response, Israel eases restrictions on the passage of goods, fuel through Qarni crossing. The IDF opens heavy machine gun fire on Bayt Jala in response to Palestinian sniping toward the neighboring Jewish settlement of Gilo. IDF tanks fire on residential areas of Aida, Bayt Jala, Hebron. Jewish settlers bulldoze 40 dunams of Palestinian crop land nr. Khan Yunis. The IDF bulldozes 68 dunams of land, including 2 homes, nr. Netzarim Junction. (PCHR 11/27; LAW, MA [Internet], WP, WT 11/28; AYM 11/28 in WNC 11/29; PCHR 12/18)
The IDF completes an inquiry into the fatal shooting of 12-yr.-old Muhammad al-Dura in Gaza on 9/30, concluding that it was "quite plausible" that he was killed by PA gunfire. The PA, the France 2 cameraman who taped the incident reject the report. (NYT, WP, WT 11/28; AYM 11/28 in WNC 12/1; WJW 11/30; MM 12/8)
Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify, especially in Gaza. 4 Palestinians are killed by IDF troops, 2 others die of injuries received earlier, and 1 Israeli customs official is ambushed and killed in Gaza (both Fatah Uprising, Islamic Jihad claim responsibility). Blaming Arafat for the ambush, Barak shuts the Gaza airport and the Rafah border crossing to Egypt, reportedly sends more tanks and armored vehicles into the West Bank and Gaza. At Qarni crossing, a gun battle erupts btwn. IDF troops, PA police; the IDF shells a building "used as cover" by the policemen. IDF tank, heavy machine gun fire is reported in Aida refugee camp, Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, Beitunia, al-Bireh, Hebron, Salfit; in Bayt Jala, 1 house is completely destroyed, 6 homes and a school are damaged. The IDF also uproots a Palestinian olive grove in Qalqilya. (al-Haq press release, LAW, MM, PCHR 11/8; ADM, NYT, WP, WT 11/9; al-Quds 11/9 in WNC 11/13)
Arafat flies to Cairo to confer with Mubarak, EU special envoy Moratinos and then goes to London to meet with British PM Blair before heading to Washington. After meeting with Arafat, Moratinos leaves for a 2-day visit to Israel. (LPA, MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9; MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/13; WP 11/9)
UN Human Rights Commissioner (UNHRC) Mary Robinson begins a 1-wk. tour of Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Egypt, Jordan to investigate the recent Israeli-Palestinian violence. (AP 11/8; NYT, WP 11/9; WP 11/11; al-Quds 11/11 in WNC 11/13; WP 11/28)
The UNSC holds a closed-door mtg. on the ongoing clashes, the PA's request for international forces. The mtg. is adjourned until 11/10, so Arafat may address the council. (XIN 11/8 in WNC 11/9; SA 11/8 in WNC 11/13; MM, NYT, WT 11/9; MEI 11/10)
Under pressure fr. Israeli Arab MKs, Barak upgrades the inquiry comm. into the deaths of Israeli Arabs during the recent clashes to a state commission, which has more authority. (NYT, WP 11/9) (see 10/22)