The Palestine Chronology

Overnight, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who allegedly attempted to attack an IDF patrol in central Gaza. During the day, the IDF halts Operation Eastern Step outside Gaza City; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Walaja nr. Bethlehem, begins bulldozing land for a new road; fires on residential areas of Jenin town and r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala, Bayt Lahiya, Jericho, Tulkarm r.c. and town. The PRCs fire 2 Nasir 3 rockets fr. n. Gaza toward Sederot, 1 lands inside Gaza, the other inside Israel; neither causes damage or injuries. Hamas fires 3 mortars at Nisanit, 1 mortar at Aley Sinai, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MM 1/17; VOI, VOP 1/17, JTA, NYT, WT 1/18; VOI, VOP 1/18 in WNC 1/20; OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

After holding emergency sessions with the PA national security council and cabinet, Abbas orders the PA security forces to make “maximum efforts” to stop Palestinian attacks on Israelis, to investigate the 1/13 Qarni attack. PA Negotiation Affairs M Saeb Erakat says that security forces in Gaza would “create security zones and road blocks” to prevent rocket and mortar fire. Israel says the steps are “a small but positive sign.” (VOP 1/17 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/18; PR 1/20)

Sharon orders the IDF to intensify operations against Palestinian militants and to act “without restrictions, I emphasize, without restrictions” to halt “terrorism,” stating that Abbas is “not lifting a finger” to stop attacks on Israelis. The IDF withdraws fr. Gaza City (having bulldozed a total of 80 d., wounding at least 13 Palestinians since 1/15) but continues targeted operations in the outskirts of the city; shells Khan Yunis, damaging 1 Palestinian home, then firing on the family when they emerge to check the damage, killing a Palestinian mother and son, wounding the father, saying soldiers fired on suspicious “figures gathering information about IDF troops” in the area; separately fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, hitting Nasser Hospital; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Abasan nr. Khan Yunis, Hebron, Husan, Ithna, Saida. Hamas fires 3 mortars at an IDF post in Gaza, 1 Qassam rocket at Gadid settlement, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF patrol in Jenin, wounding 4 soldiers. (AFP, HA, JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 1/16, MENA 1/17 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/17; JTA 1/18; HA, OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

The IDF confiscates 352 d. in northwest Jerusalem for construction of the separation wall; fires nr.aPalestinian polling station in Khan Yunis; obstructs Palestinian movement in al-Mawasi; fires on 3 Palestinians attempting to infiltrate Gaza fr. Egypt, wounding and detaining all 3. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets at the western Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (JAZ 1/9; VOI 1/10 in WNC 1/12; OCHA 1/19)

After a robust campaign period, PA presidential elections are held. Abbas wins with 62% of the vote. Hamas, Islamic Jihad do not participate. (HA, NYT, WP 1/9; HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, MENA, Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation TV, PSCT, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, VOI, VOP, XIN, YA 1/9 in WNC 1/11; JAZ 1/9, AFP, AP, ATL, HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, XIN, YA 1/10 in WNC 1/12; HA, MM, National Democratic Institute press release, NYT, WP, WT 1/10; VOP 1/10, AYM, HJ, JP 1/12 in WNC 1/15; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/11; VOP 1/11 in WNC 1/13; PR 1/12; HJ 1/12 in WNC 1/14; MEI 1/21)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians (at least 1 is unarmed—a mentally handicapped man who strays into a closed military zone) in separate incidents outside Jewish settlements in Gaza. An AMB gunman ambushes, fatally shoots 1 IDF soldier, wounds 3 nr. Nablus; the IDF conducts arrest raids in the area in response. Hamas fires 6 mortars, 1 Qassam rocket at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; Islamic Jihad fires 3 rockets at Nisanit settlement in n. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 1/7; VOI, VOP 1/7 in WNC 1/11; NYT, WP 1/8; NYT 1/9; OCHA 1/12; PCHR 1/13)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, searches in and around Hebron, targeting 6 Islamic charities, a development organization, and local Palestinian Prisoners’ Society offices, detaining 65 heads and board members of the institutions as well as local Islamic leaders and imams; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in Dura, Ithna, Salfit, Surif, Tulkarm; issues military orders confiscating 89 d. of land in al-Jib, 72 d. in Biddu, and 100s of d. fr. Bayt Duqqu and Bayt Ijza for construction of the separation wall northwest of Jerusalem. A Hamas mbr. infiltrates Ganei Tal settlement nr. Khan Yunis, fires at settlement guards (causing no injuries), is killed by return fire. Hamas fires 3 mortars, 3 Qassam rockets at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. A 6-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Hebron is hit by an IDF jeep; soldiers take him to a hospital in Kiryat Arba settlement, but he is pronounced dead. (IMEMC 1/6; VOP 1/6 in WNC 1/11; OCHA, PR 1/12; PCHR 1/13)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Rafah; shells residential areas of Bayt Hanun; conducts arrest raids nr. Bayt Lahiya. Hamas fires a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza at the IDF’s Nahal Oz base inside Israel, wounding 12 IDF soldiers. 2 AMB mbrs. attempt to raid an IDF post at the Bayt Hanun crossing in n. Gaza, are shot dead. A Palestinian fires grenade, a rifle at IDF soldiers at the Erez checkpoint, causing damage but no injuries before being shot dead. (MM, PR, REU 1/5; IMEMC, NYT, PCHR, WT 1/6; PCHR 1/13)

The IDF fires tank shells at Palestinians harvesting strawberry fields outside Bayt Lahiya, killing 7 Palestinian children (ages 10–17) wounding at least 2 adults, 5 children; fires on Palestinians working agricultural land southeast of Gaza City, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 5; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and in Bethlehem, al-Fawwar r.c., Silwad, ‘Anin nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, Rafah. Hamas fires 2 Qassam rockets fr. Khan Yunis at nearby settlements and fr. n. Gaza at Sederot, injuring 2 Israelis. (FT, IMEMC 1/4; VOI, VOP 1/4 in WNC 1/6; MM, NYT, PM, PR 1/5; IDF Radio, al-Quds, VOI, YA 1/5 in WNC 1/7; PCHR 1/6; MEI 1/7)

The IDF revives Operation Violet Iron in Khan Yunis in response to the firing of 55 mortars and 23 Qassam rockets fr. the area in the past wk., attempts to assassinate 2 Hamas mbrs. by firing a missile at their car, injuring the 2 men and several passersby; heavily shells residential areas, wounding 14 Palestinians. The IDF also sends troops into Nablus, then fires on residential areas, stonethrowing youths who confront the troops; conducts arrest raids, house searches in alAmari r.c., Bayt Omar, Hebron, Jenin, al-Til nr. Tulkarm. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket, a mortar at a Jewish settlement and IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on attack a foreign TV crew filming Palestinian children on their way to school in Hebron. Unidentified gunmen fire on the campaign offices of presidential candidate Salhi in Ramallah, causing no injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/23. (JAZ, JTA 12/28; VOI, VOP 12/28 in WNC 12/30; WT 12/29; PCHR 12/30)

The IDF fires on 4 Palestinians allegedly preparing to fire a mortar in s. Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian, while the other 3 escape; fires on Palestinian civilians surveying the damage fr. Operation Orange Iron in Khan Yunis, wounding a 14-yr.-old Palestinian; shells, fires missiles fr. helicopters at Bayt Lahiya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; sends troops into Tulkarm r.c., opens fire on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 1; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Araba. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing light damage, injuring 3 Israeli. In response, IDF helicopters fire rockets at Jabaliya r.c. (HA 12/19; VOP 12/19 in WNC 12/21; NYT, XIN 12/20; PCHR 12/23)

The IDF continues operations in Khan Yunis until midday, killing another 2 Palestinian resistance mbrs., wounding around 23; sends troops into Bethlehem, arrests a 9-yr.-old Palestinian boy, takes him to Gilo checkpoint at the entrance to town, where troops question him for 4 hrs. before releasing him, leaving him to walk home; tightens Palestinian movement around Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, injuring a 4-yr.-old and a 16-yr.-old Palestinian inside their homes; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets toward Sederot, 2 land inside Israel and 1 in n. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya r.c. on 10/1/04. (MENA, VOP 12/18 in WNC 12/21; WP, WT 12/19; CSM, PM 12/20; PCHR 12/23)

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 lifts the curfew on Hawara, imposed on 12/2; for no apparent reason fires on Palestinians waiting to cross the Tuffah checkpoint in s. Gaza, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 30 d. of land in al-Qarara; fires on residential areas of Rafah; beats several Israeli, Palestinian, international peace activists demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Hebron as well as a Palestinian journalist covering the incident. Palestinians fire 2 mortars, 1 Qassam rocket at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian agricultural land in the al-Mawasi area of s. Gaza. (VOI 12/5 in WNC 12/7; PCHR 12/9)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Rafah; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, a building housing a kindergarten in Dahaysha r.c.; detonates explosives on the 2d floor of a 4-story apartment building in Dahaysha r.c., destroying several apartments, rendering the whole building uninhabitable; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aida r.c., Bayt Jala, Bethlehem and nearby al-Khadir, al-Bireh, Hebron, al-Mazra’ al-Sharqiyya nr. Ramallah, Qarawat Bani Zayd, Ramallah, Tulkarm r.c. and town. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI 11/30, VOP 12/1 in WNC 12/2; MADRE press release 12/1; PCHR 12/2)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians who enter a closed military zone nr. the Israeli border fence east of Gaza City; fires on stone-throwing youths and market areas in Nablus, killing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Jenin; blows up a Palestinian home nr. Nablus; bulldozes 20 d. in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Beitunia, Jenin (also sealing 4 offices of Islamic charities). Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket into s. Israel, fire 2 mortars into Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing light damage but no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’ale Shomron nr. Qalqilya uproot 10s of Palestinian olive trees, bar local Palestinian residents fr. harvesting their groves; IDF soldiers observe but do not intervene. ( JP, VOP, YA 11/9 in WNC 11/11; WP 11/10; VOI 11/10 in WNC 11/12; PRCS 11/11)

Arafat reportedly slips deeper into a coma, possibly suffering a stroke, and is put on life support. In light of Israel’s refusal to allow his burial in Jerusalem, the PA requests that he be buried in Ramallah after lying in state in Cairo. Doctors still do not know the cause of Arafat’s illness, though they have completely ruled out malignancy, poisoning. (AP, BBC, MM, REU 11/9; AFP, JAZ, JT, VOI, VOP 11/9 in WNC 11/11; Financial Times, NYT, PR, WP, WT 11/10)

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 fires on a funeral procession in Khan Yunis, assassinating wanted Hamas mbr. Awad Yasir (whom Israel claims has been responsible for recent mortar fire on Gush Katif), wounding 1; reinforces troops around East Jerusalem; bulldozes 22 d. of greenhouses, agricultural land in Rafah; sends troops into Bayt Furik, fires on Palestinian homes and stone-throwing youths who confront the troops; sends bulldozers into Bayt Hanun to level 20 d. belonging to al-Azhar University, 10s of d. belonging to local Palestinians; conducts rare arrest raids in Jericho. In response to Israel’s 10/21 assassination of Hamas’s Gul, Hamas fires 2 mortars, a Qassam rocket at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; 10,000s Palestinians take part in Gul’s funeral in Gaza City. Hamas mbrs. execute a suspected Palestinian collaborator, dumping his body in Gaza City. A Palestinian woman dies of injuries received on 10/4. Gaza municipal employees begin a strike to protest the PA’s inability to pay the remainder of their 10/4 salaries. (WP 10/22; VOI, YA 10/22 in WNC 10/26; WP, WT 10/23; PR 10/27; PCHR 10/28; PR 11/3)

During the day in Gaza, the IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades 2d in command ‘Adnan al-Gul (a founding mbr. of Hamas whom Israel considers responsible for the development of Qassam rockets and whom it has tried to assassinate on at least 4 previous occasions), firing 2 missiles at him as he leaves a building in Gaza City, also killing senior field cmdr. Imad Abbas, wounding 4 bystanders; attempts to assassinate PRC military cmdr. ‘Abd al-Rahman Qarmut, firing a missile at his home in Jabaliya r.c., wounding him and his child; fatally shoots 2 armed Palestinians (1 AMB, 1 Islamic Jihad) who attempt to infiltrate Israel nr. the Nahal Oz crossing outside Gaza City; conducts 2 raids into Rafah, shelling residential areas, demolishing 7 Palestinian homes, bulldozing 9 d. Also in Rafah, an IDF soldier investigating a smugglers’ tunnel is killed by an explosion, possibly fr. a booby trap; Hamas claims responsibility. In Hebron, the IDF raids 2 mosques during evening prayers, interrogates and checks IDs worshipers; raids a university, checks students’ IDs; raids, occupies a Palestinian home. In Qalqilya, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, a mortar at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers attempt to steal olives fr. a grove in al-Mughayyir; Palestinians confront and scuffle with them; 1 settler opens fire, injuring 1 Palestinian; the IDF intervenes, detains the gunman. Islamic Jihad mbrs. stop the car of PA military intelligence officer Hajij al-Sirhi in central Gaza, seize the car and 2 rifles; Sirhi reportedly impounded the car fr. Islamic Jihad mbrs. several mos. earlier. (VOI, VOP 10/21 in WNC 10/23; BBC, NYT, WP, WT 10/22; AFP, VOP 10/22, HJ, VOI 10/23 in WNC 10/26; PR 10/17; PCHR 10/28)

Ramadan begins; the IDF restricts access to Jerusalem for Friday prayers. The IDF shells Jabaliya r.c. fr. the surrounding hills to the east; carries out an air strike on the camp, killing 1 Hamas mbr., 2 AMB mbrs; fatally shoots a 65-yr.-old Palestinian woman eating dinner in her Jabaliya home. In the evening, the IDF withdraws troops to the periphery of most n. Gaza population centers, formally ending Operation Days of Penitence. The UN estimates that during the 17-day operation, the IDF killed 114 Palestinians, demolished as many as 95 Palestinian homes, leveled more than 1,000 d.; Palestinian Center for Human Rights puts the figures at 112 Palestinians killed, 87 houses demolished, 839 d. leveled. The IDF says that soldiers killed a number of AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad military cmdrs. and destroyed a number of factories and workshops where Qassams could be made, that Palestinians fired 14 Qassam rockets fr. the area during the 17-day period. Palestinians fire 2 Qassams at Sederot today, causing no damage. Late in the evening, the IDF bulldozes another 3 Palestinian homes, 2 stores in Bayt Hanun. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Nablus; arrests 2 Jewish settlers who attack Palestinians harvesting olives outside Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo nr. Ramallah attack Palestinians harvesting olives in neighboring al-Mughayyir; IDF soldiers observe but do not intervene. (BBC 10/15; IDF Radio, VOI, VOP 10/15 in WNC 10/19; NYT, WP, WT 10/16; HA, NYT 10/17; B’Tselem press release 10/18; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21; MEI 10/22)

In n. Gaza, the IDF conducts air strikes against 2 groups of armed Palestinians, killing 2 AMB mbrs., 1 Hamas mbr.; fires a missile at 2 Palestinian civilians distributing food aid in Jabaliya, killing them both. 2 Palestinian militants die of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/9. The IDF also fatally shoots a 16-yr.-old Palestinian, seriously wounds another playing soccer in a field in Rafah (soldiers claim they thought they were planting a bomb); fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; arrests Hamas’s Hebron military cmdr. Imad Qawasmi on charges of plotting the 8/31 Beersheba bus bombings; blows up a Palestinian home in Hebron. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. The 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl wounded inside an UNRWA classroom on 10/12 dies. (MEZ 10/13; VOI, VOP 10/13 in WNC 10/15; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR,WP 10/14; VOI 10/14 in WNC 10/16; PCHR 10/21)

The IDF fires a missile at 2 Palestinian boys (ages 12 and 15) playing with pipes and sticks in a street Jabaliya r.c., killing them; says video footage fr. drones in the area appeared to show militants preparing to launch a rocket. Also in n. Gaza, the IDF fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, seriously wounding a 12-yr.-old child in her home; demolishes 1 Palestinian home north of Bayt Hanun. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in an IDF attack on Jabaliya on 9/30; a 16-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/1; a 22-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Bayt Hanun on 10/3. The IDF also fires on 2 Palestinians who approach the Israeli border fence nr. the Sufa crossing into Israel in s. Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian while the other escapes; fires on residential areas, demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Rafah; shells residential areas, bulldozes 86 d. nr. Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, 2 antitank missiles at IDF troops in Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF moves troops into Balata r.c. and Tulkarm, fires on residential areas, then fires on stonethrowing youths who confront the troops; halts a Palestinian school bus at a Hebron checkpoint, detains 3 students; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Arub r.c., Jenin r.c., and in villages around Nablus, Tulkarm; bulldozes 60 d. southwest of Hebron for construction of the separation wall. The UNRWA delivers food, water to half of the 600 Palestinian families (ca. 3,300 individuals) who have been trapped in their homes east of Jabaliya r.c., unable to leave and without electricity or water since Days of Penitence began on 9/29. (United Nations Information Service 10/7; PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/7 in WNC 10/11; MEZ, WP 10/8; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

In Egypt, a huge truck bomb explodes at the Hilton hotel in Taba, 2 smaller bombs explode at hotels further south along the Red Sea in Nuwayba and Ras al-Shaytan in what appear to be al-Qa‘ida attacks targeting Israelis vacationing for the Sukkoth holidays; 34 people are killed (including at least 13 Israelis, 9 Egyptians, 2 Italians, 1 Russian), some 150 are wounded. (BBC, HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; ITAR-TASS, MA, MENA, MM, VOI, VOP 10/8, MENA, al-Quds 10/9, VOI 10/10 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/9; NYT 10/10; al-Ra’i 10/10, AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/14; LBC 10/10, MM 10/11; VOP 10/11 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/12; MM, NYT, PR 10/13; JP, WJW 10/14; MM 10/15, 10/18, 10/19; WT 10/20; MEI 10/22; WP 10/26)

In continuing operations in n. Gaza, the IDF kills 5 Palestinians (including at least 2 civilians, one of them a 15-yr.-old girl) in shelling and gunfire in Jabaliya. In retaliation, Palestinians fire an antitank missile at an IDF patrol in n. Gaza, wounding 2 troops; fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF fires warning shots at a group of Palestinians in Khan Yunis, killing a 4-yr.- old Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. In the West Bank, 2 wanted Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are killed, a 3d wanted Palestinian and 4 bystanders are injured in an exchange of fire during an IDF arrest raid on Ramallah; the IDF says the soldier was killed by friendly fire. The IDF bulldozes a grove of 120 olive trees nr. Tulkarm, large areas of agricultural land in Surif for construction of the separation wall; imposes a curfew on Palestinians in Hebron to allow Jewish settlers to hold Sukkoth parades, during which settlers throw bottles, stones at Palestinian homes; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm. A 70-yr.-old Palestinian dies fr. injuries she received in Nablus on 7/22/04. (MM, NYT, WP 10/4; AFP, IDF Radio, VOI, YA 10/4 in WNC 10/6; HA, NYT, PRCS, WP 10/5; PCHR 10/7; JPI 10/15)

Days of Penitence continues in n. Gaza with the IDF killing 10 Palestinians (including 7 armed Palestinians, 2–6 of them Islamic Jihad mbrs.; 3 civilians, including 1 deaf mute, 1 child inside an UNRWA school); demolishing a kindergarten, 2 factories, at least 7 Palestinian homes in Jabaliya r.c.; firing toward reporters covering events in Jabaliya. Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/1. The IDF also assassinates senior Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades mbrs. Mahdi Mushtaha (reportedly one of the developers of the Qassam missile), Khalid al-‘Amriti in a missile strike on their car as they drive in Gaza City, injuring 4 bystanders; attempts to assassinate 2 wanted Hamas mbrs. in an air strike on Gaza City, wounding them, 1 bystander; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber bullets, tear gas at a group of Palestinians, Israelis, internationals protesting the separation wall nr. Bayt Awa nr. Hebron, wounding 1 Dane, at least 14 Palestinians; reimposes a ban on Palestinians entering the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron (see 9/26); conducts arrest raids in and around Hebron, and in Bayt Laqia, Dahaysha r.c., Tulkarm. A Jewish settler seriously injures a 42-yr.-old Palestinian woman in a hit-and-run nr. Hebron. A Palestinian wounded in Salfit 2 wks. ago dies of her injuries. (NYT, WP 10/3; JAZ, VOI, VOP 10/3 in WNC 10/5; NYT, WP 10/4; JP, VOI 10/4 in WNC 10/6; PR 10/6; PCHR 10/7)

The IDF continues operations in Bayt Hanun and Jabaliya r.c. launched on 9/28, expands into Bayt Lahiya; occupies buildings as sniper posts; shells, fires on residential areas, killing 1 stone-throwing Palestinian youth, 4 armed Palestinian (including 1 Hamas mbr., wanted PRC mbr. Mosad Baradi), and 1 Palestinian bystander, wounding around 60. Palestinians target military vehicles with roadside bombs, antitank rockets, causing no injuries. Despite the maneuvers, Hamas fires a Qassam rocket at Sederot, killing 2 Israeli children, wounding 5; Sharon says that operations in n. Gaza will be expanded as a result. Late in the evening, the IDF carries out 2 missile strikes at Jabaliya r.c., killing 3 Palestinians and destroying an Islamic charitable organization. The IDF also continues operations begun 9/28 in Shaykh Ajlin, bulldozing 8 Palestinian homes, 8 d.; fires on stone-throwing youths outside Gaza City, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, seriously injuring a 4-yr.-old Palestinian inside her home. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Jenin town and r.c., fires on a taxi wrongly thought to be carrying wanted Palestinians, killing the Palestinian driver, a Palestinian man, wounding his wife. In Hebron, 5 Jewish settlers armed with heavy metal chains, rocks, sticks severely beat, rob 2 American women working with Christian Peacemaker Teams escorting Palestinian children to their school; 1 woman suffers a punctured lung, the other a broken arm and knee. Jewish settlers set fire to 400 d. of olive trees nr. Bayt Furik, damaging 100s of trees. (HA, MM 9/29; VOI, VOP, YA 9/29 in WNC 10/1; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 9/30; AFP 9/30 in WNC 10/2; PCHR, PR 10/6, 10/13; JPI 10/15)

The al-Aqsa intifada enters its 5th yr. The IDF continues operations in Jenin, searching homes, arresting some 80 Palestinians, fatally shooting a mentally handicapped Palestinian who leaves his Jenin home after dark during the curfew (ongoing since 9/25); the death brings Palestinians to the streets to riot; the IDF fires on protesters (killing a 17-yr.-old Palestinian, wounding 6), blows up a Palestinian home. The IDF also raids Nablus, arrests, then fatally shoots wanted AMB mbr. Majdi Khalifa in an outright execution; sends troops into Shaykh Ajlin nr. Gaza City; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., Tulkarm r.c. and villages around Nablus, Ramallah. Palestinians fire at least 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, damaging a house but causing no injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF sends 30 tanks into Bayt Hanun, Jabaliya r.c. in response, also cutting electricity to n. Gaza. Palestinians release without comment CNN producer Ali (kidnapped on 9/27), who says his captors were AMB mbrs.; the AMB denies this. Jewish settlers fr. Itamar burn 100s of d. of olive groves belonging to nearby Bayt Furik. (AP, HA, MM, PM, REU 9/28; AFP, VOI, VOP 9/28 in WNC 9/30; MM, NYT, PR, PRCS, WP, WT 9/29; VOI, YA 9/29 in WNC 10/1; PCHR, WJW 9/30; PCHR 10/1)

The IDF fires missiles at a metal workshop (alleged weapons factory) in Khan Yunis, wounding an 11-yr.-old Palestinian; raids ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops; fires rubber bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Jenin; lifts the 9/24 ban on Palestinians entering the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. Senior AMB mbr. Nimr Hassan is killed in Salfit when his M-16 explodes; the AMB claims that he was assassinated, his new gun was booby trapped by a collaborator. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets at Sederot and 3 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, the IDF makes a major incursion into Jenin, raiding and searching a hospital (arresting 2 employees; wounding 7, including 2 children, with gunfire; damaging equipment), occupying buildings as sniper posts, conducting house searches. Outside Hebron, some 140 Jewish settlers attempt to reestablish 2 unauthorized settlement outposts previously evacuated by the IDF, scuffle with police, throw stones at Palestinian homes. (HA 9/26; IDF Radio, VOI, VOP, YA 9/26 in WNC 9/28; PCHR 9/30)

In Damascus, Hamas spokesman Izzeddin Khalil is killed when his car explodes in an apparent assassination. Anonymous Israeli security officials acknowledge Israel’s involvement; Sharon criticizes the “unnecessary babble.” (HA 9/26; JAZ, MA, VOP, YA 9/26 in WNC 9/28; VOI, YA 9/26, MA, VOP 9/27 in WNC 9/29; LBC, PSCT, SANA 9/26, AYM, HA, JP, SANA, Syrian Arab Republic Radio 9/27, JP, MA, Tishrin 9/28 in WNC 9/30; SANA, Syrian Arab Television Network 9/26 in WNC 10/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT, United Press International 9/27; MM 9/28; PR 9/29; MNR 9/29 in WNC 10/5; JPI 10/8)

In Gaza, 3 Palestinian gunmen fr. the Abu Rish Brigades (a Fatah offshoot), Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian Resistance Comms. (PRC) attack an IDF post outside Morag, fatally shooting 3 IDF soldiers before 2 are shot dead; 1 escapes, wounds an Israeli journalist, is then shot dead. The IDF sends troops into Nablus and surrounding camps, fires on residential areas, blows up 2 Palestinian homes; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; fires rubber bullets at Palestinian, international peace activists staging a nonviolent protest against the separation wall outside Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and Nablus, and in al-‘Aza, Bethlehem, Jenin town and r.c., al-Khadir, al-Mughraqa; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Mughraqa; bulldozes 6 Palestinian homes, 40 d. of agricultural land in Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Nur al-Shams on 9/14; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received in Rafah on 9/19. (BBC, MM, XIN 9/23; VOP 9/23 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT, WP 9/24; HA, PR 9/29; PCHR 9/30)

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 assassinates Hamas mbrs. Nabil al-Su‘aidi and Rabah Zaqqut, firing a missile at their car as they drive in Gaza City, wounding 5 bystanders (including 2 children); fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., then fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops; raids an Islamic charitable trust and elementary school in Hebron, confiscating equipment, money; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c., Jenin, Nablus. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, causing light damage but no injuries. The AMB also executes 2 Palestinian collaborators in Tulkarm. In Hebron, a Jewish settler attacks, beats 2 Palestinian Waqf employees cleaning the Muslim side of the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, is later arrested by the Israeli police. (AP, HA, JTA, MM 9/20; JAZ, VOI, VOP 9/20 in WNC 9/22; PCHR, WP, WT 9/21; JAZ 9/20, VOI 9/21 in WNC 9/23; PCHR 9/23)

The IDF expands its incursion into Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, and Jabaliya r.c., with tanks and helicopters firing randomly between houses and into open fields allegedly to deter Palestinians fr. firing Qassam rockets into Israel, killing 5 Palestinians (including a 10-yr.-old boy), wounding at least 53, bulldozing 90 d., and demolishing 12 Palestinian homes, 2 brick factories, 1 workshop, 1 agricultural storehouse, 3 wells. In s. Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots an unarmed Palestinian who strays too near Gush Katif; fires on residential area of Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian who attempts to stab, lightly injures an IDF soldier outside Kiryat Arba settlement; detains some 40 Palestinians at checkpoints around Hebron, holds them at nearby Jewish settlements for hrs. of questioning, beating some before releasing them; send troops into Rafidiyya nr. Nablus, fires on houses, then fires on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them; bulldozes 5 d. of olive groves nr. Hebron’s Bnei Hefer settlement; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and around Bethlehem, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah. An IDF jeep fatally runs over a Palestinian in Amari r.c. (MM, PCHR, XIN 9/9; VOI, VOP 9/9 in WNC 9/11; NYT, WP, WT 9/10; PR 9/15; PCHR 9/16)

The IDF sends tanks into the Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, Jabaliya r.c. in what it says will be a “limited operation,” shelling residential areas, wounding at least 17 Palestinians (including 13 children). The IDF also conducts arrest raids, fires on residential areas in Khan Yunis. In Hebron, the IDF surrounds, evacuates the home of a wanted Palestinian; fires 3 shells at the house when he does not emerge, wounding him; arrests him, demolishes the house. The IDF demolishes a 2d Palestinian home in Salfit. IDF undercover units storm a Jericho caf´e, assassinate senior Amari r.c. AMB mbr. ‘Amr A‘idiyya, wounding 3 Palestinian bystanders, arresting 19. Palestinians retaliate by firing 5 Qassam rockets toward Sederot (damaging a car but causing no injuries), firing 5 mortars at Neve Dekalim (damaging a house). The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches, bulldozes 15 d. in al-Qarara; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c., Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c., Hebron and neighboring Bani Na‘im, Nablus, Thinnaba, Tubas; seals an iron gate in the separation wall southeast of Jerusalem, cutting off access to the West Bank fr. Abu Dis, Azariyya, Sawahara. Israeli police reportedly enter 7 Palestinian voter registration offices in East Jerusalem; order 3 registration workers to report for questioning, photograph voter roles to deter Palestinians from registering. (HA, MM, WP, WT 9/8; VOI, VOP 9/8 in WNC 9/10; PCHR 9/9; BBC 9/21)