The Palestine Chronology

The IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Tulkarm, killing a 11-yr.-old Palestinian boy; bars a Palestinian heart attack victim from reaching a hospital in Ramallah, allowing him to die; fires on nonviolent protest march on an IDF checkpoint by 150 Palestinian, European demonstrators in Gaza, wounding a Palestinian cameraman working for the Associated Press; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Dura. (BBC, HA, NYT, WP, WT 12/30; LAW, PCHR 1/1)

The IDF fires on Palestinians waiting to cross an IDF checkpoint w. of Nablus, killing 1  Palestinian; conducts house-to-house searches, arrests in Aida r.c., Bayt Umar, Bethlehem, Jit, Tal, Tubas, Tulkarm; raids, fires on residential areas of Rafah, Nablus, Nur al-Shams r.c., Tulkarm; bulldozes 14 dunams of land s. of Dayr al-Balah; raids the al-Ihsan charitable society, Hebron University dean’s offices in Hebron, confiscating computers, files; forces at gunpoint a 24-yr.-old Palestinian to undress in the main street of Nablus, bark like a dog. Late in the evening, the IDF sends 10s of tanks, armored person-nel carriers (APCs) into Qalqilya, imposes a curfew, raids Waqf offices, conducts arrest raids targeting Popular Front for the Lib-eration of Palestine (PFLP) mbrs. The UN sends an envoy to the West Bank to investigate the 11/22 death of a UNRWA official, new charges (11/23) by Israel that Palestinian gunmen were firing from inside the UNRWA’s Jenin r.c. compound, prompting the IDF gunfire. (NYT, WT 11/25; WT 11//26; LAW, PCHR 11/27)

The IDF arrests 2 Palestinians with explosives at an IDF checkpoint in the West Bank, apparently averting a suicide bombing; conducts arrest raids in Jenin; blows up a “suspicious looking” Palestinian car in al-Khadir; invades Mighraqa, destroying a number of electricity towers, cutting power to the village, bulldozing the roads inside the village, digging trenches across the main road, damaging the water network; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. IDF soldiers at a checkpoint outside Jenin, break the windshield of an ambulance transporting patient to the hospital. (NYT, PM, WP 11/3; LAW, PCHR 11/6; PRCS press release 11/10)

The IDF moves troops back into Jenin, after withdrawing to the outskirts of the city on 10/18; fires on Palestinian farmers in Jenin; bulldozes 18 Palestinian homes (15 in Jiftlik, 1 in `Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., 1 in Balata r.c., 1 in Rafah, 1 in Salim); bars a Palestinian heart attack victim fr. crossing and IDF checkpoint to reach a hospital for 2 hrs., allowing him to die; raids 2 homes in Hebron, sets fire to residents’ belongings. IDF commandos raid Balata r.c., arrest 2 Palestinians, leave behind their van, booby trapped with explosives; the van later explodes, injuring 10 Palestinians. With the IDF’s pledge of protection, Palestinian residents of Yanun return to their homes (see 10/18). The PA complains that btwn. 9/4 and 10/16, the IDF has taken 750 single-bed truckloads, 250 double-bed truckloads of sand out of Gaza for use in construction projects inside Israel. (LAW, PCHR 10/23; AYM 10/23 in WNC 10/28; NYT, WT 10/24; HA 11/15)

U.S. Asst. Secy. of State William Burns arrives in Jerusalem to meet with Israeli, PA officials regarding a U.S. draft road map; presents the PA with the draft for the 1^st time (see 10/16). (HA, MM, PR 10/23; HA, MM, NYT 10/24; MM, NYT, WT 10/25; AYM 10/25, 10/26 in WNC 10/28; WP 10/26; MEI 11/8)

The Knesset rejects (23-51) a proposed bill that would ban fr. the parliament any party trying to incite the expulsion of Palestinians, Israeli Arabs. (AFP 10/23)

Israel says it will delay its military response to the 10/21 Hadera bombing in deference to U.S. regional concerns, but will reimpose curfews, blockades across the Palestinian territories and suspend steps to ease restrictions. The IDF bars Palestinians across the West Bank fr. harvesting olives, saying troops cannot protect pickers fr. Jewish settlers; the ban is lifted late in the evening after Arab MKs file a petition with the Israeli High Court opposing the order. Israel's Infrastructure M Efi Eitam orders a halt to all drilling for water by West Bank Palestinians, freezes the issue of permits for future drilling. The IDF bars a Palestinian heart attack victim fr. crossing an IDF checkpoint to reach a hospital, allowing him to die; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes (Balata r.c., Nablus, Rafah); demolishes 4 barracks, 3 Palestinian homes, 3 bakeries, several cattle sheds in Yatta; bulldozes 10 dunams of land in Bayt Lahia; conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis, Rafah. Israel releases AFP photographer Hussam Abu Alan, detained without charge on 4/24/02. (HA, PM, REU 10/22; LAW, NYT, PCHR, PR, WP 10/23; WT 10/24; AYM 10/24 in WNC 10/28; al-Quds 10/30 in WNC 10/31)

Outside Hadera, 2 Islamic Jihad suicide bombers detonate a car bomb next to a bus, killing 14 Israelis, wounding 40. The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians nr. Kefar Darom; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Qabatya, some agricultural land nr. Aley Sinai settlement; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Qalqilya; bars an ambulance fr. crossing an IDF checkpoint, allowing an ailing Palestinian to die. Another Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/10/01. Palestinians reportedly fire a mortar in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. At Havat Gilad, Jewish settlers again try to rebuild sites demolished by the IDF. Jewish settlers fr. Shvut Rachel attack Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Nablus, setting 7 Palestinian cars and 50 trees afire, uprooting another 54 trees; in response, some 200 Palestinian start marching toward the settlement, but the IDF turns them away. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo fire on Palestinian farmers n. of Ramallah, wounding 4. (HA, MM, WP 10/21; Interfax 10/21 in WNC 10/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/22; AFP, ATL, ITAR-TASS 10/22 in WNC 10/23; LAW, MM, PCHR 10/23; WJW 10/24; MEI 10/25)

Israel ends the siege on Arafat's compound in Ramallah, allowing Arafat, all those inside with him to leave; troops remain in Ramallah however. A Palestinian heart attack victim dies at an IDF checkpoint nr. Khan Yunis when troops deny his passage to a hospital for several hrs. Palestinians in Nablus defy the curfew by reopening schools. The IDF surrounds 3 Nablus schools, forces them to close; fires on curfew breakers in nearby Balata r.c., injuring 3 children. The IDF also fires tear gas into an education center for children and the mentally disabled in Shu`fat r.c., injuring 150 children; demolishes 4 Palestinian houses nr. Netzarim settlement; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian children nr. Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis, injuring 4. (AFP, JT 9/29, Interfax, MENA, QA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/30; CSM 10/1; LAW, PCHR 10/2; MEI 10/11; WP 11/8)

The Jerusalem Report, citing Britain’s respected Jane’s Foreign Report, claims that IDF special forces are currently operating inside western Iraq, with the knowledge of the U.S., to locate missile launchers that could be used against Israel. (JP 9/29)

IDF helicopters fire 2 missiles 2 cars in Gaza City in its 4th attempt to assassinate most-wanted Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Muhammad Dayif; 2 Hamas mbrs. are killed, Dayif escapes with moderate wounds, some 30 bystanders (including 15 children) are injured. The IDF intercepts an explosives-packed Palestinian car at al-Ram checkpoint nr. Tulkarm, allegedly en route to stage a car bombing in Jerusalem. In Kefar Labid nr. Tulkarm, IDF commandos conduct an arrest raid, prompting an exchange of gunfire that leaves senior Hamas mbr. Nashat Abu Jabara, 1 IDF officer dead; then demolish Abu Jabara's home. The IDF also arbitrarily imposes a curfew in Hebron then fires tear gas, rubber bullets at Palestinians in Hebron's market, killing a Palestinian infant; fatally shoots another Palestinian Gaza; demolishes 1 Palestinian home, bulldozes more than 60 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Hanun; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Qabatya; bulldozes 20 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Lahia; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. Palestinian gunmen fire on a settler vehicle nr. Hebron, injuring 4 Jewish setters. Jewish settlers dedicate the new HaGefen neighborhood of 1,150 housing units in Beitar Ilit; the new enclave of Migron nr. Psagot, comprising 30 families. (AP, CNN, HA 9/26; HA, LAW, MM, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 9/27; NYT 9/28; MM 9/30; QA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; LAW, PCHR, PR 10/2; PCHR 10/3; MEI 10/11)

The IDF fatally shoots an Egyptian man visiting Gaza at a checkpoint nr. Gush Katif settlement; the IDF claims he threw grenades at soldiers, Palestinians say he was a passenger in a taxi. The IDF bulldozes another 20 dunams of agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom (see 9/14, 9/15); fires tank shells at an ambulance nr. Nablus, damaging the vehicle. In Bayt Lahia, AMB, Hamas stage a rally against recent IDF incursions in the area. (HA, WP 9/17; PCHR 9/18; PCHR 9/20)

Israeli border police manning a West Bank crossing intercept a car carrying a 1,300 lbs. fertilizer-gasoline bomb, with a cell phone rigged as a detonator; 2 Palestinians escape. No group claims responsibility, but the IDF suspects Islamic Jihad. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Nablus, Surif; raids a clinic in Bayt Lahia, halts an ambulance, detains and beats 1 paramedic; fires on residential areas of Rafah, on Palestinians waiting to cross a Dayr al-Balah + n. Khan Yunis checkpoint. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket in Gaza, luring a Merkava tank to the scene, then detonating a large roadside bomb under the tank, killing 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 2 (marking the 2d fatal roadside bombing of a tank; see 3/14/02); the popular resistance comms. (PRCs) take responsibility. Nr. Bayt Lahia, a Palestinian gunman ambushes an IDF patrol, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 1 before being shot dead. The IDF issues evacuation orders to 4 Palestinian families in Ras al-Amud, Silwan. (AP, MM 9/5; NYT, WP, WT 9/6; NYT 9/7; LAW, PCHR 9/11)

In response to the 2 Gaza attacks, Ben-Eliezer formally calls off implementation of Gaza First agmt. (WP 9/6)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who throws a grenade at an IDF checkpoint in Gaza, lightly injuring 1 soldier; sends tanks into Jenin, firing on the central market, wounding 1 Swedish journalist; conducts arrest raids in, around Jenin r.c.; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Zayf, s. of Hebron, leaving 50 Palestinians, including 26 children, homeless; opens a road nr. Netzarim, closed a wk. ago, to Palestinian traffic. (LAW, PR 9/3; LAW, PCHR 9/4)

Bush appoints the fmr. president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and past chair of Israel Bonds as chmn. of the board of trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center. (WJW 9/12)

In Nablus, IDF soldiers halt a Palestinian electric company employee driving a company truck who is returning fr. making authorized repairs during a curfew, kill him with 1 shot to the head; the IDF later apologizes, says it will investigate. The IDF fatally shoots an armed Hamas mbr. attempting to sneak into Israel fr. Gaza. An AMB gunman infiltrates Mehola settlement, fatally shooting 1 Jewish settler, seriously wounding a 2d before being shot dead. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 8/7. The IDF use water cannons, horses to break up a nonviolent demonstration by 500 Israeli, Palestinian peace activists nr. a Bethlehem-Jerusalem checkpoint, injuring 2; for no apparent reason opens fire with live ammunition, rubber bullets, percussion grenades on Palestinians waiting to cross Surda checkpoint in Ramallah, seriously injuring 2; bulldozes at least 4 dunams of agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza. (NYT, WP, WT 8/11; NYT 8/12; PCHR 8/16)

The IDF shells residential areas of Jenin r.c. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel and several mortars fr. Gaza at settlements inside the Strip, causing no damage or injuries. An Israeli dies of injuries received in the 7/17 bombing, bringing the death toll of the attack to 4. An Israeli military court extends the detention without charge of a Palestinian photographer for Agence France-Press, who was taken into custody by the IDF at a West Bank checkpoint on 4/24; a Palestinian photographer for Reuters detained by the IDF on 4/30 is also still in custody. (JTA, PCHR 7/24; MM, NYT 7/25; WT 7/26; Le Monde 7/26 in WNC 7/29)

The IDF directs tank fire at Palestinian youths violating the curfew in Nablus and throwing stones at soldiers, killing a 17-yr.-old Palestinian, injuring an 11- and a 13-yr.-old; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 86 dunams of crop land nr. Qarni crossing, Shuhada Junction. In Gaza, AMB gunmen fire on an IDF patrol nr. the Rafah border, killing 1 IDF soldier. A Palestinian heart attack victim dies in an ambulance detained at an IDF checkpoint for over an hr. (LAW, PCHR 7/10; NYT, UPMRC, WP 7/11)

Fmr. Christian Coalition leader Gary Bauer and Rabbi Daniel Lapin, head of the ultraconservative Jewish-Christian group Toward Tradition, announce the formation of the American Alliance of Jews and Christians (AAJC), which they will co-chair. AAJC aims to "unite Christians in support of Israel and work with American Jews and Christians on behalf of traditional values." Among the mbrs. of the AAJC board are Rev. Jerry Falwell, Rev. Pat Robertson. A similar Christian right lobbying group, Stand for Israel, cofounded by fmr. Christian Coalition exec. dir. Ralph Reed and IFCJ head Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, is doing a $400,000 media campaign targeting major newspapers, conservative radio talk shows. (Toward Tradition press release 7/10; MEI 7/26) (see 7/9)

The IDF calls up another 3,000 reservists; shells a building in Tulkarm r.c., killing 1 PSF officer (children nearby reportedly were stoning the tank); imposes 24-hr. curfews on Abu Dis, Anabta, Araqa, Bayt Jibrin r.c., Bayt Wazzan, al-Funduq, Hashimiyya, Kafr Rumman, Yamun, Zawata; conducts arrest raids and house-to-house searches in Jenin town and surrounding villages, fatally shooting a 2d Palestinian in Yamun; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at the al-Mawasi checkpoint and residential areas in Dahaysha r.c., Khan Yunis; fire live ammunition, rubber bullets at Palestinians approaching al-Bireh, Jawal, Surda checkpoints into Ramallah; bulldozes nearly 100 dunams of agricultural land n. of Bayt Lahia. The PA places Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin under house arrest, arrests 11 Hamas mbrs. in Gaza. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received on 6/15; a Palestinian boy dies of injuries received on 6/21. (HP 6/23; NYT, WP, WT 6/24; RMC 6/24 in WNC 6/25; NYT 6/25; QA 6/25 in WNC 6/26; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27)

Before dawn, the IDF reoccupies Askar r.c., Balata r.c., Camp No. 1, Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c.; reinforces troops around Hebron; imposes 24-hr. curfews on Aida r.c., Awarta, Bayt Furik, Bayt Jala, Dayr al-Ghusun, Hawara, Jarushiyya, al-Khadir, Sayta, Shuwayka, al-Til. In Jenin, troops blow up a building, also collapsing a house next door, killing 1 Palestinian boy. Later, an IDF tank opens fire with shells, machine guns on a crowded market in Jenin, killing 4 Palestinians, injuring 26 among 100s who had gathered to shop, believing that the IDF had eased the curfew; 20 cars, 30 stores are also destroyed. (In another neighborhood, 2 children playing in front of their home are killed when the IDF fires a tank round to break up a crowd "violating the curfew," which residents thought had been lifted.) In Shaykh Ajlin, the IDF opens fire on a group of Palestinian children and an AP reporter, killing 1 Palestinian boy. In Gaza, Palestinians fire an anti-tank rocket at an IDF post, seriously injuring 1 soldier; the IDF demolishes a naval police post, bulldozes 4.5 dunams of Palestinian land in response. Nr. Erez crossing, a Palestinian throws a grenade at an IDF checkpoint, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF fatally shoots him, also killing 2 Palestinian laborers waiting to cross the checkpoint. Following a funeral settlers killed on 6/20, Jewish settlers attack the Palestinian village of Hawara (see 6/17), killing 1 Palestinian, firing on and throwing rocks at buildings, setting a car and shop ablaze, attacking journalists. (AP, LAW, WP 6/21; XIN 6/21, MA 6/23 in WNC 6/24; NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/22; HP 6/23; PRCS press release 6/24; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27; MEI 6/28; HA 7/2; BBC, HA 7/5)

The Israeli inner cabinet agrees in principle to expel the families of Palestinian suicide bombers fr. the West Bank to Gaza as a "disincentive for attackers." (NYT, WP, WT 6/22; HP, JPI, NYT 6/23; MM 6/24, 6/27; MEI 6/28)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Jenin, killing 1 Palestinian; fatally shoots a 3d Palestinian nr. Ramallah. The IDF openly assassinates local AMB leader Walid Sbeh in al-Khadir. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device nr. a border police unit nr. Tulkarm, causing no injuries. In Gaza, the IDF begins work on an iron barrier at Netzarim Junction, apparently to better control Palestinian movement on the main road btwn. n. and s. Gaza; orders Khan Yunis fishermen to move their operations to Rafah harbor; demolishes an industrial complex nr. Gaza City, including the only factory in Gaza for producing bottled oxygen for hospitals. The IDF also fires on Palestinians circumventing the Surda checkpoint (nr. Ramallah), injuring 4. Jewish settlers fr. Brakha set fire to another 70 dunams of agricultural land in Hawara village (see 6/15). (MM, REU 6/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/18; LAW, PCHR, PR 6/19)

The 4-day 34th World Zionist Congress opens in Jerusalem. The 750-seat congress convenes every 4-5 years to negotiate the policy of the World Zionist Organization, which makes up half the decision-making power of the Jewish Agency. The Jewish Agency controls a $350 m. annual budget, which is used for immigration and absorption, as well as worldwide religious, political, education programs. (HA, JTA 6/18)

The IDF completes its withdrawal to the outskirts of Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Anabta, Bayt Furik; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 7; demolishes a Palestinian home in Hebron; bulldozes 17 dunams of agricultural land in Absan nr. the Gaza-Israel border. In Silwan in East Jerusalem, Israeli special forces raid a Palestinian home, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding another. A Palestinian heart attack victim dies when his ambulance is barred fr. crossing an IDF checkpoint to reach a hospital. (LAW 6/13; UPMRC, WP 6/14; LAW, PCHR 6/19; New Haven Register 7/3)

Bush confers with Saudi FM Prince Saud al-Faisal, who holds separate talks with VP Cheney, National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/14)

The IDF openly assassinates wanted AMB Nablus cmdr. Mahmud Titi, firing rockets at him in Balata r.c., also killing 2 AMB mbrs, 1 Palestinian bystander, seriously damaging a nearby home. Hrs. later an AMB suicide bomber detonates a device in Rishon Letzion, killing 2 Israelis, injuring 25. Nr. Bethlehem, the IDF fires on a group of 20 Palestinian laborers attempting to circumvent a checkpoint, killing 1 Palestinian. In Jenin, Islamic Jihad mbr. Khalid Zakarni dies in a mysterious explosion; the IDF claims explosives he was carrying detonated prematurely, Palestinian sources say he was hit by an IDF tank shell. The IDF also bars a Palestinian woman needing kidney dialysis, a Palestinian man suffering a heart attack fr. crossing checkpoints to reach hospitals, allowing them to die; conducts house-to-house searches, directs heavy gunfire at residential areas in Salfit, detaining 100s of Palestinian men aged 15 to 50, arresting 13 PSF mbrs.; conducts arrest raids in Burkin (firing several shells at the home of a Hamas mbr.), Hebron, Husan, Nahalin, Tulkarm. In Gaza, the IDF shuts the main north and south road, claiming the action is in response to Palestinian mortar fire at Gaza settlements. The IDF also begins issuing magnetic cards to al-Mawasi residents; only residents with cards will be allow to cross through the al-Mawasi checkpoint. (MM 5/23; Interfax 5/23 in WNC 24; AP, JP, LAW 5/22; LAW, NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 5/23; PCHR 5/30)

Under an agmt. reached on 5/21, 12 of the 13 Palestinians deported to Cyprus are sent on to 3d countries (3 each to Italy, Spain; 2 each to Greece, Ireland; 1 each to Belgium, Portugal). They will be treated as refugees, given 1-yr. residency permits; if they leave their host country, they will not be allowed to return. The 13th, PA Bethlehem intelligence chief Abdallah Daoud, considered by Israel the "most dangerous" of the 13 men, will remain in Cyprus until a country can be found that will take him. (NYT, WP 5/22; CNA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; NYT, WP 5/23; MEI 5/31; CNA 8/6 in WNC 8/8)

The IDF sends tanks into PA-controlled Hebron, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 4 before withdrawing. In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 4 Palestinians who allegedly try to infiltrate Kefar Darom settlement, sparking an exchange of gunfire with local PSF officers that leaves 1 PSF mbr. dead. A 7th Palestinian is fatally shot at an IDF checkpoint elsewhere. In Bethlehem, IDF snipers fatally shoot 2 Palestinians inside the Church of the Nativity, but the IDF allows 9 Palestinian children, 2 corpses to be evacuated. In Arafat's Ramallah compound, a PA judge sentences 4 PFLP mbrs. to terms of 1-18 yrs. for their involvement in the Ze'evi assassination; Israel dismisses the trial as invalid, repeats demands their extradition. In Jenin r.c., Palestinians reject U.S.-donated emergency aid, saying the U.S. is culpable in the destruction of the camp. The IDF begins constructing a security fence, buffer zone along 7.5 km of the Green Line nr. Tulkarm. (CNN, Irish Times [Internet], Jewish Telegraphic Agency, MM, NYT, WT 4/25; AFP, USIS Washington File, WP, WT 4/26; AYM 4/26 in WNC 4/29; AFP, HA, MM 4/30; JP 5/16; AYM 5/16 in WNC 5/21)

The IDF completes pullout fr. Jenin r.c. and town, begins pullout fr. Nablus. A Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint in Gaza, lightly injuring 2 soldiers. The IDF fatally shoots a total of 7 Palestinians, including 2 reportedly attempting to infiltrate Netzarim settlement, 2 Palestinian children in Ramallah. In Bethlehem, the IDF arrests wanted Hamas mbr. Khalid Tafish. (AP, NYT, REU 4/19; NYT, WP, WT 4/20; WT 4/21)

The IDF pullbacks fr. 22 small West Bank villages but sends forces into Birzeit, Dahariyya, `Ayn Bayt Himla r.c. nr. Ramallah and briefly reenters Tulkarm to make arrests. In Birzeit, troops occupy the main PSF station, begin house-to-house searches. The IDF lifts the curfews on Jenin r.c. (which it says it has quelled), Nablus for several hrs. for the 1st time since 4/3; pulls troops back fr. the old city in Nablus, allowing residents, some journalists and local medical workers to see the extent of devastation for the 1st time. The IDF continues to bar ICRC, UNRWA teams fr. entering the towns. In Jenin r.c., the IDF fatally shoots a 13.-yr.-old boy who gets "too close" to an IDF tank post during the break in curfew; continues to bulldoze buildings. In Nablus, the local hospital says the morgue is filled to capacity; it has had to move in a refrigerated truck to handle overflow. PA officials who reach Ramallah's city hall report that the IDF has ransacked and burned the building, confiscated or destroyed important documents, particularly relating to Palestinian land ownership. In Hebron, a Palestinian suicide bomber reportedly detonates a device nr. an IDF checkpoint, injuring several bystanders. (AFP, AP, WP 4/11; BBC, NYT, WP, WT 4/12)

On arrival in Tel Aviv, Powell is greeted by Sharon, who says the IDF is "not about to leave" Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah; even when troops pull out, they will surround and seal the cities (as they are doing to Qalqilya, Tulkarm) to ensure there are no "terrorist" attacks. The White House says Bush never expected Israel to halt incursions, withdraw fr. PA areas in "a mere eight days"; says Bush considers Sharon to be a "man of peace." (AP 4/11; NYT, WP, WT 4/12; MEI 4/19)

The IDF sends reinforcements into Tubas, where troops bombard a home, killing wanted Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades regional cmdr. Qays Udwan, 5 other Hamas mbrs. Heavy Israeli attacks are reported in Askar r.c., Jenin r.c., Nablus (where the IDF shells, destroys the eastern market area), Yatta. Around 25+n35 Palestinians (including as many as 8 collaborators) are reported killed today, including the 6 in Tubas, 12 in Nablus; 1 IDF soldier is killed in Jenin r.c. An IDF helicopter fires at the car of wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Ziyad Shuwayki in Hebron, missing him but injuring 11 bystanders. IDF troops search, vandalize the home of Nablus mayor Ghassan Shaka (who is not home), arrest his 2 sons. Troops also raid the Ramallah home of PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh, detain him while they search; fire on an diplomatic convoy evacuating EU nationals fr. Dahaysha, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF lifts the curfew in Ramallah for a few hrs. to allow Palestinians to buy food; Palestinians discover that the Amwaj, al-Nasr, Watan TV stations and the Ajyal, Angham, Love and Peace, Manara, al-Quds radio stations have been ransacked. The IDF says it is still holding around 900 of the 1,200 Palestinians it has detained since 3/29. Late tonight, the IDF releases 340 Palestinian detainees fr. Jenin r.c., Ramallah at the Qalandiyya checkpoint but does not allow them through the crossing to reach their homes; the UNRWA allows them to stay in its nearby school. In Gaza, 10,000 Palestinians attend a Hamas rally against Israel's actions. Israel bars Palestinian men under age 40 fr. attending prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. (BBC, HA 4/5; AFP, MENA 4/5 in WNC 4/8; Adalah press release, MSNBC, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; WP 4/8; PCHR 4/9; MEI 4/19; WP 4/24)

     In a TV interview, Bush says that Arafat "certainly hasn't earned" his trust, that "there are others in the regions who can lead," citing Crown Prince Abdallah, King Abdallah, Mubarak. (NYT 4/6; al-Ra'i 4/6 in WNC 4/8)

Early this morning, IDF helicopters, tanks attack the PSF West Bank headquarters in Beitunia, where some 200 PSF officers and staff have encamped since 3/30, setting the building ablaze. The CIA intervenes to secure the safe evacuation of the staff, surrender of 180 officers, but some refuse to leave. In Ramallah, the IDF continues house-to-house searches, stumbling upon 22 PSF officers hiding in an apartment, fatally shooting 2 though none resist arrest; raids, shuts Ramallah's al-Quds Educational TV, arresting 2 employees; revokes the credentials of 2 Abu Dhabi TV journalists, threatens legal action against CNN and NBC for broadcasting fr. Ramallah; confiscates 3 ambulances, detains 9 paramedics. PRCS suspends services in Ramallah, noting the IDF now has 15 medical workers in custody. This afternoon, the IDF lifts the Ramallah curfew for 3 hrs. so residents can buy food, bury those killed since 3/29 (bodies have been double-stacked in morgues, with no electricity). In Bethlehem, IDF troops order all men age 14-45 to surrender; fight their way to the doorway of the Church of the Nativity, where some 200 Palestinian gunmen, civilians have now sought refuge; fire on 20 journalists on the balcony of the Star Hotel, injuring 1; fire a warning shot at a clearly marked Reuters car. Palestinians also take refuge in Bethlehem's Omar Mosque, Santa Maria Church, the Russian Orthodox Church and hospice; the IDF surrounds those holy sites, occupies Bethlehem University as its main staging area. In Aida and Dahaysha, the IDF orders Palestinian women age 15-25, men age 14-45 to surrender. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint into Jerusalem, killing only himself, causing no injuries. At least 7 Palestinians are killed today, including 2 motorists ambushed by settler vigilante group Tears of the Orphans and Martyrs (see 3/5) nr. Tulkarm, a mother and son shot by the IDF and allowed bleed to death, a woman shot dead by an IDF sniper as she left a Ramallah hospital (troops fire on medical workers attempting to retrieve her body). 3 Israelis injured in the 3/27 Netanya attack die, bringing the toll of the bombing to 23; 1 Israeli injured in the 3/31 Haifa attack dies, bringing that toll to 16. Israel expands its list of "wanted" Palestinians to include some of Arafat's top aides, including intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi, PSF 2d in command in Gaza Rashid Abu Shabak, Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, but not PSF heads Dahlan or Rajub. (AP, HA, PRCS press release, NYT, WP, WT 4/2; MENA 4/2 in WNC 4/3; NYT, WP, WT 4/3; WP 4/4; QA 4/4 in WNC 4/5; MEI 4/5)

Sharon tells envoys of EU, Russia, UN they may meet with Arafat if they agree to escort him into exile. Peres proposes that Arafat "voluntarily" leave the territories asylum in foreign country. (AP, HA, MM 4/2; AFP 4/2 in WNC 4/3; NYT, WP 4/3)

With Passover past and 20,000 reserves fully mobilized, the IDF reoccupies Bethlehem, setting up a cordon 500 yards fr. the Church of the Nativity, surrounding the PSF West Bank headquarters, declaring a 24-hr. curfew, firing warning shots at a BBC camera crew. The IDF also sends troops into Aida, Dahaysha, Tulkarm; reinforces troops in Qalqilya, beginning house-to-house searches. In Ramallah, the IDF continues rounding up Palestinian men, saying since 3/29, it has detained 700 (10 of them "wanted" men) and seized 19 rifles, 4 pipe bombs, 2 mortars, a "small number of assorted ordnance"; raids, vandalizes, confiscates files fr. more public, private offices; ejects a 6-person CBS news team fr. the city; fires on a clearly marked NBC TV vehicle. The PRCS says that the IDF has halted coordination efforts that guarantee the safe movement of ambulances, medical workers. In Bayt Jala, 100 Palestinians and foreign peace activists hold a nonviolent march to an IDF checkpoint, where troops open fire in front of them with live ammunition fr. tank-mounted machine guns, wounding 7 foreigners, 1 Palestinian TV cameraman. In total, 13 Palestinians are killed during the day, including an 11-yr.-old boy shot by the IDF in Gaza. A Palestinian sniper kills 1 Jewish settler in Har Homa. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at a checkpoint btwn. East and West Jerusalem, killing 1 Israeli police officer. Palestinian gunmen kill 11 Palestinian collaborators, taking most of them fr. PA jails. Palestinians across the territories hold solidarity rallies to protest Israeli actions. (JP [Internet], NYT, PRCS press release, WP 4/1; al-Quds 4/1, AFP 4/2 in WNC 4/3; AFP, AN, ATL, IRNA, MENA, SA 4/1 in WNC 4/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/2; MEI 4/5)

When 2 AMB mbrs. are halted by soldiers at an IDF checkpoint into Jerusalem, they detonate a bomb, killing only themselves. Unidentified gunmen open fire on a car on a road typically used by Jewish settlers, killing 2 mbrs. of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH) observer force, wounding 1; the car is clearly marked as a TIPH vehicle. The wounded TIPH mbr. says the gunman wore a PSF uniform and carried a Kalashnikov rifle; the PA denies any connection. (AP, HA, MM 3/26; NYT, WP, WT 3/27; AFP, ATL 3/27 in WNC 3/28; ATL 3/29 in WNC 4/1; JP 4/5)

Under strong pressure fr. the U.S., Sharon agrees to allow Arafat to travel to Beirut for the Arab summit but says he must call for a halt to the intifada and asks the U.S. to agree that Israel could bar him fr. returning if violence continues while he is in Beirut. (In interviews with the press, Sharon also says he regrets having promised Bush that he not physically harm Arafat.) The U.S. refuses Sharon's demand. Arafat says he will not go, fearing exile. In response, Pres. Husni Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdallah of Jordan say they will not attend the summit. (AP, MM 3/26; ITAR-TASS, MENA 3/26 in WNC 3/27; HA, NYT, WP, WT 3/27; MENA 3/27 in WNC 3/28)

Zinni cancels a trilateral security comm. mtg. to discuss his 3/24 bridging proposals, saying the sides are too far apart to bother meeting. (HA 3/26; NYT 3/27; al-Quds 3/31 in WNC 4/2)

An AMB suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint outside Jenin, wounding 1 IDF soldier. The IDF continues operations in PA-controlled areas nr. Hebron and Nablus, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian. The IDF fatally shoots another 2 Palestinians in separate incidents in Gaza; a 5th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/21. (ITAR-TASS 3/22 in WNC 3/25; HP, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 3/23; PCHR 3/27)

In response to the 2 suicide attacks on 3/9, the IDF destroys Arafat's Gaza City headquarters, firing 30 missiles at the compound fr. the air, sea. IDF sends 50 tanks, APCs into Qalqilya; continues operations in Dahaysha (demolishing at least 4 Palestinian houses); directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Beitunia, Hebron, Jabaliya, Jalazone, Khan Yunis, Tal al-Sultan; blows up the house of senior AMB mbr. Yahya Dahamsa in Artas, demolishes 2 other homes in Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes agricultural land in Bayt Hanun; masses troops around refugee camps nr. Ramallah. In Ashdod, a Palestinian opens fire, wounding 1 Israeli before being captured. Another Palestinian gunman fatally shoots an IDF soldier outside Netzarim settlement, is shot dead by a settlement guard. At least 6 Palestinians are killed during the day: The brother of a senior Fatah leader is killed when IDF helicopters fire a missile at his car in what is thought to be a botched assassination attempt. The IDF fires on a car nr. Sur al-Bahir, killing 2 Palestinians allegedly en route to stage a bombing in Jerusalem; fatally shoots an 11-yr.-old Palestinian boy at an IDF checkpoint nr. Ramallah, 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus. Late this evening, the IDF shells Bethlehem, Dahaysha. (HP, LAW, NYT, PMC, REU, WP 3/10; AFP 3/10 in WNC 3/11; NYT, WP, WT 3/11; LAW 3/13)

A AMB sniper using a decades-old carbine rifle fatally shoots 7 IDF soldiers, 3 Jewish settlers, wounding 6 others at a checkpoint nr. Ofra settlement before escaping, leaving his gun behind. In response, IDF tanks, helicopters, F-16s strike PSF targets in Bethlehem, killing 4 PSF officers, wounding 20. In retaliation for the Beit Israeli suicide bombing on 3/2, IDF helicopters rocket the PA headquarters, a small factory in Bethlehem. The IDF also shells the PA military intelligence office in Salfit, killing 1 PA intelligence officer, wounding 5; shells a building within Arafat's compound in Ramallah; briefly invades Qalqilya. In Gaza, an AMB gunman fatally shoots an IDF soldier. Sharon convenes his inner cabinet to chart an intensified policy of "sustained military pressure" against the PA, militant Palestinian groups. Jewish settlers rally outside the PM's residence in Jerusalem, demanding harsher attacks on the Palestinians. 100s of Hamas supporters rally in Jabaliya. Arafat condemns the Beit Israeli attack, but says nothing about today's AMB strikes. (HA, NYT, WP, WT 3/3; AFP, XIN 3/3 in WNC 3/4; JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/4; MM 3/5; AKH 3/6 in WNC 3/7; WJW 3/7; MEI 3/8; JP 3/15)

For the 2d time in 2 days at the same location, IDF soldiers open fire on a Palestinian car that had been given IDF approval to cross a Nablus checkpoint to deliver a pregnant Palestinian woman in labor to a hospital. The woman's husband is killed instantly, her father-in-law left paralyzed, while she is ordered to strip, is left bleeding on a cold stretcher for 45 mins. before the IDF transports her to a hospital, where she delivers a healthy baby. The soldiers brigade cmdr. issues a statement saying the soldiers acted "according to procedures." Nr. Bethlehem, an AMB gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle, seriously wounding a pregnant Jewish settler en route to a Jerusalem hospital, killing her father, another passenger; the woman delivers a healthy baby. An AMB mbr. opens fire on at a bus stop in Neve Ya'aqov settlement, wounding 5 settlers, 3 policemen before being shot, wounded, arrested. Nr. Tulkarm, a 15-yr.-old Palestinian girl runs toward an IDF checkpoint wielding a knife, is shot dead by troops; she leaves a suicide note denouncing the Israeli occupation. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Khadir, Rafah, Tal Sultan. Jewish settlers erect new caravans in Itamar settlement. (BBC, HP 2/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/26; PCHR 2/27; JP 3/8)