The Palestine Chronology

The IDF lifts curfews in many West Bank areas for several hrs. to allow students to take yr.-end exams, then raids Palestine Polytechnic University in Hebron, detaining 300 students for questioning. The IDF raids a PA security post in Khan Yunis, arrests 6 PA border policemen. Israeli security officials bar entry at Ben-Gurion airport to PLO Negotiations Affairs Dept. legal adviser Michael Tarazi, a U.S. citizen who lives in Ramallah. (GS 7/2; NYT, WP, WT 7/3; AYM 7/3 in WNC 7/8)

Burns meets with other reps. of the Quartet (an ad hoc diplomatic grouping of the EU, Russia, UN, U.S. used to present a united international front on the peace process) in London to gauge their views of Bush's 6/24 speech, the PA's 100-day plan. Burns announces the formation of the International Task Force on Reform, a steering comm. comprising the Quartet and donors that will oversee donor assistance for PA reform efforts. (RMC 7/2 in WNC 7/3; MM 7/3; ITAR-TASS 7/3, al-Quds 7/4 in WNC 7/5; WP 7/4; NYT 7/9; USIS Washington File 7/12)

In Gaza, IDF undercover units capture Palestinian Riad Ayad, wanted for firing mortars at Jewish settlements. The IDF also conducts an arrest raid in Qabatiyya, detaining 4 Hamas mbrs., including most-wanted mbr. Nasir Zarkana; shells residential areas nr. Khan Yunis. Israel bans all PA passport holders fr. entering, exiting Israel through Ben-Gurion airport. (AP, NYT, PCHR, PMC, WP 1/2; PR 1/17)

The U.S. announces that in light of the relative calm on the Israeli-Palestinian front, special envoy Zinni will return to the region on 1/3 for a 4-day visit to urge the sides to begin implementing the Tenet cease-fire steps. Sharon says he still demands 7 days of complete quiet before resuming talks with the PA; claims that the recent decline in violence is due more to an Israeli crackdown than to any effort by Arafat. (AP, NYT, WP, WT 1/2; al-Quds 1/2 in WNC 1/3; HA 1/3)