The Palestine Chronology

The IDF reinforces positions around Bayt Jala in response to an hrs.-long exchange of gunfire btwn. Bayt Jala, Gilo; F-16s also overfly the area. In Hebron, Israeli undercover agents assassinate local Fatah tanzim leader Imad Abu Sunayna, who was on Israel's most-wanted list. Israeli undercover agents also arrest several Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Jinin; based on their confessions, police reportedly find, disarm a bomb nr. Haifa. A Palestinian sniper shoots, wounds an Israeli truck driver nr. Ma'ale Adumim. The IDF sends tanks into Khan Yunis; conducts arrests raids in al-Arub, Bayt Umar, Baqa` al-Sharqiyya, Izbat al-Tayib. Armed Jewish settlers block the Nablus+nRamallah road, stone and club Palestinian cars. Demonstrations continue outside Orient House. An alleged Palestinian collaborator dies in PA custody. Israel says it will facilitate the transfer of 17,000 heads of livestock fr. the Elat port to the PA areas over the next few days. (AP, HA, HP, IGPO, MEZ, REU 8/15; Guardian [Internet], NYT, WP 8/16; NYT, WP, WT 8/17)

In Washington, Mubarak adviser Baz holds mtgs. with White House, State Dept., CIA officials, warning that the U.S.'s continued "inaction" in the Middle East could allow extremists to take hold in moderate Arab counties, undermine U.S. prestige. Baz urges the U.S. to more clearly define to both sides in an even-handed way what is needed to proceed with the Mitchell recommendations. (MENA 8/15 in WNC 8/16; NYT 8/16)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving a total of 6 Palestinians, 2 Israelis dead. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a nail bomb at a bus stop just inside Israel, nr. Qalqilya, killing 2 Israelis, wounding 4. Hamas, and a previously unknown group named the Popular Army Front Return Battalions claim responsibility. Israeli sappers disarm bombs in the Israeli cities of Petah Tikva, Netanya. This evening, after the Arab summit ends, Sharon orders air, land, sea strikes against Force 17 targets in Dayr al-Balah, Jabaliyya, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Ramallah, killing 3 Palestinians, injuring 62. Nr. Beitunia, a Palestinian woman is shot dead by IDF troops. In Rafah, a Palestinian boy is killed when he triggers unexploded IDF ordnance. The IDF reinforces its troop presence around Abu Sunayna in Hebron with 8 tanks, 15 troop carriers, numerous military jeeps and 3 new outposts; shells residential areas in Nablus; confiscates 28 dunams of Palestinian land in Beitunia to expand an IDF post; bulldozes Palestinian land in Mount Jarzim, Wadi Silqa. Israel issues demolition orders for 19 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem for construction of the "ring road" linking the Jewish settlements around Jerusalem; 658 dunams of Palestinian land is slated to be bulldozed for the project. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians and their property in Bayt Furik, Hebron, Silat Dahir. Settlers fr. Ma'ale Adumim, Kefar Atsion reportedly move into the Israeli controlled section of Hebron to reinforce settlers there. In Hebron, the PSF arrests a local Fatah mbr. for the 3/26 shooting that killed a settler baby. (BBC, CNN, HP, MM, REU 3/28; AFP, ATL 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; AFP, Interfax, MENA, al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; LAW, MM, WP 3/30; MA, MENA, al-Safir 3/30 in WNC 4/2; MM 4/3; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/15 in WNC 4/16; WP 4/23; al-Ahram [Internet] 4/26)

The Arab League summit closes. Arab states approve a $240 m. emergency aid for the PA over the next 6 mos. (MM 3/28; HJ 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP 3/29; JT 3/29 in WNC 3/30; HJ 3/29 in WNC 4/3; al-Ra'i 3/30, Star 3/31, JT 4/1 in WNC 4/2; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/10 in WNC 4/12)