The Palestine Chronology

The IDF raids Nabi Salih village nr. Ramallah, rounding up and detaining the 500 residents outside in the rain for 2 hrs., searching homes, photographing and fingerprinting all men before releasing all residents, withdrawing; conducts a similar but smaller operation in Burqa village nr. Nablus, rounding up residents, firing on homes, arresting 1 man. The IDF also erects signs around Qalqilya warning that “any Israeli who enters” the city will be fined $780; imposes a curfew on, conducts arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c., Nablus; bulldozes 2 dunams of land in Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians in Hebron, injuring 5. (LAW 1/25; LAW, PCHR 1/29)

Hamas leader ‘Abd al-Aziz Rantisi proposes a 10 yr. truce with Israel in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal to 1967 borders, stressing that the deal would not include Hamas’s recognition of Israel or an end of the conflict. (REU 1/25; VOP 1/25 in WNC 1/27; HA, WP 1/26) (see 1/7)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 alleged AMB mbrs., both unarmed, who enter a closed military zone in Gaza; sets up 4 new checkpoints on the main road to Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in ‘Azun, Khan Yunis. In Hebron, Jewish settlers, Palestinians clash, leaving 3 settlers, 2 Palestinians wounded. Palestinians fire 2 antitank missiles at an IDF patrol nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI, VOP, YA 1/24 in WNC 1/27; HA, NYT 1/25; PR 1/28; PCHR 1/29)

After 3 yrs. of negotiations via a German mediator, Israel, Hizballah conclude a prisoner swap deal under which Israel will release 401 Palestinian security prisoners, 29 Arab prisoners (including Lebanon’s Shaykh ‘Abd al-Karim Obeid and Mustafa Dirani), the bodies of 59 Lebanese fighters in exchange for captured IDF Col. Elhanan Tennenbaum (res.), the bodies of 3 IDF soldiers. After this 1st phase is completed, Israel, Hizballah will reopen negotiations toward Israel releasing Lebanese prisoner Samir Kantar in exchange for information on downed Israeli pilot Ron Arad. (HA, Israel Television Network 1/24, AFP, MA, MNR, VIRI, VOP, YA 1/25 in WNC 1/27; HA, NYT, WP, WT 1/25; CSM, HA, MM, NYT 1/26; JP 1/27 in WNC 1/29; MM 1/28)

The IDF issues confiscation orders for 700 dunams of Palestinian land (including 10 Palestinian homes) in Dayr al-Balah nr. Kefar Darom settlement; for no apparent reason, fires on Palestinians waiting to go through the Erez crossing, wounding 25; fires on residential areas of Rafah, seriously injuring 1 woman outside her home; fires on, seriously wounds a deaf-mute Palestinian woman who strays too close to the separation wall nr. Qalqilya; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. (PCHR 1/20; VOI, VOP, YA 1/20 in WNC 1/22; LAW, PCHR 1/22)

The IDF sends a bulldozer into Lebanese territory to clear mines laid by Hizballah along the de facto border. Hizballah shells the bulldozer when it crosses the demarcation fence into Lebanon, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 2. (HA 1/19; LBC, MNR 1/19 in WNC 1/21; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/20; IDF Radio, MNR 1/20 in WNC 1/22; MM 1/21; IRNA 1/21 in WNC 1/23; MM 1/22, 1/23; NYT 1/29)

The IDF closes all entrances to Jenin town and r.c., erects more checkpoints around the town; erects new temporary checkpoints outside 5 villages outside Qalqilya; imposes a curfew on al-Til nr. Nablus, demolishes 1 Palestinian home; blows up 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on Palestinian vehicles, stone-throwing youths in and around Nablus, in Ramallah; conduct arrest raids, house searches in Hebron; notifies bedouin families w. of Salfit that they must leave the area to make room for the separation wall. (LAW, PCHR 1/22)

The IDF raids Tulkarm r.c., rounding up all inhabitants of 1 section of the camp for questioning, detaining 230 Palestinian men, allowing women and children to go after 10 hrs.; sends APCs into Rafah, shelling residential areas, wounding 3, demolishing 1 Palestinian home and 2 stores, severely damaging 5 homes; demolishes another Palestinian home nr. Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Anabta nr. Tulkarm, Asira nr. Nablus, Jaba’ nr. Jenin, Kubar nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tarqumiyya and Yatta nr. Hebron. Israel completes a section of separation wall cutting off Abu Dis fr. Jerusalem. Palestinians report that the IDF has bulldozed 24 dunams of agricultural land outside Hebron since 1/9, for construction of the wall. (ISM press release 1/12; WT 1/13; PCHR 1/15; WP 2/10)

Sharon makes a statement to the Knesset reiterating his intention to disengage unilaterally fr. the occupied territories if the Palestinians do not make concessions soon. The Knesset endorses Sharon’s statement byavote of 51-39. (AFP 1/12; MM 1/13; PR 1/14)

IDF undercover troops fatally shoot AMB mbr. As‘ad Falah Khaliliyya in an apparent assassination in Jenin. The IDF also stages arrest raids in Qalqilya, in and around Ramallah; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah. In Gaza, 5 armed, masked Fatah mbrs. detain, beat an al-Arabiyya TV correspondent. (REU, PCHR 1/8; HA 1/9; HA, PR 1/14; PCHR 1/15)

The IDF sends armored personnel carriers (APCs) back into Nablus, fatally shooting a 15-yr.-old Palestinian on the roof of his home, fatally shooting 2 stone-throwing youths who challenge the APCs, later directing sniper fire on the funeral procession of the 1st youth, killing a 4th Palestinian (1 of the pallbearers). The IDF also sends a small contingent of troops back into Jenin, reimposes several roadblocks around the city that were lifted on 1/2; bulldozes 5 Palestinian homes and 23 dunams of olive trees in al-Qarara, 16 dunams of olive trees nr. alBureij r.c.; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara, Qalqilya; fires on Israeli, Palestinian, foreign peace activists staging a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in the northern West Bank, injuring 1 Israeli, arresting 28 foreigners. (REU 1/3; VOP 1/3 in WNC 1/6; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 1/4; PR 1/7; LAW 1/8; MEI, PCHR 1/9)

The IDF expels a West Bank Palestinian administrative detainee to Gaza (see 12/4); fires on stone-throwing youths outside Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on a group of Israeli, Palestinian, foreign peace activists staging a nonviolent protest along the separation wall nr. Budrus, wounding 1 Israeli, 10 Palestinians, and arresting, deporting 4 foreigners; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Khan Yunis, 2 fences in Hebron; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara. The IDF also orders 1 Palestinian family isolated btwn. the separation wall and Green Line nr. Qalqilya to evacuate their home because it “is now located in Israel”; a human rights group secures permission for the family to stay while the case is appealed. (HA 12/31; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 1/1; LAW 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

The IDF fires tank shells at 3 Palestinians firing mortars at Gaza’s Netzarim settlement in Gaza, killing them; the mortars cause no damage or injuries. The IDF also conducts arrest raids nr. Hebron, Qalqilya; demolishes a Palestinian home in Balata r.c., several structures at an UNRWA school in Dayr al-Balah. IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya’alon visits the hospitalized Israeli peace activist wounded by IDF fire on 12/26, says soldiers apparently did not know Israelis were among the demonstrators, promises a full investigation. Some 1,000 Palestinians in villages around Ramallah hold nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall. Nr. Hebron, 5 Jewish settlers severely beat a Palestinian. (NYT, PM, WP 12/29; VOI, YA 12/29 in WNC 12/31; PCHR 1/1; MM 1/5; MEI 1/9)

The IDF sends additional tanks, troops into Nablus, making the incursion begun on 12/18 (now dubbed Operation Still Water) the largest into the city in over a yr., firing on stone-throwing youths, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 17; closes all roads leading to Tulkarm; erects a number of new roadblocks at entrances to villages around Tulkarm; tightens existing checkpoints, erects 3 new ones around Jenin; demolishes a Palestinian home in Balata r.c.; bulldozes 85 dunams of olive groves east of al-Bureij r.c.; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding a Palestinian toddler in her home; conducts arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah. The IDF also bars 2 bus-loads of international peace activists fr. reaching a 2d day of separation wall protests (see 12/26) in Qalqilya, where 1,000s of Palestinians demonstrate, throw stones at IDF troops. Jewish settlers place mobile homes on the 2 sites of unauthorized settlement outposts previously removed by the IDF nr. Hebron. (NYT, WP, WT 12/28; PM 12/29; PCHR 1/1)

Israel says it will retaliate for the 12/25 PFLP suicide bombing but will not hit Hamas targets, since Hamas has refrained fr. attacks inside Israel for several mos. The IDF demolishes the bomber’s family home in Bayt Furik within hrs. The IDF also fires live ammunition at some 200 Israeli, Palestinian, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest along the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, wounding 1 Israeli (who had just finished 3 yrs. IDF service), 1 American; fires tear gas at another group of protesters at the separation wall west of Ramallah; fires on a funeral process in nr. Khan Yunis (wounding 5 boys, ages 11–18), residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids nr. Khan Yunis; bulldozes 8 dunams of land in al-Qarara. In Gaza, 10,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral for Islamic Jihad’s Humayid, assassinated by the IDF on 12/25. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/25. (WT 12/27; JTA, NYT, PRCS, WP, WT 12/28; CSM 12/29; PCHR, WJW 1/1; MM 1/5; BBC 1/6; JPI 1/8; MEI 1/9)

The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Nablus, Tulkarm; shuts the only entry point to Qalqilya; opens fire on a taxi in Nablus that reportedly fails to stop for a checkpoint, killing 1 Palestinian student en route to al-Najah University in Nablus; shells, fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. The IDF reports that Palestinians have fired more than 20 mortars at Gush Katif since 12/12, causing light damage, no injuries. (AP 12/13; VOP 12/13 in WNC 12/16; NYT 12/16; PR 12/17; PCHR 12/18; HA 12/20)

Before dawn, the IDF launches a major raid on al-Amari r.c. in Ramallah that lasts 16 hrs., sending in nearly 100 armored vehicles supported by helicopters to attack Hamas targets; the IDF warns the PA before entering Ramallah, promises that no operations will take place nr. PA head Yasir Arafat’s headquarters. During the raid 3 Hamas mbrs. and an 11-yr.-old Palestinian boy are killed, 29 Hamas mbrs. are arrested, 9 youths who throw stones at troops are wounded, 2 Palestinian homes (1 in al-Amari r.c., 1 in Ramallah) are demolished. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Jenin, Qalqilya, Rafah, Tulkarm town and r.c., and villages around Nablus. Israel begins construction of a new Jewish settlement neighborhood in East Jerusalem called Golden View. (AP, JP, MM, NYT 12/1; VOI, VOP, YA 12/1 in WNC 12/3; NYT, WP 12/2; LAW, PCHR 12/4; MEI 12/5)

In Geneva, some 150 Israelis and Palestinians involved in the drafting of the unofficial Geneva Accord hold a formal unveiling of their peace initiative at a ceremony attended by fmr. U.S. pres. Jimmy Carter and addressed byfmr. Polish pres. Lech Walesa, fmr. South African pres. Nelson Mandela. Arafat does not endorse the details of the plan, but issues a statement declaring it a “brave and courageous initiative.” Sharon continues to denounce it as “subversive.” (BBC, HA, MM, NYT 12/1; MENA, QA, VOP 12/1 in WNC 12/3; HA, JP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/2; ITAR-TASS, Le Monde, XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/4; PR 12/3; QA 12/3 in WNC 12/6; MM, WJW 12/4; MEI 12/5; PR 12/10; JPI 12/12)

In an extensive New York Times interview, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad urges the U.S. to support the resumption of Israeli-Syrian peace talks. The U.S. brushes off the overture. (NYT 12/1; VOI, YA 12/1 in WNC 12/3; SANA 12/1, 12/2 in WNC 1/6; MM, WT 12/2; MM 12/3; MA 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MM 12/4; THWR 12/5, THWR, Tishrin 12/6 in WNC 1/9; MM 12/8, 12/10)

The IDF conducts house searches, arrest raids in Hebron, Jenin; bulldozes 14 dunams of land in al-Qarara nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in villages around Hebron, Qalqilya. Unidentified gunmen believed to be Palestinian fire on the car of Nablus mayor and PC mbr. Ghassan al-Shak’a (Fatah) in an apparent attempt to assassinate him, leaving him unharmed but killing his brother. (al-Jazeera 11/25; PR 12/3; PCHR 12/4; PR 12/10; MEI 1/9)

In a mtg. in Washington with U.S. National Security Adviser (NSA) Condoleezza Rice, Sharon’s chief of staff Dov Weisglass reportedly lays out a 2- stage plan drafted by Sharon for U.S. Pres. George W. Bush’s approval that ultimately forsees the fall of PA PM Ahmad Qurai‘’s government, the end of the road map, and Israel’s unilateral declaration of borders, taking 60% of the West Bank. (MM 11/28, 12/1, 12/5)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Nablus, killing a Palestinian woman inside her home; fires on a taxi circumventing a roadblock, killing 1 Palestinian passenger; fires flechette shells, live ammunition at Palestinians who approach the Israeli border nr. Khan Yunis, killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 6 (2 dead, 4 wounded are apparently fr. the same family); demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Jenin; conducts arrest raids in the Hebron area, Nablus, Qalqilya; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, nr. Tulkarm. The PSF reports that it has in custody 2 Palestinians who have confessed to obtaining the explosives used in the 10/15 bombing of a U.S. convoy in Gaza. (HA, JTA 11/6; WP 11/8; PCHR 11/13)

The IDF eases the encirclement (in place since the 9/9 suicide bombings) of 6 major Palestinian cities, excluding Jenin and Nablus, in an apparent bid to aid Qurai‘ in forming a cabinet; confiscates 424 dunams of Palestinian land in the n. Jordan Valley for construction of the separation wall; blows up a Palestinian home in Silwad (nr. Ramallah); conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; shells a main water reservoir in Bayt Hanun, cutting the water supply to the area. Palestinians who are allowed to reach their olive groves for the 1st time since the harvest began report that Jewish settlers have felled 100s of trees nr. Sawiyya (nr. Ely settlement) outside Hawara (where a curfew remains in effect; see 11/4); the IDF confirms the reports, also requests an additional NIS 20 m. fr. the Finance Min. for the fortification of Jewish settlements. Jewish settlers also beat up a Palestinian in East Jerusalem. (AFP, HA, MM 11/5; VOP 11/5 in WNC 11/7; NYT, PCHR 11/6; VOP 11/6 in WNC 11/8; MA 11/7 in WNC 11/11; PCHR 11/13)

The IDF sends tanks, troops into Balata r.c. in a predawn raid, erecting earthen barriers, bulldozing recently repaved streets, occupying at least 2 Palestinian homes as staging areas, conducting house-to-house searches, and firing live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas at stone-throwing youths, wounding 14 Palestinians (including a 12- yr.-old hit by a live bullet in the face), 2 ISM volunteers. The IDF alsoissues confiscation orders for 4,000 dunams of Palestinian land in Bethlehem, reportedly for settlement expansion; imposes a curfew on Hawara (nr. Nablus) after Jewish settlers attack local Palestinian farmers harvesting their olives; shoots, wounds a Palestinian child in Tulkarm r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Qalqilya, Silat al-Dahir (nr. Jenin). (VOP 11/4 in WNC 11/6; PCHR, PR 11/5; PCHR 11/6)

Overnight, the IDF sends 25 heavy vehicles, 2 helicopters into Tulkarm city and r.c., nearby Far‘un village; imposes curfews on the areas, seizes a building in central Far‘un as an IDF post, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the incursion, wounding 4 (ages 9–18). The IDF alsofires on residential areas s. and n. of Rafah; shoots, wounds a farmer working his field nr. Khan Yunis; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian nr. Dayr al-Balah who fails to follow orders to halt; fires on stonethrowing youths nr. Jenin, wounding 2; lifts the curfew on Hebron imposed on 11/1. A 16-yr.-old AMB suicide bomber detonates a device in the West Bank village of Azun as IDF soldiers move in to capture him, wounding 1 soldier. Palestinian Tariq Hussein, wanted in the shooting death of an Israeli girl, turns himself in tothe IDF at a Qalqilya roadblock. The IDF confirms that Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement, the unauthorized outpost of Mitzpe Yitzhar are suspected of having felled some 500 Palestinian olive trees in ‘Ayn Abus (s. of Nablus) in the past wk., while Palestinians have been under curfew. (JP 11/3; VOP 11/3 in WNC 11/5; MM, NYT 11/4; NYT, PCHR 11/6)

The IDF for no apparent reason fires on Palestinians waiting to cross a checkpoint outside Bethlehem, injuring 3; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya, also firing on residential areas. (PCHR 11/6)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Gaza City, evacuates 2,000 Palestinians fr. their homes, blows up a PSF post, 3 unfinished 12-story PSF apartment buildings overlooking the IDF Netzarim post attacked on 10/23. The IDF also fatally shoots 3 armed Palestinians attempting to infiltrate a Gaza settlement; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; imposes a curfew on, conducts arrest raids and house searches in Qalqilya. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing nodamage or injuries. At least 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received in Gaza City on 10/22. Israeli airport authorities arrest, hold for deportation 4 Belgians suspected of arriving at Ben Gurion Airport on a Palestinian solidarity visit. (HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/26; VOP 10/26 in WNC 10/28; MM, NYT 10/27; al-Quds 10/28 in WNC 10/30; PR, WT 10/29; PCHR 10/30; MEI 11/7; WP 11/21)

DF commandos raid 3 Palestinian hospitals in Nablus, confining doctors and staff for over 1 hr., detaining 2 wanted Palestinians (1 taken fr. the intensive care unit in critical condition). The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya; fires on residential areas nr. Jenin, nr. Khan Yunis, in Nablus, nr. Rafah. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in the 10/20 IDF attack on Nussayrat r.c., bringing that toll to at least 11. (BBC 10/25; WP, WT 10/26; PCHR 10/30)

The IDF assassinates wanted AMB mbr. ‘Abd al-Hadi Natsha in Hebron, local PFLP military cmdr. Ahmad ‘Atiya in Qalqilya; bulldozes 20 dunams of land, fires a flechette shell at Palestinian houses nr. Qarni crossing, leaving 1 Palestinian brain dead; conducts arrest raids, blows up a Palestinian home nr. Hebron; beats up a Palestinian AP cameraman filming soldiers vandalizing Palestinian cars at the Salim roadblock. A car explodes in Balata r.c., killing 1 Hamas mbr., injuring 2; the IDF says the men suffered a “work accident”; Hamas claims it was an IDF assassination. A Palestinian gunman infiltrates Tal Rumayda settlement, shoots and wounds 2 Jewish settlers before being shot dead; the IDF places curfews on nearby Palestinian villages. Palestinians also fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops into al-Qarara, Satar al-Gharbiyya, conducting arrest raids, razing 49 dunams of land. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in the IDF attack on Nussayrat r.c. on 10/20, bringing that toll to at least 8; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received in Ramallah on 10/21. (HA, PR 10/22; HA, MM, PCHR 10/23)

Ward Boston, a fmr. Navy lawyer who helped lead the military investigation into Israel’s 1967 attack on the USS Liberty that killed 34 U.S. soldiers, files a signed affidavit that Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson and Defense Secy. Robert McNamara ordered those heading the naval inquiry to “conclude that the attack was a case of ‘mistaken identity’ despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.” (AP 10/22; NYT 10/23)

The PSF arrests 7 Palestinians (at least some of whom are PRC mbrs.) in Jabaliya r.c. in connection with the 10/15 Erez bombing, sparking a gunfight that leaves 7 PSF officers wounded; later attempts to arrest an 8th Palestinian but retreats under machine gun fire; 10s of Palestinians in Jabaliya protest the arrests, which Israel says are meaningless. The IDF sends 50 armored vehicles back into Rafah to continue the search for smugglers’ tunnels, fatally shoots 1 PSF officer, wounds 14 Palestinians; a Palestinian dies of injuries received in Rafah on 10/10. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya. After the IDF lifts the curfew on Nablus, Palestinian youths, angry over the IDF imposition (10/15) of the curfew to facilitate a Jewish pilgrimage, throw burning tires at Joseph’s Tomb, causing some damage. Jewish settlers burn a Palestinian olive grove in Salfit. (AP, BBC, HA, MM, REU 10/16; VOP 10/16 in WNC 10/18; MM, NYT, WP 10/17; PCHR 10/23; MEI 10/24)

The IDF bans until the end of Sukkoth holidays (10/19) all Palestinian vehicular traffic in areas C (full Israel control) of the n. West Bank; fires on Palestinians breaking curfew in Khan Yunis, wounding 3 (ages 2, 12, 22); conducts house-to-house searches in al-Bireh and Ramallah (including dormitories of Birzeit University), also fires on residential areas, wounding 2; conducts arrest raids in Arbuna, Jenin (arresting the wife of wanted Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Amjad Ebeidi in an apparent bid to pressure him toturn himself in), Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, al-Qarara; bulldozes 160 dunams of land n. of Rafah. Palestinians fire on an IDF patrol nr. Nablus, wounding 3 IDF soldiers. Some 50 Jewish settlers attack Palestinian houses in Hebron; the IDF does not intervene. (VOI 10/8 in WNC 10/11; HA, NYT, PCHR 10/9; PR 10/15; HA 10/20)

The IDF raids, searches a Qalqilya hospital (including emergency and operating rooms), looking for wanted men, leaves without finding any; sends tanks and bulldozers into Rafah in response to the mortar fire at Gush Katif on 9/23, sparking an exchange of gunfire with local Palestinians, killing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 14; occupies a kindergarten in Khan Yunis as a military post; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah (seriously damaging another 18), 2 nr. Khan Yunis, 1 nr. Jenin, 1 in Kfar Rantis; 13 greenhouses, 9 dunams of land are also bulldozed in Khan Yunis. 27 retired and reserve Israeli air force pilots sign a letter to the air force cmdr. saying they will not participate in operations in the occupied territories, which they term “illegal and immoral”; 1 of the 27 is Brig. Gen. Yiftach Spector (res.), who took part in the 1981 bombing of Iraq’s Osiraq nuclear reactor. (AFP, HA, PCHR, PR 9/24; VOP 9/24 in WNC 9/26; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 9/25; MM 9/26, 9/29; PR 10/1; PCHR 10/2)

The IDF declares the Ramallah–al-Bireh region a closed military zone, erects additional checkpoints on all roads leading to Ramallah; tightens Palestinian movement in the Qalqilya, Tulkarm regions; fires on a group of Palestinians vandalizing the separation wall outside Ramallah, killing a 14- yr.-old Palestinian boy; conducts arrest raids targeting the AMB in Nablus, firing on residential areas; bulldozes 8 Palestinian homes and dynamites 1 in Rafah, 4 nr. Hebron; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Rantis. Across the occupied territories, 1,000s of Palestinians rally in support of Arafat; the IDF fires on demonstrators in Kefar Darom, wounding 7. Palestinians fire a mortar at Netzarim, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, NYT, WP 9/15; YA 9/15 in WNC 9/17; PCHR 9/18; HA 9/26)

The IDF seals the West Bank and Gaza and tightens restrictions on Palestinian movements (including reimposing all Gaza checkpoints removed after the Palestinian ceasefire declaration on 6/29), expecting retaliation for its 9/6 attempt to assassinate Shaykh Yasin. In Khan Yunis, the IDF fires 4 missiles at the home of Hamas mbr. ‘Abd al-Salam Abu Musa, claiming it is a Hamas arsenal; Abu Musa escapes moments before the attack, which injures 15 bystanders, damages 9 surrounding homes. The IDF alsoarrests PA official Akram Tubasi on charges of smuggling weapons fr. Egypt to Gaza; demolishes a Palestinian home in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Jaba’, Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Hamas mbrs. detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in Gaza, lightly wounding 3 soldiers. (Israel National News 9/7; NYT, WP, WT 9/8; PCHR 9/11)

Arafat nominates PC speaker and Oslo architect Ahmad Qurai‘ to replace Abbas as PM. Qurai‘ says he would accept the nomination, provided he receives assurances of cooperation fr. the EU, Israel, U.S. (AP, BBC, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/8; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/9; AYM, ITAR-TASS 9/9 in WNC 9/11; MM 9/10)

The IDF assassinates wanted Hamas mbr. Hamdi Kalakh, firing a missile at his donkey cart as he rides through Gaza City, injuring 3 bystanders. Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets at Israel, none of which cause damage or injuries but 1 of which lands 8 mi. n. of Gaza in the industrial zone of Ashkelon, marking the farthest a Palestinian rocket has traveled. The PSF rushes to the scene, fires on a vehicle leaving the area, possibly wounding 1, but fails to capture the assailants. The PA also freezes the bank accounts of 12 Muslim charities, prompting protests by 1,000s of Palestinians in s. Gaza. Retaliating for the rocket fire, the IDF bulldozes 98 dunams of land in Bayt Hanun. The IDF also fires on Palestinians in Jenin (wounding 1 seriously), Khan Yunis, Nablus (injuring 7), Qalqilya (wounding 1). A Palestinian dies of injuries received in the 8/21 IDF assassination of Abu Shanab. (AFP, AP, HA, MM 8/28; NYT, WP, WT 8/29; MM 9/1; PCHR 9/4)

The IDF eases the closures on Bethlehem and Jericho, allowing goods in and out; continues operations in Nablus; continues curfews on Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly attempts to stab a soldier in Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah (searching Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine [PFLP] offices); demolishes 1 Palestinian home nr. Jenin. Israeli police arrest 4 bedouin, 1 Palestinian laborer fr. Hebron in a village in the Negev on charges of setting up a Hamas cell. In Ramallah, 100s of Palestinians protest against PA PM Mahmud Abbas’s government. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket into the Negev, causing nodamage or injuries. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire 13 mortars, 2 anti-tank rockets at Jewish settlements, IDF posts in Gaza, causing nodamage or injuries. (HA, MM 8/27; HA, PCHR 8/28)

The IDF begins construction of 2 permanent, fortified military posts in the PAcontrolled section of Hebron, on 10 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of confiscated land in Abu Sunayna, 40 dunams of confiscated land on Junaydi Hill. The IDF alsobegins easing the closure on Nablus; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian when he strays too near the Dugit settlement fence; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Balata refugee camp (r.c.); conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Jaba’, Nablus; fires on Palestinians in Bayt Furik (wounding 6), Khan Yunis; arrests 5 IsraeliArabs in Silwan for allegedly attempting to set up an East Jerusalem branch of the Palestinian Authority (PA) Preventive Security Force (PSF). Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Yitzhar settlement, lightly wounding 1 woman. (HA, MM 8/18; PCHR 8/21)

PA-Israelisecurity talks regarding expanding PA security control fr. Bethlehem and parts of Gaza to Jericho and Qalqilya fall apart over Israel’s refusal to remove checkpoints around the cities or give the PA control over the sole entry point to Qalqilya. Plans for further talks on 8/18 are canceled. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/18; MA, al-Quds 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM 8/19; al-Quds 8/19 in WNC 8/21)