52 / 15150 Results
  • September 8, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the 6 prisoners who escaped from Gilboa prison on 9/6 in Huwwara, Hebron, Burqa, Qalqilya, Ramallah...

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  • August 10, 2019

    In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Bayt Kahil north of Hebron, both of whom are suspects in the killing of an Israeli settler on 8/8. During the arrest, Israeli forces confiscated a...

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  • April 24, 2018

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home and confiscate a mobile home near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in and around Jenin...

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  • March 11, 2018

    In the West Bank, IDF troops seize a Palestinian bulldozer and truck during a raid at a construction site near Nablus, arrest 21 Palestinians, and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids...

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  • February 1, 2018

    Unidentified parties fire a rocket into Israel. It lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, the IAF conducts air strikes on several Hamas military sites in Bayt Hanun...

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  • January 29, 2015

    In the Gaza Strip, unknown assailants throw a grenade into the home of Fatah Asst. Dep. of the Palestinian Civil Affairs Ministry Nasser al-Sarraj. The grenade does not explode and no one is...

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  • June 21, 2014

    In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 3 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops subsequently launch attacks on 4 targets in s. Gaza, causing no injuries. Separately, a...

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  • November 20, 2013

    In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (PCHR 11/21)

    At a conference in Sderot, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman declares that a peace deal with...

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  • October 14, 2013

    In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. There are reports from...

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  • January 16, 2013

    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...

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  • April 19, 2011

    In Gaza, Hamas authorities surround a house in Nussayrat r.c. and trade gunfire with suspects in the 4/15 Arrigoni murder inside the house, leaving 3 Hamas policemen wounded; 1 suspect (a...

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  • December 14, 2007

    A Hamas mbr. dies nr. the Gaza border n. of Bayt Hanun when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem; shoots,...

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  • June 7, 2007

    In Gaza, IDF troops fire on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, wounding 2 Palestinians; conduct arrest raids, house searches in Dayr al-Balah; bulldoze Palestinian land e. of Jabaliya. In the West...

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  • May 6, 2007

    Palestinians fire some 7 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, hitting a gas station in Sederot, lightly injuring 2 Israelis. An Islamic Jihad mbr. is injured when explosives he is handling detonate...

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  • April 21, 2007

    The IDF makes an air strike on a rocketlaunching site in n. Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jenin, where they ambush, fatally shoot AMB mbrs....

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  • January 4, 2006

    Sharon suffers a massive stroke. Sharon, who was expected to win a 3d term in the 3/06 elections at the head of his new Kadima party, is not expected to return to politics, throwing the elections...

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  • August 17, 2005

    Before dawn the IDF moves troops into Gaza en masse to begin the forcible evacuation of Jewish settlers and disengagement protesters who have not yet left, begins demolishing settler homes in n....

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  • August 1, 2005

    Israel lifts the seal on Gaza imposed after the 7/12 bombing (the seal on the West Bank remains in place), but cancels 7,000 work permits for Gazans, renewing permits of only 2,000 workers and 200...

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  • June 25, 2002

    Before dawn, the IDF sends troops into Palestinian areas in and around Hebron, storming the local PA headquarters, demolishing 1 building in the compound, killing 4 PSF officers,...

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  • June 21, 2002

    Before dawn, the IDF reoccupies Askar r.c., Balata r.c., Camp No. 1, Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c.; reinforces troops around Hebron; imposes 24-hr. curfews on Aida r.c., Awarta, Bayt...

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  • March 23, 2002

    Israel sends bulldozers, tanks, troops into Rafah refugee camp, demolishing 3 Palestinian homes; troops fire a tank shell at stone-throwing Palestinians, killing 3 Palestinians, including 1...

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  • March 12, 2002

    In another escalation, Israel sends as many as 20,000 troops, 150 tanks and APCs into Amari, Ramallah. Palestinians fight back with guns, hand grenades, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), lightly...

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  • February 3, 2002

    Senior Fatah mbr. Imad Assaf is seriously injured in a mysterious explosion in Dahaysha; the PA accuses Israel of attempting to assassination him. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at a Jewish...

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  • August 25, 2001

    Late this evening, 2 mbrs. of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) infiltrate an IDF post nr. Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, attack the barracks with hand grenades and...

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  • July 5, 2001

    Israeli-Palestinian violence continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The PA reports a 6-hr. battle btwn. the IDF, Palestinians in Rafah in which 20 homes are damaged by tank fire, but the IDF claims...

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  • June 27, 2001

    The IDF directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Salim; tightens the closures on Salim, Tulkarm, several villages nr. Ramallah; places new checkpoints at 2...

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  • April 3, 2001

    Israel launches 1 of its most severe strikes since 9/28 after Palestinians fire 3 homemade mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, wounding a 10-mo.-old boy. IDF helicopter gunships, tanks shell 4...

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  • October 1, 2000

    On the 4th day of Palestinian-Israeli clashes, another attempt to secure a cease-fire fails, and rioting spreads to Israeli cities, including Acre, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Israeli Arab...

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  • April 22, 1986

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres tells 21-member Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, that Israel is willing for Gaza Strip residentso be given Jordanian...

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  • February 18, 1986

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Anatoly Shcharansky states his concern for human rights remains undiminished, extends to his adopted country, Israel; states he would...

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In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the 6 prisoners who escaped from Gilboa prison on 9/6 in Huwwara, Hebron, Burqa, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and al-Bireh, leading to dozens of tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Ya‘bad, Arabbuna, ‘Anin, Faqqua, and Bir al-Basha searching for the escapees and harassing their families and friends; 7 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and 17 suffered tear-gas related injuries; 5 relatives of escapees were arrested during the raids. In East Jerusalem, 156 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, closing parts of it off to Palestinians. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the 6 escapees at the Damascus Gate; 2 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and 1 by a sound grenade. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen on 2 occasions within 3 and 5 nautical miles west of Gaza. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; AJ, JP, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 9/9)

The Israeli army said closures of movement in and out of Gaza and the West Bank from Israel and Jordan were extended until 9/11, citing the manhunt for the 6 Palestinian prisoners. (MEMO 9/9)

Islamic Jihad prisoners torched 8 cells in the Qetziot prison and 2 cells in the Ramon prison and clashed with guards after being told that the Israeli prison service would move them to other prisons as collective punishment for the prison escape by 6 Palestinians on 9/6. Clashes were also reported at Megiddo and Ofer prisons. After the prison protests, the prison service decided not to move the Islamic Jihad prisoners out of fear of them, according to Haaretz, but imposed collective punishment on prisoners by ending all family visits until the end of September. (AP, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; HA, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/9; ALM 9/10; WAFA 9/12)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Bayt Kahil north of Hebron, both of whom are suspects in the killing of an Israeli settler on 8/8. During the arrest, Israeli forces confiscated a vehicle belonging to 1 of the suspects. 1 Palestinian from Bayt Fajjar was released after being arrested on 8/9 for the murder of the settler. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya during a late-night raid. During the raid, 1 Palestinian was injured as clashes between residents and Israeli forces erupted. In Gaza, 4 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the vicinity of the Gaza fence east of Dayr al-Balah. According to media reports, they were armed and threw 1 grenade at Israeli soldiers by the fence; no Israelis were reported wounded. Later, Israeli forces bombed 2 targets east of Dayr al-Balah. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/10; PCHR 8/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home and confiscate a mobile home near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in and around Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Qalqilya, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel armed with a grenade and a knife. They also violently disperse small groups of Great March of Return protesters near Khan Yunis and Jabaliya refugee camp; 4 Palestinians are injured. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level lands near al-Bureij refugee camp. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, TOI, WAFA 4/24; PCHR 4/26)

In the West Bank, IDF troops seize a Palestinian bulldozer and truck during a raid at a construction site near Nablus, arrest 21 Palestinians, and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron. Israeli settlers cut down 15 olive trees outside Madama village near Nablus. Unidentified persons open fire on IDF troops near al-Bireh, causing no injuries or damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel; claiming that 1 is armed with a grenade and a knife. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/11)

Unidentified parties fire a rocket into Israel. It lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, the IAF conducts air strikes on several Hamas military sites in Bayt Hanun and Bayt Lahiya, causing damage and no injuries. (TOI 2/1; HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 2/2)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel armed with knives and a grenade. In 4 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Bayt Dajan village near Nablus, and patrol near Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling south of Nablus, causing minor damage to some. (MNA, WAFA 2/1; PCHR 2/8)

In the Gaza Strip, unknown assailants throw a grenade into the home of Fatah Asst. Dep. of the Palestinian Civil Affairs Ministry Nasser al-Sarraj. The grenade does not explode and no one is injured. In 2 separate incidents off the coast nr. Gaza City and Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage to 1 boat. IDF troops e. of Rafah detain 2 armed Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a water distribution network that services the n. Jordan Valley, as well as a house and a barn nr. Hebron. Sparked by an IDF raid in c. Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, Palestinian residents clash with the Israeli troops, lightly injuring 1 soldier. Nearby, IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters at Palestinian youth as they leave an UNRWA school. The IDF also conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah; patrols nr. Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler attempts to kidnap a Palestinian child in Jabal Mukabir. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches in al-Tur, Ras al-Amud, and Ras Khamis. (MNA, WAFA 1/29; JTA 1/30; PCHR 2/5)

UN Special Coordinator Serry’s office (UNSCO) releases a statement announcing that the UN is going to review its operations in Gaza after the violent, Hamas-organized protest outside its headquarters on 1/28. The statement also blames Hamas for not adequately providing security for the protest. The UNSCO has been principally in charge of facilitating the UNadministered reconstruction procedure and mediating between the Israeli authorities, Hamas, and Palestinians in need of support after OPE. (HA 1/30)

The Israel Electric Corporation announces that it will begin intermittently cutting power to the West Bank at the end of the mo. due to the PA’s outstanding debts, which total around NIS 1.8 m. (around $458 m.). (MEMO, YA 1/29) 

Yisrael Beytenu delivers a petition to the Central Elections Comm. (CEC) calling for the disqualification of MK Haneen Zoabi from the 3/17 elections on the basis of her support for boycott and armed resistance against Israel. (HA, JP 1/29)

The U.S. Senate Banking Comm. votes, 18–4, to pass the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015, which Sens. Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirk (R-IL) introduced on 1/27. A White House spokesperson consequently reaffirms Pres. Obama’s pledge to veto the bill. (AFP, REU 1/28; AP, YA 1/29)

Seventy-five U.S. sens. sign on to a letter, initiated by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), to U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calling for a suspension of aid to the PA while the Obama admin. reviews the Palestinians’ accession to the ICC. (JTA 1/30)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 3 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops subsequently launch attacks on 4 targets in s. Gaza, causing no injuries. Separately, a Palestinian in possession of a grenade is arrested by Israeli soldiers after entering Israel through the perimeter fence. In the West Bank, a 17-yearold Palestinian is killed when he steps on a landmine in the n. Jordan Valley. Separately, an elderly Palestinian dies of a heart attack in Haris nr. Salfit during an IDF raid of the village. In al-Bireh, IDF troops clash with residents during a raid, causing no serious injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 4 nearby villages, Nablus and Balata r.c., ‘Askar r.c. and 3 villages nearby, Bethlehem and 3 villages nearby, 3 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm, and in al-Bireh. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, YA 6/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (PCHR 11/21)

At a conference in Sderot, Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman declares that a peace deal with the Palestinians is impossible in the foreseeable future. He also claims that ties with the U.S. are “deteriorating,” and that Israel must “seek other allies with common interests.” Dep. FM Ze’ev Elkin, speaking in Moscow on a trip for talks with Pres. Vladimir Putin, subsequently tries to downplay his boss’ remarks, affirming that “there is no one who can take the place of the Americans.” Meanwhile, senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath says that Palestinian negotiators Saeb Erakat and Mohammed Shtayyeh will remain on a temporary basis until a new team can be formed. (HA, MNA, REU, YA 11/20)

Negotiations between Iran and the P5+1 group of powers resume in Geneva, with hopes of reaching an interim accord on confidence-building steps. Optimism is expressed publicly by the likes of Britain’s Foreign Secy. William Hague, and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov. Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech in Tehran, in which he says that Iran will not retreat “one iota” from its nuclear rights but says that his country seeks friendly relations with the U.S. Also in his speech, Khamenei describes Israel as “a rabid dog,” which provokes an angry response from Israeli PM Netanyahu who is in Russia to appeal for tougher terms in a nuclear agreement with Iran. (AP, JTA, REU 11/20)

Israel’s “David’s Sling” missile defense system, co-developed with the U.S. and designed to protect the country from potential attack by Syrian and Hizballah-held missiles, passes a 2nd live test. Israeli defense officials say that the system could be deployed in 2014, a year ahead of the Israeli Air Force’s official deadline. (HA, REU 11/20)

A suicide car bomb attack kills 11 Egyptian soldiers nr. al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, wounding 37. Separately, a grenade attack on a checkpoint in Cairo injures 4 policemen. Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities close the Rafah crossing with Gaza due to a technical fault with the terminal’s computers. (AP, MNA, REU 11/20)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. There are reports from locals that in Bayt Awa village nr. Hebron, Palestinians attacked Israeli watchtowers with stones and petrol bombs, where soldiers responded with tear gas grenades. Some 30 Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian vehicle nr. Nablus, whose driver managed to escape without injury. (MNA 10/14; PCHR 10/24)

The Obama administration is urged by U.S. lawmakers not to relieve the pressure on Iran, a day before a new round of P5+1 talks, in a letter signed by a group of 6 Democratic and 4 Republican sens. The sens. say they are open to suspending new sanctions only if Tehran takes significant steps in slowing its nuclear program. Signatories to the letter include Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Cmte., and Republicans John McCain and Lindsey Graham. (REU 10/14)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and UN envoy for Syria Lakhdar Brahimi tell reporters that an international conference to set up a transitional govt. must be organized and held urgently, in remarks following a meeting at the home of the U.S. amb. to Britain. (AP 10/14)

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)

In Gaza, Hamas authorities surround a house in Nussayrat r.c. and trade gunfire with suspects in the 4/15 Arrigoni murder inside the house, leaving 3 Hamas policemen wounded; 1 suspect (a Jordanian) then detonates a grenade inside the house to prevent his partners (both Gazans) fr. being taken alive, killing 1 Palestinian and wounding 1, before fatally shooting himself. Another Palestinian detained by Hamas authorities on 4/15 as a suspect in the Arrigoni murder dies in police custody. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized evening patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Givat Arousa outpost nr. Nablus vandalize nearby Palestinian homes; then stone-throwing Palestinians confront them, 1 settler opens fire, wounding 1 Palestinian; the IDF then intervenes, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades and beating Palestinians, lightly injuring 2 Palestinians and seriously beating 2 Palestinian journalists who arrive to cover the clash. (NYT, WT 4/20; PCHR 4/21; OCHA 4/29)

A Hamas mbr. dies nr. the Gaza border n. of Bayt Hanun when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem; shoots, wounds a Palestinian farmer working his land nr. the separation wall s. of Hebron; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 4) and Ma‘sara (injuring 2). Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian homes, cars in Burkin nr. Salfit; the IDF disperses them. In Gaza City, the Hamas-affiliated security forces detain without charge Omar al-Ghul, a senior associate of PA PM Salam Fayyad, prominent journalist, and frequent critic of Hamas; Abbas denounces the “kidnapping.” Also in Gaza City, 3 Fatah supporters are killed, 35 are wounded by an explosion during a funeral for an AMB mbr. killed in an IDF air strike on 12/13; police say a Fatah mbr. accidentally discharged a hand grenade; Abbas accuses Hamas of causing the explosion, calling it an “assault against all our people.” In Khan Yunis, Fatah mbrs. stone a Hamas vehicle promoting a 20th anniversary rally in Gaza City, sparking a fight, gunfire by the police that leaves 17 injured. (NYT, WP, WT 12/15; OCHA 12/19; PCHR 12/27)

In Gaza, IDF troops fire on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, wounding 2 Palestinians; conduct arrest raids, house searches in Dayr al-Balah; bulldoze Palestinian land e. of Jabaliya. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c. and in Nablus, Qalqilya. In Rafah, Fatah mbrs. fire on an ESF patrol, sparking an exchange of gunfire and RPGs that lasts several hrs., leaving 1 Fatah mbr. dead, 15 Palestinians wounded. In Gaza City, 19 Palestinians are wounded in interfactional fighting. Incidents include suspected Hamas mbrs. throwing a grenade at a Fatah mbr.; unidentified gunmen kidnapping Hamas-affiliated physician Fuad al-Barawi fr. a graduation ceremony for his brother, a PA presidential guard mbr., shooting him 5 times before releasing him. In Dayr alBalah, unidentified gunmen kidnap, shoot, wound, release a PA presidential guardsman. In Khan Yunis, a Fatah mbr. is stabbed, wounded by a Hamas mbr. (a cousin) in a family dispute with factional overtones. (HA 6/7; WP 6/8; NYT 6/9; OCHA 6/13; PCHR 6/14)

Daily exchanges of fire btwn. the Lebanese army and FI, ongoing since 6/1, continue at Nahr al-Barid r.c., leaving 1 Lebanese soldier dead. In the Biqa‘ Valley, the Lebanese army raids a building where 3 sophisticated car bombs are being prepared by a Saudi and 2 Syrian militants who had fought in Iraq and have ties to FI. A bomb explodes in a Christian neighborhood of Beirut, killing 1 Lebanese; no group claims responsibility. (WP 6/8)

Palestinians fire some 7 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, hitting a gas station in Sederot, lightly injuring 2 Israelis. An Islamic Jihad mbr. is injured when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Jenin town and r.c., firing on residential areas and stonethrowing youths who confront the troops, wounding 5 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and in al-Khadir. Jewish settlers fr. Karme Tzur and Kiryat Arba set up a tent on a hill northeast of Halhul, later leave but vow to establish a new settlement on the site; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Jewish settlers fr. Einav nr. Tulkarm set fire to 80 d. of Palestinian olive, almond trees nearby. Nr. Ramallah, Palestinian gunmen fire on a convoy delivering gas to a Jewish settlement, wounding an Israeli security guard. Some 70 Palestinian protesters thought to be aligned with the Army of Islam throw stones, possibly fire at Fatah lawmaker Majid Abu Shamalah as he leaves an end-of-the-school-year celebration at a Rafah UNRWA school, prompting his bodyguards to open fire, killing 1 of their own and leaving 2 teachers, 2 protesters, and 2 schoolchildren (ages 9, 14) wounded; the attack on the school comes days after the Army of Islam warned the school against holding the celebration, which they condemned for involving “the mixing of adolescent boys and girls, which is forbidden in Islam.” Unidentified gunmen fire on a Fatah base in Bureij r.c., causing no injuries. A Palestinian possibly affiliated with the Army of Islam orders UNRWA employees off an agency minibus in Rafah before tossing a hand grenade inside, damaging it. (Jerusalem Post 5/6; NYT 5/7; OCHA 5/9; PCHR 5/10; AHR 5/15)

The IDF makes an air strike on a rocketlaunching site in n. Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jenin, where they ambush, fatally shoot AMB mbrs. Muhammad al-Dumaj and Ahmad al-Issa, Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Ghalail in an apparent assassination; sends undercover units into Nablus, fatally shooting 2 wanted AMB mbrs. in an exchange of gunfire, also heavily damaging a Palestinian home; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, in Jenin r.c. (firing on residential areas, fatally shooting a 17-yr.-old Palestinian girl inside her home), nr. Jenin (fatally shooting a Palestinian bystander who steps out on his roof to observe operations). In Gaza, the Army of Islam claims responsibility for a bombing at the American International School in n. Gaza; no injuries are reported. Unidentified gunmen shoot, wound an ESF mbr. nr. Nussayrat r.c. Unidentified assailants throw a hand grenade at a PA General Intelligence vehicle in Gaza City, missing the vehicle and causing no damage or injuries. (WP 4/22; MM 4/24; OCHA 4/25; PCHR 4/26; NYT 5/10)

Sharon suffers a massive stroke. Sharon, who was expected to win a 3d term in the 3/06 elections at the head of his new Kadima party, is not expected to return to politics, throwing the elections into question. Political powers are transferred to Vice PM Ehud Olmert, Sharon’s close ally. (BBC, JTA 1/4; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/5; DS 1/6; CSM 1/9)

The IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza for the 4-day Muslim holiday of Id al-Adha; conducts predawn mock air raids over Gaza, breaking the sound barrier; raids a house in East Jerusalem, breaks up a mtg. being held by Change and Reform candidate Ahmad Attoun; bulldozes a Palestinian home nr. Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c. (firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 9), in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm. In continued retaliation for the 1/2 killings (see 1/3), Islamic Jihad, the AMB fire 8 rockets fr. Gaza towards Ashkelon, Sederot, and the IDF base at the Erez crossing, causing no damage or injuries. IDF soldiers, Israeli police scuffle with Jewish settlers when serving them with notices that they must evacuate by 1/15 Palestinian-owned buildings they have occupied in the Hebron central market; 4 policemen are injured. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba vandalize Palestinian homes in Hebron, bar Palestinians fr. using a road linking the settlement to the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs; the IDF observes but does not intervene. About 40 armed AMB mbrs. occupy 4 PA government buildings in Gaza, fire on a police station to protest the 1/3 arrest of AMB leader Hams; other AMB mbrs. set burning barricades on the road to the Rafah crossing (barring all but medical cases fr. reaching the border), detonate an explosive device under the Rafah border wall (causing only minor damage). AMB mbrs. later steal 2 bulldozers, tear down a 15-ft stretch of the concrete Gaza border wall; as many as 1,000 Palestinians, some armed, overrun the Egyptian border guards, who fire in the air, call in reinforcements, declare the area a closed military zone, arrest around 100 Palestinians and injure 3; during the skirmish, some Palestinians set fire to an Egyptian armored vehicle, throw hand grenades and fire at the Egyptian contingent, leaving 2 Egyptian border guards dead and around 30 injured; Egypt closes the Rafah border until further notice. The PA says it will release Hams on 1/5 in response to the protests. PA police in Gaza City, fatally shoot a Hamas mbr. hanging campaign posters. Meanwhile, 5 armed Palestinians raid a Gaza house, attempt to kidnap the parents of Rachel Corrie, an American college student who was killed by the IDF in Gaza in 2003; the gunmen back off when the owners of the home explain who the Corries are. (IMEMC, JAZ, YA 1/4; AP, HA, IMEMC, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 1/5; HA, NYT 1/9; al-Ahram Weekly 1/10; PCHR 1/19; PLO Negotiation Affairs Dept. press release 1/23)

Before dawn the IDF moves troops into Gaza en masse to begin the forcible evacuation of Jewish settlers and disengagement protesters who have not yet left, begins demolishing settler homes in n. Gaza. By the end of the day, evacuations of Bedolah (est. 1986, pop. 220, size 1,456 d., hrs. to evac. 6), Ganei Tal (est. 1979, pop. 350, size 2,050 d., hrs. to evac. 11), Kerem Atzmona (est. 2001, pop. 24, hrs. to evac. 6), Morag (est. 1972, pop. 220, size 1,300 d., hrs. to evac. 7), Tal Katifa (est. 1992, pop. 60, size 183 d., hrs. to evac. 5) are completed; most residents of Gadid leave voluntarily. Settlers in Atzmona agree to evacuate voluntarily by 8/21, those in Netzarim by 8/22. Settlers who have not arranged their evacuation with the government will be housed temporarily in hotels, mobile homes: e.g., more than half of Morag’s settlers take up temporary residence in the West Bank settlement of Ofra; Israel’s Jerusalem municipality temporarily houses 1,000 Neve Dekalim settlers who have left voluntarily in a Jerusalem hotel. Generally there is little strong resistance; the IDF optimistically says it hopes that the evacuations could be completed within days instead of wks., as earlier estimated. During the day, some scuffles btwn. soldiers, settlers are reported; in some areas settlers set fire to tires and in garbage bins to prevent soldiers fr. entering settlements; at least 2 settlers set fire to their homes before leaving. In Morag, a female IDF soldier is stabbed with a syringe, lightly injured by a disengagement protester. (In total, 13 Israeli soldiers and police are lightly injured during the day.) Gaza settlers and protesters also attack Palestinians: some 200 Kefar Darom settlers rampage through nearby Palestinian areas, set fire to a Palestinian house; 20 Neve Dekalim settlers march through al-Mawasi, spread nails on roads to damage Palestinian cars, try to provoke Palestinian residents (the IDF intervenes, removes the settlers); other Jewish settlers fire on Palestinian homes, vandalize Palestinian greenhouses in the same area. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home, conducts arrest raids in al-Mawasi. Meanwhile, Palestinians in Khan Yunis begin returning to their homes on the edge of town facing the settlements, which they had fled since the start of the intifada in 9/00 because of IDF gunfire. Islamic Jihad mbrs. in some 50 boats, carrying banners and weapons, hold a seaborne victory parade off Gaza to celebrate disengagement. Some disengagement protests in Israel turn violent: a disengagement protester tosses a grenade at an IDF checkpoint in s. Israel, wounding 5 IDF soldiers; a female settler fr. Keddumim in the West Bank sets fire to herself during a demonstration in Netivot, is seriously injured. In the West Bank, a Jewish settler fr. Shvut Rachel steals a gun fr. an Israeli security guard at the industrial area of Shilo settlement, fires on Palestinian workers, killing 4 Palestinians, wounding 1. Sharon denounces the attack as “Jewish terror”; Palestinian Authority (PA) PM Mahmud Abbas calls on Palestinian factions to maintain calm, refrain fr. retaliation. At Sanur (to be evacuated under disengagement), 600 Jewish settlers hold an antidisengagement rally. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and in Nur al-Shams refugee camp (r.c.), Tulkarm. Also in Hebron, 4 bedouin children herding goats are injured when they accidentally trigger an unexploded IDF phosphorus shell; the IDF says it uses the shells only in training. A 9-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received when she accidentally triggered unexploded IDF ordnance nr. Karmil. (Arutz 7, BBC, HA, IMEMC, NYT, REU, USA Today, WP, WT, YA 8/17; Voice of Israel, VOP 8/17 in WNC 8/18; BBC, HA, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 8/18; MENA 8/18 in WNC 8/19; NYT 8/20; PCHR, PR 8/25; IMEMC 9/22; HA 11/10) 

Israel lifts the seal on Gaza imposed after the 7/12 bombing (the seal on the West Bank remains in place), but cancels 7,000 work permits for Gazans, renewing permits of only 2,000 workers and 200 merchants. The IDF reinforces troops in Gaza, sending tanks and armored vehicles, expanding construction of roads in central Gaza in preparation for disengagement; announces that it will replace its rubber-coated steel bullets that have killed scores of Palestinians with compressed sand bullets originally developed for close-quarter hostage rescues; says sand bullets have already been used against Palestinians protesting the separation wall. Gaza settler leaders begin collecting settlers’ weapons ahead of disengagement; some settlers say they will not give up their arms. The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem; conducts arrest raids in al-Bireh (targeting Islamic Jihad), Halhul nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on attack, beat 3 Palestinian farmers working their land nearby; the IDF intervenes, declares the area a closed military zone, orders farmers to leave, arresting 1 farmer and 1 international peace activist. Late in the evening, AMB n. Gaza cmdr. Ahmad Abu Zayid is fatally shot by an unidentified gunman; initial reports indicate his death is a result of intra-Palestinian fighting, but the AMB later accuses Israel of assassinating him, saying that earlier in the evening, Israeli security personnel (suspected Shin Bet) questioned his family regarding the car he drives, whether he has a bodyguard, whether he travels armed. A grenade explodes outside the Gaza City home of PA Atty. Gen. Hussein Abu Assi causing serious damage but no injuries; no group takes responsibility (see 6/28). In Gaza City, unidentified gunmen driving in a car open fire on 2 PA military intelligence officers, injuring them. Nr. Khan Yunis, 2 Palestinians are killed when explosives they are handling detonate. (IMEMC, WAFA, YA 8/1; AP, Deutsche Presse Agentur, PCHR, YA 8/2; JP, PR, WT 8/3; PCHR 8/4; FT 8/8)

Before dawn, the IDF sends troops into Palestinian areas in and around Hebron, storming the local PA headquarters, demolishing 1 building in the compound, killing 4 PSF officers, wounding 7, arresting around 200. With the reoccupation of Hebron, 700,000 West Bank Palestinians are under 24-hr. curfew. Curfews are lifted for several hrs. in Bethlehem, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm. The IDF also makes an incursion into Araba, shooting and seriously wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian girl; conducts arrest raids in Rafah, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes completely, 3 partially; fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly threw a grenade at an IDF post nr. Qarni crossing, causing no damage or injuries; halts an ambulance transporting 2 wounded Palestinians to a Ramallah hospital, forcing the driver, 1 patient to exit the ambulance for a search. (LAW, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/25; LAW, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 6/26; MM, PCHR 6/27)

Israel begins broadcasting an Arabic language satellite channel. (MEI 6/28; MM 7/10)

Before dawn, the IDF reoccupies Askar r.c., Balata r.c., Camp No. 1, Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c.; reinforces troops around Hebron; imposes 24-hr. curfews on Aida r.c., Awarta, Bayt Furik, Bayt Jala, Dayr al-Ghusun, Hawara, Jarushiyya, al-Khadir, Sayta, Shuwayka, al-Til. In Jenin, troops blow up a building, also collapsing a house next door, killing 1 Palestinian boy. Later, an IDF tank opens fire with shells, machine guns on a crowded market in Jenin, killing 4 Palestinians, injuring 26 among 100s who had gathered to shop, believing that the IDF had eased the curfew; 20 cars, 30 stores are also destroyed. (In another neighborhood, 2 children playing in front of their home are killed when the IDF fires a tank round to break up a crowd "violating the curfew," which residents thought had been lifted.) In Shaykh Ajlin, the IDF opens fire on a group of Palestinian children and an AP reporter, killing 1 Palestinian boy. In Gaza, Palestinians fire an anti-tank rocket at an IDF post, seriously injuring 1 soldier; the IDF demolishes a naval police post, bulldozes 4.5 dunams of Palestinian land in response. Nr. Erez crossing, a Palestinian throws a grenade at an IDF checkpoint, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF fatally shoots him, also killing 2 Palestinian laborers waiting to cross the checkpoint. Following a funeral settlers killed on 6/20, Jewish settlers attack the Palestinian village of Hawara (see 6/17), killing 1 Palestinian, firing on and throwing rocks at buildings, setting a car and shop ablaze, attacking journalists. (AP, LAW, WP 6/21; XIN 6/21, MA 6/23 in WNC 6/24; NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/22; HP 6/23; PRCS press release 6/24; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27; MEI 6/28; HA 7/2; BBC, HA 7/5)

The Israeli inner cabinet agrees in principle to expel the families of Palestinian suicide bombers fr. the West Bank to Gaza as a "disincentive for attackers." (NYT, WP, WT 6/22; HP, JPI, NYT 6/23; MM 6/24, 6/27; MEI 6/28)

Israel sends bulldozers, tanks, troops into Rafah refugee camp, demolishing 3 Palestinian homes; troops fire a tank shell at stone-throwing Palestinians, killing 3 Palestinians, including 1 bystander. The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians nr. Dugit settlement (allegedly Hamas mbrs. preparing to throw a hand grenade). A Palestinian child shot by the IDF on 3/21 dies. Palestinians throw a grenade at troops nr. Rafah, try to set off a roadside bomb in the West Bank, causing no damage or injuries. (HP, PMC 3/23; WP, WT 3/24; PCHR 3/27)

In another escalation, Israel sends as many as 20,000 troops, 150 tanks and APCs into Amari, Ramallah. Palestinians fight back with guns, hand grenades, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), lightly injuring 2 IDF soldiers. The IDF orders all Palestinian men age 15+n45 to surrender, but few comply. The PA which previously instructed PSF officers to comply, orders all Palestinians to ignore the order. IDF troops direct heavy machine gun fire at City Inn hotel, where foreign journalists are based to cover the fighting, hitting an ABC camera at least 7 times, including one shot through the lens; soldiers claimed there were gunmen in the hotel despite journalists' denials. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) suspends operations in Ramallah, citing numerous attacks on medical workers by the IDF, even in cases where PRCS movements were coordinated with the IDF in advance. The IDF bulldozes Ramallah's main water line; tanks crush cars. At least 30 Palestinians are killed during the day, including at least 2 shot by IDF snipers inside their Ramallah homes for no apparent reason, a PA naval policeman killed when the IDF shells his Dayr al-Balah post, 4 killed in Khan Yunis when the IDF shells a metal workshop thought to be a mortar factory, 1 fatally shot and allowed to bleed to death in Hebron. In Ramallah, the AMB kills 1 Palestinian collaborator. Outside Shlomi in n. Israel, 2 gunmen open fire, killing 5 Israeli civilians, 1 IDF soldier before being shot dead; the IDF believes the gunmen may be Hizballah mbrs. who infiltrated fr. Lebanon. A Jewish settler is fatally shot in the West Bank. The IDF says that since 2/28, it has confiscated 10s of light weapons, some rockets and mortars; destroyed at least 12 bomb-making workshops; detained more that 2,500 Palestinians. (MM, PRCS press release, REU 3/12; HA, MM, NYT, Palestine Report, WP, WT 3/13; LAW 3/20; MEI 3/22)

The UNSC passes (14-0, with Syria abstaining) Res. 1397, for the 1st time explicitly endorsing the creation "two states, Israel and Palestine," living side by side in secure and recognized borders. (MENA 3/12, AFP, XIN 3/13 in WNC 3/14; AP, NYT, WP, WT 3/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; AN, JT, MENA, SA 3/14 in WNC 3/15; DUS 3/14, MENA 3/15, JT 3/17 in WNC 3/18; MM 3/15; MM 3/21; MEI 3/22; al-Majallah 3/24 in WNC 3/29)

Senior Fatah mbr. Imad Assaf is seriously injured in a mysterious explosion in Dahaysha; the PA accuses Israel of attempting to assassination him. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. In response, the IDF directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah (leaving 1 Palestinian clinically dead). The IDF also fires tear gas, concussion grenades to disperse a peaceful protest by Palestinians, international peace activists in Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Osrin, firing on Palestinian homes; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land along secondary roads in the Bethlehem, Jenin areas; imposes closures on 10 villages around Ramallah. (HP 2/3; AFP 2/3 in WNC 2/4; NYT, PCHR, WT 2/4; LAW 2/6)

In a New York Times op-ed, Arafat outlines the Palestinians' vision of peace as a 2-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state in all of the West Bank and Gaza, and a secure Israel within its 1967 borders. He also affirms that any solution to the refugee issue must consider Israel's demographic concerns and denounces "attacks carried out by terrorist groups against Israeli civilians." (HA, JP [Internet], NYT 2/3; AP, HA, NYT, WT 2/4; JT, MA, MM, QA, al-Quds 2/5 in WNC 2/6; PR 2/6; MEI 2/8)

Late this evening, 2 mbrs. of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) infiltrate an IDF post nr. Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, attack the barracks with hand grenades and automatic weapons fire, killing 3 IDF soldiers and wounding 7 before they are killed. In response, the IDF sends 16 tanks, heavy equipment deep into Rafah to bulldoze the PSF headquarters, take over several small PSF posts, killing 1 PSF officer, wounding 2 Palestinians; troops pull out after a few hrs. Earlier, mbrs. of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) open fire on a car outside Givat Ze'ev in the West Bank, killing 3 Jewish settlers, wounding 2 children. (BBC 8/25; HA, JP [Internet], NYT, WP, WT 8/26; HA 8/27; SA 8/27 in WNC 8/28; MEI 8/31; JP 9/7)

Israeli-Palestinian violence continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The PA reports a 6-hr. battle btwn. the IDF, Palestinians in Rafah in which 20 homes are damaged by tank fire, but the IDF claims the damage was caused by Palestinians tossing 50 homemade grenades at an IDF post. Jewish settlers fire on a Palestinian car traveling in the West Bank, wounding 4 Palestinians. Palestinians fire mortars at Dugit settlement in Gaza, causing no injuries. (BBC, MM 7/5; AFP [Internet] 7/6)

The IDF directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Salim; tightens the closures on Salim, Tulkarm, several villages nr. Ramallah; places new checkpoints at 2 intersections outside Tulkarm, a new observation tower at al-Muntar crossing in Gaza; extends the curfews on PA-areas of Hebron for the 3d day, on Silat al-Dahir for the 8th day; imposes a curfew on Dayr Istya; opens fire on a PSF checkpoint at the entrance to Qalqilya, causing no injuries; conducts an arrest sweep in Abruqin; fires on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Rafah. Palestinians fire on Jewish settlers in the West Bank, causing no damage; fire antitank grenades at an IDF post in Gaza and detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. Jewish settlers open fire on a bus transporting Palestinian workers, injuring 9; set fire to Palestinian trees in Dayr Istya. A Palestinian, possibly a collaborator, is found shot dead in Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (HP, JT [Internet] 6/27; HP, NYT 6/28)

After a brief stop in Egypt to confer with Mubarak and urge him to press Arafat to halt violence, Powell opens mtgs. with Israeli, PA officials on strengthening their cease-fire. Powell reiterates that, while the U.S. does not believe that complete quite is likely or necessary for implementation of Tenet's plan to move forward, only Sharon can decide what level of violence is low enough. (MM 6/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/28; WP 7/1; MEI 7/13)

Survivors of the Sabra-Shatila massacre file a suit against Israeli PM Sharon in Lebanese court. (Daily Star [Internet] 6/28; JT 7/29 in WNC 7/30)

Israel launches 1 of its most severe strikes since 9/28 after Palestinians fire 3 homemade mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, wounding a 10-mo.-old boy. IDF helicopter gunships, tanks shell 4 PA targets in Gaza City and nr. Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, injuring 70 Palestinians, destroying the Force 17 complex at the fmr. Ansar II Israeli prison. Sharon says the strike "exacts a price from those who were supposed to maintain security . . . and didn't." Elsewhere in the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF notes an increase in Palestinian drive-by shootings and sniper, grenade, and Molotov cocktail attacks. The IDF also demolishes 7 Palestinian homes in Anata; 2 homes, 1 shed in Azariyya; 1 in Zu`aym. Israel releases 3 Force 17 abducted fr. area A on 4/1, saying they have no connection to "terrorism." (HP 4/3; LAW, MM, NYT, PMC, WP 4/4; Interfax 4/4 in WNC 4/5)

On the 4th day of Palestinian-Israeli clashes, another attempt to secure a cease-fire fails, and rioting spreads to Israeli cities, including Acre, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Israeli Arab towns across the Galilee. In Umm al-Fahm, 1 Israeli Arab is shot dead by Israeli police, sparking massive rioting. In the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF rolls out heavy weapons--including tanks, antitank missiles, attack helicopters, grenades--to combat stone-throwing Palestinians, resulting in another 12 Palestinian fatalities, over 200 Palestinians wounded. The 1st IDF soldier is killed in street clashes (see 9/29). Jewish settlers in Jerusalem open fire on a Palestinian car, killing a toddler. The 1st confirmed incidents of Palestinians shooting at IDF troops take place in Gaza and Ramallah, but no IDF injuries are reported. The IDF places a 24-hr. curfew on Palestinians in Hebron. Israel states that its troops have "exercised restraint," accuses the PA of "orchestrating a campaign of spreading violence for political gain." Clinton phones Arafat to urge him to halt the violence; says that once the fighting stops, he will convene PA, Israeli security officials for a fact-finding session "to figure out what went wrong." (PCHR 10/1; IRNA, MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2; AFP 10/1, IRNA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; AP, CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; HA [Internet], MM, NYT 10/3; MEI 10/13)

On his 1st official visit abroad as head of state, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad arrives in Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. Talks touch on bilateral relations, the peace process, Jerusalem. (MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2, 10/3)

In Amman, Jordanians, Palestinians demonstrate against Israel's use of excessive force against Palestinians. (JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres tells 21-member Council of Europe, in Strasbourg, that Israel is willing for Gaza Strip residentso be given Jordanian passports, states that the "only framework" that holds promise for peace between Israel and its neighbors and for solving the Palestinian problem is "direct negotiations between a Jordanian-Palestinian delegation and an Israeli delegation" [JP 4/23]. Israeli army sources state there have been 67 incidents of shooting, planting explosive devices, and throwing hand grenades and gasoline bombsince January of this year, compared with 104 during the period between August to December of 1985 [JP 4/23].

Arab World: PLO officials inAmman state Jordan has deported 7 Fateh officers from the Karameh force who sided with Yasir Arafat in conflict with 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im) [BG 4/23; JP 4/24]. Reports from Amman indicate that 40 to 100 more Palestinians may be facing deportation as well [FJ 4/25]. Jordan has increased its restrictions on the entry of prominent pro-Fateh Palestinians from the West Bank and is turning them back at the bridges; Jordanian authorities have begun bureaucratic harassment, confiscation of passports at the border, and lengthy questioning of Fateh supporters [JP 4/23].

Other Countries: Seventeen people, including a retired Israeli general, are indicted in New York on federal charges of conspiring to sell Iran more than $2 billion worth of American weapons, in violation of U.S. arms embargo; Israeli embassy denies Israeli govt. involvement in the matter [WP, WSJ 4/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli bus driver Shlomo Hatuka, injured in 4/12 attack on his bus near Ramallah, dies of gunshot wounds suffered in the incident [WP, JP 4/23].

Arab World: Two members of PLO are wounded during shoot-out at PLO office in Amman; reports say 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im) tried to shoot his way into his office after finding it locked [WP, MG 4/23]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Anatoly Shcharansky states his concern for human rights remains undiminished, extends to his adopted country, Israel; states he would like to compare Israeli prison life to Soviet prison life, learn Arabic, visit West Bank [WP 2/19].

Other Countries: European Court of justice upholds Britain's right to ban North Sea oil exports to Israel [WSJ, JC 2/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade is thrown at Israeli foot patrol in Gaza City, wounding 5 soldiers [JP 2/19].

Arab World: Israeli army moves large numbers of reinforcements into S. Lebanon, well beyond the "security zone," in search for 2 soldiers captured 2/17; tanks and helicopter gunships are employed [WP, LAT 2/19]. Iranian-linked Muslim faction warns it will kill 2 captured Israelis if army does not withdraw from S. Lebanon within 24 hours [NYT 2/19].