The Palestine Chronology

The IDF deports to Gaza a Palestinian woman married to an Israeli Palestinian, their 2-yr. old daughter, saying they violated the Israeli Citizenship Law; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; begins bulldozing Far‘un, Jayyus land confiscated on 12/17 for construction of the separation wall. The IDF denies a press card for entry to the occupied territories to Israeli Arab photographer Jamil Kadamani, citing “security considerations”; Kadamani, who works for French TV station FT1, has had a regular press card, allowing him access to Israeli officials, for 3 yrs. Palestinians fire mortars at central Gaza Jewish settlements, causing no damage or injuries. A PA court in Gaza sentences 4 Palestinians to terms ranging fr. 10 to 20 yrs. for collaborating with the Shin Bet. (HA 12/20; VOI 12/20 in WNC 12/22; AYM 12/21 in WNC 12/23; PCHR 12/23; HA 1/31)

Hamas takes responsibility for planting a bomb in a chicken coop nr. Gaza’s Qarni crossing, luring an IDF bomb squad to the site, and detonating the device, killing an IDF solider and a bomb-sniffing dog, wounding 4 soldiers. The IDF retaliates with gunfire nearby, killing 2 Hamas mbrs., 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., wounding 10 bystanders, bulldozing 30 d. of land. The IDF raids a charitable society, orphanage, and school reportedly tied to Hamas in Bani Na‘im, confiscating files, sealing 3 offices; raids the Prisoners’ Supporters Society in Hebron, confiscating computers, files; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., Beitunia, Hebron and nearby Bayt ‘Awwa, Qalqilya and neighboring ‘Azun and Jayyus, Taqu‘a, Zabbuba nr. Jenin; begins large-scale bulldozing operations nr. Jaba‘ village northwest of Hebron for construction of the separation wall; fires rubber bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall in Budrus nr. Ramallah, also arrests 40 Israeli protesters demonstrating with them. The AMB kills a Palestinian collaborator believed to have passed information to the IDF that led to the killing of 3 AMB mbrs. on 11/21. A carload of Jewish settlers twice attempts to run down a group of Palestinian teenagers on their way to school; the settlers then emerge fr. the car, attempt to kidnap a Palestinian boy, scuffle with teenagers; the IDF intervenes, orders settlers to leave but does not arrest them. (IMEMC, MM 12/7; VOI 12/7 in WNC 12/9; NYT, WP, WT 12/8; VOI 12/8 in WNC 12/10; PCHR 12/9; MEI 12/17)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Jenin town and r.c., closes off all access roads leading to the city, conducts arrest raids and house searches, fires on residential areas; withdraws fr. Bayt Hanun, having leveled 100 d. of citrus groves since 10/26, 1 Palestinian home,5wells. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo attack, chase off a group of Palestinians harvesting olives in nearby al-Mughayyir village. Israeli sources confirm that the West Jerusalem municipality has completed plans for construction of a new 280-unit Jewish settlement quarter in Abu Dis in East Jerusalem following completion of the separation wall through Abu Dis. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/2 during the IDF attack on n. Gaza. In Gaza, scores of Palestinians protest increasing crime, kidnappings, violence in Gaza and demand security, legal reforms. (HJ, al-Quds, VOI, VOP 10/27 in WNC 10/29; PCHR, PRCS 10/28; PRCS 10/30; PR 11/3; PCHR 11/4)

An Israeli court rules that Palestinian residents of Jerusalem have the right to register any child under age 12 without having to apply for family reunification even if 1 parent holds a West Bank ID. Previously, the Israeli Interior Min. asserted that any such children not registered by age 1 would have to apply for family reunification. (PR 11/3)

Arafat collapses in his Ramallah headquarters and deteriorates dramatically during the day, reportedly lapsing in and out of consciousness. His personal doctor is summoned fr. Amman, a medical team fr. Egypt, and his wife fr. Paris, raising speculation that he is nearing death. (AP, BBC, CNN, HA, REU 10/27; JAZ, JP, LBC, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, YA 10/27 in WNC 10/29; AP, BBC, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 10/28; PR, WT 11/3; MEI 11/5)

The IDF fatally shoots 5 Palestinians in incidents across the Gaza Strip: 2 are killed attempting to cross the border fence into Israel, 2 are killed while allegedly planting a roadside bomb, 1 is fatally shot nr. a Jewish settlement. The IDF also shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, seriously injuring a 3-yr.-old and 6-yr.-old in their beds; fires on residential areas, stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c., Bayt Furik; arrests 70 Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Bayt Jala; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Dura, al-Khadir, Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, Silwad, Tulkarm. A Palestinian dies of injuries received a wk. earlier in Rafah. At midday in Gaza City, PA preventive security officers, PA military intelligence officers exchange gunfire, toss grenades at each other, leaving 1 preventive security officer seriously injured, 3 others lightly injured; later in the day, the same group exchanges fire again, leaving 2 people injured; Fatah, PA officials meet later to contain the crisis, the reasons for which are unknown. (REU 10/18; VOP 10/18 in WNC 10/20; BBC, WP 10/19; JAZ, VOI 10/19 in WNC 10/21; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21)

The IDF completes its withdrawal fr. built up areas of n. Gaza in the morning; announces new restrictions barring buses fr. crossing the Qalandia checkpoint unless they obtain special permits; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths in Balata r.c., wounding 7; sends tanks, armored bulldozers into Rafah allegedly to search for smugglers’ tunnels; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bir al-Basha nr. Jenin; declares areas around Hebron a closed military zone, preventing Palestinian olive pickers fr. reaching their groves. Palestinians fire 7 mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing some damage, no injuries. 2 Palestinians die of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/6, 10/15. (VOI 10/16 in WNC 10/19; HA, WP 10/17; HA, HJ, JP, MA 10/17 in WNC 10/19; PCHR 10/21)

The IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad’s military leader Bashir al-Dabash, his bodyguard Ahmad al-Arayir, firing 2 missiles at their car as they drive in Gaza City, also wounding 3 bystanders. In n. Gaza, the IDF fires a missile at a group of AMB mbrs. allegedly preparing an attack on IDF forces in Jabaliya r.c., killing 2 AMB mbrs., wounding 3; shells residential areas of Bayt Lahiya, hitting 3 homes, killing 3 Palestinians (2 may be Islamic Jihad mbrs. targeted for assassination), wounding at least 11 (including 9 children ages 7 mos.–13 yrs.). A Palestinian militant dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/4. In s. Gaza, an IDF platoon leader wounds, then executes a 13-yr.-old Palestinian girl identified by soldiers under his command as a “nonthreat." The IDF also shells residential areas, conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 9 Palestinian homes and 52 d. in Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas of al-Qarara. In the West Bank, the IDF kills an AMB mbr. in an overnight exchange of gunfire in Hebron; seals, imposes a curfew on, fires on residential areas of, conducts arrest raids and house searches in Qabatya; lifts the 10/3 ban on Palestinians entering the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. The IDF announces that it has recently arrested 13 UN employees whom it plans to indict for “suspected links to terrorism”; says it has recently arrested a 24-yr.-old tanzim mbr. fr. Silwad for the Wadi al-Haramiyya shooting in 3/3/02 in which a gunman killed 7 IDF soldiers and 3 Jewish settlers using an antique rifle. (HA, PM 10/5; PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/5 in WNC 10/7; NYT, PR, WT 10/6; VOI 10/6 in WNC 10/8; PCHR 10/7; NYT 10/10; VOI 10/10 in WNC 10/12; NYT 10/12; MM 10/13; al-Quds 10/13 in WNC 10/19; MM, WP 10/14; WP 11/28)

The IDF expands Operation Days of Penitence, using some 200 tanks and APCs to seize control of a 3.5 mi2 of costal territory in n. Gaza. In Jabaliya r.c., IDF missile strikes kill 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. and 2 Hamas mbrs., wound 4 bystanders; gunfire kills at least 3 Palestinians (possibly Islamic Jihad mbrs.); demolitions of Palestinian homes continue; the IDF uses loudspeakers to urge 10s of Palestinians to evacuate their homes. The IDF fatally shoots another 4 Palestinians trying to infiltrate Israel fr. n. Gaza. A Palestinian militant dies of injuries sustained in Jabaliya on 10/1. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinians in central Gaza protesting against Days of Penitence; shells residential areas of Rafah, killing a 62-yr.-old Palestinian; evacuates, demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah, shooting and seriously wounding a Palestinian woman (6-mos. pregnant) in the process; fires on several residential areas of Khan Yunis, bulldozing 14 d., damaging an elementary school and forcing students to evacuate; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara. In the West Bank, the IDF imposes a 1-day curfew on Palestinian areas of Hebron, fires on stone-throwing youths; conducts arrest raids at Hebron University and in Abu Nujaym and Artas nr. Bethlehem, Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, Silwad, Tulkarm, Tura nr. Jenin. A 4-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received on 7/30/04. (HA, NYT, XIN 10/2; AFP, JAZ, VOI, VOP 10/2, VOI 10/3 in WNC 10/5; NYT, WP, WT 10/3; PCHR 10/7)

The IDF launches Operation Days of Penitence, sending 3 brigades (ca. 2,000 troops) with 100 tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs), armored bulldozers to cordon off the n. Gaza Strip, killing 8 Palestinians (including at least 3 Hamas mbrs., 3 other armed Palestinians, 2 bystanders), wounding 17 in clashes during the day (some casualties, according to hospital workers, were hit by internationally banned flechettes); 2 Palestinians (including 1 militant) die of injuries received in n. Gaza on 9/29, 9/30; the IDF also drops a bomb on a factory in Jabaliya r.c. Armed Palestinians build sand berms to block streets, lay booby-traps along roads in Jabaliya, wounding 2 IDF soldiers with a roadside bomb. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian, captures 7 attempting to cross the Israel-Gaza border nr. the Erez crossing; the AMB, Hamas say the 8 (who are wearing PA police uniforms, carrying 88 lbs of explosives) are their mbrs. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Rafah; fires missiles at a workshop in Gaza City, causing serious damage, no injuries. In Sakhnin, Israel, 3,000 Israeli Palestinians hold a demonstration to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the 10/00 riots, during which 18 Israeli Palestinians died (13 killed by Israeli police, 5 by Israeli civilians). (HA 10/1; JAZ, VOI, VOP 10/1 in WNC 10/5; HA, NYT, WP 10/2; PCHR 10/7)

The IDF tightens roadblocks btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah; imposes a curfew on Silwad nr. Ramallah; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone nr. Morag; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and in Aida r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Rima and Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah, Madama nr. Nablus, Salfit; begins work on new segments of the separation wall running s. of Hebron and btwn. East Jerusalem and the Qalandia checkpoint s. of Ramallah, bulldozing 500 d.; reportedly bulldozes large areas in Wadi al-Malih in the n. Jordan Valley. Palestinians in Nablus report that the IDF is digging a trench 3 m deep and 4 m wide to encircle Salim, Azmut, Dayr Hatab, Bayt Dajan, and Bayt Furik villages (combined population 30,000); 3 km have been completed. Armed Palestinians calling themselves the Fatah Fighters kidnap the PA’s security dir. for the Rafah checkpoint Saad al-Sayfan, accusing him of corruption. 15 armed Palestinians occupy the Khan Yunis governate building for 2 hrs., demand that the PA compensate local Palestinians who have lost their homes to IDF bulldozing. Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. A PA court in Gaza opens a trial against 7 alleged collaborators, including Muhammad and Rami Abu Qaynas, accused of providing Israel with information used to assassinate Hamas leader ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Rantisi on 4/17/04. ( JAZ 9/5; MENA 9/5 in WNC 9/7; VOI 9/6 in WNC 9/8; PR 9/8; PCHR 9/9; PR 9/15)

In Rafat, the IDF opens fire on several Palestinians removing belongings fr. a home that the IDF earlier warned would be demolished, seriously wounding 1 Palestinian, firing on an ambulance that attempts to reach him, allowing him to bleed to death. The IDF fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; demolishes a Palestinian home in alQarara; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Araqa and Qabatya villages nr. Jenin, Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, Balata r.c., Surif nr. Hebron, Tulkarm. Israel announces plans for another 533 new housing units in the Adam, Emmanuel, Har Adar, Har Gilo settlements in the West Bank. The PA announces that security forces have recently arrested 6 suspected collaborators in Gaza. ( JP, MM 8/23; DS, NYT, WP, WT 8/24; VOP 8/24 in WNC 8/26; PR 8/25; PCHR 8/26)

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)

An AMB gunman ambushes, fatally shoots a Jewish settler security chief patrolling around Itamar settlement in the West Bank, is then shot dead by other security guards; the IDF later blows up the gunman’s home in nearby Bayt Furik. The IDF also continues operations in Gaza City, bulldozing 700 dunams of land, demolishing several Palestinian homes, firing on Palestinians, wounding 4 before withdrawing later in the day; fires on residential areas of Aida r.c., Bayt Furik, Tal al-Sultan, Yatta; raids, fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., Tulkarm r.c. and town; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Khadir, Bayt Sahur; shells an electricity tower in Rafah, cutting electricity to some neighborhoods and Brazil r.c. The IDF also fires warning shots at a Spanish emb. vehicle at the Abu Huli checkpoint in Gaza; Spain lodges a formal complaint, saying it had received Israeli approval for the trip. (NYT, WP 8/14; PCHR 8/19) The 20th summer Olympics opens in Athens. Palestine is represented by 2 track and-field athletes, 1 swimmer. The International Olympic Comm. (IOC) 1st recognized Palestine in 1934, but rescinded recognition in 1948, when it recognized Israel. After the signing of the Oslo Accord in 1993, the IOC recognized Palestine again. Palestinian teams have competed in the summer Olympics in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). (PR 8/18, 8/25)

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 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)

In continuing operations in the Bayt Hanun area, the IDF fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun; shells residential areas nr. Jabaliya. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Rafah, fatally shooting a 16-yr.-old Palestinian girl inside her home; conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm. Nr. Gaza City, 3 PRC mbrs. are killed when their car mysteriously explodes, also killing a Palestinian bystander, in what may be an assassination. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at the Negev, causing some damage to 1 home in a kibbutz; detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF vehicle in southern Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (PSCT, VOI, VOP 7/10 in WNC 7/13; NYT 7/11; VOI 7/11 in WNC 7/13; PCHR 7/15)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 armed Palestinians who allegedly attempt to attack an IDF post nr. Gaza’s Dugit settlement; imposes an around-the-clock curfew on Palestinian areas of Hebron; arrests an ambulance driver transporting an ailing child at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya; fires on, shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. The IDF also launches a major raid on Nablus to “clear the casbah of Palestinian fugitives,” surrounding refugee camps in search of 7 wanted AMB mbrs., sending in 100s of troops, taking over more than 12 buildings; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah, Hebron and nr. Tulkarm; evacuates an apartment building in Bethlehem, then blows up 1 unit, severely damaging several others; bulldozes 1 Palestinian home, some olive trees in the n. Gaza Strip. Homeless Palestinians end their sit-in strike (begun 6/19) after the PC announces plans to build some homes for the homeless. (VOI, VOP 6/24 in WNC 6/26; MM, NYT 6/25; NYT 6/26; PR 6/30; PCHR 7/1)

As Israeli-Palestinian tensions continue to run high in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fatally shoots 3 Palestinians who enter a closed military zone nr. Gaza’s border with Israel; fires missiles at 3 sites in Gaza City (the local Fatah headquarters, Hamas’s al-Risala newspaper, an electrical transformer), cutting electricity to part of the city, wounding at least 3 Palestinian children. Gaza crossings into Israel remain closed for the 8th consecutive week. Rejecting a 5/15 petition by a Palestinian human rights group, the Israeli High Court says the IDF may widen the Philadelphi Route buffer zone along the Gaza border with Egypt, potentially demolishing 100s of Palestinian homes, ruling that the army has a “real, imminent need” to do so. The IDF announces over loudspeakers in Rafah’s Bloc O section, where much bulldozing has occurred, that Palestinians have 24 hrs. to evacuate their homes; fires on residential areas to encourage Palestinians to leave. The International Comm. of the Red Cross begins setting up a tent camp in Rafah able to provide emergency housing for 1,500 Palestinians left homeless by IDF bulldozing operations in the past wk. and those fleeing in fear of further demolitions. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha refugee camp (r.c.) nr. Bethlehem, begins bulldozing 45 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of Palestinian land nr. Jerusalem for a new segment of the separation wall. (AFP, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; AFP, MM, NYT 5/17; VOP 5/17 in WNC 5/19; PCHR 5/20)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian in Hebron who allegedly attempts to grab a soldier’s weapon; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths nr. Nisanit settlement, wounding 5; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Anabta, Kafr Dik, Qalqilya, Tubas; occupies a Palestinian home in Husan as an observation post; begins construction of a fence along the Kissufim–Katif Bloc road in Gaza, designed to prevent Palestinian attacks on Jewish settler vehicles. (AFP, MM 5/6; VOI 5/6 in WNC 5/8; VOI 5/9 in WNC 5/12; PCHR 5/13)

Responding to Bush’s 4/14 endorsement of Sharon’s plan, the UN General Assembly passes (140-6) a res. affirming the Palestinians “right to self-determination and sovereignty over their territory.” Israel, the U.S., 4 Pacific Island nations vote against. (HA 5/6; ITAR-TASS, MENA 5/7 in WNC 5/11; PR 5/12; MEI 5/14)

The IDF fires on a jeep approaching Kefar Darom settlement at high speed; the jeep, disguised as an Israeli civilian vehicle and packed with explosives, explodes, killing the Palestinian driver, wounding 4 IDF soldiers; Hamas claims responsibility. The IDF also briefly detains al-Quds University pres. and peace activist Sari Nusseibeh for hiring illegal Palestinian workers; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Sura nr. Nablus; conducts arrest raids nr. Hebron. In Gaza, an early morning explosion damages the entrance to the home of PSF Gaza cmdr. Ghazi al-Jabali; no one takes responsibility. (MM, PR 4/28; NYT, PCHR 4/29; NYT 4/30; PCHR 5/6)

The IDF continues operations in Bayt Lahiya, clashing with stone-throwing youths and some armed Palestinians, fatally shooting 9 Palestinians and injuring more than 50, firing on and disabling 1 ambulance and injuring 2 medics. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 48 dunams of land nr. Dayr al-Balah. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar set up tents btwn. the settlement and nearby Palestinian village of Burin, throw stones at Palestinian houses and cars. UNRWA resumes food aid to Gaza (suspended 4/1), saying that Israel has eased restrictions on the import of food to the Strip in the past 2 wks., is generally being cooperative. Overnight, armed Palestinians storm the PA’s Saraya Prison in Gaza City, free 3 PRC mbrs. being held in connection with the 10/03 Erez roadside bombing that killed 3 U.S. security officers. (VOP 4/21 in WNC 4/23; NYT, PCHR, PRCS, WP, WT 4/22; Guardian 4/23; PR 4/28; PCHR 4/29)

Israel DM Mofaz says the comprehensive closure on the West Bank, Gaza that has been in place since the 3/22 Yasin assassination will be in place until early 5/04. The IDF closes the only entrance to Qalqilya, sets up several new checkpoints on the Qalqilya–Nablus road; raids Tulkarm r.c., fatally shoots wanted Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Khalid Kharwish in an apparent assassination, wounds 10 others, raids a hospital emergency room to arrest a critically wounded Palestinian militant; fatally shoots 3 unarmed Palestinian laborers who were apparently attempting to sneak across the Gaza border fence into Israel to find work; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem; raids, shuts down the Arab Women’s Care Society in East Jerusalem, arresting several employees, confiscating records, seizing its bank accounts on the grounds that the group, licensed by the Israeli Interior Min. as a charitable society in 1994, is run by Hamas; blows up a Palestinian home in Tulkarm r.c.; bulldozes an area of land nr. Hebron, erects a new observation tower; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh, Hebron, al-Khadir, Nablus. The IDF also begins work on a 2-km stretch of the separation wall btwn. Dahiyat al-Barid checkpoint n. of Jerusalem and the Qalandia checkpoint s. of Ramallah that will isolate, prevent the expansion of Dahiyat al-Barid and al-Ram. (al-Arabiyya TV 4/4 in WNC 5/7; WT 4/5; VOP 4/5 in WNC 4/7; NYT 4/6; PR 4/7; PCHR 4/8)

The PLF names Omar Shibli (Abu Ahmad) as secy.-gen., succeeding Muhammad Abbas who died in U.S. custody in Iraq on 3/9. (Daily Star 4/3; PR 4/7)

The IDF fires on stone-throwing youths in Dahaysha r.c., killing 1 Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah (wounding a Palestinian playing soccer), conducts arrest raids in Anabta nr. Tulkarm, Bayt Sahur, Jenin, Salfit. In Nablus, an AMB mbr. dies when his car mysteriously explodes in what may be an assassination. UN officials note that nearly all food and other humanitarian aid to Gaza has ceased since Israel closed the Erez crossing on 3/15, warn that a humanitarian crisis could ensue if Israel does not ease restrictions. On the 1st Friday after Yasin’s assassination, 10,000s of Palestinians protest across the West Bank and Gaza. (VOP 3/26 in WNC 3/30; NYT, WT 3/27; AFP 3/30; PR 3/31; PCHR 4/1)

The IDF catches a 16-yr.-old Palestinian boy wearing a suicide bomb at a checkpoint s. of Nablus, defuses the bomb, detains the boy; the Balata r.c. AMB takes responsibility, angering many Palestinians. The IDF also sends 25 tanks, bulldozers into Khan Yunis to raze 5 farms, 7 Palestinian homes that allegedly “provided cover” for Palestinian gunmen, also demolishing a main road and effectively dividing the town in half; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Hebron (wounding 8), residential areas nr. Qalqilya; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c., ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’a r.c., Balata r.c., Dahaysha r.c., Jayyus, Nablus, Tubas nr. Jenin; temporarily occupies a Palestinian home nr. Nablus as an observation post. Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF patrol outside Gaza’s Gadid settlement, lightly injuring 1 soldier; also fire on IDF soldiers nr. Ramallah, nr. Netzarim settlement, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/11. (BBC, HA, REU, WT 3/24; VOP 3/24 in WNC 3/26; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/25; AYM 3/26 in WNC 3/30; PR 3/31; PCHR 4/1; MEI 4/2; PR 4/7)

In Washington, Weisglass, Eiland present U.S. officials (including Rice) Sharon’s “preferred plan” for unilateral disengagement fr. Gaza plus 6 settlements in the West Bank (Ganim, Hermesh, Homesh, Mevo Dotan, Qadim, Sa-Nur). (MM 3/24; MM 3/26; HA 3/28)

Overnight, the IDF destroys the educational studies campus of Gaza City’s al-Aqsa University, blowing up 2 buildings and bulldozing the 5.5 dunam campus, 30 dunams of surrounding agricultural land. During the day, IDF helicopters fire missiles at the home ofIslamic Jihad leader Muhammad al-Hindi in Gaza City, missing him but assassinating Islamic Jihad mbrs. Nassir Yasin and Husni Sarafiti, wounding at least 7 bystanders. IDF helicopters also fire missiles at the Rafah home of PRC leader Faraj Abu Jarrar, assassinating him, killing fellow PRC mbr. Mahmud Abu Nahal, wounding at least 6. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Nablus, 1 nr. Ramallah, 1 in Tulkarm r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh, Hebron, Jenin, al-Maghazi, Ramallah. Jewish settlers fr. Carmiel nr. Hebron, accompanied by IDF soldiers, bulldoze more than 10 dunams of nearby Yatta agricultural land. Jewish settlers fr. Mafdal Oz nr. Hebron seize, raze 13 dunams of nearby Palestinian agricultural land; Jewish settlers fr. Itamar nr. Nablus beat, threaten to kill a Palestinian fr. nearby Awarta village. Late in the evening, large formations of IDF armored vehicles gather outside the main entry points to the Gaza Strip in apparent preparation for a major incursion; Israeli security officials say that Sharon has authorized the IDF and Shin Bet to “act without limitations against top figures from all terror organizations.” (HA, MM, PCHR 3/16; PSCT, VOP 3/16 in WNC 3/18; HA, NYT, PR, REU, WP 3/17; NYT, PCHR, WP 3/18; PR 3/24)

Israel’s security cabinet approves an aggressive new campaign (dubbed Operation Continuous Story) against Palestinian militants in Gaza following the 3/14 Ashdod bombings. The IDF closes Gaza’s Erez crossing “indefinitely”; raids a mtg. of PA officials and local administrators in Jenin, arresting several participants, including the mayors of 2 local communities, 1 local council mbr.; fires on a PSF post at Netzarim junction in Gaza, seriously injuring 1 PSF officer, severely damaging the building; places a curfew on, fires on residential areas of Husan; shells residential areas of Rafah, demolishing 1 Palestinian home, heavily damaging 1, occupying a 3d as an observation post; seizes 4 Palestinian homes in Tulkarm, 2 in Balata r.c. as observation posts; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Hebron; fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., wounding 1 teenager, 3 bystanders; fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at a group of Palestinian, Israeli, international protesters demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Ramallah, wounding 15. The IDF also allows 1 West Bank administrative detainee deported to Gaza in 9/02 to return to her West Bank home. Jewish settlers fr. Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem, accompanied by IDF soldiers, bulldoze 5 dunams of adjacent Palestinian olive groves. (VOP 3/15 in WNC 3/17; AFP, HA 3/16; MM, PR, REU, WP 3/17; MM, PCHR 3/18; MEI 3/19; PCHR 3/25)

The IDF transfers a West Bank administrative detainee to Gaza for 5 yrs.; opens fire on stone-throwing Palestinian youths at the end of a separation wall demonstration nr. Bayt Surik and Biddu, killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 20; blows up 2 Palestinian homes in Aida r.c.; conducts arrest raids in al-Arub r.c.; fires on residential areas of al-Qarara. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Ramallah, temporarily blocking access to Arafat’s compound, occupying the Palestinian Medical Relief offices as an observation post, shooting and wounding 1 Palestinian. In Gaza, 2 AMB mbrs. crawl through a sewer pipe to get into the Erez Industrial Zone (inside Gaza), where they fatally shoot 2 IDF soldiers before being shot dead themselves. A group of Israelis stabs, beats, seriously injures a Palestinian in West Jerusalem; police arrest 1 Israeli. (HA, MM, REU 2/26; VOP 2/26 in WNC 2/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/27; VOP 2/27 in WNC 3/2; PR 3/3; PCHR 3/4)

The IDF transfers a West Bank administrative detainee to Gaza for 4 yrs.; fires on 4 Palestinians, allegedly al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbrs. attempting to infiltrate Gaza’s Gush Katif settlement, killing 2 Palestinians, capturing 1; fires tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets into a school playground, wounding 3 children; bulldozes 120 dunams of land in al-Mughraqa; conducts house searches in al-Qarara nr. Khan Yunis. In Khan Yunis, unidentified gunmen open fire on the office of Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. Ibrahim Abu Naja, aclose ally of PA head Yasir Arafat, causing significant damage but no injuries. (PCHR 2/19; HA 2/20; LAW, PCHR 2/26)

A female Palestinian suicide bomber (mother of 2 small children) detonates a device at the Erez crossing, killing 3 IDF soldiers, 1 Israeli security officer, wounding 12; Hamas’s Shaykh Yasin claims responsibility for the attack, saying it was a joint operation with the AMB, noting Hamas’s 1st use of a female bomber, vowing to escalate attacks. Israel seals Gaza, sends home 4,000 Gazan laborers working in the Erez industrial zone. The IDF raids Budrus nr. Ramallah, detaining Ayid and Na‘im Morrar, the coordinators of the nonviolent protest group Popular Comm. Against the Wall, which stages rallies against the separation wall; places a curfew on Tulkarm r.c., demolishes 3 Palestinian homes there; raids a nursery in Hebron, confiscating files, demolishing furniture. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Erez industrial zone, a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries in either incident. (AFP, BBC, HA, MM, PRCS 1/14; MNR, VOI, VOP, YA 1/14 in WNC 1/16; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/15; QA 1/15, AYM 1/17 in WNC 1/21; HA 1/19; WT 1/20; MM, PCHR 1/22; JPI, MEI 1/23)

The World Zionist Organization (WZO) begins offering young Israeli couples up to $9,000/yr. to move to the unauthorized settlement outpost of Givat Salit in northern Jordan Valley. (YA 1/14)

The IDF begins requiring all visitors to Gaza and the PA-controlled areas of the West Bank (areas A) to obtain prior written permission for travel fr. the Civil Admin. or face the chance that they may be prosecuted, denied reentry into Israel, or deported; allows Palestinian workers in Gaza over age 28 to apply for work visas in Israel (previously workers had to be over age 35). The IDF also ends 4 days of bulldozing nr. Dayr al-Balah, during which 8 Palestinian homes, 12 dunams of land were razed; fires on residential areas nr. Hebron; fires on Palestinian, foreign peace activists staging a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall nr. Ramallah, injuring 18. Sharon orders the removal of another 2 uninhabited unauthorized settlement outposts; settlers immediately appeal to the High Court. (WP, WT 1/5; MM 1/6; PR 1/7; PCHR 1/9; PR 1/14; PCHR 1/22)