The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 4 Palestinians dead. The IDF declare a curfew, reinforces its positions in Bayt Jala, saying forces will remain in the town indefinitely--marking Israel's 1st reoccupation of West Bank area A. State Dept. spokesman Richard Boucher warns Israel that it is inflaming the conflict, urges Syria to keep a rein on Hizballah. Among the buildings taken over by the IDF are 5 Palestinian homes and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's orphanage, where troops turn the upper floors into a firing base for heavy machine guns. Residents of the occupied homes, orphanage are confined to a single room of their homes; the Lutheran bishop accuses the IDF of using the 45 children in the home as human shields. Troops also level a number of Palestinian houses; skirmish with Palestinians at Aida refugee camp, nr. Bayt Jala. Fighting around Bayt Jala and Gilo intensifies throughout the day, leaving 1 Palestinian dead, at least 6 injured. Palestinians fire 6 mortars at Gilo, causing damage but no injuries, marking the 1st sustained mortar attack in the West Bank. The IDF also sends undercover units into Hebron to capture PSF Hebron cmdr. Abdallah Salim; sends forces into Rafah refugee camp to demolish another 14 homes, wounding 12 Palestinians; sends troops into Dayr al-Balah camp, touching off gun battles; bulldozes part of a school, 50 olive trees in Abu Najim; shells residential areas of Dayr Samit, Dura, Kharsa; conducts arrests raids in Jalbun; seals a main north+nsouth Gaza road. (AP, BDL, HA, LAW, MM, REU 8/28; XIN 8/28 in WNC 8/29; BDL, NYT, WP, WT 8/29; PMC, WJW 8/30; MEI, WT 8/31; JP 9/7)

In Ramallah, 10,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of PFLP leader Mustafa. In refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, 1,000s of Palestinian refugees protest Mustafa's assassination. In Amman, 100s of demonstrators call for the Israeli amb. to be expelled. Outside the Israeli DMin. in Tel Aviv, 100s of Israelis demonstrate against the IDF incursion into Bayt Jala, Bethlehem. (AP, GS, JP 8/28)

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint in the West Bank, injuring 3 IDF soldiers. In retaliation for the killing of a settler on 8/7, the IDF places a curfew on `Ayn Bus, Jama'in; shells a Force 17 post, a PA military intelligence post in Salfit and a Force 17 office in Asira, destroying the buildings but causing no injuries. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Asira, Jericho; tightens closures on Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Rafah; reinforces troops around al-Mahatin, Qalqilya; bulldozes 10 dunams of agricultural land in al-Qarara. (AP, HP 8/8; WP 8/9)

The IDF demolishes at least 14 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem in the largest demolition campaign in the city in recent yrs., leaving 150 Palestinians homeless, injuring 20. Israeli police scuffle with Palestinian residents, injuring 5, arresting several. Later, the IDF demolishes 10 Palestinian homes in Gaza, sparking an exchange gunfire that leaves 5 Palestinians wounded. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. and IDF post nr. Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, killing himself, causing no other injuries. A critically ill Palestinian man dies of a heart attack when the IDF delays his ambulance passage through a checkpoint. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received on 7/8. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur (hitting a PSF post); tightens access to Jerusalem and the closure on Jinin, Tulkarm; places a curfew on Sinjil, fires percussion grenades for no apparent reason. Jewish settlers place caravans on confiscated Palestinian land in Ramin to expand Annab settlement; stage a 4-hr. assault on Palestinians, their property in Hebron, also attacking journalists who come to cover the incident. Palestinians fire mortars at 2 Gaza settlements, causing no damage. (HP, LAW, MM 7/9; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/10; PMC, WT 7/11; JT, al-Quds 7/11 in WNC 7/12; HJ, JT 7/12 in WNC 7/13; ATL 7/12 in WNC 7/16; MEI 7/13; HA 7/24)

Palestinians fire up to 6 mortars, several grenades at an IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF fires a shell at a Palestinian vehicle in Khan Yunis, injuring 5 Palestinians. Around 1,000 Palestinian demonstrators clash with IDF soldiers at a checkpoint outside al-Bireh. Another serious clash is reported in Tulkarm. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur, Silat al-Dahir; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Salfit; places a closure on Bayt Furik; tightens the closure on Dayr Istya, Qalqilya; sets up new blockades, checkpoints around Azun, Nablus, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers raise 10s of trees in Dayr Balut, cut of running water to 6 Palestinian villages nr. Nablus. (AFP [Internet], HP 6/29; HP, NYT, WP 6/30)

Around 100 Israeli, international peace activists attempt to reach the Palestinian village of al-Khadir, nr. Bethlehem, where they have planned to set up a "peace camp" with local Palestinians to protest ongoing Israeli violence. The activists are halted outside the village by the IDF, which says the area is a closed military zone, although settlers passes unimpeded. When the activists set up a nonviolent roadblock to settler vehicles, Israeli police arrest the organizers, forces the others onto their busses and back to Tel Aviv. Inside al-Khadir, 150 Palestinian participants also demonstrate, but the IDF disperses them with gunfire, wounding 4, and imposes a curfew. (Gush Shalom press release 6/29)

On the sidelines of a conference in Lisbon, Arafat, Peres hold talks on maintaining the cease-fire. (RTP Internacional TV [Lisbon] 6/30 in WNC 7/2; AFP [Internet], NYT, WT 7/1; MM 7/2, 7/5)

Hizballah fires rockets at an IDF post in Shaba` Farms, injuring 2 soldiers. Israel sends warplanes into Lebanese air space 5-6 times. (Daily Star [Internet] 6/30; al-Safir 6/30 in WNC 7/2; WT 7/1: MM, WP, WT 7/2; al-Safir 7/4, SA 7/5 in WNC 7/7; MEI 7/13)

Israeli-Palestinian violence continues, leaving 1 Jewish settler dead. Palestinians fire 3 large mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF tightens the closure on Tulkarm; flies helicopters over Bethlehem. Jewish settlers block roads, stone passing Palestinian vehicles nr. Qalqilya; shoot at water tanks on buildings in Ramallah; vandalize Palestinian homes in Silat al-Dahir, which is under its 10th day of curfew. (HP 6/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/29; Between the Lines 7/01)

After mtg. separately with Arafat and Sharon, Powell announces that the sides have agreed that after 7 days of "complete quite," they will observe a 6 wk. cooling-off period, followed by a "several mos." of confidence building, only after which negotiations would resume. FM Peres says that if even 1 Palestinian attack takes place during the 7-day or 6 wk. periods, the clock would reset to zero. At least 3,000 Palestinians rally in Gaza City to protest Powell's visit. (AP, CNN, USIS Washington File 6/28; XIN 6/28 in WNC 6/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/29; HJ 6/29, MENA 6/30, 7/1 in WNC 7/2; AYM 6/30 in WNC 7/6; WP 7/1; MM 7/2; WJW 7/5; MEI 7/13)

The IDF directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Salim; tightens the closures on Salim, Tulkarm, several villages nr. Ramallah; places new checkpoints at 2 intersections outside Tulkarm, a new observation tower at al-Muntar crossing in Gaza; extends the curfews on PA-areas of Hebron for the 3d day, on Silat al-Dahir for the 8th day; imposes a curfew on Dayr Istya; opens fire on a PSF checkpoint at the entrance to Qalqilya, causing no injuries; conducts an arrest sweep in Abruqin; fires on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Rafah. Palestinians fire on Jewish settlers in the West Bank, causing no damage; fire antitank grenades at an IDF post in Gaza and detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. Jewish settlers open fire on a bus transporting Palestinian workers, injuring 9; set fire to Palestinian trees in Dayr Istya. A Palestinian, possibly a collaborator, is found shot dead in Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (HP, JT [Internet] 6/27; HP, NYT 6/28)

After a brief stop in Egypt to confer with Mubarak and urge him to press Arafat to halt violence, Powell opens mtgs. with Israeli, PA officials on strengthening their cease-fire. Powell reiterates that, while the U.S. does not believe that complete quite is likely or necessary for implementation of Tenet's plan to move forward, only Sharon can decide what level of violence is low enough. (MM 6/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/28; WP 7/1; MEI 7/13)

Survivors of the Sabra-Shatila massacre file a suit against Israeli PM Sharon in Lebanese court. (Daily Star [Internet] 6/28; JT 7/29 in WNC 7/30)

Islamic Jihad mbrs. fire on the Jewish enclave of Hebron, causing no injuries; the IDF tightens its closure on the Palestinian section of the city. The IDF also sends 5 armored vehicles into Silat al-Dahir (under curfew for 7 days) to occupy several homes under construction for use as military outposts; confiscates 100s of dunams of Palestinian land nr. Morag settlement; bulldozes Palestinian land in al-Qarara; conducts arrest sweeps in Dayr Istya (occupying 1 home as an observation post), Kfar Dik; reinforces the closure on Nablus by digging a trench across a road, establishing a new checkpoint; recloses the Birzeit+nRamallah road. Jewish settlers destroy Palestinian olive groves in Bizarya, Burqa, Ras Karkar, Tulkarm; attack a Palestinian farm in Bani Odeh, killing 50 sheep; throw stones at Palestinian cars on the Qalqilya-Nablus road. (HP, MM 6/26; NYT, WT 6/27)

In Washington, Bush, Powell hold "an unusually blunt" mtg. with Sharon on how to proceed with the cease-fire plan. Sharon says he will not move onto the 6 wk. cooling-off stage until violence completely ceases for 10 days; only after 8 wks. of total calm would Israel make any confidence-building gestures. Bush stresses the PA's progress in reducing violence to date, urges Sharon to be "more receptive" to the cease-fire proposals, recommends that the cooling-off period begin immediately. (AP, MM 6/26; AYM, al-Quds 6/26 in WNC 6/27; BBC, HA, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/27; NYT, WJW, WP 6/28; MA 6/29, 7/1 in WNC 7/2; JP 7/6; see also WP 6/20)

In Hebron, a Fatah sniper, retaliating for the Jawabiri assassination on 6/24, shoots and wounds a 7-yr.-old Jewish settler, sparking a firefight in which 12 Palestinians, 4 IDF soldiers are wounded. In response, the IDF seals, places a curfew on the Palestinian section of Hebron, bulldozes Palestinian land s. of Hebron; Jewish settlers place more caravans at a new illegal outpost site nearby. Jewish settlers also place caravans on Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya, attack Palestinian cars in Wadi al-Juz, cut off water to Palestinian villages nr. Halmish settlement. Palestinians fire on a settler bus nr. Jerusalem. A gunfight erupts nr. Neve Dekalim settlement, wounding an 11-yr.-old Palestinian. The IDF tightens closures on Qalandia, Tulkarm; confiscates 20 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya; bulldozes Palestinian land in Tulkarm; continues to impose curfews on Bayt Lahia, Bayt Lid, Safarin. Shin Bet announces that 11 days ago, it captured Aziz Salha, who has confessed under interrogation to being involved in the murder of 2 IDF reservists in Ramallah on 10/12/00. (PMC 6/25; AP, HP, MM, WP, WT 6/26; MA 6/26 in WNC 6/27; MM 6/27; JP 7/6; WP 7/7)

Fmr. U.S. senator George Mitchell, head of the Mitchell Comm., recommends that in order to move the cease-fire forward, Israel should immediately implement a full settlement freeze, the U.S. should invite Arafat to the White House. Meanwhile, in Israel, DM Ben-Eliezer says Israel plans to remove 15 illegal settler outposts that have been set up since the al-Aqsa intifada began, noting that they are a danger to security and cannot be defended adequately. (HA, HP, MM, WT 6/26; MA 6/26 in WNC 6/27; MM, WT 6/27; WJW 6/28)

In Gaza, Palestinians fire a large-caliber mortar, antitank grenades a 2 IDF border posts, lightly wounding 1 soldier, damaging 1 building. Some 150 Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian cars, 15 dunams of wheat fields, some 1,700 olive trees nr. Nablus; attack farmers attempting to put out the fires. The IDF imposes a curfew on Bayt Lahia. (AP 6/21; NYT, WT 6/22; PMC 6/22; LAW 6/23; HP 6/26)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Israeli commandos enter a PA-controlled area A for the 1st time, capture 6 Force 17 mbrs.; Israel says more such raids could follow. The PSF reports that the IDF in Gaza has deployed additional tanks and numerous troops to 24 new posts along the length Green Line, at key intersections. In Nablus, a Palestinian sniper kills an IDF soldier. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In Hebron, the IDF places a curfew on Palestinians as Jewish settlers hold the funeral for a 10-mo.-old baby killed on 3/26. The settlers, many of them armed, march through the city, attacking Palestinian property, calling on Sharon to declare war. They attempt to storm Abu Sunayna but are held back by IDF troops. When 1 settler opens fire, the IDF fires on Abu Sunayna, thinking the shots came fr. Palestinians. The IDF also shells residential areas of Aida refugee camp, Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, Nablus, Rafah; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Bayt Dajan; bulldozes an olive grove nr. a settler bypass road nr. Salfit, 10 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya to expand Alfe Menashe settlement. Israel, however, reopens the Erez industrial zone (see 4/30), allowing 3,000+n4,000 Palestinian workers to return to their jobs. (NYT, WP, WT 4/2; Globes, SA 4/2 in WNC 4/3; JP [Internet], MM, WP 4/3; SA 4/3 in WNC 4/5; LAW 4/4; AYM 4/5 in WNC 4/6; MEI 4/6; MM 4/12; JP 4/13)

Sharon secretly dispatches his son, Omri Sharon, and his adviser Yossi Ginossaur to Ramallah to discuss resuming security coordination, possible cease-fire arrangements with Arafat. (MA 4/3, 4/4 in WNC 4/5; MM 4/4; HA, MM, NYT 4/5; NYT, WP 4/6; MM 4/9)

FM Peres arrives in Stockholm where he holds "quiet contacts" with senior PA officials, including PA Planning M Nabil Shaath, on a Jordanian-Egyptian proposal (reportedly presented orally to Israel last wk.) for implementing a cease-fire and resuming political negotiations. (AFP, MA 4/3 in WNC 4/5; MM 4/4)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate, leaving 8 Palestinians dead, including senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Sa'ir al-Khruf, who is assassinated by the IDF. (1 Palestinian dies en route to the hospital when his ambulance is detained by the IDF for over 1 hr.) In Nablus, 20,000 Palestinians attend a funeral for 3 of the dead killed overnight. Israel allows a small number of West Bank, Gaza Palestinians over age 35 to attend Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. Those that are barred scuffle with Israeli police who respond with rubber bullets, stun grenades, tear gas. The IDF also placed curfews on Salfit, Qasrah to conduct an arrest sweep. IDF directed shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in Aida, Aqbat Jabir camp, Bayt Jala (damaging an elementary school), al-Bireh, Dayr al-Balah, Nablus, Ramallah (damaging the PA Local Government Min.), Tulkarm; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land across Gaza, in Qalqilya. In Rafah, the IDF fires a shell at a family protesting the bulldozing of their land, injuring 6 children. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian property around Qalqilya, shoot at Palestinians in Silt al-Thahir (wounding 1). (ADM, LAW 12/15; NYT, WP, WT 12/16; PCHR 12/18; NYT 1/17)

Israel's Ben-Ami meets with Arafat at Erez to discuss resuming peace talks, holds follow-up mtg. with PA Information M `Abid Rabbuh in Tel Aviv. The State Dept. says that midlevel Israeli, PA negotiators may come top Washington the wk. of 12/18. (NYT, WP 12/16) (see 12/10)

In Gaza, over 30,000 Palestinians attend a Hamas rally in support of continuing the al-Aqsa intifada no matter what stand the PA regarding negotiations with Israel. (MEI 12/22)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at the same level as in recent days, leaving at least 87 Palestinians injured (almost half by live ammunition). In Hebron, where Palestinians have been under 24 hr. curfew since 10/1, the IDF refuses to allow a Palestinian family to transfer their ill newborn to the hospital, allowing her to die. Jewish settler attacks on Palestinians and their property are reported in Hebron, nr. Bethlehem and Nablus, and throughout Jerusalem. (ADM, LAW 11/4; AYM 11/6 in WNC 11/9; WP, WT 11/5)

In Tel Aviv, 50,000 Israelis attend a rally marking the 5th anniversary of the assassination of PM Yitzhak Rabin. In comparison to previous yrs., fewer people attend and the event is less a peace rally and more a memorial. (NYT, WP 11/5; MM 11/8; WJW 11/9; JP 11/10)

Another antigovernment/anti-Israeli/anti-U.S. rally is held in Mauritania. In the U.S., rallies in support of the Palestinian people are held in Carlisle, PA; North Bergen, NJ. (Free Arab Voice [Internet] 11/14)

On the 4th day of Palestinian-Israeli clashes, another attempt to secure a cease-fire fails, and rioting spreads to Israeli cities, including Acre, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Israeli Arab towns across the Galilee. In Umm al-Fahm, 1 Israeli Arab is shot dead by Israeli police, sparking massive rioting. In the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF rolls out heavy weapons--including tanks, antitank missiles, attack helicopters, grenades--to combat stone-throwing Palestinians, resulting in another 12 Palestinian fatalities, over 200 Palestinians wounded. The 1st IDF soldier is killed in street clashes (see 9/29). Jewish settlers in Jerusalem open fire on a Palestinian car, killing a toddler. The 1st confirmed incidents of Palestinians shooting at IDF troops take place in Gaza and Ramallah, but no IDF injuries are reported. The IDF places a 24-hr. curfew on Palestinians in Hebron. Israel states that its troops have "exercised restraint," accuses the PA of "orchestrating a campaign of spreading violence for political gain." Clinton phones Arafat to urge him to halt the violence; says that once the fighting stops, he will convene PA, Israeli security officials for a fact-finding session "to figure out what went wrong." (PCHR 10/1; IRNA, MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2; AFP 10/1, IRNA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; AP, CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; HA [Internet], MM, NYT 10/3; MEI 10/13)

On his 1st official visit abroad as head of state, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad arrives in Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. Talks touch on bilateral relations, the peace process, Jerusalem. (MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2, 10/3)

In Amman, Jordanians, Palestinians demonstrate against Israel's use of excessive force against Palestinians. (JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

PA Planning M Nabil Shaath receives Jordanian FM Abdallah Khatib for talks on the peace process, briefs him on Arafat's recent visit to Washington. The 2 men also discuss holding a 3-way (Egypt, Jordan, PA) and 4-way (including Israel) ministerial mtgs. on displaced persons. (DUS 10/7 in WNC 10/11)

Orient House head Faisal Husseini hosts delegation of 20 Jordanian parliamentarians, urges Jordan to support the PA in its final status talks with Israel. (MM 10/7)

Israel's Education M Yossi Sarid urges Israeli teachers to mark the anniversary of the 1956 Kafr al-Qasim massacre in their classrooms for the 1st time this yr.; says Israel owes it to its Palestinian citizens to commemorate the incident in which the IDF shot dead 47 Israeli Arabs (including 15 women, 11 children) as they returned to the village of Kafr al-Qasim, unaware of a military curfew that barred movement after dark. (NYT, WT 10/7; MM 10/12; WJW 10/14)

Saying that the incident had nothing to do with Iran, Iranian pres. Khatami rejects a request fr. Pres. Clinton for help in investigating the 1996 Khobar barracks bombing in Saudi Arabia in which 19 U.S. soldiers were killed. Clinton secretly sent a letter to Khatami in late 8/99 asking for assistance. (WP 10/7; see also MM 9/10)

Jordan's State Security Court issues new charges against detained Hamas political chief Mishal, spokesman Ghawshah, 2 of which can carry the death penalty. (MM 10/7, 10/8; MEI 10/15)

In s. Lebanon, 2 civilians are wounded by IDF shelling. (RL 10/6 in WNC 10/8)

PM Barak tours Ma'ale Adumim, which he vows will remain "forever part of Israel"; vows to "strengthen" the settlement. (Qol Yisra'el 9/14 in WNC 9/15; MM, NYT 9/15)

In Aqaba, Jordanian, Israeli transportation Ms discuss Aqaba airport expansion project, transportation of goods across their common border. (JT 9/15 in WNC 9/16) (see 9/6)

In Ramallah, FIDA, PPP, PPSF meet to discuss final status negotiations, call on PA to press Israel to halt arbitrary measures against Palestinians, Judaization efforts in Jerusalem; end all settlement activity; release Palestinian prisoners. (HJ 9/16 in WNC 9/21)

An Israeli truck driver is stabbed, wounded nr. Tapuah junction in the West Bank. IDF suspects assailants are Palestinians, imposes curfew on the area but captures no suspects. (IDF Radio 9/14 in WNC 9/15)

The Israeli cabinet releases a statement saying that "in the absence of agreed-upon changes, the countdown for implementation of the [Wye] agreement will begin on September 1." Arafat welcomes Israel's plan to resume implementation in 9/99, but still does not approve of Barak's plan to draw out the Wye schedule. (CSM, MM, WT 8/9; CSM 8/10)

At the request of Israeli PM Barak and after consulting with Arafat and Asad, Secy. of State Albright postpones her trip to the Middle East, which was to start next wk. (IDF Radio 8/8 in WNC 8/9; MM, WP, WT 8/9; MM, NYT, WP 8/10; WJW 8/12; JP 8/13) (see 8/6)

Shaykh Hamad Bin-Khalifa al-Thani, emir of Qatar, meets with Arafat in Gaza, making him the 1st Gulf leader to visit the occupied territories since the PA was established. The emir is on a regional tour, which will also take him to Lebanon (8/8-9), Algeria (8/9-10), Morocco (8/11). (RL 8/8 in WNC 8/9; al-Quds 8/9, MAP [Rabat], TT 8/11 in WNC 8/13)

In Damascus, the PFLP briefs 8 Syrian-based opposition groups on its reconciliation talks with Arafat in Cairo 8/1-2; some groups recommend halting contacts with the PFLP if it holds further mtgs. Fatah, the PA. DFLP is not invited to the briefing; it has been banned fr. opposition mtgs. since Nayif Hawatimah shook hands with Israeli pres. Weizman at King Hussein's funeral in 2/99. (AFP, MBC, 8/9 in WNC 8/10) (see 8/6)

IDF lifts curfew on Palestinians in the Israeli-controlled sector of Hebron. (LAW 8/8) (see 8/4)

PA announces that it has arrested 3 Hamas leaders in Gaza. Israel has pressured the PA to crack down on Hamas since the Qassam Brigades claimed responsibility for shooting 2 Jewish settlers in Hebron on 8/3. (WP 8/9) (see 8/7)

1,000s of Palestinians are bussed to Arafat's headquarters in Gaza for a pro-Arafat demonstration in protest of a speech made by Syrian DM Tlas (8/2) accusing Arafat of having sold out the Palestinian cause. (WP 8/8; MM, WJW 8/12; MM 8/13) (see 8/5)

Hamas's armed wing, Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, takes responsibility for shooting 2 Jewish settlers in Hebron on 8/4. The IDF curfew on Palestinians in the Israeli-controlled sector of Hebron is still in place. (WT 8/8; IDF Radio 8/8 in WNC 8/9) (see 8/4)

High-level Romanian military delegation arrives in Egypt for talks on military cooperation. (MENA 8/7 in WNC 8/9)

In Jerusalem, Dep. FM Yiannous Kranidiotis of Greece holds talks with FM Levy on trade, military cooperation. (Athens News Agency 8/5 in WNC 8/6; GIU 8/6)

In response to the 8/3 shoot, IDF seals Hebron, imposes a curfew on Palestinians in the Israeli-controlled sector of the city. (AP [Internet] 8/4)

U.S. emb. in Tel Aviv reopens. (WP, WT 1/5; JP 1/11) (see 12/31)

In Hebron, unidentified gunmen open fire on van, wounding 2 Jewish settlers. IDF seals the borders of Hebron to prevent Palestinians fr. entering or leaving; imposes curfew on Palestinians in Israeli-controlled sector of the city; shoots rubber bullets at Palestinians who protest the closure, wounding 2. (MM 1/4; AFP, ITV 1/4 in WNC 1/5; CSM, NYT, WP 1/5; MA 1/5 in WNC 1/6; ITV 1/5 in WNC 1/7; WJW 1/7; PR 1/8; MEI 1/15)

In light of "serious complaints" fr. Orthodox MKs, the Knesset institutes regulation barring women fr. wearing miniskirts, tight garments, low-cut/sleeveless shirts, any other "provocative" clothing in the parliament. (WT 1/5)

IDF reports that Hizballah carried out 1,200 attacks in 1998 compared to 715 in 1997. Despite the increase, IDF fatalities have dropped fr. 39 in 1997 to 23 in 1998. Although 1,100 of the 1998 attacks were conducted by long-range fire (compared to 550 in 1997), 16 of the 23 fatalities were caused by roadside bombs. Today, 1 SLA soldier is injured by a roadside bomb. (VOL, YA 1/4 in WNC 1/5)

UN Secy. Gen. Annan sends letter to Saddam Hussein asking him to resume immediate cooperation with the UN. Some sources claim that Annan set the letter on his own, despite protests from the U.S., citing an unnamed U.S. official as saying that Annan "went completely off on his own. We adamantly opposed the letter." (MM 11/13; NYT, WP, WT 11/14; WT 11/17)

After several delays, U.S. envoy Ross arrives in Israel to oversee Wye implementation, meets with PM Netanyahu. (MM 11/13; WP 11/14)

Israel gives the PA the names of Israeli negotiators to sit on the various comms. created by the Wye agmt. (AP [Internet] 11/13)

Israel authorizes paving of 13 roads to Jewish settlements in the West Bank, which will require the confiscation of large tracts of Palestinian land. (AP [Internet] 11/13)

IDF imposes curfew on Palestinian residents of Israeli-controlled Hebron after an unidentified assailant throws a grenade at an IDF outpost, causing no injuries. (AP [Internet] 11/13)

Arafat returns to Gaza. (NYT, WP 10/29)

In Jericho, PA military court sentences 4 military intelligence officers to prison terms of 3-4 yrs. for raiding Fatah office in Ramallah 10/25. (AFP [Internet] 10/28; PR 10/30)

IDF lifts curfew on Palestinians in Israeli-controlled Hebron. (AP [Internet] 10/28; PR 11/6)

In Damascus, Syria, Turkey hold follow-up security mtg., plan to meet again in early 11/98. (ATL, SATN 10/28 in WNC 10/29) (see 10/20)

Egypt upgrades its diplomatic mission in Iran. (WP 10/29)

Amal attacks an SLA patrol in s. Lebanon, wounding 4 SLA mbrs. (VOL 10/29 in WNC 11/2)

U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk briefs ambs. of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE on the Wye agmt. (al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA, RL 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; al-Ba'th 10/28 in WNC 11/2; al-Quds 10/28, SA 10/30, al-Ahram 11/2 in WNC 11/6; MM 10/29, 10/30; MM 11/2; WP 11/6)

In the Knesset, PM Netanyahu survives no-confidence motion, but Knesset Law Comm. agrees (9-7) to hear 1st reading of bill calling for the dissolution of parliament, new elections in 100 days. MKs criticize Netanyahu for linking Pollard with the peace process. (CSM, WP, WT 10/27)

In Gaza, the Arab Liberation Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Islamic National Salvation Party, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issue statement denouncing the Wye agmt. (MENA 10/26 in WNC 10/27; PR 10/30)

200 Jewish settlers hold rally outside PM Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, protesting the Wye agmt. At least 24 are detained by Israeli police. (ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; WP 10/27; YA 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/28)

Jordan, Israel begin long-delayed $1.65-m. joint project to build the `Adasiyya diversion wall to diver Yarmuk River water. (JT, RJ 10/27 in WNC 10/28; JP 211/9)

An Israeli settler is killed in Israeli-controlled Hebron in an apparent attack by Palestinians. IDF places curfew on Palestinians in Hebron's Israeli-controlled zone. Later, the body of a Palestinian is found outside Itamar settlement nr. Nablus. An anonymous caller claims Palestinian was killed to avenge the settler's death. (IDF Radio, ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/28; CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; WJW 10/29; PR 10/30)

In Ramallah, Palestinians observe general strike, 100s of Fatah mbrs. march to protest 10/25 events, call on Arafat to punish security services. (NYT, WP 10/27; PR 10/30)

International experts submit final report Iraqi missile fragments to the UNSC, say results are inconclusive. Tests by Switzerland show no traces of VX; 1 sample in the 3d test by France shows traces of nerve agent that could be VX. French, Swiss, U.S. tests all show traces of unknown compound that could mask biological agents. (NYT, WP 10/27; MEI 10/30) (6/22)

U.S. says that a UN proposal to try the Pan Am bombing suspects in the Hague under Scottish law, tentatively agreed to by all parties, is in jeopardy because of Libyan demands that the 2 suspects not be imprisoned in Scotland if found guilty. (WP 10/27; WT 10/28) (see 9/29)

PA, Israeli security teams work on draft security MOU. (QY 10/15 in WNC 10/16) (see 10/6)

Unidentified gunmen open fire on 2 Israelis at a spring nr. Jerusalem, killing 1. IDF places curfew on the nearby Palestinian village of Walaja. (MM 10/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/14; MA 10/14 in WNC 10/16; CSM, WJW 10/15; JP 10/29)

Turkish DM Ismet Sezgin says that PKK leader Ocalan has left Syria, that Syria has closed some PKK camps, which could help defuse tensions. Meanwhile, Ocalan tells PKK mbrs. to prepare for end to cease-fire on Turkey (see 9/1). (ATL, MIL 10/13 in WNC 10/14; MM, WP, WT 10/14; MENA, MIL, VOA 10/14 in WNC 10/15; ATL 10/15 in WNC 10/16; HUR 10/19 in WNC 10/20; MED Television 10/19 in WNC 10/22) (see 10/12)

Lebanese parliament amends the constitution to allow the election of Gen. Lahoud as the next pres. on 10/15. Only 4 legislators, all associated with Druze leader Walid Junblatt, opposed amending article 49, which requires senior public employees to leave their posts 2 yrs. before seeking the presidency. (RL 10/13 in WNC 10/14; WP, WT 10/14; al-Quds al-Arabi 10/14 in WNC 10/27) (see 10/5)

Israel eases closure on the occupied territories, allowing 25,000 Palestinian workers, 8,000 businessmen into Israel; but says it will not be lifted until after Washington talks. The curfew on Palestinians in Israeli-controlled Hebron, imposed 9/30, is lifted. (HA [Internet] 10/13; ITV 10/14 in WNC 10/16; NYT 10/15; MEI 10/16)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak meets with Syrian pres. Asad in Damascus on 1st leg of shuttle aimed at reducing avoiding military conflict btwn. Syria, Turkey. Syria also accepts Iran's offer to mediate. To reassure Syria, Israel scales back its routine maneuvers in the Golan. (IRIB Television, Radio Kuwait, SATN 10/4, ATL, MENA, RL, VOA 10/5 in WNC 10/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; HUR, Sabah 10/5, MA, al-Quds 10/6 in WNC 10/7; al-Quds al-Arabi 10/5 in WNC 10/14; MM 10/6, 10/7; WP 10/8) (see 10/3)

U.S. holds 1-day naval exercise with Algeria as part of a quiet effort to rebuild ties; says maneuvers are a reward to Algeria for allowing foreign groups to investigate human rights allegations, not backing of it's war against Islamists. However, State Dept. says that "we're not going to . . . join their war until we're sure they are for reform and the human rights situation gets better." (WP 11/12)

Clashes btwn. Palestinians, IDF continue in Hebron, spread to Halhul. IDF says curfew will remain in place indefinitely. PSF arrests 2 prominent Hamas activists, 10 other suspected Hamas mbrs. in Hebron. (ITV 10/4 in WNC 10/6; HA [Internet] 10/6; PR 10/9)

Jewish settlers at the Ma'ate Hever settlement nr. Hebron move their boundary fences to enclose another 7 acres of Palestinian land. (MEI 10/16)

Turkey's national security council discusses accusations that Syria is aiding the PKK; considers imposing diplomatic, economic sanctions on Syria. (WT 9/30; MIL, Zaman 10/1 in WNC 10/6; NYT 10/4) (see 9/1)

In Hebron, an unidentified Palestinian throws 2 grenades at an IDF post, wounding 13 soldiers, 11 Palestinians, 1 Israeli border policeman. IDF shoots, wounds the attacker, who flees into PA-controlled territory. IDF reimposes curfew on Palestinian residents in Israeli-controlled area of the city. (ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/1; CSM 10/2; WJW 10/8; PR 10/9; JP 10/10)

In Biddu, West Bank, 100s of Palestinians clash with IDF troops after the funeral of the alleged Hamas mbr. killed 9/29. 6 Palestinians are injured. (MM, WP 10/1)

Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reports that the El Al cargo plane that crashed in Amsterdam in 1992 was carrying 3 of the 4 chemicals used to make sarin nerve gas, including 50 gallons of dimethyl methylpohsphonate (DMMP). According to the plane's cargo manifest, the chemicals were sent fr. a U.S. factory in Pennsylvania to the top secret Israeli Institute for Biological Research. (ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; MM, WT 10/1; NRC Handelsblad 10/3 in WNC 10/6; WT 10/7; JP 10/10; Sunday Times [London] 10/4; MEI 10/16)

PA executes 2 Palestinian brothers convicted of murder 8/29. The 3d brother's death sentence is commuted to life in prison. These are the 1st executions by the PA. (LAW, NYT, WP 8/31; MM 9/1, 9/2; MEI, MM, PR 9/4; JP 9/5)

IDF lifts curfew, imposed 8/20, on Palestinians in Israeli-controlled sector of Hebron. (MEI 9/4)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb as IDF patrol passes, wounding 5 soldiers. (NYT 8/31)

UNSCOM chief inspector Scott Ritter resigns in protest over recent revelations that the U.S. repeatedly urged UNSCOM to forgo "challenge inspections" at Iraqi sites thought to house weapons of mass destruction. (MM 9/3; MA 9/3 in WNC 9/11; MM 9/4; MM 9/9, 9/11; Babil 9/17 in WNC 9/25; NYT, WP 10/2; WP 10/11, 10/12) (see 8/7)

IDF soldiers enforcing the Hebron closure prevent Palestinian woman in labor fr. reaching hospital, causing her baby's death. (LAW, WP 8/27; JP 9/5, 9/12; WP 9/19)

Libya tentatively accepts proposal approved by Britain, U.S. to try 2 suspects in the 1988 Pan Am bombing in the Hague under Scottish law. (MM 8/26; NYT, WP, WT 8/27; WP, WT 8/28; MEI 9/4; WP 9/30) (see 7/30)

Five settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement abduct a Palestinian teenager, take him to the graves of 2 settlers killed 8/5, hold him there for 2 hrs., beat him. (PR 9/4)

Settlers in Hebron set fire to a Palestinian home nr. the Jewish sector of the city, injuring 1 man. IDF soldiers enforcing th curfew on the city prevent fire fighters fr. reaching the site. (PR 9/4)

Amal shells an SLA post in s. Lebanon, killing 1 SLA mbr., wounding another. (RL 8/26 in WNC 8/27)

PM Netanyahu makes surprise visit to Hebron, promises settlers he will build them new homes. Settlers, Palestinians scuffle again when curfew is lifted for several hours to allow Palestinians to shop for food. (MM 8/25; CSM, WT 8/26; PR 8/28) (see 8/23)

An Israeli Housing Min. document states that a quarter of settlement housing units built btwn. 1989 and 1992 are still empty; only 45% of the units have been sold. (MA 8/25 in WNC 8/27; HA [Internet], WT 8/26)

Israel allows Syrian wives of 13 Golani Druze to take up residence in the Golan Heights. (IGPO 8/25)

IDF helicopter unit assassinates Amal operations chief Hussam al-Amin in Tyre, Lebanon. Amal fires 26 rockets into n. Israel, damaging buildings and cars, knocking out power, injuring 9 Israelis. 9 Lebanese civilians are injured in IDF counterattacks. (RL 8/25 in WNC 8/26; AFP, RL 8/25 in WNC 8/27; IGPO, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/26; CSM, MM, WP 8/27; MA 8/27 in WNC 8/28; VOL 8/28 in WNC 8/31; WJW 9/3; MEI 9/4; JP 9/5)

In Oslo, Norwegian FM Knut Vollebaek hosts dinner to celebrate 5th anniversary of the initialing of the Oslo Accord on 8/20/93. Fmr. Israeli PM Shimon Peres, PA negotiator Ahmad Qurai`, fmr. Israeli negotiator Uri Savir, U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross attend. (WP 8/24)

France says there is "no compelling evidence" that the target the U.S. struck in Sudan 8/20 was tied to terrorism. Russia has already termed strikes on Afghanistan, Sudan "state terrorism." Israel has been the only country to applaud the U.S. attacks. (MM 8/24)

Egyptian FM Amr Musa arrives in Syria for 1-day visit, meets with FM Faruq al-Shara` on the peace process. (MENA, SANA 8/23 in WNC 8/26)

Israeli cabinet approves construction of permanent structures in Tal Rumayda where a settler was killed 8/20, thereby sanctioning creation of a new settlement. (Settlers at Tal Rumayda live in mobile homes.) IDF lifts curfew on Hebron briefly but reimposes it when 50 Jewish settlers attack Palestinians stocking up on food at the central market. (MM, WP, WT 8/24; CSM 8/25; MA 8/25 in WNC 8/27; PR 8/28; JP 8/29; MEI 9/4)