The Palestine Chronology

Overnight, the IDF launches Operation Orange Iron, sending tanks, bulldozers into Khan Yunis in further response to 12/16 mortar fire, shelling and firing missiles fr. helicopters at residential areas, clashing with local Palestinians, leaving a total of 9 Palestinians dead (5 armed Palestinians, 4 civilians), at least 30 Palestinians (mostly civilians, including 1 ambulance driver trying to evacuate the wounded) and 1 IDF soldier wounded, also leveling 39 Palestinian homes allegedly used as cover for mortar fire; 100s of Palestinians flee the fighting, many taking refuge in a nearby hospital, stadium; the IDF says it will stay in Khan Yunis “indefinitely.” In response, Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets into the Negev, causing no damage or injures. A smugglers’ tunnel collapses in Rafah after days of rain, trapping and killing at least 5 Palestinians;6are rescued. The IDF also demolishes 1 Palestinian home, 15 shops in Rafah that allegedly provided cover for mortar fire; shells, destroys 2 workshops (alleged weapons factories) in Gaza City; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, in Qalqilya; issues military orders confiscating “large areas” of Palestinian land in Far‘un s. of Tulkarm and Jayyus northeast of Qalqilya, as well as 50 d. in Nuba southwest of Tulkarm for construction of the separation wall. (BBC, HA, WT 12/17; MENA, VOI, VOP 12/17 in WNC 12/21; JAZ, NYT, WT 12/18; PM 12/20; PCHR 12/23)

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

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

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

The IDF launches a major incursion into Jenin, imposes a curfew, conducts house-tohouse searches, fires on residential areas, arrests at least 15 Palestinians; bulldozes 70 d. in Khan Yunis; fires on Palestinians, internationals holding a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in Budrus, where the IDF has bulldozed 250 d. in the past wk.; fires on residential areas of Nablus; conducts arrest raids and house searches in Asira, ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Jenin r.c., Kharas nr. Hebron, Nablus, Silat al-Harith nr. Jenin, Silwan, Tulkarm r.c., Yatta. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets at Sederot and the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Itamar nr. Nablus attack, severely beat a Palestinian farmer picking dates, leaving him with skull fractures, multiple injuries. (PM 9/21; VOI, VOP 9/21 in WNC 9/23; PR 9/22; PCHR 9/23)

The IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes, bulldozes 45 d. in al-Mughraqa nr. Gaza City; blows up 1 Palestinian home nr. Nablus; fires tear gas at Palestinians waiting to cross the al-Mawasi checkpoint; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Abu Dis, Askar r.c., Bayt Laqia nr. Ramallah, Bayt Jala and neighboring Bethlehem, al-Fara’ r.c., Ramallah, Tubas nr. Jenin, Yatta nr. Hebron. The IDF also captures 6 Egyptian students armed with a toy gun, knives, binoculars, radios in the Negev, 6 mi inside Israel. Unidentified gunmen fire on the car of PA General Intelligence Service dep. chief Tariq Abu Rajab as he drives along the coastal road in Gaza, seriously wounding him, killing 2 bodyguards, wounding 2 others; no group claims responsibility. (BBC, HA, PR 8/25; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 8/26; AYM 8/26 in WNC 8/31; JAZ 8/30 in WNC 9/1; QA 8/31 in WNC 9/3; PR 9/1; PCHR 9/2; PR 9/15; MA 9/15 in WNC 9/21)

The IDF pulls out of Bayt Hanun, pulls back from the outskirts of Jabaliya r.c., ending Operation Active Shield, revealing the widespread destruction (including an estimated 3,900 dunams bulldozed, 10,000s of trees razed) wrought since it entered and sealed the area on 6/28. At the Bayt Hanun municipal office, 6 armed, masked AMB mbrs. break up a news conference called by 3 PC mbrs. to discuss the pullout, denounce the PA for failing to do anything while the area was under siege. After the pullout, Palestinians fire at least 7 Qassam rockets toward Sederot and the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF also fires on, shells residential areas of Khan Yunis (wounding a Palestinian inside a hospital nearby, seriously damaging a home), nr. Gaza City; fires on, demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Khuza nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Halhul nr. Hebron, Ramallah. A 12-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Some 150 Jewish settlers erect tents on a new unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Hebron, harass local Palestinians. Sharon orders 3,700 acres of Palestinian land to be annexed to Ma’ale Adumim settlement for construction of a new neighborhood, linking the settlement to Jerusalem 4 mi. to the west. (AP, BBC, HA, MA, MM, REU 8/5; VOI, VOP 8/5 in WNC 8/7; VOI 8/5 in WNC 8/10; AFP, MM, NYT, WT 8/6; al-Quds 8/6 in WNC 8/10; PR 8/11; PCHR 8/12; NYT 8/18)

The IDF sends troops into Balata r.c., sparking stone-throwing, then firing on demonstrators, wounding 1; fires warning shots at 100s of Palestinian women, children marching to protest the ongoing military operations, wounding 1 child; fires on residential areas of Rafah; bulldozes a plot of agricultural land in Jabaliya r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Wadi al-Silqa. In Nablus, 6 Palestinians (1 of them armed; reportedly mbrs. of an AMB splinter group) kidnap 3 foreign church workers (1 American, 1 British, 1 Irish); the PA General Intelligence secures their release, the kidnappers escape, no motive is given. Separately, 12 armed mbrs. of the AMB Jenin faction raid, set fire to the empty office of newly appointed Jenin governor Qaddura Musa and the local PA General Intelligence headquarters, demanding that the PA do more to support “the wanted fighters, the prisoners, and the injured.” Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (ITV, JAZ, VOP, XIN, YA 7/31, VOP 8/1 in WNC 8/3; WP, WT 8/1; PR 8/4; PCHR 8/5)

The IDF bulldozes a main street, a deserted Palestinian home, water and sewerage networks nr. Bayt Hanun; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops, military vehicles, helicopters into Rafah, firing on residential areas, demolishing 18 Palestinian homes; fires missiles at a workshop in Khan Yunis, destroying it. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket into a Negev kibbutz, damaging a home but causing no injuries. Armed AMB mbrs. kidnap Nablus local governate head Fadil Shuli; accuse him of collaboration with Israel, corruption, failing to provide local security; release him after several hrs. without explanation. (JTA, MA, MM, PR 7/21; JAZ, VOI 7/21 in WNC 7/23; PCHR 7/22; VOI 7/22 in WNC 7/24; PR 7/28)

The PC votes to support the recommendations of a report prepared by a recently appointed special comm. on the political and security situation in the Palestinian territories, urging Arafat to accept Qurai‘’s resignation, appoint a new government with expanded powers that could restore stability in Gaza, undertake comprehensive reforms. (MM 7/21; JAZ, VOP 7/21 in WNC 7/23; NYT, WP, WT 7/22; HJ 7/23 in WNC 8/3; NYT 7/26)

The IDF shells a house in Gaza’s Shatti r.c. in an attempt to assassinate PRC n. Gaza cmdr. ‘Abd al-Karim al-Quka, who, along with 4 Palestinians, is injured. The IDF also denies an ailing 60-yr.-old Palestinian passage through a checkpoint to a Nablus hospital, allowing him to die; continues bulldozing operations in Bayt Hanun, demolishing 2 PSF posts; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes, 26 shops, an olive oil factory in Barta nr. Jenin for construction of the separation wall, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, injuring 6; fires on residential areas of Nablus; conducts arrest raids, house searches in villages around Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and in Anata, Hebron. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets into the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. An unknown assailant shoots, seriously wounds Executive Authority (EA) mbr. and fmr. information M Nabil ‘Amr twice in the leg in an attempted assassination, firing through a window at ‘Amr, inside his Ramallah home. ‘Amr, who has previously called for reforms in the PA, had just returned home from a TV interview in which he criticized Arafat’s performance. (BBC, WP 7/20; VOI 7/20 in WNC 7/22; MM, NYT, PR, REU, WT 7/21; JAZ 7/21 in WNC 7/23; CSM, PCHR, PM 7/22; DUS, HJ 7/23 in WNC 7/27; al-Ra’i 7/24 in WNC 7/29; VOP 7/29 in WNC 7/31; AYM 7/30 in WNC 8/3; MM 8/3; PR 8/4)

The IDF fatally shoots a 17-yr.-old Palestinian boy throwing stones at troops in Balata r.c.; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 2 Palestinian girls (ages 3 and 12) in their homes; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians nr. Nablus, injuring 5; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Dayr al-Balah, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm; continues bulldozing operations in Bayt Hanun, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes; starts bulldozing Palestinian agricultural land for construction of a new road fr. Erez Crossing to the e. of Bayt Lahia. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI 7/19 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/21; PCHR, PM 7/22)

To calm protests in Gaza, Arafat named Brig. Gen. ‘Abd al-Raziq al-Majayda as head of public security for the West Bank and Gaza, making him Musa Arafat’s superior. The AMB, National and Islamic Higher Coordinating Comm. for the Intifada (NIHC) say the change is insufficient, only true reforms and halt to corruption will improve conditions in Gaza. Qurai‘says his resignation stands. (BBC, MM 7/19; AN, al-Quds 7/18 in WNC 7/21; NYT, WP, WT 7/20; JAZ, SA, VOP 7/20 in WNC 7/22; SA 7/21 in WNC 7/23; PR 7/23; MEI 7/23)

The IDF raids Khan Yunis, bulldozes a Palestinian home that the IDF claims is a “militant gun post,” killing 1 wheelchairbound Palestinian trapped inside, despite pleas fr. his family to halt the demolition; the IDF demolishes another 30 Palestinian homes completely, 3 partially during the day. The IDF also demolishes a factory, bulldozes land, searches homes in Bayt Hanun; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Dahaysha r.c., 1 in Jenin, 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya, Ramallah. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in Rafah, in neither case causing damage or injuries. (NYT 7/12; VOI, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/14; NYT 7/13; VOI 7/13 in WNC 7/15; PR 7/14; PCHR 7/15)

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

In Gaza, 2 Islamic Jihad gunmen open fire on Jewish settlers holding a memorial service at the roadside site nr. Khan Yunis where 5 Jewish settlers were killed on 5/2, causing no injuries; IDF troops return fire, killing both men, and then demolish 11 Palestinian homes, bulldoze 22 dunams of land that allegedly provided cover for the gunmen. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian who strays too close to the separation wall nr. Abu Dis; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Qabatya. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI 5/9 in WNC 5/11; AP, MM, NYT 5/10; VOP 5/10 in WNC 5/12; PR 5/12; PCHR 5/13)

Sharon tells his cabinet that he plans to present a revised unilateral disengagement plan in about 3 wks. The announcement divides the cabinet, with some mbrs. threatening to quit if Sharon does not go through with his original plan, others vowing to quit if he does. (HA, VOI, YA 5/9 in WNC 5/11; NYT, WP 5/10; MM 5/11)

IDF undercover officers surround the home of a wanted Palestinian in Aqraba nr. Nablus, fatally shoot wanted man’s brother in an apparent botched assassination. The IDF also fires on stone-throwing youths nr. Jenin, in Nablus; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Hebron as an observation post; fires on residential areas of Jenin; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, in and nr. Tulkarm. Palestinians detonate roadside bomb by an IDF patrol nr. Nablus, causing no damage or injuries; fire 2 Qassam rockets at the western Negev, damaging a roadway but causing no injuries; fire antitank rockets at IDF patrols nr. Rafah and Gadid settlement, causing no damage or injuries. Armed Jewish settlers break into, take over a mosque in Hebron, remove its contents, set up cots inside; IDF soldiers are notified by Palestinians but do not intervene. Jewish settlers fr. Elon Moreh nr. Nablus vandalize Palestinian property in nearby Azmut, steal a horse. (HA, IDF Radio, VOI, VOP 4/11 in WNC 4/13; VOP 4/12 in WNC 4/14; PR 4/14; PCHR 4/15)

The IDF allows Palestinian workers into the Erez Industrial Zone for the 1st time since 3/15, but keeps the Erez crossing sealed; fatally shoots wanted AMB mbr. Jamil alTal in his home nr. Hebron in an apparent assassination; blows up a Palestinian home in Bidiyya nr. Qalqilya; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c., Tulkarm r.c., and nr. Hebron. A PFLP gunman shoots, wounds an IDF soldier outside a Jewish settlement in Gaza. (MENA 3/28 in WNC 3/30; NYT 3/29; PCHR 4/1, 4/8)

Israeli State Atty. Edna Arbel, Israel’s top prosecutor, recommends that Sharon be indicted on charges of accepting a bribe for his role in a 1999 deal under which prominent Israeli businessman and Likud activist David Appel paid about $100,000 to Sharon’s son Gilad Sharon (for “marketing advice”) and $580,000 to the Sharon family ranch in the Negev in exchange for Sharon (then FM) lobbying Greece in support of Appel’s project to build a Greek island resort; the project never came to fruition. If indicted, Sharon could be forced to step down as PM. (NYT, WP, WT 3/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; NYT, WT 3/30; MM 4/6)

The IDF assassinates Hamas spiritual leader and founder Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, firing 3 internationally banned flechette missiles at him as he leaves a Gaza City mosque after morning prayers, also killing 3 bodyguards, 4 bystanders, wounding at least 17 Palestinians, including Yasin’s 2 sons. Immediately, 100,000s of Palestinians take to the streets throughout the territories to protest the assassination. The IDF seals Gaza; clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in Balata r.c. (killing an al-Najah Radio correspondent in Balata r.c., apparently thinking his mobile phone was a weapon), Bethlehem, Dayr al-Balah, Hebron (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian watching fr. his balcony), Jenin, Khan Yunis (killing 3 Palestinians), Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, Qalqilya, Tal Zu’rub; imposes a curfew on areas around Jenin, fires on residential areas; temporarily occupies a Palestinian home as an IDF post nr. Dayr al-Balah. 100s of Palestinian youths in East Jerusalem gather at checkpoints to throw stones at IDF soldiers; Palestinian prisoners in 2 Israeli jails riot. Palestinians fire Qassam rockets, mortars, antitank rockets at Gush Katif and Netzarim settlements, nearby IDF posts, the western Negev, damaging 2 apartments in Netzarim but causing no injuries. An ax-wielding Palestinian fr. the West Bank village of Bidiyya wounds 3 Israelis outside an army base in Tel Aviv before being arrested. An unidentified assailant said to be Arab stabs, lightly wounds 3 Israelis on a Jaffa bus. 4 Palestinians are arrested for beating up a Jewish settler in East Jerusalem. Jewish settlers detain, beat a Palestinian man in the Jordan Valley. An estimated 200,000 Palestinians, including reps. of all Palestinian factions, take part in Yasin’s funeral services later in the day, with 21 PSF officers forming an honor guard for Yasin’s coffin, Gaza churches ringing their bells, mosques broadcasting Qur’anic verses. Meanwhile, Israeli defense chiefs meet, agree to target the entire remaining Hamas leadership immediately, without waiting for another Hamas attack. Israel also announces that it will close the only mental health clinic serving East Jerusalem Palestinians (1,200 patients) because of “security concerns.” (AP, BBC, CSM, HA, MA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 3/22; AP, ATL, ITARTASS, MNR, MENA, IDF Radio, IRNA, ITARTASS, JP, VIRI, VOI, VOP, XIN 3/22 in WNC 3/24; al-Arabiyya TV [Dubai], Syrian Arab News Agency 3/22 in WNC 4/27; AFP, BBC, CSM, HA, JT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/23; AFP, AYM, DUS, HA, al-Hayat al-Jadida, JT, MA, MENA, al-Ra’i, THWR, TSHR, VIRI, YA 3/23 in WNC 3/25; MM, NYT, PR, WP 3/24; ATL, ITAR-TASS, Izvestiya, JT, al-Ra’i, SA, VOP, XIN 3/24 in WNC 3/26; AYM 3/24 in WNC 4/3; JT, MM, PCHR, WJW 3/25; ITAR-TASS, MENA, NHR, VIRI 3/25 in WNC 3/27; MM 3/26; MNR 3/27 in WNC 3/30; AYM 3/30, VOP 3/31 in WNC 4/2; MEI 4/2; PCHR 4/15)

In Washington, Shalom holds further talks on Sharon’s disengagement plan with VP Dick Cheney, Powell, Rice. (WP 3/23)