The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers open fire at Palestinian homes, uproot 10 olive trees, and bring their livestock to graze on farmland in Badia Umm Qissa in the Massafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also place mobile homes on Palestinian-owned land in Wadi Rahal. Israeli forces raid 2 printing houses in Ramallah and Beitunia, destroying equipment. Israeli forces also issue a notice that Israel will seize 18 dunams (4.5 acres) of land in Deir Dibwan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces erect a metal gate at the entrance to Burin, obstructing movement to the village. Israeli forces arrest 20 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian-owned parking lot located next to the Yusufiya Cemetery at the walls of the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Rafah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia refugee camp, and Gaza City, killing at least 87 people. Israeli forces also storm the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis after besieging it for 25 days. 1 Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Naqoura, Labbouneh, Tayr Harfa, and Yarin. Hezbollah fires rockets at Birkhat Risha, Kiryat Shmona, and the Zarit military base. In the Red Sea, the Houthi movement says its forces attacked a UK bulk carrier. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/15; AJ, HA, HA 2/16)

More than 28,663 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 68,396 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 389 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 100 children. More than 4,499 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 230 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,361 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 20 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza (UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/15; UNOCHA 2/16)

Hamas denies Israeli claims that it has a presence at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, saying on several occasions it has asked international organizations to inspect hospitals to debunk the Israeli claims that it uses them. Hamas calls the storming of the hospital “a continuation of the war of extermination.” (AJ 2/15; AJ 2/16)

The Committee to Project Journalists releases its annual report, saying 72 out of 99 journalists killed in 2023 were Palestinians reporting on Israel’s war on Gaza. (AJ 2/15)

The UN Conference on Trade and Development says the postwar reconstruction of Gaza will cost around $20 billion. (HA, REU 2/15)

The Washington Post reports that Egypt is building a wall along the Gaza-Egypt border in preparation for a scenario where Palestinians are forced to flee to Egypt due to an Israeli invasion of Rafah. (AJ, HA, WP 2/15; HA, HA, NYT, REU 2/16)

Peace Now releases its annual report, saying a record 26 new settlement outposts were erected in 2023 and a record 12,349 settlement housing units were advanced. (PCN 2/15)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas tells al-Sharq al-Awsat that U.S. officials have only offered him empty assurances regarding the 2-state solution that they never followed through with and that Hamas could join the PLO if they commit to its political platform and approve agreements signed with international bodies. (HA 2/15)

The Arab League meets to discuss the situation in Gaza. Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit calls “on all parties that understand the gravity of the situation to act immediately in order to stop these crazy [Israeli] plans” to invade Rafah. (AJ, WAFA 2/15)

U.S. investigators from the embassy in Jerusalem visit the family and the scene of the killing of Palestinian American Mohammad Khdour, who was killed on 2/10. U.S. investigators have also visited the family of Palestinian American child Tawfic Abdel Jabber, who was killed last month. (AP 2/15)

President Joe Biden speaks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him that Israel should not proceed with plans to invade Rafah “without a credible and executable plan for ensuring the safety of and support for the civilians.” In a tweet on X, Netanyahu says Israel “continue[s] to oppose the unilateral recognition of a Palestinians state.” U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby tells reporters “I wish I could tell you that flour was moving [into Gaza] but I cannot do that right now.” During a phone call, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak urges Netanyahu to fully open the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing to allow more aid to enter. (AJ, AX, HA, REU, REU 2/15; AJ, HA, HA, REU 2/16)

The prime ministers of Canada, Australia, and New Zealand issue a joint statement calling for an “immediate humanitarian ceasefire” and voicing concern over Israel’s planned ground invasion of Rafah. (HA 2/14; AJ, AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/15)

Ireland says it will donate $21.5 million to UNRWA. (AJ, REU 2/15)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man shot by Israeli forces on 1/8 in Beitunia succumbs to his wounds. Israeli settlers set olive trees and an agriculture structure on fire near Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces raid Nablus and Abud, injuring 8 people with live ammunition, including a child, and cause widespread destruction in Nablus. Israeli forces also demolish a car wash and a nursery in Kafl Haris. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raze 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land planted with 50 olive trees in Hebron and 2 dunams (.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also raid a medical clinic near Bethlehem, causing damage. Israeli forces arrest 26 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Tubas, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolish a Palestinian home in Sur Baher, displacing 8 people. In Gaza, Israel bombs Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Maghazi, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 147 people, including 4 crew members and 2 injured Palestinians being transported an ambulance, killing 40 people in a home at the entrance of al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, and 15 people in an apartment building in Rafah. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolish the al-Za’arura and Bir Hadaj Bedouin villages. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attack the home of a Hezbollah member in Kfarchouba, killing him. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ 1/11)

More than 23,357 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 16,350 women and children, and around 59,410 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 335 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 84 children. More than 4,148 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 184 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,076 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 193 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (WAFA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/10)

Israel places Khalida Jarrar in administrative detention for an initial period of 6 months. (AJ 1/10)

Haaretz reports that Israel demolished 140 Palestinian homes and 84 other structures in East Jerusalem in 2023, marking a 60% increase in home demolitions compared to 2022. The newspaper notes that during the first 9 months of 2023 10 housing units were demolished per month and after 10/7 the figure rose to 17 a month. (HA 1/10)

Hamas official Osama Hamdan says there are no talks about a prisoner exchange, adding Israel is defrauding the Israeli public by circulating reports about talks. Hamdan maintains the Hamas position that it will not engage until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza. Hamdan also calls on the ICJ not to be pressured by the U.S. (AJ, HA, NYT 1/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Reports describe the meeting as intense, with Abbas pressing Blinken on Israel’s freezing of the PA’s tax revenue and Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Palestinians protest Blinken’s visit, saying he is not welcome. Blinken later tells the press in Bahrain that Abbas agreed to reform the PA in preparation to take control of Gaza. Abbas flies to Aqaba in Jordan after the meeting with Blinken where he meets Jordanian king Abdullah II and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing ways to end Israel’s war in Gaza and prevent the displacement of Palestinians. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh meets with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 1/11)

In an English language post on X Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population,” contradicting statements by several of his coalition members. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz says Hamas no longer has ruling capabilities in Gaza and that Israel will continue its war to prevent Hamas from regaining control. Gantz also says that security in Gaza will remain “in our hands.” Likud member and deputy speaker of the Knesset Nissim Vatur tells the Kol Barama radio station that “Gaza and its people must be burned.” (AJ, AP, HA, HA 1/10)

Colombia and Brazil issue statements in support of the South African case against Israel at the ICJ. Palestinians rally in Ramallah in support of the case. (AJ 1/10; AJ 1/11)

The UN Security Council passes a resolution demanding that Yemen’s Houthi government ends its attacks on ships in the Red Sea and frees the ship Galaxy Leader and its crew. Russia, China, Mozambique, and Algeria abstain. 3 Russian amendments to the resolution fail. The Houthis call the resolution a “political game.”  (AJ, AP, AP, HA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA 1/11)

The ICC sets up a portal for submission of evidence of Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, or aggression. (AJ, WAFA 1/10)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry calls for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to stop “collective punishment” of the people of Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis suggests at a presidential primary debate that Egypt or Saudi Arabia should resettle some Palestinians from Gaza if Israel “makes the calculation that [it is needed] to avert a second Holocaust.” Another candidate, Nikki Haley, says the U.S. should give Israel “whatever it wants.” (AJ, HA 1/11)

A poll conducted for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy finds that 96% of Saudis believe all Arab states should sever all ties with Israel. A YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding shows that 71% of people in the UK support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while 17% approve of the UK government’s handling of the war on Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

The Jewish Forward reports that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has started including pro-Palestine rallies in its tally of anti-Semitic incidents. The report also says that the ADL now deems all anti-Zionist chants and slogans anti-Semitic, leading to pro-Palestine rallies where anti-Zionist slogan were chanted constituting 40% of incidents of anti-Semitism counted in a recent ADL report. (AJ, HA 1/10)

The International Ice Hockey Federation bars Israel from participating in world championship events, citing security concerns. Israel calls the ban “anti-Semitic.” The decision prevents the U20 Israeli hockey team from participating in a Division III world championship tournament later this month. (HA, TOI 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from working their land in al-Diyouk al-Tahta and Khirbet Humsa, confiscating 1 tractor in Khirbet Humsa and demolishing 1 fence and 1 storage room in al-Diyouk al-Tahta. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 3 poultry sheds in Ya‘bad. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Bireh, Jenin, Halhul, Tulkarm refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for 1 Palestinian man who, on 5/14, succumbed to injuries sustained by Israeli forces at the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/22; 1 Palestinian man was resuscitated after being shot by Israeli forces using a baton round, some 70 were injured, including 13 that were taken to hospitals, and 20 were arrested. 11 journalists were prevented from covering the event. Israel said 6 police officers were lightly injured by stone throwing. Israeli forces also arrested 1 of the pallbearers who was attacked by Israeli police during the funeral procession for Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/13. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and 3 agricultural structures in Isawiya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; MDW, WAFA 5/17; AJ, MEE, WAFA 5/18; AJ, REU 5/18; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

U.S. congressperson Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a resolution to the U.S. House to recognize the Nakba. The resolution was co-sponsored by Betty McCollum (D-MN), Marie Newman (D-IL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO). (AJ 5/16; MDW, MEMO, WAFA 5/17; AJ, JP 5/18; TOI 5/19)

The Intercept reported that 2 U.S. congresspeople André Carson (D-IN) and Lou Correa (D-CA) were circulating a letter demanding that the FBI investigate the 5/11 killing of Abu Akleh, who was an American citizen, in the West Bank. By 5/19, the letter had received 57 signatures from members of the U.S. House. (INT 5/16; AJ 5/19; HA, MEE, WAFA 5/20; MDW 5/26)

The EU announced a donation of $26 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. (WAFA 5/16)

In a rare interview with Israeli TV, Abbas states, “It was our mistake. . . . It was an Arab mistake as a whole” to reject the 1947 UN partition plan to divide historic Palestine into a Jewish and a Palestinian state. (NYT 10/29)

The IDF conducts daytime patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, Dura nr. Hebron (firing percussion grenades and unleashing attack dogs to chase off stone-throwing youths; 1 dog attacks a man outside his home, moderately injuring him), 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts late-night patrols in Beitunia nr. Ramallah. The weekly demonstrations by Palestinians and international activists in Bil‘in for a 4th week express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, calling for the release of Fatah’s Barghouti and the PFLP’s Sa‘adat. In al-Nabi Salih and Ni‘lin, Palestinians and international activists rally in support of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN. Demonstrations by Palestinians in Kafr Qaddum protest Israeli land seizures. In all 4 cases, IDF soldiers fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 1 Palestinian in Bil‘in. (PCHR 11/3; OCHA 11/4)

The IDF makes an air strike on a car in central Gaza, assassinating Islamic Jihad’s central Gaza cmdr. Muhammad Abu Murshud, wounding 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. and 3 bystanders; makes an air strike on a car nr. al-Bureij r.c., assassinating local Islamic Jihad cmdr. Muhammad Ahmad Abu Hassanian, a relative traveling with him, and wounding 6 bystanders (including 2 children). The IDF sends troops and bulldozers into Abasan under cover of artillery fire, clashing with local gunmen, killing 1 Hamas and 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., wounding 4 bystanders, demolishing 1 Palestinian home, heavily damaging a 2d home, bulldozing several greenhouses, an irrigation network, 20 beehives, and 160 d. of agricultural land. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units in cars with Palestinian license plates into Beitunia nr. Ramallah (where they assassinate PA presidential guard mbr. Mu‘tassim al-Sharif, whom the IDF says is a wanted AMB mbr.), into Jenin r.c. (to arrest a wanted Islamic Jihad mbr.); conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm town and r.c. Israelis uproot 10s of Palestinian olive trees located on the western side of the separation wall in the divided village of Dayr al-Asal nr. Hebron. (REU 12/27; NYT, WP 12/28; OCHA 1/2; PCHR 1/3)

In Gaza, the IDF drops leaflets on and makes automated phone calls to residents in n. Gaza warning them to evacuate areas around rocket launch sites, buildings used by militants; shells Bayt Lahiya, killing 3 Palestinian civilians, wounding 11 others (the IDF says a shell may have misfired); repeatedly shells Bayt Hanun and perimeter, killing 3 Palestinian civilians, wounding 8; shells a shed on a farm nr. Gaza City, allegedly serving as a weapons depot. IDF troops stationed at the Dahaniyya airport fire on residential areas of nearby al-Shuka, wounding 1 Palestinian woman outside her home. Palestinians fire 8 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF conducts air strikes destroying 2 Palestinian homes in Gaza City and Khan Yunis (belonging to an Islamic Jihad mbr.), damaging surrounding stores and residences, wounding 3 bystanders; in both cases, the IDF phoned the homes 20 min. before the attack to warn residents to evacuate. The IDF also makes an air strike destroying a house of a Hamas mbr. under construction in Brazil r.c., also destroying 2 neighboring homes, damaging several others, wounding 15 bystanders (including 7 children). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Beitunia nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jericho, Tulkarm, and in ‘Askar r.c., Azariyya, Jenin town and r.c.; bulldozes 35 d. of Palestinian land for construction of the separation wall nr. Jerusalem. (WP 7/24; NYT, WP 7/25; PCHR 7/27; B’Tselem 8/3)

IDF ground forces advance another halfmile into s. Lebanon, using bulldozers to clear roads and demolish buildings, engaging Hizballah mbrs. in Bint Jubayl and encountering artillery fire, antitank weapons, land mines, leaving 2 IDF soldiers dead, 14–20 IDF soldiers wounded, 2 Hizballah mbrs. captured, an unknown number of Hizballah casualties, up to 5 IDF tanks disabled; an IDF helicopter returning fr. Bint Jubayl crashes in the n. Galilee, killing another 2 IDF soldiers. Meanwhile, IDF-Hizballah clashes continue in Maroun al-Ras. The IDF also continues air strikes across Lebanon, targeting at least 70 Hizballah sites (particularly around Tyre), killing at least 7 Lebanese civilians; also hitting a UN post, injuring 4 UNIFIL soldiers. Hizballah fires around 80 rockets into n. Israel, injuring 20 Israelis, 2 seriously, and starting brush fires. (JAZ, NBC Nightly News, Slate, Wall Street Journal 7/24; NYT, WP, WT 7/25; WP 7/26)

In Rafah, the IDF shells residential areas, conducts arrest raids and house searches, demolishes 8 Palestinian homes, severely damages 5 others, clashes with local militias, leaving 1 Hamas mbr. dead. The IDF also raids Hebron, demolishes a Palestinian home, fatally shoots Hamas mbrs. Murad al-Qawasmi, Omar alHaymuni, wounds a 3d in what may be an assassination; demolishes 1 Palestinian home, bulldozes 34 d. of land, shells residential areas nr. Khan Yunis; blows up 1 apartment in a 4-story Palestinian apartment building nr. Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Gaza’s Kefar Darom settlement and in Aqabat Jabir r.c., Araba nr. Jenin, Bayt Sahur, Beitunia, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Qalqilya, Tulkarm r.c.; issues a military order, prohibiting Palestinian use of land 200–300 m on either side of the separation wall nr. Jenin. (VOI, VOP 11/25 in WNC 11/27; VOP 11/26 in WNC 11/30; FT 11/26; PCHR 12/2)

The Fatah Revolutionary Council endorses the Fatah Central Comm.’s 11/22 choice of Abbas as the party’s candidate for pres., with 100 of the council’s 129 mbrs. voting in favor. (WP 11/26)

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 bulldozes 14 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis, 2 dunams nr. a PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) post in Hebron, some citrus groves outside Gaza City; conducts arrest raids in Beitunia, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, al-Khadir, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm; fires on residential areas of Beitunia, Ramallah, Tulkarm town and r.c.; demolishes 4 Palestinian homes s. of Rafah, 1 in Bayt Furik, 1 in Tal. Palestinians fire Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. While driving in Ramallah, Force 17 officer Mahmud Zayid is fatally shot, possibly in an internal Palestinian dispute; the PA says it has no proof he was deliberately shot by the IDF, though he may have been hit by crossfire. Late in the evening, Palestinian gunmen fire on a Jewish settler bus in Hebron, lightly injuring 1 Jewish settler. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 5/27. (HA, HP 5/28; YA 5/28 in WNC 5/29; HA, LAW, PCHR 5/29)

The IDF calls up 1,000 reservists in preparation for "crushing and decisive action" against the Palestinians; reoccupies Dura; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, destroying several Palestinian homes; continues operations in Beitunia, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm; lifts curfews in most areas for several hrs. to allow Palestinians to resupply; lifts curfews entirely in Awarta, Hawara; imposes a 24-hr. curfew on Bayt Sahur. During the curfew break in 2 camps nr. Nablus, troops open fire on Palestinians for unknown reasons, wounding 8. (AFP 6/22; NYT, WP, WT 6/23; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27)

Over 150 people take part in the ground breaking for a new Jewish settlement n. of Jerusalem nr. Kochav Ya'acov. The new enclave is part of a new program to "transplant" entire Jewish communities, with their rabbis, to Israel. A New York rabbi raised the idea in his town, and 25 local families committed to purchase homes in the new settlement. Meretz MK Yossi Sarid offers to find them a safer location inside Israel, but they decline. (INN 6/22) (see 5/19)

The IDF reoccupies Beitunia, Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c.; expands bases there and in Jenin, Qalqilya; conducts raids into Halhul, Tulkarm town and r.c.; raids Shaykh Ajlin, bulldozing Palestinian land, firing on Palestinians working the fields, killing a Palestinian boy; fires on residential areas of Birzeit. The IDF issues a limited call-up of reservists, bars Palestinian workers fr. entering Jewish settlements. In Jenin town, IDF troops evacuate and vandalize a hospital admin. building, throwing a grenade in the foyer, blowing up a safe, spraying the building with heavy machine gun fire, breaking doors, destroying $13,600 of equipment; fire on, seriously damage 2 fire trucks. The IDF reportedly has transferred more than 600 Jenin r.c. residents to Salim detention center for questioning; some 150 are released today, sent to Romani village, are told to stay there for 2-4 wks. Late this evening, a PFLP gunman, retaliating for the arrest of PFLP 2d-in-command Malluh on 6/11, attacks a home in Itamar settlement, killing 4 Jewish settlers and 1 settlement guard, wounding 2 settlers and 2 border policemen before being shot dead. A pregnant Palestinian woman is fatally hit by stray IDF gunfire in her home in Qalqilya. In Gaza, 1,500 unemployed Palestinians who have been cut off fr. their jobs in Israel since 9/00 hold a "March of Hunger," protesting Israeli closures, lack of support fr. the PA. (AFP, AP, HA, LAW, WP, WT 6/20; MA 6/20 in WNC 6/21; XIN 6/20 in WNC 6/24; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/21; PRCS press release 6/24; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27)

In Jerusalem, Sharon, Israeli pres. Moshe Katsav address a "Transfer Now" conference hosted by the right-wing Moledet party. (Peace Now press release 6/20; MA 6/21 in WNC 6/24)

Before dawn, the IDF sends tanks into Jenin r.c., meeting heavy resistance, leaving at least 6 Palestinians (including 1 doctor), 1 IDF reservist dead. 1 Israeli wounded in the 3/27 Netanya bombing dies bringing that toll to 24. The IDF reoccupies Nablus; reports operations in Beitunia, Dahaysha, Qalqilya, Salfit, Tamun, Taysir, Tubas, Tulkarm. In Ramallah, the IDF raids, confiscates files of PA ministries, the PC. The International Comm. of the Red Cross (ICRC) criticizes the IDF for hampering relief operations in Bethlehem; the PRCS estimates that 14 Palestinians have died in the city since 4/1, including 5 killed today. 10s of Christian clergymen, including Latin patriarch of Jerusalem Michel Sabbah, attempt to walk to Bethlehem to mediate a resolution to siege of the Church of the Nativity and other holy sites, but they are blocked by the IDF. Israeli police use tear gas, batons to disperse 2,000 Israeli, Palestinian peace activists attempting to cross al-Ram checkpoint in Jerusalem to bring food, medicine to Ramallah, injuring 20. (HA, MM, NYT 4/3; NYT, WP, WT 4/4)

The IDF cuts electricity to Gaza City, Ramallah; sends tanks and F-16s to shell the control tower at Gaza airport, the PA headquarters in Gaza City and Ramallah (Arafat is unharmed), the PA naval police offices in Bayt Lahia, and PSF and Fatah offices nr. Gaza City, Ramallah, and Jinin; blows up the main radio, TV transmitters in Ramallah; bulldozes the Palestinian Media Center offices in Ramallah; occupies the home of Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti (who is not there at the time); makes incursions into PA-controlled areas of Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Beitunia, Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah, Sudaniyya, Tulkarm, al-Zahra; bulldozes Palestinian land in Rafah. A total of 4 Palestinians are killed during the day; shells strike the Friends Boys School, damaging 3 classrooms. In Gaza City, 2 Israeli missiles land nr. a mosque while Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin, Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahar are inside. Israel declares that the Zinni cease-fire talks are over, though Zinni had already planned to leave on 12/14 for Jordan and Egypt, then return to Washington. (AP, HP, MM, NYT, WP 12/13; MENA 12/13 in WNC 12/14; JP, HA, HP, NYT, WP, WT 12/14; HA 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19; MEI 12/21)

In response to the 11/29 Hadera bombing, Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer authorizes the IDF to step up assassinations, tighten blockades on PA areas. The IDF encircles, takes up positions just inside PA-controlled areas of Jinin, Nablus, Tulkarm; directs machine gun fire at residential areas of Beitunia, Nablus; sends bulldozers into al-Bireh, temporarily occupy the roof of the PA Min. of Planning and International Cooperation while land in front of the building is razed; conducts an arrest raid in Hebron. 1,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Ramallah, 8 are injured when the IDF fires on the crowd. (MM 11/30; PMC, NYT, WP, WT 12/1; LAW 12/5)