The Palestine Chronology

1,000s of Palestinians continue to cross the Rafah border, while Egyptian border guards attempt to assert some control; PA security forces do not attempt to block movement; Hamas mbrs. blow an opening in the concrete wall on the Palestinian side to facilitate passage. Hamas mbrs. disrupt a disengagement celebration at an abandoned settlement site nr. Khan Yunis, attack a Palestinian rap group in protest over their “Western” music. Abbas cancels plans to attend another national unity celebration at Neve Dekalim out of concern about gunmen. Meanwhile, the IDF raids an Internet caf´e in East Jerusalem, confiscating computers and disks, searches staff and customers; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron; imposes a curfew on Zabbuba nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers in Hebron attack Palestinian homes, vehicles in and around the city. (JAZ 9/14; BBC, HA, IMEMC, PCHR, WT 9/15; PCHR 9/22)

Just past dawn, the IDF pulls its last troops out of Gaza, issues a declaration ending military rule in the Strip. Palestinians storm past PA security forces to enter the evacuated settlements, scavenging some synagogues and demolished homes for anything that could be sold or used, setting 4 synagogues on fire; the PA security forces bulldoze several synagogues, bar Palestinians fr. ransacking greenhouses (purchased by U.S. philanthropists and given to the PA as economically viable operations to aid the Palestinian economy), but leave a large factory in Kefar Darom unguarded, allowing it to be stripped of equipment. Palestinians also remove IDF roadblocks across Gaza, flock to beaches to swim for the 1st time since the start of the intifada. The AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Fatah hold marches and celebrations, with factional flags more numerous than Palestinian flags. Egyptian border guards along the Rafah border fatally shoot a Palestinian while attempting to control crowds who flock to the crossing; 100s of Palestinians break through the border fence and enter Egypt. The IDF fires on Palestinian youths who approach the border fence in Bayt Lahiya, seriously wounding a 13-yr.-old. In the West Bank, the IDF imposes an overnight curfew on al-Til, conducting house searches and ID checks, withdrawing late morning; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, Tulkarm; occupies the top floor of a Palestinian home nr. Hebron as an observation post. (AP, JAZ, NYT, REU 9/12; CSM, HA, JT, JTA, NYT, WP, WT 9/13; IMEMC, Independent 9/14; BBC, PCHR 9/15)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Mughraqa in s. Gaza, sending in troops backed by more than 20 armored vehicles to search houses; raids al-Quds University campus in East Jerusalem, arresting Palestine National Council mbr. Ali Abu Hilal, dir. of the university’s Center for Democracy and Human Rights; imposes a curfew on ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and al-Ram nr. East Jerusalem, nr. Nablus; patrols in Araba nr. Jenin, Ubaydiyya nr. Bethlehem, Tulkarm town and r.c. (firing on stone-throwing youths, wounding 1), Za‘tara nr. Bethlehem; fires on unarmed Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel w. of Hebron to find work, wounding 2. The AMB, DFLP fire mortars at the IDF post at Erez crossing, causing no injuries. The Fatah offshoot Abu Rish Brigades fires a rocket at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinians fire on an IDF patrol nr. Tulkarm r.c., causing no injuries but prompting troops to enter the camp, return fire, injuring 1 Palestinian bystander. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadasah severely beat a 16-yr.-old Palestinian in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba severely beat a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Hebron. A Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron chases, fires on a carload of Palestinian workers returning fr. their jobs in Israel, seriously wounding 1, lightly wounding a 2d. In Jerusalem, 20 Jewish settlers try to force their way into the al-Aqsa Mosque but are barred by Palestinian guards. PA judges go on strike and demonstrate outside the main court headquarters in Gaza. PA High Court chief justice Surani (whose home was attacked on 8/2) resigns to protest inadequate security (he retracts the resignation on 8/8). (HA, REU, XIN 8/6; REU 8/8; OCHA, PR 8/10; PCHR 8/11)

The IDF imposes a curfew on, patrols in, fires on residential areas of Dayr Istiyya nr. Salfit; patrols in Tamun and Tubas nr. Jenin; occupies 5 Palestinian homes in Allar nr. Tulkarm as observation posts; fires on residential areas of Rafah, wounding a Palestinian infant inside her home. A Jewish settler injures a 69-yr.-old Palestinian woman in a hit-and-run incident in the West Bank (exact place not reported). (VOI 7/1 in WNC 7/2; OCHA 7/6; PCHR 7/7)

Israel police send a large contingent (20 vehicles) into the unrecognized village of Bir al-Mashash in the Negev, with home demolition orders covering all structures in the village of 4,000 Israeli Palestinians. Angry residents scuffle with police, leaving at least 2 Israeli Palestinians hospitalized. (IMEMC 7/1)

The IDF demolishes 11 long-abandoned bungalows along the s. Gaza shore outside Shirat Hayam settlement being used by some 100 West Bank Jewish settlers who recently came to Gaza to block disengagement; the settlers scuffle with soldiers, break into a nearby Palestinian clinic, damage 12 d. of Palestinian crops and an irrigation network nearby; 1 IDF soldier is arrested, ordered jailed for 56 days for refusing to follow orders to carry out the demolition. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in, fires on residential areas of ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; imposes a curfew on Saffa nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, Tulkarm; begins construction of a new separation wall segment northeast of Jerusalem nr. ‘Anata. In Rafah, 4 Palestinian children are injured when they trigger either a roadside bomb or unexploded IDF ordnance. A Palestinian stabs, wounds an IDF soldier in East Jerusalem, is arrested. A Jewish settler beats, injures a Palestinian man in Hebron; the IDF intervenes, arrests the settler. Another group of Jewish settlers fr. Beit Haggai beat 2 Palestinian employees of the Hebron Reconstruction Comm. doing work on local Palestinian homes. Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino in Hebron burn down a Palestinian shop, vandalize several others. A Jewish settler wounded in the 6/24 shooting outside Hebron dies. (HA, IMEMC, XIN 6/26; VOI 6/26 in WNC 6/27; NYT, WP, WT 6/27; PCHR 6/28; OCHA, PR, WP, WT, XIN 6/29; PHRC 6/30)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Silat alDahir, searches Palestinian vehicles; conducts arrest raids, house searches in alRashayda nr. Bethlehem. 2 Jewish settlers fr. Halamish uproot olive trees on nearby Palestinian land, fire in the air and beat a Palestinian who attempts to stop them; the IDF brings the settlers in for questioning later, but releases them. In Rafah, 8 Palestinians are injured in fist-fights and stonethrowing exchanges btwn. Fatah, Hamas supporters over claimed irregularities in the 5/5 municipal elections. (IMEMC 5/6, 5/7; VOP 5/8 in WNC 5/9; PCHR 5/12)

The IDF issues demolition orders for 10 wells in a bedouin area nr. Hebron; imposes a curfew on Burqa nr. Nablus, claiming someone fr. the village threw a Molotov cocktail at an IDF patrol, causing no injuries; bulldozes Palestinian land and places barbwire nr. the Erez crossing, fires on a Palestinian farming his land nearby, wounding him; sends troops into al-Arub r.c. nr. Hebron to arrest 2 Palestinian teenagers (ages 14, 16) for throwing stones at passing IDF patrols. PRC gunmen shoot, wound an IDF soldier, an Israeli civilian worker on the Rafah border, saying the PRCs are not bound by the truce agreed by the Palestinian factions in 2/8. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba close roads (several with burning barricades), throw stones at Palestinian houses and cars (damaging 6 homes), uproot olive trees and grapevines. (HA, MM, NYT 4/19; OCHA, PR 4/20; PCHR 4/21)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Allar nr. Tulkarm, raids and occupies a girls school and 4 Palestinian homes as observation sites, detains 10s of Palestinians for interrogation; also conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Dahariyya nr. Hebron; closes checkpoints into East Jerusalem before Friday prayers, fires tear gas and percussion grenades to disperse Palestinians waiting to cross; beats a Palestinian farmer tilling his land nr. the separation wall in Dayr al-‘Asal nr. Hebron; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at a nonviolent Palestinian demonstration against the separation wall nr. Bil‘in, seriously injuring a Palestinian, lightly injuring a foreign journalist with the Associated Press. Some 40 Jewish rabbinical students club, stone 8 Palestinian laborers working legally at Nachliel settlement, seriously injuring at least 5; Israeli police intervene but the settlers escape; police sources say the 8 Palestinians were “almost lynched.” Jewish settlers fr. Brakha settlement nr. Nablus ambush, beat, seriously injure a Palestinian truck driver passing the settlement. 10s of Jewish settlers fr. Halamish settlement occupy a plot of nearby Palestinian land housing the water spigots controlling the water supply to the settlement and nearby Palestinian villages. PA security officers seal a smugglers’ tunnel in Rafah; some Palestinians confront the officers with stones, causing no injuries; 1 Palestinian is arrested. (HA, MM 3/18; VOP 3/19; AYM 3/20; OCHA 3/23; PCHR 3/24)

Ma’ariv 3/18 reports that that the financial officer of the Greek Orthodox Church, Nikolaos Papadimas, who has power of attorney for Greek Orthodox Patriarch Irineos, recently signed a secret deal, without Irineos’s permission, to sell the church’s Omar Bin Khattab Square property in the Old City of Jerusalem to Jewish investors fr. abroad and then fled the country with his family, depositing $1.5 m. in a Tel Aviv bank account. The square is a valuable commercial area inside the Jaffa Gate, where 3 prominent Palestinian hotels and a number of shops are located. Irineos denies that he gave permission for the sale, meaning that, by church bylaws, the sale is void. (JAZ, MA, al-Quds, VOP 3/19 in WNC 3/28; HA, VOP 3/23; AP 3/24; NYT 3/25; PR 3/30; al-Quds, VOP 4/3 in WNC 4/4; NYT 4/4; Independent 5/10; HA 5/15; PR 5/18)

A Damascus-based Islamic Jihad cell claims responsibility for the 2/25 Tel Aviv bombing, noting the end of the unofficial 1-mo. truce on 2/25 and stating that Israel had to be punished for cease-fire violations it committed; Islamic Jihad’s leadership in Gaza, however, denies responsibility, saying the group would continue to abide by an unofficial cease-fire. Israel shifts blame to Syria, which denies any responsibility, saying Islamic Jihad offices in Damascus have been closed for some time. Meanwhile, the PA security forces arrest 2 suspects in Gaza in connection with bombing; Israeli security forces arrest at least 5 suspects in Israel. The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Hebron; fires on 3 Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel fr. Gaza to find work, killing 1 Palestinian, detaining 2; severely beats 2 Palestinians at a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Til nr. Nablus; places a curfew on Dayr al-Ghusun, hometown of the 2/25 suicide bomber, arrests the bomber’s 2 brothers, the village imam; fires on residential areas of Tulkarm town, r.c., and neighboring villages. An IDF border policeman shoots, wounds a Palestinian woman in Hebron after she allegedly tries to stab him during a security check. Some 15 Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by IDF soldiers, severely beat a Palestinian farmer working his land outside Hebron; soldiers arrest the Palestinian, interrogate him before releasing him. PA security forces report that they have uncovered, sealed 12 smugglers’ tunnels in Rafah since deploying along the Gaza border. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/26/04. (HA, JAZ, PRCS, VOI, VOP 2/26; IDF Radio, JAZ, NYT, PRCS, WP 2/27; MM 2/28; MM, PCHR 3/3; MEI 3/4)

The IDF announces that in preparation for PA elections on 1/9, it has moved forces out of Palestinian population centers, suspended incursions into Palestinian areas, eased some restrictions on Palestinian for 72 hrs., removed 14 roadblocks in the West Bank, allowed Palestinian officials to bring ballot boxes into 8 villages under curfew. The vast majority of checkpoints and roadblocks remain, however, and election officials have compensated by installing extra polling places so that Palestinians do not have to cross IDF barriers. The IDF fatally shoots a uniformed, unarmed, 61-yr.-old PSF officer waiting for a ride at al-Mahatin checkpoint nr. Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Palestinian gunmen detain 2 journalists fr. Spain’s El Pais, releases them unharmed an hr. later, without explanation. A 17-yr.-old Palestinian girl dies of injuries received in Khan Yunis on 12/28/04. (XIN 1/8; VOI, VOP 1/8, El Pais [Madrid] 1/9 in WNC 1/11; NYT 1/9; OCHA, PR 1/12; PCHR 1/13)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Khan Yunis, imposes a curfew on the al-Satar al-Gharbiyya neighborhood facing nearby Jewish settlements, raids and searches homes (forcing residents to wait outside, unprotected in bad weather during the search), bulldozes 3 d. of agricultural land. The IDF fatally shoots 2 armed Hamas mbrs. who approach the n. Gaza border fence; sends troops back into the Bayt Lahiya bedouin village raided on 12/25, damages property, rounds up all residents over age 16, taking several to nearby Nisanit settlement for interrogation, releasing them several hrs. later; sends a 3-jeep patrol into Beitunia nr. Ramallah, forces elementary school students to stand around the jeeps for 30 minutes to prevent stone-throwing at the troops, then withdraws; shells residential areas of Rafah; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Qarara, Tulkarm. A 7-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in the IDF shelling of Mughraqa on 10/13/04. (HA 12/26; VOP 12/26 in WNC 12/28; NYT, WP 12/27; PM 12/28; PR 12/29; PCHR 12/30)

The IDF lifts the curfew on Hawara, imposed on 12/2; for no apparent reason fires on Palestinians waiting to cross the Tuffah checkpoint in s. Gaza, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 30 d. of land in al-Qarara; fires on residential areas of Rafah; beats several Israeli, Palestinian, international peace activists demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Hebron as well as a Palestinian journalist covering the incident. Palestinians fire 2 mortars, 1 Qassam rocket at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian agricultural land in the al-Mawasi area of s. Gaza. (VOI 12/5 in WNC 12/7; PCHR 12/9)

The IDF erects an iron gate across the road nr. al-Kifriyat checkpoint s. of Tulkarm, leaving the city entirely surrounded by gated roads, which are opened and closed at the IDF’s discretion; imposes a curfew on Hawara nr. Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah; fires on Palestinian porters at the Awarta commercial crossing s. of Nablus, wounding 2; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Dayr al-Balah, seriously wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian boy playing outside his home, a 52-yr.-old Palestinian woman inside her home. (VOP 12/2 in WNC 12/4; PCHR 12/9)

In continuing operations in n. Gaza, the IDF kills 5 Palestinians (including at least 2 civilians, one of them a 15-yr.-old girl) in shelling and gunfire in Jabaliya. In retaliation, Palestinians fire an antitank missile at an IDF patrol in n. Gaza, wounding 2 troops; fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF fires warning shots at a group of Palestinians in Khan Yunis, killing a 4-yr.- old Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. In the West Bank, 2 wanted Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are killed, a 3d wanted Palestinian and 4 bystanders are injured in an exchange of fire during an IDF arrest raid on Ramallah; the IDF says the soldier was killed by friendly fire. The IDF bulldozes a grove of 120 olive trees nr. Tulkarm, large areas of agricultural land in Surif for construction of the separation wall; imposes a curfew on Palestinians in Hebron to allow Jewish settlers to hold Sukkoth parades, during which settlers throw bottles, stones at Palestinian homes; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm. A 70-yr.-old Palestinian dies fr. injuries she received in Nablus on 7/22/04. (MM, NYT, WP 10/4; AFP, IDF Radio, VOI, YA 10/4 in WNC 10/6; HA, NYT, PRCS, WP 10/5; PCHR 10/7; JPI 10/15)

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 assassinates senior Hamas cmdr. Khalid Abu Silmiyya by firing a missile at his car as he drives in Gaza City, wounding 8 bystanders; fatally shoots a Palestinian who crosses fr. Gaza into Israel nr. Kissufim crossing; fatally shoots a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays too nr. Gush Katif; fires live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, international peace activists demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Hebron; fires tear gas, stun grenades outside 2 girls’ schools in Beitunia while classes are in session, seriously wounding 1 student in her classroom; fires on stone-throwing youths in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bir Basha nr. Jenin, Dahaysha r.c., Duha, Qalqilya; tightens access to Tulkarm and places a curfew on nearby Bayt Awa. (VOI, VOP 9/19 in WNC 9/21; AP, PCHR, WP, WT 9/20; JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 9/20 in WNC 9/22; PCHR 9/23)

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)

The IDF reimposes a curfew (lifted on 8/19) on Nablus, then sends jeeps to the central market square to fire on surrounding areas to force dealers to close stalls and Palestinians to return home, injuring 15 Palestinians (including 8 children). The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian land in Bardala in the northeastern tip of the Jordan Valley for construction of security and tax offices; fires on residential areas in Rafah, nr. Ramallah. Palestinian Hussein Jabari dies of injuries sustained in the IDF assassination attempt against his brother, Ahmad Jabari. Palestinian Authority (PA) Prisoner Affairs M Hisham ‘Abd al-Raziq, 70 Palestinian figures begin a hunger strike in solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners; Israeli prison officials say that the number of hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners has nearly doubled to 2,900 since the strike began on 8/15. (WP 8/23; PR 8/25; PCHR 8/26; MM 8/27)

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

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

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

The IDF 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)

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, killing only himself, lightly injuring 2 IDF soldiers. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian, wounds a 2d nr. Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes tents and tin shacks housing 95 Palestinians nr. a settler bypass road leading to Gaza’s Gush Katif bloc; bulldozes 12 dunams of land in Wadi al-Silqa nr. Dayr al-Balah, 9 dunams nr. the Rafah crossing; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah; imposes a curfew on, conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jaba‘ nr. Jenin; confiscates 5,500 m2 of agricultural land nr. Salfit, located btwn. the separation wall and the Green Line, that provides income for some 60 Palestinian families. In Hebron, 15 Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinian homes. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during the IDF raid on Rafah on 5/20. (VOP 5/28 in WNC 6/1; NYT 5/29; PCHR 6/3)

The IDF sends reinforcements into Rafah, fatally shoots 3-yr.-old Palestinian girl, bulldozes 311 dunams of agricultural land along Salah al-Din Street, demolishes 4 Palestinian homes completely, damages 5, finds its 1st smugglers’ tunnel since operations resumed on 5/17. The UN now estimates that as many as 60 Palestinian homes have been demolished since 5/17. Tanks continue to surround Tal al-Sultan; troops allow an UNRWA convoy to bring in emergency food supplies, water, blankets into the neighborhood, but bar private relief groups. In the West Bank, the IDF raids Yabad nr. Jenin, imposes a curfew, fires on residential areas. Nr. Nablus, a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint outside a Jewish settlement, killing himself, wounding 3 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (VOI, VOP 5/22 in WNC 5/25; NYT, WP, WT 5/23; PR 5/26; PCHR, WP 5/27)

IDF expands operations in Rafah to Brazil r.c. and al-Salam neighborhood. IDF helicopters fire 4 missiles at some 3,000 Palestinians, mostly school children, staging a peaceful march fr. neighboring Shabura to Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in protest against the incursion, killing at least 8 Palestinians, wounding more than 60; Israel apologizes for the deaths, saying “warning shots” went astray, but says Operation Rainbow will continue. Also in Rafah, the IDF fires a missile at 5 Palestinian gunmen, killing them all; fatally shoots a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy who leaves his home under curfew to get water for his family; continues house-tohouse searches; orders all Palestinian males between ages 16 and 50 to gather in a local school, transfers them to bases at nearby Jewish settlements for interrogation, releases most by sunset; demolishes at least 5 Palestinian homes. In the West Bank, the IDF shells an apartment building in Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, claiming that wanted Palestinians were hiding inside but finding none. (HA, MM, YA 5/19; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, REU, WP, WT 5/20; HJ, Interfax, XIN 5/20 in WNC 5/22; CSM, MM, NYT 5/21; WP 5/25; PR 5/26; PCHR 5/27)

In the pre-dawn hours, the IDF imposes a 24-hr. curfew, begins house-to-house searches in the Tal al-Sultan neighborhood of Rafah bordering the Philadelphi Route, occupies some buildings as observation posts; begins digging a trench to separate a section of Rafah r.c. fr. the rest of the camp, demolishing at least 3 Palestinian homes, cutting water and electricity supplies. Around daybreak, the IDF begins bulldozing operations, launches 3 missile strikes inside Rafah: the 1st killing 3 Hamas mbrs., wounding 5 gunmen and bystanders; the 2d killing 1 Hamas mbr. laying a roadside bomb nr. a mosque where Palestinians are leaving dawn prayers, also killing 5 bystanders, wounding several others, starting a fire that severely damages the mosque; the 3d hitting a residential area, killing 7 Palestinians (many in their homes), wounding at least 16. The IDF reports killing at least 3 more Palestinians, demolishing at least another 9 Palestinian homes during the day. A 20th Palestinian reportedly dies when explosives he is handling detonate. At least 2 ambulances are deliberately targeted by IDF snipers. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF ambushes, assassinates wanted al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbr. Muhammad Obeid as he drives nr. Sanur nr. Jenin, also wounding his passenger; raids Jenin r.c., fatally shoots wanted AMB mbr. Ahmad Judah in an apparent assassination, wounding a 2d Palestinian; fatally shoots an AMB mbr., a Palestinian gunman in separate incidents in Nablus; conducts arrest raids targeting Hamas in Tulkarm; orders the confiscation of 380 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem for construction of the separation wall. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in 4/04. (BBC, HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, PRCS, PM, WP 5/18; ITAR-TASS, ITV, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, XIN 5/18 in WNC 5/20; HA, NYT, PR, WP, WT 5/19; PCHR 5/20; NYT 5/21; PR 5/26)

The IDF seals Rafah as the 1st step in what the government says will be a major military offensive against Palestinian militants, dubbed Operation Rainbow. Tanks, armored personnel carriers, armored bulldozers, helicopters, troops ring the city, firing on any traffic attempting to enter or exit. Many residents nr. the Philadelphi Route evacuate their homes, taking their belongings with them. IDF troops also fire on the area to encourage Palestinians to leave. In Gaza City, the IDF fires missiles at offices of Fatah, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, causing damage but no reported injuries. The IDF also imposes a curfew on Silwad nr. Ramallah, fires on stone-throwing youths, killing 1 Palestinian; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, Bethlehem, Yatta nr. Hebron; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron for construction of the separation wall; evacuates the unauthorized settlement outpost Mitzpe Yitzhar nr. Nablus; arrests an Israeli Arab fr. Um al-Fahm for allegedly plotting with Hamas to stage attacks inside Israel. (AFP, HA, MM, WP 5/17; VOI, VOP 5/17 in WNC 5/19; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/18; PR 5/19; PCHR 5/20; JPI, MEI 5/28)

The IDF cuts down 180 olive trees in a Palestinian grove nr. Biddu northwest of Jerusalem to make way for the separation wall, sparking clashes in which 35 Palestinians, 2 IDF soldiers are injured; the IDF later replants some of the stumps on a new plot, but Palestinians have little hope they will survive through the dry season. The IDF also imposes a curfew on Nablus and surrounding villages, conducts arrest raids, fires on stone-throwing Palestinians; conducts arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c., al-Duha nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jayyus, Ramallah, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah as an observation post; demolishes a well and 3 greenhouses, bulldozes 4 dunams of land nr Rafah. Armed Jewish settlers seize 2 Palestinian homes in Silwan; the IDF erects 2 observation posts nearby to protect them, prevent clashes like those of 3/31. (PM 4/7; VOP 4/7 in WNC 4/9; PCHR, PM, WT 4/8; PCHR 4/15)

The IDF sets up a new checkpoint outside Qalqilya; raids Balata r.c., fires on stonethrowing youths, trades gunfire with Palestinian militants; a 6-yr.-old Palestinian is killed inside his home during the exchange, but the source of the gunfire is in question. The IDF also raids Sabastia nr. Nablus, evacuates 2 secondary schools, imposes a curfew; shells residential areas of Rafah, bulldozes tracts of already demolished homes; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba rampage through Hebron for 18 hrs., harassing Palestinians, throwing stones and bottles at Palestinian homes, setting up mobile homes on Palestinian land. (WP, WT 3/28; PR 3/31; PCHR 4/1)