33 / 15150 Results
  • August 31, 2010

    Hamas’s military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB), takes responsibility for shooting at a Jewish settler vehicle driving nr. Hebron (in area C, under full Israeli control, where the...

    Read more
  • February 20, 2010

    In Gaza, IDF troops on the s. Gaza border e. of al-Qarara exchange cross-border fire with armed Palestinians, causing no reported injuries; Israeli naval vessels then shell the area, injuring 3...

    Read more
  • April 19, 2009

    The IDF lifts the general closure on the West Bank imposed on 4/7 for Passover. In the West Bank, the IDF moves into Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit early in the morning, patrolling streets,...

    Read more
  • October 24, 2008

    In the West Bank, the IDF conducts random ID checks of Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Nablus, arresting 1; raids, imposes a curfew on Azun nr. Qalqilya, fires on residential areas, blocks a...

    Read more
  • May 4, 2008

    Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Khuza, imposing a curfew, firing on residential areas (killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 2 inside their homes), exchanging gunfire with armed Palestinians (...

    Read more
  • April 2, 2008

    In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes 24 d. of olive groves and a small Gaza police outpost nr. al-Maghazi r.c. Egyptian border police discover, demolish a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border. In the West...

    Read more
  • November 2, 2007

    For the 1st time since 6/07, Abbas meets with 4 West Bank Hamas officials in an effort to encourage them to split fr. their Gaza counterparts. In Nablus, the PA deploys a new 308-mbr. policing...

    Read more
  • March 14, 2006

    Early in the morning, the British and U.S. monitors guarding 6 political prisoners in the PA’s Jericho jail pull out of the city, citing security concerns. Within 20 minutes, the IDF encircles and...

    Read more
  • October 27, 2005

    By morning, the IDF imposes a general curfew across the West Bank, sealing all Palestinian-controlled areas (including the northern villages of Alar, Qabatya, Sa‘ida, al-Til, Yabad, which are...

    Read more
  • August 6, 2005

    The IDF makes a predawn raid on Mughraqa in s. Gaza, sending in troops backed by more than 20 armored vehicles to search houses; raids al-Quds University campus in East Jerusalem, arresting...

    Read more
  • April 18, 2005

    The IDF issues demolition orders for 10 wells in a bedouin area nr. Hebron; imposes a curfew on Burqa nr. Nablus, claiming someone fr. the village threw a Molotov cocktail at an IDF patrol,...

    Read more
  • March 12, 2005

    The IDF seals Saida and Allar nr. Tulkarm, imposes a curfew, fires on residential areas, conducts arrest raids and house searches; later conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya...

    Read more
  • February 26, 2005

    A Damascus-based Islamic Jihad cell claims responsibility for the 2/25 Tel Aviv bombing, noting the end of the unofficial 1-mo. truce on 2/25 and stating that Israel had to be punished for cease-...

    Read more
  • December 11, 2004

    Hamas, the Fatah Hawks (Fatah’s armed wing, which has not staged an attack on an Israeli target since the 1st intifada) take joint responsibility for detonating a massive bomb underneath an IDF...

    Read more
  • May 28, 2004

    A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, killing only himself, lightly injuring 2 IDF soldiers. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian, wounds a 2d...

    Read more
  • March 27, 2004

    The IDF sets up a new checkpoint outside Qalqilya; raids Balata r.c., fires on stonethrowing youths, trades gunfire with Palestinian militants; a 6-yr.-old Palestinian is killed inside his home...

    Read more
  • December 22, 2003

    Overnight, the IDF conducts arrest raids in Hebron; raids Jenin, searching homes, firing on residential areas. During the day, the IDF delays a Palestinian woman in labor at a Nablus checkpoint...

    Read more
  • November 16, 2002

    In response to an Islamic Jihad ambush of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and settler security officers in Hebron on 11/15, the IDF sends tanks into Hebron, bulldozes 5...

    Read more
  • April 13, 1995

    Rabin says he would accept a Palestinian state in Gaza if Palestinians would drop claims to rest of o.t.; PA Planning M Shaath rejects idea. Rabin also calls on Arafat to arrest all Palestinians...

    Read more
  • March 19, 1995

    U.S. VP Gore arrives in Cairo for 3-day visit. (MENA 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; RJ 3/19 in FBIS 3/21)

    Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives delegation of Knesset mbrs. in Cairo, discusses NPT,...

    Read more
  • July 8, 1994

    IDF imposes curfew on Hebron Palestinians, clashes with Qiryat Arba settlers protesting death of settler girl.  Settlers occupy 3 apt. bldgs. on hill nr. Qiryat Arba; IDF declares hill closed...

    Read more
  • February 26, 1994

    IDF kills 3 Palestinians-1 each in Jerusalem, Tulkarm, and Gaza Strip-protesting Hebron massacre. 50 Palestinians wounded. Demonstrations throughout o.t. and in Israeli-Arab towns of Jaffa, Ramla...

    Read more
  • October 25, 1992

    One IDF soldier is killed and 1 wounded by Hamas gunmen near Hebron, W. Bank. Curfew is clamped on the town. Settlers in Hebron and nearby Kiryat Arba demand better security in demonstration at...

    Read more
  • April 30, 1988

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Unified National Command calls for commercial strike, confrontation with Israeli troops, and attacks on Israeli-appointed mayors [WP 5/1...

    Read more
  • April 5, 1988

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Yamun, near Jenin, 3 houses are demolished by Israeli authorities; owners are suspected of participating in demonstrations [FJ 4/10...

    Read more
  • March 10, 1988

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Unified National Command of the Uprising issues pamphlet calling for increased attacks on Jewish settlers and Palestinian collaborators...

    Read more
  • September 26, 1985

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army bulldozes home of suspect accused of killing Israeli reservist one month earlier in Hebron's old market [JP, JTA 9/27]....

    Read more
  • August 10, 1985

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Daily World reports Palestinian Communist party has denounced the moves to form joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to...

    Read more
  • July 31, 1985

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Administrative detention order is issued against ex-political prisoner Ziad Abu 'Ain, for allegedly planning to hijack Israeli bus. (Abu...

    Read more
  • November 21, 1983

    Military Action:

    Fighting continues southeast of Beirut between LAF and PSP, and in southern Beirut suburbs between LAF and militiamen; car bomb explodes near Reuter news agency in Beirut;...

    Read more

Hamas’s military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB), takes responsibility for shooting at a Jewish settler vehicle driving nr. Hebron (in area C, under full Israeli control, where the PASF is not allowed to operate), killing 4 Jewish settlers, including a pregnant woman, marking the deadliest West Bank attack on Israelis in more than 2 yrs. and the first staged by Hamas since before the 1/2006 elections. Both Abbas and Netanyahu say the attack should not derail peace talks. The YESHA settlement council vows to renew construction in West Bank settlements immediately, before the temporary freeze ends, to demonstrate Israelis’ “resolve against terrorism.” Following the attack and throughout the night, the IDF seals the entrances to Hebron, Halhul, and al-Fawar r.c. and imposes a curfew on nearby Bani Na‘im village, raiding and searching homes and detaining Palestinians with suspected connections to Hamas. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers implementing their “price-tag” doctrine to punish Palestinians for any state acts against settlers, beat Palestinian farmers working their land nr. Emanuel settlement nr. Salfit and stone Palestinian vehicles traveling on the Nablus–Qalqilya road (2 separate incidents) as well as on a road bypassing Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba in Hebron attempt to break into a nearby Palestinian home but are prevented by the IDF. Late at night, the IDF patrols 2 villages nr. Salfit; no incidents are reported. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that in the previous wk. 3 Palestinians were killed in 2 separate tunnel collapses on the Rafah border. (NYT, WP, WT 9/1; PCHR 9/2; OCHA 9/3)

In Gaza, IDF troops on the s. Gaza border e. of al-Qarara exchange cross-border fire with armed Palestinians, causing no reported injuries; Israeli naval vessels then shell the area, injuring 3 armed Palestinians, damaging a mosque. IDF troops in observation towers on the Gaza border e. of Jabaliya fire on Palestinian farmers working land 400 m fr. the border (outside Israel’s no-go zone), forcing them to leave. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. Late in the evening, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire at Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanun for 40 mins., causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire on a Palestinian vehicle driving nr. Husan village w. of Bethlehem, wounding 3 Palestinians (ages 17–21), claiming they fired on an IDF patrol; fires tear gas, stun grenades at Palestinians attempting to reach their agricultural land inside a closed military zone nr. Hebron, injuring an 8-yr.-old Palestinian boy; raids and seals (until 2/28) 2 Palestinian organizations in Sur Bahir nr. Jerusalem; imposes a late-night curfew on, conducts house searches in al-Zubaydat village nr. Jericho. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron throw stones and bottles at Palestinian houses in nearby Wadi Husayn, injuring a 7-yr.-old Palestinian boy. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo settlement n. of Ramallah seize 10 d. of Palestinian agricultural land to expand their settlement. (PCHR 2/24; OCHA 2/25)

The IDF lifts the general closure on the West Bank imposed on 4/7 for Passover. In the West Bank, the IDF moves into Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit early in the morning, patrolling streets, occupying homes as observation posts, imposing a curfew, barring Palestinians fr. leaving their homes or entering the area; in the afternoon, the IDF escorts some 6,000 Jewish settlers into the town to hold Passover services at several local shrines; during the 15 hrs. that settlers are in the village, they vandalize Palestinian cars and homes, break windows, and spray graffitti without the IDF intervening. The IDF also imposes a curfew on, patrols in Tuqu‘ nr. Bethlehem, stopping vehicles and checking IDs; conducts synchronized latenight arrest raids, house searches in villages around Hebron and Jenin, firing on residential areas, causing no reported injuries; begins work on a new segment of the separation wall southwest of Hebron on land belonging to ‘Arab al-Ramadin village, leveling land within 65 ft. (20 m) of Palestinian homes; levels 6 d. of Palestinian land in Bayt Umar village n. of Hebron for installation of a new electricity network connecting Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron with Hadar Beitar settlement nr. Bethlehem. (OCHA 4/22; PCHR 4/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts random ID checks of Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Nablus, arresting 1; raids, imposes a curfew on Azun nr. Qalqilya, fires on residential areas, blocks a main road with sand and rocks, then withdraws; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a similar nonviolent demonstration in Ni‘lin (seriously injuring an 11-yr.-old girl); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. (firing live ammunition at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, wounding 3, 1 of them seriously) and nr. Bethlehem (occupying 1 Palestinian home as an observation post, evicting the family), Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attack Palestinians harvesting olives nearby, burn 15 olive trees, march through Bidan village in a show of force. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba demand that a Palestinian mechanic near the settlement fix their car, beat him when he refuses. Jewish settlers temporarily reoccupy the evacuated Homesh settlement site, stone passing Palestinian vehicles. The WHO arranges an emergency shipment of 4 truckloads of medical items into Gaza, noting that the PA’s Ramallah-based central pharmacy has sent no medial supplies to Gaza since it took over that function from the WHO on 9/1; as a result, 94 essential drugs have been entirely depleted in Gaza. (OCHA 10/29; PCHR 10/30; AIC 11/9)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Khuza, imposing a curfew, firing on residential areas (killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 2 inside their homes), exchanging gunfire with armed Palestinians (wounding 3), arresting 2 Palestinians, and bulldozing 106 d. of agricultural land, 1 Palestinian home, 4 greenhouses, 2 poultry farms before withdrawing late in the morning. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast, forcing them to return to shore but causing no reported damage or injuries. Palestinians fire at least 3 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing damage but no injuries; fire 1 mortar at Nahal Oz crossing while an emergency fuel shipment to UNRWA is been transferred into Gaza, prompting the Israelis to close the terminal. In the West Bank, the IDF removes the tiny unauthorized settlement outpost of Hazon David nr. Kiryat Arba; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad Farm outpost nr. Qalqilya attack a Palestinian shepherd, steal a sheep. (NYT 5/5; OCHA 5/7; PCHR 5/8)

In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes 24 d. of olive groves and a small Gaza police outpost nr. al-Maghazi r.c. Egyptian border police discover, demolish a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Anata nr. Jerusalem; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Jenin as a military outpost; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm and in al-Bireh (raiding and searching the municipal building, rounding up 2 municipal employees fr. their homes and bringing them to the offices to log onto password-protected computers), Ramallah (raiding the chamber of commerce offices), Jericho. The Israeli Housing Min. presents Olmert with a proposal for construction of 1,900 new Jewish settler housing units across the West Bank in 2008: 682 units in Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem, 510 units in Givat Ze’ev n. of Jerusalem, 302 units in Ma’ale Adumim e. of Jerusalem, 160 units in Binyamin settlement n. of Jerusalem, 158 units in Efrat nr. Bethlehem, and 48 units each in Ariel nr. Salfit and Kiryat Arba in Hebron. Palestinians throw stones at Jewish settler vehicles nr. Nablus; the settlers respond by shooting, killing 3 Palestinian sheep nearby. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim nr. Qalqilya stone Palestinian vehicles driving nearby, causing no reported injuries. PA security forces impose a night curfew on Kafr Thuluth nr. Qalqilya to prevent clashes btwn. feuding families (the curfew is still in place as of 4/8). (PCHR 4/3; OCHA, PCHR 4/9)

For the 1st time since 6/07, Abbas meets with 4 West Bank Hamas officials in an effort to encourage them to split fr. their Gaza counterparts. In Nablus, the PA deploys a new 308-mbr. policing unit trained by Western advisers at a multimillion dollar training facility in Jericho; they will form part of a new National Security Force unit set up to “operate in coordination with Israeli forces to fight crime and terrorism” as part of Abbas’s new security effort “to restore law and order” in the West Bank, in keeping with road map requirements; the unit will patrol during the day only, while the IDF will continue night operations. In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike on an ESF post nr. Rafah, killing 1 ESF officer, wounding 3. Nr. Bayt Hanun, 2 Palestinians are injured when a mortar they are preparing misfires. A Palestinian is injured when a smuggling tunnel under the Rafah border collapses. In the West Bank, the IDF lifts the round-the-clock curfew on ‘Azun imposed on 10/31; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm town, r.c. and nr. Qalqilya; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 1 demonstrator, 1 journalist). Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba and Harsina in Hebron attack, vandalize nearby Palestinian homes, also beating 1 Palestinian. (NYT, WT 11/3; NYT 11/6; OCHA 11/7; PCHR 11/8; NYT 11/14)

Early in the morning, the British and U.S. monitors guarding 6 political prisoners in the PA’s Jericho jail pull out of the city, citing security concerns. Within 20 minutes, the IDF encircles and imposes a curfew on Jericho, sends 80 tanks and armored vehicles, backed by helicopters, into the city, launching Operation Bring the Goods Home to take custody of the 6 prisoners (including PFLP head Ahmad Saadat). IDF troops surround the jail, order the 280 prisoners and PA guards to surrender, begin demolishing the jail and attached PA barracks, clashing with some prisoners, guards, and local Palestinians. (Although the U.S., Britain deny coordinating with Israel, Israeli DM Shaul Mofaz says Israel knew of the monitors pending departure and had been plotting the attack for 1 wk.). After 12 hrs., the remaining prisoners, including the 6 targeted men, surrender. At least 1 PA prison guard and 1 Palestinian prisoner are killed, more than 50 guards and prisoners are wounded, 10s of local Palestinians are injured. In response to the raid, Palestinian gunmen across Gaza and the West Bank (reportedly PFLP and AMB mbrs.) raid hotels, news outlets, and foreign offices, kidnapping at least 9 foreigners, vandalizing foreign-owned offices. Most foreigners kidnapped are quickly released. PA police fire on PFLP mbrs. breaking into the French Cultural Center in Gaza, killing 1 PFLP mbr., wounding 9. Some 15,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Gaza City. As a result of the violence, the UN suspends operations in Gaza; the EU withdraws observers from the Rafah crossing, forcing it to close. Meanwhile, the IDF also closes the Qarni crossing; bars a pregnant Palestinian woman fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a Ramallah hospital, forcing her to give birth at the checkpoint; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Hebron and Qalqilya, and in ‘Aida r.c., Jenin town and r.c., Qabatya; begins work on a new segment of the separation wall nr. Dahiyat al-Barid n. of Jerusalem. Israel releases jailed Change and Reform PC mbr. Omar ‘Abd al-Raziq on bail; he was detained 3 mos. ago on charges of belonging to and handling money for Hamas. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba hold Purim parades through Palestinian areas of Hebron under IDF escort, vandalizing Palestinian property and beating 2 Palestinian children (ages 11, 13). (AP, BBC, HA, IMEMC, JAZ, MM, PCHR, REU, XIN 3/14; HA, IMEMC, JAZ, MM, NYT, WP, WT, YA 3/15; DS, MM, NYT, PCHR 3/16; MA, Middle East News Agency, MM, VOP 3/18 in WNC 3/19; AP 3/20; MM 3/21, 3/23; HA 4/26; NYT 4/27)

By morning, the IDF imposes a general curfew across the West Bank, sealing all Palestinian-controlled areas (including the northern villages of Alar, Qabatya, Sa‘ida, al-Til, Yabad, which are considered Islamic Jihad strongholds), cutting off the n. West Bank from the rest of the West Bank, barring all Palestinian private vehicles in the n. West Bank; recommends that Palestinians leave the n. Gaza border area nr. Bayt Hanun; reshuts the Erez, Qarni crossings (opened 10/26). Overnight IDF air strikes on suspected rocket launching sites in n. Gaza damage a bridge but cause no injuries. During the day, the IDF continues mock air raids, sonic booms over Gaza; sends 35 jeeps, Apache helicopters into Jenin to arrest local Islamic Jihad leader ‘Abd al-Halim Izzeddin (a leading moderate in the group), 3 other Islamic Jihad mbrs.; also arrests the father of the 10/26 bomber, 13 suspected Islamic Jihad mbrs. in raids across the n. West Bank in connection with the Hadera bombing; 3 Hamas mbrs. are also arrested. In addition, the IDF clashes with more than 150 radical settler youths while evacuating 5 unauthorized settlement outposts nr. Efrat, Elon Moreh, Keddumim, Kiryat Arba, Worshippers Way in Hebron, leaving 1 IDF soldier hospitalized. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba harass Palestinians in Hebron. In the evening, the IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad n. Gaza cmdr. Shadi Muhanna, Muhanna deputy Muhammad Qandil, 5 others (including at least 3 bystanders), wounding 19 in an air strike on Muhanna’s car as he drives in Jabaliya r.c. just as evening prayers let out; also conducts several F-16 air strikes on open areas in n. Gaza (in 1 instance possibly targeting Abu Rish Brigades and Hamas positions in the area, but causing no injuries); conducts patrols, arrest raids, house searches in Dura, Jenin town and r.c., and nearby Kefar Rai. (AP, HA, YA 10/27; CSM, HA, JT, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 10/28; NYT 10/29; PCHR 11/10)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Mughraqa in s. Gaza, sending in troops backed by more than 20 armored vehicles to search houses; raids al-Quds University campus in East Jerusalem, arresting Palestine National Council mbr. Ali Abu Hilal, dir. of the university’s Center for Democracy and Human Rights; imposes a curfew on ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and al-Ram nr. East Jerusalem, nr. Nablus; patrols in Araba nr. Jenin, Ubaydiyya nr. Bethlehem, Tulkarm town and r.c. (firing on stone-throwing youths, wounding 1), Za‘tara nr. Bethlehem; fires on unarmed Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel w. of Hebron to find work, wounding 2. The AMB, DFLP fire mortars at the IDF post at Erez crossing, causing no injuries. The Fatah offshoot Abu Rish Brigades fires a rocket at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinians fire on an IDF patrol nr. Tulkarm r.c., causing no injuries but prompting troops to enter the camp, return fire, injuring 1 Palestinian bystander. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadasah severely beat a 16-yr.-old Palestinian in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba severely beat a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Hebron. A Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron chases, fires on a carload of Palestinian workers returning fr. their jobs in Israel, seriously wounding 1, lightly wounding a 2d. In Jerusalem, 20 Jewish settlers try to force their way into the al-Aqsa Mosque but are barred by Palestinian guards. PA judges go on strike and demonstrate outside the main court headquarters in Gaza. PA High Court chief justice Surani (whose home was attacked on 8/2) resigns to protest inadequate security (he retracts the resignation on 8/8). (HA, REU, XIN 8/6; REU 8/8; OCHA, PR 8/10; PCHR 8/11)

The IDF issues demolition orders for 10 wells in a bedouin area nr. Hebron; imposes a curfew on Burqa nr. Nablus, claiming someone fr. the village threw a Molotov cocktail at an IDF patrol, causing no injuries; bulldozes Palestinian land and places barbwire nr. the Erez crossing, fires on a Palestinian farming his land nearby, wounding him; sends troops into al-Arub r.c. nr. Hebron to arrest 2 Palestinian teenagers (ages 14, 16) for throwing stones at passing IDF patrols. PRC gunmen shoot, wound an IDF soldier, an Israeli civilian worker on the Rafah border, saying the PRCs are not bound by the truce agreed by the Palestinian factions in 2/8. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba close roads (several with burning barricades), throw stones at Palestinian houses and cars (damaging 6 homes), uproot olive trees and grapevines. (HA, MM, NYT 4/19; OCHA, PR 4/20; PCHR 4/21)

The IDF seals Saida and Allar nr. Tulkarm, imposes a curfew, fires on residential areas, conducts arrest raids and house searches; later conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Baqa‘ al-Sharqiyya (targeting Islamic Jihad mbrs.), Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, al-Nazla and al-Til nr. Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba attack Palestinians nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, severely beating 2 Palestinian children ages 10 and 13. In Gaza, 2,500 unemployed Palestinians storm the PC building, throwing stones at police, breaking windows, demanding that the PA provide jobs and welfare services for the unemployed and poverty stricken. (VOP 3/12; NYT, WP 3/13; OCHA 3/16; PCHR 3/17; PR 3/30)

A Damascus-based Islamic Jihad cell claims responsibility for the 2/25 Tel Aviv bombing, noting the end of the unofficial 1-mo. truce on 2/25 and stating that Israel had to be punished for cease-fire violations it committed; Islamic Jihad’s leadership in Gaza, however, denies responsibility, saying the group would continue to abide by an unofficial cease-fire. Israel shifts blame to Syria, which denies any responsibility, saying Islamic Jihad offices in Damascus have been closed for some time. Meanwhile, the PA security forces arrest 2 suspects in Gaza in connection with bombing; Israeli security forces arrest at least 5 suspects in Israel. The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Hebron; fires on 3 Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel fr. Gaza to find work, killing 1 Palestinian, detaining 2; severely beats 2 Palestinians at a checkpoint at the entrance to al-Til nr. Nablus; places a curfew on Dayr al-Ghusun, hometown of the 2/25 suicide bomber, arrests the bomber’s 2 brothers, the village imam; fires on residential areas of Tulkarm town, r.c., and neighboring villages. An IDF border policeman shoots, wounds a Palestinian woman in Hebron after she allegedly tries to stab him during a security check. Some 15 Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by IDF soldiers, severely beat a Palestinian farmer working his land outside Hebron; soldiers arrest the Palestinian, interrogate him before releasing him. PA security forces report that they have uncovered, sealed 12 smugglers’ tunnels in Rafah since deploying along the Gaza border. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/26/04. (HA, JAZ, PRCS, VOI, VOP 2/26; IDF Radio, JAZ, NYT, PRCS, WP 2/27; MM 2/28; MM, PCHR 3/3; MEI 3/4)

Hamas, the Fatah Hawks (Fatah’s armed wing, which has not staged an attack on an Israeli target since the 1st intifada) take joint responsibility for detonating a massive bomb underneath an IDF checkpoint on the Gaza-Egypt border, killing 5 IDF soldiers, wounding at least 10; armed Palestinians exchange fire with IDF soldiers attempting to remove the wounded, leaving 1 Palestinian attacker dead. The IDF imposes a curfew on Talluza nr. Nablus; shells an elementary school in Khan Yunis, injuring 7 children; fires on, detains crew mbrs. of 2 Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in al-Fara‘a r.c.; shells residential areas, bulldozes 24 d. of agricultural land and 8 greenhouses nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Askar r.c., Hebron. Palestinian shepherds herding nr. ‘Aqraba nr. Nablus severely beat a Jewish settler fr. Itamar settlement who attempts to steal their sheep; other Palestinians alert police, who intervene, detain several Palestinians. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron throw stones, bottles at Palestinian houses nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs (IMEMC, WP 12/12; JAZ, MENA, VOI 12/12 in WNC 12/14; MM 12/13; JAZ 12/13 in WNC 12/15; HA, MM, PR 12/15; AYM 12/15 in WNC 12/18; PCHR 12/16; PR 12/22)

A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, killing only himself, lightly injuring 2 IDF soldiers. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian, wounds a 2d nr. Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes tents and tin shacks housing 95 Palestinians nr. a settler bypass road leading to Gaza’s Gush Katif bloc; bulldozes 12 dunams of land in Wadi al-Silqa nr. Dayr al-Balah, 9 dunams nr. the Rafah crossing; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah; imposes a curfew on, conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jaba‘ nr. Jenin; confiscates 5,500 m2 of agricultural land nr. Salfit, located btwn. the separation wall and the Green Line, that provides income for some 60 Palestinian families. In Hebron, 15 Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinian homes. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during the IDF raid on Rafah on 5/20. (VOP 5/28 in WNC 6/1; NYT 5/29; PCHR 6/3)

The IDF sets up a new checkpoint outside Qalqilya; raids Balata r.c., fires on stonethrowing youths, trades gunfire with Palestinian militants; a 6-yr.-old Palestinian is killed inside his home during the exchange, but the source of the gunfire is in question. The IDF also raids Sabastia nr. Nablus, evacuates 2 secondary schools, imposes a curfew; shells residential areas of Rafah, bulldozes tracts of already demolished homes; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba rampage through Hebron for 18 hrs., harassing Palestinians, throwing stones and bottles at Palestinian homes, setting up mobile homes on Palestinian land. (WP, WT 3/28; PR 3/31; PCHR 4/1)

Overnight, the IDF conducts arrest raids in Hebron; raids Jenin, searching homes, firing on residential areas. During the day, the IDF delays a Palestinian woman in labor at a Nablus checkpoint for over 1 hr., causing the death of her twins; imposes a curfew on parts of Hebron; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus; fires on Palestinians waiting to cross the Abu Huli checkpoint nr. Dayr al-Balah, wounding 5; fires on UNRWA workers repairing waterlines nr. Khan Yunis, wounding 3; conducts arrest raids nr. Ramallah, bringing to 22 the number of alleged Hamas mbrs. arrested in the area over the past wk. In the evening, 2 AMB gunmen ambush, fatally shoot 2 IDF soldiers nr. Dayr al-Balah before being shot dead; 5 Palestinian bystanders are wounded by the IDF return fire. Shortly afterward, the IDF demolishes 7 Palestinian homes, bulldozes 37 dunams of land in nearby Wadi al-Silqa; sends tanks, troops into Rafah to search for smugglers’ tunnels, clashing with residents, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Palestinian gunmen also ambush 2 Jewish settler vehicles traveling fr. Kiryat Arba settlement to Cave of the Patriarchs/Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, wounding an Israel border patrol officer escorting the settlers, escape unharmed. A Palestinian dies of injuries received last wk. (PM 12/22; HA, VOI, VOP 12/22 in WNC 12/24; BBC, HA, NYT, WP, WT 12/23; VOP 12/23 in WNC 12/25; WP 12/24; PCHR 12/25; HA 1/8)

In response to an Islamic Jihad ambush of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and settler security officers in Hebron on 11/15, the IDF sends tanks into Hebron, bulldozes 5 Palestinian homes and a 50-dunam olive grove btwn. Kiryat Arba and the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, imposes a curfew, conducts arrest raids, detaining 40 Palestinians. Right-wing MK Benny Elon holds a prayer rally of Jewish settlers at the site of the ambush; afterward Jewish settlers briefly rampage through Palestinian areas (vandalizing homes with spray-painted messages such as “vengeance” and “every Arab killed —for me it’s a holiday”) until IDF soldiers stop them. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian in Hebron; fires on Palestinians in Jenin, killing 1 Palestinian; shells, fires on residential areas of Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian; bulldozes 2 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of Palestinian land, an electricity generator in al-Mughraqa; shells a workshop in Khan Yunis, destroying it; detains, searches a Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance for 5 hrs., holding the driver for failure to pay a parking ticket. (PM 11/16; NYT, WP, WT 11/17; MM 11/18; AN 11/18 in WNC 11/19; PCHR 11/20; MEI 11/22; PRCS press release 11/23)

Rabin says he would accept a Palestinian state in Gaza if Palestinians would drop claims to rest of o.t.; PA Planning M Shaath rejects idea. Rabin also calls on Arafat to arrest all Palestinians who assist or incite anti-Israeli attacks, incl. religious leaders. (MM 4/13; JP 4/13 in FBIS 4/13; MM 4/20, 4/21)

IDF confiscates 4,080 Palestinian passports issued to West Bank, Jerusalem residents leaving to perform hajj; says passports are "a muscle-flexing move on the part of the PA, as it tries to show it has authority" in West Bank, only Palestinians fr. self-rule areas can have them. (QY 4/13 in FBIS 4/14; JP 4/29) (see 3/30)

Jordanian Interior Min. officials question Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghawshah about making "press statements against another state," following PA complaints 4/12. Government says Hamas mbrs. live in, but Hamas does not operate as a group fr. Jordan. (AFP, RMC, VOP 4/13 in FBIS 4/13; ITV 4/13 in FBIS 4/14)

Arafat orders closure of al-Hayat al-Jadid, which began publishing in Gaza 11/20/94, citing breech of loyalty agmt. reached with its owner Nabil `Amr, editor Hafiz Barghouti. (al-Ahali 4/13 in FBIS 4/20)

After Hamas-run al-Watan criticizes PA arrest of Hamas mbrs. following 4/9 bombings, PA police raid paper's Gaza offices, detain editors Sayyid Abu Musamih, Ghazi Hammad; release them hours later. (QY 4/13 in FBIS 4/14)

Israel puts curfew on Hebron, closes borders with Gaza, West Bank to prevent violence during, keep Palestinians out of Israel through Passover. (QY 4/12 in FBIS 4/12; MM, NYT 4/13; QY 4/13, 4/14 in FBIs 4/14; WT 4/14, 4/15)

Rabbi Ido Elba, spiritual leader of Kiryat Arba arrested in 8/94 in connection with Hebron massacre, is sentenced to 2 yrs for inciting racism for saying "thou shalt not kill" commandment does not apply to Jews killing non-Jews. (JP 4/22)

U.S. VP Gore arrives in Cairo for 3-day visit. (MENA 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; RJ 3/19 in FBIS 3/21)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives delegation of Knesset mbrs. in Cairo, discusses NPT, recent Israeli statements against Egypt, ways of advancing peace process. (MENA 3/19 in FBIS 3/20; MM 3/20; MENA 3/20 in FBIS 3/21)

PM Rabin allows another 3,150 permits for Palestinian workers, bringing number allowed entry into Israel to 24,150. (QY 3/19 in FBIS 3/20; WP 3/20)

Unidentified gunmen ambush Israeli bus in Hebron, West Bank, killing 2, wounding 5 Jewish settlers. Settlers fr. Kiryat Arba riot, destroy Palestinian shop, cars before IDF intervenes, sets 24-hr. curfew. (QY 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/21; WJW 3/23; MM 3/27; MEI 3/31; JP 4/1)

 2 Palestinians die in explosion nr. Jenin. IDF says bomb they were making exploded, causing accident. (NYT 3/20)

IDF shells Amal positions in s. Lebanon, hits Nepalese UNIFIL contingent, killing 1 UN soldier. (RL 3/20 in FBIS 3/20)

IDF imposes curfew on Hebron Palestinians, clashes with Qiryat Arba settlers protesting death of settler girl.  Settlers occupy 3 apt. bldgs. on hill nr. Qiryat Arba; IDF declares hill closed military zone.  (NYT, WP 7/9)

"Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners" in Ramallah reports that 7,170 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. (TJT 7/8)

American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and PECDAR sign 3-yr., $3 m. agreement to support agriculture, fisheries in Gaza Strip, Jericho area.  (ANERA release 7/11)

Vatican "FM" Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran opens 3-day official visit to Jordan to meet King Hussein, Crown Prince Hasan, govt. officials.  Talks to focus on diplomatic relations, status of Jerusalem.  (RJ 7/8 in FBIS 7/12)

IDF kills 3 Palestinians-1 each in Jerusalem, Tulkarm, and Gaza Strip-protesting Hebron massacre. 50 Palestinians wounded. Demonstrations throughout o.t. and in Israeli-Arab towns of Jaffa, Ramla, and Nazareth and in Galilee villages. 40 Israeli Arabs arrested in Nazareth, 10 in Ramla. Closure imposed on West Bank Palestinians and total curfew on Hebron; IDF guards posted at entrance to Qiryat Arba settlement. Qiryat Arba settlers travel under IDF escort. (Qol Yisra'el 2/26 in FBIS 2/28; NYT, WP, WT 2/27; WP 2/28)

PLO Chmn. Arafat demands international protection for Palestinians in o.t. Israel-PLO talks in Cairo, Taba postponed pending decision of PLO leaders. Arafat recalls PLO negotiators fr. Cairo, Paris, and Washington for consultations, emergency mtg. of PLO Exec. Comm. Israeli FM Peres accepts Pres. Clinton's invitation to shift talks to Washington, but rejects international presence in o.t. (MENA 2/26, 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; NYT, WP, WT 2/27)

UNSC debates Hebron massacre for 5 hours, takes no action. PLO, Organization of the Islamic Conference request international protection for Palestinians. U.S. delegation opposes monitors. (NYT, WP 2/27; NYT 2/28)

Demonstrations against Hebron massacre in Palestinian r.c.s throughout Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. King Hussein declares 3 days of mourning. (NYT 2/27)

One IDF soldier is killed and 1 wounded by Hamas gunmen near Hebron, W. Bank. Curfew is clamped on the town. Settlers in Hebron and nearby Kiryat Arba demand better security in demonstration at Jerusalem's King David Hotel, where PM Rabin was meeting with the Portuguese PM. (Qol Yisra'el 10/25 in FBIS 10/27; MM, WP 10/26)

Palestinian workers riot and burn buses at Erez checkpoint, Gaza, in clash with Israeli troops, who wounded 6 with rubber bullets. (Qol Yisra'el 10/25 in FBIS 10/29; WP 10/26)

Five IDF soldiers are killed and 5 wounded when a bomb explodes beside their convoy in S. Lebanon "security zone." Hizballah claims responsibility for this deadliest attack in 2 years. (WP 10/26; Qol Yisra'el 10/26 in FBIS 10/26)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Unified National Command calls for commercial strike, confrontation with Israeli troops, and attacks on Israeli-appointed mayors [WP 5/1]. Settlers from Kiryat Arba clash with Palestinian youths; settlers open fire, injuring 1. Also in Hebron, 6 Israelis are injured when their car is firebombed [NYT 5/1; FJ 5/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot, wound Palestinian protester in Nablus. Protester and Israeli soldier are wounded during clash in nearby Balatah refugee camp; camp placed under curfew. Students bum tires, block roads in Gaza City demonstration [NYT 5/1]. Israel orders 2 schools closed following demonstrations [FJ 5/8]. Palestinians protest in Haram al-Sharif [WP 5/1]. In Nablus, soldiers clash with camera crew for U.S. network [LAT 5/2].

Arab World: Israeli troops raid 2 S. Lebanon villages, interrogate residents [WP 5/1]. Fateh fighters battle supporters of Abu Musa in Shatila refugee camp [FJ 5/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Yamun, near Jenin, 3 houses are demolished by Israeli authorities; owners are suspected of participating in demonstrations [FJ 4/10]. In Bethlehem, 10 stores are welded shut and owners' IDs confiscated because shops had opened during morning [FJ 4/10].

Arab World: Sec. of State George Shultz meets with King Hussein in Amman, flies to Damascus for talks with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad, and returns to Jerusalem [WP 4/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations are reported in several W. Bank and Gaza Strip villages and camps. In Zayat, in Tulkarm district, soldiers use live ammunition to disperse protesters, injuring 8. Curfews are in force in 6 W. Bank villages and cities as well as Qabatiyyah and Jenin camp. Balatah is under curfew for 14th consecutive day. Dayr Ghassana and Bayt Rima villages, near Ramallah, are among 6 sealed villages. Soldiers raid Sura village, near Nablus, and uproot olive trees. In Gaza Strip, curfew in Jalazun is lifted for 3 hours. In Dayr al-Balah camp, protesters stone car of settlers from Kiryat Arba; settlers flee and Palestinians burn car; camp is placed under curfew [FJ 4/10].

Arab World: In Israel's S. Lebanon security zone, Israeli soldiers kill 2 Palestinian commandos attempting to cross border. Palestine Liberation Front claims responsibility [WP 4/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Unified National Command of the Uprising issues pamphlet calling for increased attacks on Jewish settlers and Palestinian collaborators [WP, NYT 3/11]. All 40 Palestinian workers in Israeli income and property tax office in Gaza have resigned [WP 3/12; CSM 3/14]. Israeli officials order Hebron National Bus Company closed for 1 day because workers observed strike on 3/9 [FJ 3/13]. Jewish settlers and Palestinians clash in Hebron [FJ 3/13]. Nabil al-Ja'bari, chairman of Hebron U.'s board of trustees, is ordered held under 6-month administrative dtention [FJ 3/13]. Closure of Birzeit U. is extended an additional month. Administrative detention of Faysal Husayni, head of Arab Studies Society, is renewed for 3 months [FJ 3/13].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat rejects U.S. peace plan, says PLO must be directly represented in peace talks [NYT 3/12].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz presses Israel to rethink concept of secure borders and to consider "ticking demographic time bomb" [NYT 3/11]. Canadian Sec. of State for External Affairs Joe Clark criticizes Israeli actions in occupied territories in speech before Canada-Israel Com. [NYT 3/13]. EEC issues statement expressing solidarity with families of Palestinians killed during the uprising; EEC also approves resolution condemning use of torture, expulsion, and arbitrary detention in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza hospitals report 2 Palestinians are shot, critically wounded by soldiers [WP 3/11]. In Dura village, several residents are arrested in clash with soldiers and settlers; collaborator from village reportedly flees to Kiryat Arba settlement [FJ 3/13]. Large demonstrations are reported in Jabalya camp and Gaza City [FJ 3/13]. In W. Bank, Tulkarm camp and Bani Na'im remain under curfew; Gaza's Beach, Burayj, and Khan Yunis camps are also under curfew [FJ 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army bulldozes home of suspect accused of killing Israeli reservist one month earlier in Hebron's old market [JP, JTA 9/27]. Israeli court awards Ariel Sharon $2,000 for court costs in Israel in suit against Time magazine, rules Time defamed former defense minister [CSM 9/27]. Israel asks Cyprus to extradite 3 arrested in Lamaca for murder of 3 Israelis to Israel for trial [NYT 9/27]. Min. of Econ. and Planning Gad Ya'acobi reports an association of S. American businessmen interested ininvesting in Israel, particularly govt. -owned companies, is being formed UP 9/27]. High Court reduces jail sentence of Jewish underground defendant Gilad Peli from 10 to 4.5 years after he expressed remorse for his deeds and cooperated during the investigation [JP 9/27].

Military Action: Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli bus near Halhul is fired upon, injuring 7; curfew is imposed. Anonymous phone caller to Agence France Presse office in Jerusalem claims credit on behalf of Fateh's Force 17. Hundreds of Kiryat Arba settlers rampage through Halhul around midnight, smashing windows and cars, and attacking a mosque [JP 9/27, 29]. A roadside bomb is detonated by remote control on the Jerusalem-Ma'aleh Adumim highway asa car is passing; no injuries [JP 9/29]. Firebomb is thrown at another Egged bus as it passes Mt. Zion; no injuries [JTA 9/27]. Bomb explodes behind bus stop on Mt. Scopus, injuring 2;6 suspects arrested [JP 9/27].

Arab World: Israeli air force raids alleged Abu Musa base in Majdalun, Biqa' Valley, slightly injuring 1 [LT 9/28]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Daily World reports Palestinian Communist party has denounced the moves to form joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to negotiate with the Israelis; sees it as effort to undermine principles of the PLO and the goal of an independent national state [DW 8/10]. The "Judea and Samaria" Settlement Council, dominated by Gush Emunim, announces boycott of Kiryat Arba because of its discrimination against Palestinians [JP 8/11]. Kiryat Arba town council cancels clause in its coalition agreement. Move opens the way for town council to receive funds blocked by the Knesset finance committee on grounds the clause violated the law [JP 8/11]. Jerusalem Magistrates Court imposes three-month suspended sentence and IS 200,000 fine on Rabbi Moshe Levinger for striking a 6-year-old boy in Hebron last year [JWP 8/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kiryat Arba settler Ya'acov Reiter, 46, is stabbed in Hebron's marketplace; his condition is reported to be satisfactory. Curfew is imposed on Hebron, with house-to-house searches conducted for the two attackers [NYT, WP 8/11].

Arab World: Fighting continues in Beirut, with shells striking presidential palace [BG 8/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Administrative detention order is issued against ex-political prisoner Ziad Abu 'Ain, for allegedly planning to hijack Israeli bus. (Abu 'Ain spent less than 3 months at home following his release in the 5/20 prisoner exchange) [FJ 8/9]. Nablus remains under curfew following 7/30 murder of Albert Buchris. Five hundred police and a helicopter monitor his funeral [JTA 8/1]. Army enters al-Najah University and raids student council offices; preparations had been underway for student elections [JP 8/2]. Knesset passes bill requiring anyone running for Knesset to give up second citizenship [WP, PI, JTA 8/1]. Israeli police break into the site of preparations for the second annual Palestinian heritage festival in Tireh, order volunteers to stop work on the basis they do not have building permits [FJ 8/9]. Funeral is held in Afula for Israeli shot to death in West Bank. Riot police disperse crowd outside police station [PI 8/1]. Mayor Shalom Wach of Kiryat Arba cancels plan to dismiss all Palestinian workers employed by the municipality following Attorney General Zamir's ruling the plan is illegal UTA 8/1]. New American Ambassador to Israel Thomas Pickering assures P. M. Peres there has been no change in U.S. policy towards the PLO; U.S. will engage in talks with a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation only if convinced it will lead to direct talks with Israel; U.S. is ready, if requested, to help Israel and Egypt resolve Taba dispute [JTA 8/1]. The Jerusalem Post reports charges of corruption have been made against several Israeli companies and individuals operating in the black "homeland" of Ciskei; contracts with the trade commissioners in Israel have been terminated; all commercial relations with Israel have been cut [JP 7/31, JTA 8/5].

Military Action

Arab World: Suicide car bomb attack against an Israeli armored patrol in the security zone kills at least 3 Lebanese, including the driver, wounds unknown number of others, including Israeli soldiers. Syrian Social Nationalist party claims responsibility, saying its member, 'Ali Ghazi Talib, 22, carried out the attack [NYT 8/1]. 

Military Action:

Fighting continues southeast of Beirut between LAF and PSP, and in southern Beirut suburbs between LAF and militiamen; car bomb explodes near Reuter news agency in Beirut; PLO rebels advance within half mile of Arafat's HQ in central Tripoli, cut off loyalist forces still holding ground at Baddawi; Islamic Unification Movement fighters deploy alongside PLO loyalists in Tripoli; 12-hour unilateral cease-fire declared in Tripoli by PLO rebels is broken by exchanges of rocket fire in evening; 3 ships carrying supplies to loyalist PLO forces reportedly captured by Israeli navy off Tripoli.

Casualties:

Unspecified civilian casualties in southern Beirut suburbs; contrary to initial claims, French air raid near Baalbek last Thursday did little or no damage to military targets, casualties reported at 2 dead, 7 wounded; Red Cross estimates 60% of Tripoli's 500,000 to 600,000 residents have fled; 8 killed, 97 wounded today in Tripoli, 392 killed, 1869 wounded in fighting since November 3; IDF allows limited flow of commercial traffic across Awali bridge after weekend ban, private vehicles cross only with IDF issued permits.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 4 petrol bombs thrown at IDF position in Tulkarem, curfew on nearby refugee camp; Council of Jewish Settlements in West Bank and Gaza holds emergency meeting at Kiryat Arba, demands severe action by IDF against Palestinians, settlers threaten to take law into their own hands; 17-year-old boy from Balata sentenced to 6 months in prisoni, IS 30,000 fine for participating in demonstration at Askar camp on November 8; committee representing Dheisheh camp residents releases statement rejecting government plan, announced yesterday, to resettle Palestinian refugees outside camps, details raids, road and school closures, fines, curfews and other measures used against camp residents in recent period.

Palestinian/ Lebanese: Arafat's conditions for leaving Tripoli include security for his supporters, both Palestinian and Lebanese, his right to return to Tripoli, and withdrawal of rebel forces; PFLP and DFLP call for democratic dialogue between fighting PLO forces.