The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers block a road between Ramallah and Nablus with burning tires. Israeli forces dressed as Palestinians raid Balata refugee camp, injuring 3 Palestinians, including a 4-year-old who is bitten by a dog and the 2 others with live ammunition. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Sarra. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raid Shu’fat refugee camp, injuring a Palestinian with a baton round. Israeli forces also raid Ramin, demolishing a monument erected to commemorate Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 14 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Nablus, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Jenin. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza City, Dayr al-Balah, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 127 people, including at least 30 in strikes on homes in Dayr al-Balah. In Lebanon, Hezbollah says it has attacked 6 sites in Israel, including 2 buildings in Manara. In Yemen, U.S. and UK forces bomb Hodeidah and Saada. (AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/4; UNOCHA, WAFA 2/5)

More than 27,365 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 66,630 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 374 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 94 children. More than 4,408 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 223 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,296 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 207 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. The Jordanian and Dutch air forces drop aid near the Jordanian Field Hospital. (AJ, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/4; UNOCHA 2/5)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland in Ramallah. (WAFA 2/4)

The Israeli military’s psychological warfare unit acknowledges that it runs the Telegram channel 72 Virgins – Uncensored, on which graphic and incendiary content is posted about killings of Palestinians and the destruction of homes in Gaza. (HA 2/4)

The Israeli housing ministry publishes a tender for the construction of 62 housing units in the Efrat settlement south of Bethlehem. The Israeli government also approves the continued funding of settlement farming outposts. (AJ, PCN, PCN 2/5)

The Israeli government extends the Citizenship and Entry into Israel Law for a year, barring Palestinians married to Israelis from obtaining Israeli citizenship. The government also says it plans to hire 65,000 construction workers from India, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan to replace the 72,000 Palestinians employed at construction sites before 10/7/2023. Foreign Minister Israel Katz says UNRWA “perpetuates the false narrative of Palestinian ‘refugees’ needing to return to Israel. We are actively working to disengage UNRWA from Gaza.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir tells the Wall Street Journal that the Biden administration “is busy giving humanitarian aid and fuel” to Gaza instead “of giving us his full backing.” Ben-Gvir also says he encourages Palestinians in Gaza to “emigrate to places around the world.” The High Court of Justice rejects a petition to recuse Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from office. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, WSJ 2/4; HA 2/5)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan says “[a]t this point, it is up to Hamas to come forward and respond to a serious [ceasefire] proposal, and we will continue to press Qatar and Egypt to try and generate a positive response.” (HA, HA 2/4; HA 2/5)

The U.S. Senate publishes a new proposal for a bill to provide aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, earmarking $14.1 billion to Israel and $10 billion in humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank, stipulating that no funds can go to UNRWA. The House has proposed a standalone bill for Israel to avoid funding Ukraine and Taiwan. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel says bill would prevent the U.S. from funding UNRWA and the U.S. would instead divert funds to “other partners.” (AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 2/5)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini tells the Financial Times that Israel has not provided evidence to back its claim that 12 UNRWA staffers were involved in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. EU high commissioner of foreign affairs Josep Borell calls the suspension of funding for UNRWA “disproportionate and dangerous.” Haaretz reports that Israel’s Bank Luemi has notified UNRWA that it will block the agency’s bank account due to “tangible suspicions it is transferring funds to terror groups in Gaza.” The bank also suspends the account of 1 of the settlers sanctioned by the U.S. on 2/1. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 2/4; REU 2/5)

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly says Canada will sanction some Israeli settlers and place new sanctions on Hamas leaders. (AJ, REU, WAFA 2/4)

In the West Bank, PA security forces, dressed in civilian clothes, violently dispersed Palestinian students and staff protesting the dismissal of 10 students from the Islamic bloc and 5 employees at An-Najah National University in Nablus, causing several injuries from beatings and pepper spray. The Iranian news agency Tansim said 1 of its Palestinian reporters was abducted by Palestinian gunmen while covering the events before being beaten and warned against writing negatively about the PA. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Nablus and Jenin. Israeli settlers also vandalized 8 olive trees in Qaryut. Israeli forces evicted 4 Palestinians from their land in Wadi Fukin. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Tuqu‘, Bethlehem, Surif, al-Tabaqa, Nablus, Far‘un, Rumana, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Nablus, injuring 2 with shrapnel. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 2 Palestinians in Silwan and arrested 1 other in Isawiya. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA 6/14; PCHR 6/15; PCHR 6/16; AP, HA 6/17; UNOCHA 7/2)

Hamas released a statement accusing PA forces in the West Bank of torturing Hamas supporters. (ALM 7/2)

EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced that the frozen $224 million in economic aid to the PA from 2021 had been unfrozen and would be transferred to the PA. The announcement came ahead of a meeting between President von der Leyen and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh in Ramallah. Von der Leyen later met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett and president Isaac Herzog. The EU funding to the PA was frozen due to 1 Hungarian commissioner’s concern over “incitement” in PA schoolbooks. Prime Minister Shtayyeh also met with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi. (AA, HA, JP, POL, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/14; AJ, WAFA 6/15)

Israel’s deputy religious affairs minister Matan Kahana of the Yamina party was filmed telling Israeli high schoolers in the Efrat settlement that “if there was a button that could be pressed, that would remove all the Arabs from here, send them on an express train to Switzerland—where they would live an amazing life, I wish them all the best in Switzerland—I would press that button. . . . there is no such button. We were probably meant to [co]exist here on this land in some form,” Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament attacked Kahana for his remarks and he later apologized for wording his statements poorly. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE 6/14; HA, MDW, TOI 6/15)

The U.S. White House expressed concern over negotiations between the Israeli spyware company NSO Group and the American defense contractor L3Harris for the latter to buy technology from the former. The deal would see NSO Group removed from the U.S. department of commerce’s blacklist and would transfer NSO’s clients in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and possibly EU and NATO countries to L3Harris. The New York Times later reported that the negotiations had collapsed after they were made public and that U.S. intelligence officials had backed L3Harris’s potential acquisition of NSO Group. (HA 6/14; MEE, REU 6/15; NYT, WP 7/10; HA, TOI 7/11)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver after he allegedly attempts to ram a group of Israeli settlers at Huwwara checkpoint. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian car repair shop near Nablus. Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian shepherd working his land near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR 12/27; PCHR 1/3)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki says that he plans to initiate an application for the State of Palestine to obtain full membership at the UN during his next visit to New York City in 1/2019. The application, if accepted by the UN Security Council, would see Palestine’s status upgraded from non-member observer state. Later, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon says that Israel and the U.S. are already working together to “stop the [new Palestinian] initiative.” (JP, WAFA 12/26; TOI 12/27)

PA security forces seal off the entrances to the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Ramallah, preventing Hamas officials from holding a planned press conference. A PA official says that although Hamas claims they were attempting to hold a press conference, their true intention was to open a session of the PLC in protest of the 12/22 announcement of a new round of PLC elections. (JP, TOI 12/26)

The High Planning Committee of Israel’s Civil Administration meets for a 2d day to discuss proposals to expand Israel’s West Bank settlements. Between today and yesterday, they have advanced plans for 2,191 new residences in various settlements, 3 new industrial zones, and the retroactive authorization of 2 illegal settlement outposts. Separately, Israel’s Civil Administration announces plans to put together a new proposal for as many as 2,500 new settler residences at the site of the Givat Eitam outpost near Bethlehem, which is within the municipal boundaries of the Efrat settlement, but not contiguous to any of that settlement’s buildings. According to the Israeli NGO Peace Now, an expanded Givat Eitam would “block Bethlehem from the south, and prevent any development in the only direction that has not yet been blocked by settlements.” (HA, PCN, TOI 12/26)

Haaretz reports that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the IDF to declare an end to Operation Northern Shield, but to continue detecting and demolishing the cross-border tunnels allegedly built by Hezbollah. Some senior defense sources say that Netanyahu no longer has a political reason for a formal operation in the north now that he is running for re-election. Meanwhile, the IDF announces that it has uncovered and demolished a 5th cross-border tunnel and the Knesset votes to dissolve itself, officially triggering snap elections. (HA, JP, TOI 12/26; MNA 12/27)

In the West Bank, dozens of Israeli settlers approach a water tank outside ‘Urif village near Nablus, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents; 1 Palestinian is killed and another is seriously injured. Later, approximately 30 Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes and attempt to set fire to a mosque in al-Twana village near Hebron. Residents of the village challenge the settlers and their IDF escort, leading to a nonviolent confrontation. Israeli settlers also cut down approximately 30 olive trees near Nablus. Israeli forces order a Palestinian farmer to leave his land near Bethlehem, alleging that he lacks permission from the guards at nearby Efrat settlement. IDF troops conduct raids in ‘Azun village near Qalqilya, sparking minor clashes; there are no serious injuries. They also patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a number of Palestinian children in Silwan, sparking minor clashes between Israeli border guards and residents of the area; there are no serious injuries. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian lands near al-Bureij refugee camp. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/10; PCHR 3/15)

A spokesperson for the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza announces that a PIJ fighter died in an “accidental explosion” this morning. Two other Palestinians were reportedly injured in the accident. (TOI 3/10; JP 3/11)

The Israeli government issues tenders for 198 new settlement homes in Hebron and Efrata (Gush Etzion bloc). Meanwhile, the Jerusalem municipality approves the planned relocation of the National Defense College to the Mount of Olives. Also, Israeli NGO Peace Now says that approval for settlement plans jumped 300% in 2012, and that under Netanyahu’s premiership, 40% of construction starts in settlements were in settlements located outside of the so-called blocs that Israel intends to keep under a final-status agreement. (AP, JP, YA 1/16)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF fires warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials close to the border fence in the n. Gaza Strip, causing no injuries. In a separate incident, the IDF shells an open area 200 m from the border nr. Bureij, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, The IDF raids Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, opening fire on Palestinians with live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and tear-gas grenades, seriously wounding 1. The IDF says that Palestinian protesters threw stones and firebombs at the Separation Wall and Israeli forces. Palestinian news agencies report that the raid was in response to the Palestinians opening a hole in the bottom of the wall nr. Rachel’s Tomb. The IDF also demolishes sheep barns and sheds nr. Jericho; patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Salfit at night. Meanwhile, an IDF investigation concludes that Israeli soldiers fired 80 bullets without justification when they mortally wounded a Palestinian man in al-Nabi Salih on 11/17 (he died on 11/19). Jewish settlers raze land nr. 2 separate settlements in the Jordan Valley and nr. Nablus in preparation for expansion. (MNA, WAFA 1/16; PCHR, PNN 1/17)

Israeli security forces dismantle Palestinian protest camp Bab al-Shams in the E1 zone nr. Jerusalem, after the Supreme Court authorizes the government to dismantle the site. Protesters were removed on 1/12, but the tents had remained. Separately, the High Court of Justice orders the state to refrain from evicting Palestinians from 8 villages in the s. Hebron Hills in an area the IDF has designated a firing zone for training. (REU 1/16; AFP, HA 1/17)

Dep. head of Hamas’s political bureau Musa Abu Marzuq says that the movement will not agree to dismantle the IQB as part of a prospective reconciliation deal with Fatah. He makes the comments in response to recent reports in al-Quds al-Arabi that Fatah is demanding Hamas dismantle its armed wing and integrate it into the PA security forces. (ToI 1/16)

The EU grants €100 m. to the PA and to UNRWA to provide essential services in the West Bank. Palestinian pres. Abbas announces that Saudi Arabia will give the struggling PA $100 m. to alleviate the PA’s financial crisis. (IMEMC, REU 1/16)

Retaliating for the 10/31 UNESCO vote, Netanyahu suspends the transfer of VAT taxes Israel collects on the PA’s behalf and orders accelerated construction of 2,000 settlement housing units in East Jerusalem’s Har Homa settlement and the nearby West Bank settlements Efrat and Ma’ale Adumim, calling it Israel’s “right and obligation” to build in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Palestinian IP addresses and Palestinian phone networks in the West Bank and Gaza come under “multiple attacks” by computer hackers originating from many countries; the PA says the attacks appeared linked to the UNESCO vote and it believes they were “organized by a state” [i.e., Israel]. (HA, NYT, WP 11/2)

The IDF drops flyers over Khan Yunis warning residents to stay away fr. the 300-m. no-go zone. IDF troops manning the observation towers on the Israeli side of the Erez crossing fire warning shots at Palestinians and international activists marching toward the border to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone; no casualties are reported. In the evening, unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus and nr. Jenin; conducts late-night patrols in Jenin. The Israeli Comm. against House Demolitions (ICHAD) submits a report to the UN special rapporteurs on Palestine that concludes that Israeli policies in East Jerusalem (e.g., restricting building permits, demolitions, revoking permanent residency status) are forcing Palestinians to flee in what may constitute a war crime. In the West Bank, the IDF rearrests senior Hamas official Hassan Yousef in Ramallah for having links to a “terrorist” organization; Yousef was 1st arrested in 2005, was released on 8/4/11 as part of a mass release to ease prison overcrowding. (JP 11/1; PCHR 11/3; OCHA 11/4)

Obama gives a major address to the American Israel Public Affairs Comm. (AIPAC). While he restates his belief that discussion of final borders should take the 1967 lines as the starting point for negotiations, he clarifies that agreed land swaps would be necessary and would certainly result in “a border that is different than the one that existed on June 4, 1967,” stating that any controversy over his 5/19 speech was “not based on substance.” (JTA, NYT, WP, WT 5/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jericho; patrols in al-Jarushiyya village nr. Tulkarm, randomly stopping cars and checking IDs; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around al-‘Arub r.c. and nr. Tulkarm; searches the home of Hamas politburo mbr. Aysha Dar Suleiman in ‘Arura village nr. Ramallah, arresting her. Jewish settlers heavily damage a Palestinian home located between the Gush Etzion and Efrat settlements nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Tafuh settlement s. of Nablus attack 3 Palestinian women traveling on the Nablus–Ramallah road. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim settlement uproot 70 olive trees fr. neighboring Kafr Qaddum village. (PCHR 5/26; OCHA 5/27)

IDF troops inside Israel fatally shoot an armed Palestinian who approaches the s. Gaza border. The IDF also bulldozes 5 d. of Palestinian land inside the border fence nr. Wadi al-Silqa; later conducts arrest raids, house searches in Wadi al-Silqa, detaining 3 Palestinians. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in and around Nablus but makes no arrests; 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 8, including 3 children). Jewish settlers fr. Efrat uproot 100 Palestinian olive trees to make way for new construction begun on 3/23. Palestinians stone Jewish settler vehicles nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. In n. Gaza, 50,000 Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and Fatah al-Yasir (an AMB offshoot) supporters hold a peaceful demonstration calling on the Arab League summit assembling in Damascus to find a way to break Israel’s siege of Gaza. In Jabaliya r.c., 2,000 Palestinians attend a rally organized by Islamic Jihad to call on Fatah and Hamas to form a unity government. (OCHA 4/2; PCHR 4/3)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts daytime arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin and late-night raids, searches in and around Tubas, in ‘Aqbat Jabir r.c. and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho. For a 3d day, Jewish settlers in Hebron vandalize Palestinian property and attack local Palestinians; the IDF observes but does not intervene; 3 Palestinians have been injured since 3/21. Jewish settlers fr. Eli nr. Nablus kidnap 2 Palestinian boys herding sheep nr. the settlement, release them hrs. later after PA security forces request IDF intervention. Jewish settlers in Efrat nr. Bethlehem begin construction of 3 apartment buildings (54 units). In Khan Yunis, Hamas officials dismiss the Fatah-affiliated admin. officer at the College of Science and Technology and name a pro-Hamas officer to replace him, sparking a fight with local Fatah supporters; police intervene to disperse the crowd, with no injuries reported; classes are suspended until the issue can be resolved btwn. Hamas and Fatah. Islamic Jihad mbr. Nidal Shaqqura, wounded in an IDF assassination attempt on 3/18, dies of his injuries. (OCHA 3/26; PCHR 3/27)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Bureij r.c. fire on Hamas mbrs. along the border fence, killing 1 Hamas mbr., then fire on Palestinians who attempt to evacuate his body, wounding 2 civilians; fatally shoot an unarmed Palestinian who strays nr. the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun. The IDF also sends tanks, armored vehicles, bulldozers into the Erez industrial zone and into Gaza nr. the Kerem Shalom crossing to level land. In the West Bank, the IDF raids, searches a school in Hebron, making no arrests; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Arub r.c. and nr. Hebron, Tulkarm. Israel’s Internal Security Min. bans the East Jerusalem–based National Commission Against Social Problems fr. holding its annual mtg. on the grounds that it is affiliated with the PA, which is barred fr. conducting official business in the city. Jewish settlers fr. Efrat and El Azara set fire to a 700-yr.-old mosque in nearby al-Khadir. Jewish settlers place 2 mobile homes on Palestinian land in Bil‘in that the Israeli High Court ruled on 9/4/07 should be returned to the village, attack local Palestinians who attempt to stage a sit-in to block them; Israeli police remove the settlers. In Gaza, Fatah-Hamas clashes continue overnight, leaving at least another 3 Palestinians dead and 30 injured. In Nablus, unidentified gunmen fire on the car of a Hamas-affiliated municipal official, wounding his wife. (REU 1/1; NYT, OCHA, WT 1/2; PCHR 1/3)

In an agmt. reached between Hamas and Egypt, apparently without Israeli knowledge, 85 Palestinians fr. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the PRCs stranded in Egypt since the Gaza border was closed on 6/12 are transported in Egyptian busses to the Rafah crossing and allowed entry into Gaza before dawn. The 80 include 2 Reform and Change legislators, a number of suspected Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants, and Palestinian civilians with suspected ties to Hamas whom the PA did not grant permission to return to Gaza with the 6,000 Palestinians allowed reentry last quarter (see Chronology in JPS 145). In Gaza, the IDF sends troops into areas e. of Jabaliya r.c., exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen who confront them, killing 2 armed Palestinians. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus and nr. Bethlehem, Jenin. Some 500 Jewish settlers occupy a hill overlooking Road 60 nr. Hebron, barring Palestinian farmers fr. reaching their land. Jewish settlers also occupy sites nr. al-Nabi Yunis Junction in Hebron and nr. Efrat settlement (nr. Bethlehem), declare formation of 2 new unauthorized settlement outposts. (OCHA 10/3; PCHR 10/4)

Overnight, the IDF makes a major incursion into ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’a r.c. to arrest Hamas and PFLP mbrs., imposing a roundthe-clock curfew, firing on residential areas, occupying several homes as military outposts, moving from building to building by breaking through walls (50 homes and 2 shops are damaged by the time the operation ends on 9/21), clashing with local gunmen, leaving 1 armed Palestinian, 1 IDF soldier dead. At dawn, Palestinians fr. neighboring Nablus obey calls from local mosques to march to the camp to force a lifting of the siege; when some throw stones at troops, the IDF responds with live fire, mortally wounding a 17-yr.-old Palestinian, barring ambulances from reaching the scene, allowing him to bleed to death; 4 other Palestinians are wounded. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Hebron; issues a military order confiscating 523 d. of Palestinian land in al-Khadir and Artas nr. Bethlehem for expansion of Efrat settlement. Haniyeh meets with Islamic Jihad leaders in Gaza to ask them to halt rocket fire into Israel during Ramadan, which ends ca. 10/13, but no agmt. is reached; Damascus-based Hamas leader Khalid Mishal intends to hold similar talks with Islamic Jihad leaders in Syria in the next few days. In Gaza City, Hamas and Islamic Jihad mbrs. armed with sticks and axes clash when Hamas mbrs. reportedly attempt to take over the Islamic Jihad–run Asqalan Mosque; 3 Palestinians are injured. (NYT, OCHA 9/19; NYT, PCHR 9/20)

US. Secy. of State Condoleeza Rice begins the 1st of 3 visits to the region this quarter for talks with Olmert, Abbas in preparation for Bush’s proposed fall peace conference, now tentatively set for 11/15 in Washington. She returns to Washington on 9/20. (WP 9/18; WT 9/19; see also IFM, WT 10/17)

During the day in Gaza, the IDF fires on Jabaliya r.c., seriously wounding a Palestinian woman inside her home. In the evening, Olmert convenes his security cabinet, which authorized the IDF to step up attacks on Hamas, Islamic Jihad. Soon after, the IDF makes an air strike targeting IQB cmdr. Samih Farwanah in Gaza City, who is at the home of Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. Khalil al-Haya, assassinating Farwanah, killing 7 of Haya’s relatives, wounding more than 12; fires a missile at Hamas mbr. Nasser Hammuda, biking through Gaza City, wounding him in an apparent assassination attempt; makes an air strike on an alleged Hamas weapons factory in Gaza City, killing 1 Palestinian security guard, wounding 3 bystanders; makes an air strike on the home of an Islamic Jihad mbr., destroying it and a neighboring meeting hall, causing no injuries; shells residential areas of Bayt Lahiya, heavily damaging 2 homes, wounding 6 Palestinians. Palestinians fire at least 12 rockets, 2 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging 2 trucks on the Israeli side of the Qarni crossing but causing no injuries. In Rafah, an al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbr. is injured when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Arub r.c nr. Hebron and in and around Bethlehem, Jenin town and r.c.; raids 4 TV and radio stations in Nablus seizing computers and broadcasting equipment; begins bulldozing 130 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of apricot and date orchards nr. Artas nr. Bethlehem to make way for the separation wall. Under IDF escort, Jewish settlers fr. Efrat nr. Bethlehem uproot Palestinian trees nr. the settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Karme Tzur nr. Hebron unleash an attack dog on a Palestinian farmer working his land nr. the settlement, injuring him. Meanwhile, Hamas, Fatah observe a ceasefire during the day; stores begin to reopen and residents venture out for the 1st time in a wk. (HA, IFM, NYT, PCHR, WP 5/20; HA, NYT, OCHA, PCHR, WP, WT 5/21; OCHA 5/23; PCHR 5/24)

Overnight, Lebanese police and soldiers raid several homes in Tripoli in an attempt to capture a group connected to the tiny militant group, Fatah al-Islam (FI), that was suspected of carrying out a bank robbery on 5/19. The raids spark gun battles that quickly spread throughout the city and to the outskirts of Nahr al-Barid r.c. (pop. 40,000), where FI is based. When FI forces leave the camp to ambush and capture nearby army positions, the Lebanese army fires tank shells, mortars into the camp, quickly precipitating massive clashes (including RPG, heavy weapons fire by FI) that continue throughout the day. In total, at least 27 Lebanese soldiers, 20 FI mbrs., and 9 Palestinian civilians inside the camp are killed and scores are wounded during the day. By nightfall, the army regains control of areas surrounding the camp, seals the camp to prevent militants fr. escaping; cuts water and electricity to the camp to urge a surrender. Syria closes several border crossings n. and w. of Tripoli in reaction. Separately, a car bomb explodes nr. a shopping mall in the Christian neighborhood of Achrifiyya in Beirut, killing 1 Lebanese woman, wounding 12; no group claims responsibility. (AP, NYT, REU, WP, WT 5/21; WT 5/24; NYT 6/20, 7/7)

In the sharpest escalation of violence since the 2/8 truce, the IDF fatally shoots a Hamas mbr. nr. the Rafah border after he fires on an IDF position. In response, Hamas fires some 20 mortars at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing light damage. Palestinian Authority (PA) police dispatched to halt the fire are shot at by Palestinian gunmen (Hamas says it is not involved), stoned by bystanders. The IDF, blaming the PA for failing to take adequate steps, then launches an air strike against the Hamas mbrs. targeting the settlement, killing 1 Hamas mbr., wounding 1. Hamas mortar fire continues during the day, lightly wounding 1 settler. The IDF also patrols in Nablus, fires on residential areas; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Efrat uproot olive and almond trees, bulldoze Palestinian land nr. al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem to widen a settler bypass road. In Fara’ r.c., 3 armed, masked Palestinians raid an UNRWA clinic, order a doctor to leave permanently, harass the staff, then raid an UNRWA girls’ school, threaten the principal, demand that a teacher be fired; no group claims responsibility; UNRWA protests to the PA, criticizing the PA’s failure to protect UN institutions. (JAZ 5/18; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/19; IMEMC, JAZ 5/20; OCHA 5/25; PCHR 5/26)

The IDF assassinates wanted Hamas mbrs. Shaman Subuh, Mustafa Baqash in Jenin; demolishes 8 Palestinian homes, 3 brick factories, a dairy farm and damages 18 other homes in Rafah; demolishes 1 home, 3 blacksmith shops in Hebron; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes part of the Silwan Sports Club in East Jerusalem; makes arrest raids in Anabta, Nablus. Israel lifts the curfew on Bethlehem for Christmas, says it will provide free public transportation to any Christian Arabs in Israel or the territories who want to visit the city in the next few days. (HA 12/23; LAW, NYT 12/24; AFP 12/25 in WNC 12/26; LAW, PCHR 12/25)

The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders to construct 232 new housing units in the ultra-Orthodox West Bank settlement of Emmanuel, even though the settlement is losing residents at the rate of 5% a year. Housing Min. figures show that 1,688 (75%) of the 2,178 tenders for public construction issued between 1/02 and 9/02 were for housing in the territories. Tenders for 28 units in Beitar Ilit, 102 units in Efrat's Givat Hazayit, 76 new units in Ariel, all in the West Bank, were also issued recently. (HA 12/24)

Israel declines U.S. invitation to hold trilateral mtg. with the PA in Washington in 2/99 to discuss Wye implementation. Israeli FM Sharon says time is not right. (YA 1/25 in WNC 1/26) (see 1/17)

Ousted DM Mordechai joins the new Shahak-Meridor party. Netanyahu terms Mordechai "immoral" for consorting with centrists. (NYT, WP, WT 1/25; MA 1/25 in WNC 1/26) (see 1/23)

Israelis of Rumanian origin establish new political party, the Progressive Center Party. 14 requests to form new parties have been submitted since the last Knesset elections. Only 3 have been approved. (MA 1/25 in WNC 1/26)

Arab League mtg. on Iraq convenes in Cairo. Iraq attends but walks out in protest of what it calls a biased final statement that could give the U.S. a pretext to launch more airstrikes. The statement expresses "deep concern" over, but does not denounce, 12/98 U.S.-led attack; insists Iraq recognize Kuwait, comply with UN resolutions as a prelude to sanctions relief. Participants agree to set up ministerial comm. to work toward lifting economic sanctions on Iraq in accordance with a specific UN compliance time table. (WP 1/24; AFP, MENA, RE 1/24, al-Ayyam, al-Dustur, MENA, SANA 1/25 in WNC 1/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/25; MENA, al-Quds al-Arabi 1/25, al-Safir 1/26 in WNC 1/27; MM, WT 1/26; MENA 1/28 in WNC 1/29; MEI 1/29)

48 Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners in the PA's Nablus, Jericho, Jneid jails begin hunger strike to protest the PA's failure to adhere to the PC's 1/13 call to free political prisoners held without charge at the end of Ramadan. (LAW, MEI, PR 1/29) (see 1/17)

Jewish settlers bulldoze Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem, including property of a historic monastery, to expand Efrat settlement. (INFOPAL 1/25)

U.S. planes attack 2 more Iraqi missile sites in the n. no-fly zone. (NYT, WP 1/25)