The Palestine Chronology

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 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)

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)

Late this evening, in response to assassinations in recent days, the AMB, Hamas, the PRCs stage a joint attack on the Qarni crossing, killing 4 Israeli civilian workers at the crossing and 2 Israeli Palestinian truck drivers waiting to cross, wounding 10 people (4 of them Israelis, others not identified)—in the attack, 3 armed men, 1 fr. each group, detonate a truck bomb on the Palestinian side of the crossing, blowing open a gate to the Israeli side, then open fire with automatic weapons and toss grenades, while other mbrs. at a distance reportedly fire mortars and automatic weapons at the crossing; the 3 Palestinians initiating the attack are shot dead by the IDF. In response, IDF helicopter gunships fire rockets at Dayr al-Balah, the suspected home of the bombers, destroying a medical center run by a charity with links to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, wounding 1 Palestinian; IDF tanks also fire on targets in s. Gaza. During the day, the IDF makes a major raid into Bureij r.c., conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 41 d. of land, fires on residential areas (killing a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy), fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops (wounding 2), sparking clashes with Palestinian militants (killing a wanted PRC mbr.). The IDF also fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian driving his pregnant neighbor to the Bayt Lahiya hospital when the car inadvertently enters an area where IDF arrest raids are under way, also injuring the woman’s husband; fires on residential areas of Tarqumiyya, Yatta; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron (arresting local Islamic Jihad leader Khalil Mahsin), Ithna, Qalqilya, Taqu‘a, Tarqumiyya, Tulkarm, Yatta; issues military orders confiscating 363 d. of agricultural land in 5 villages northwest of Jerusalem, begins bulldozing 400 d. in Ithna w. of Hebron for construction of the separation wall. Unknown gunmen fire shots at the Gaza City offices of the Islamic Salvation Party’s al-Risala newspaper; editors believe the paper was targeted for its critical reporting on the 1/9 PA elections, which stressed the PA’s decision to extend polling hours, the PA’s skewed reporting of voter turnout figures. (AFP 1/13; JAZ, JP, VOI, VOP 1/13 in WNC 1/15; BBC, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 1/14; MM 1/17; OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; MEI 1/21; AYM 1/23 in WNC 1/24; PCHR 1/27; MEI 2/4)

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 assassinates Hamas mbr. Nasir Abu Shuka with an exploding cell phone in Bureij r.c.; fatally shoots a PFLP mbr. who throws a grenade at an IDF patrol in Rafah; fatally shoots a Palestinian youth nr. Netzarim settlement; demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Jenin, 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aza r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Sahur, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; bulldozes 45 dunams of land in Wadi al-Silqa. In Gaza, an AMB mbr. is killed by friendly fire during an attempted AMB ambush of an IDF patrol. Palestinians also fire an antitank rocket at an IDF patrol nr. Gaza’s Neve Dekalim settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 2/5; WP 2/6; VOP 2/6 in WNC 2/10; PCHR 2/8, 2/12)

In Gaza, 2 Palestinian children (ages 12, 14) armed with knives infiltrate Netzarim settlement, are shot at and wounded by a settler rabbi, captured by IDF troops. The IDF erects a new checkpoint at the e. entrance to Askar r.c.; fires on Palestinians who throw stones at the new crossing, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 9. The IDF also fires tear gas at Palestinians crossing the Anata + n. Jerusalem checkpoint, causing 1 pregnant Palestinian woman to miscarry; conducts arrest raids in Hebron (targeting Hamas), Ramallah (targeting the PFLP). An Islamic Jihad mbr. is killed apparently when a grenade he is carrying explodes. The body of a missing Palestinian is found nr. Nablus; the IDF says he was apparently killed by IDF gunfire on 1/1. Late in the evening, the IDF sends 50 tanks, bulldozers into Khan Yunis; demolishing around 30 workshops, stores, offices, a clinic; clashes with Hamas mbrs., fatally shooting 1 Palestinians, wounding 13; bulldozes 9 dunams of land; conducts arrest sweeps, house searches. The IDF also raids Bayt Hanun, demolishing a Palestinian home, killing 1 Palestinian in the process. (HA 1/11; VOI 1/11 in WNC 1/13; HA, WT 1/12; HA, NYT, WP 1/13; LAW, PCHR, PR 1/15)

The IDF retakes Bethlehem, which had had only a small troop presence since the IDF turned the security of city over to the PSF on 8/19/02; imposes a curfew; surrounds the Church of the Nativity to prevent armed Palestinians fr. seeking refuge there; conducts arrest raids, detaining 20 Palestinians; blows up the house rented by the family of the 11/21 bomber; encircles nearby Dahaysha r.c.; occupies 15 buildings, including a hospital, orphanage, 2 houses, 6 police stations, the local PSF headquarters; occupies as many as 30 Palestinian homes in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, expelling the families; raids the home of Israeli UNRWA worker Allegra Pacheco, holding her at gunpoint for 2 hrs., arresting her husband. Senior Irish UNRWA official Iain Hook is fatally shot inside the UNRWA’s Jenin r.c. compound by an IDF soldier who mistook his cell phone for a grenade as an IDF operation unfolded nearby to capture wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Abdallah Wahash, who is arrested; an 11-yr.-old Palestinian throwing stones at the troops is also shot dead. The IDF also raids, shells residential areas of, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Qarara; bulldozes 8 dunams of land in al-Qarara, 28 dunams s. of Dayr al-Balah; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Satar al-Sharqiyya (targeting Hamas mbrs.), Tulkarm. A Hamas sniper fatally shoots an IDF soldier on patrol nr. Gush Katif settlement. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. the Rafah-Egypt border, injuring 2 IDF soldiers. Late this evening, 2 Islamic Jihad suicide bombers detonate their explosives-packed boat next to an Israeli naval patrol boat off the coast of Gaza, injuring 4 IDF soldiers. (HA, MM, NYT, PM, WP, WT 11/22; AFP 11/22 in WNC 11/25; AP, HA, NYT, WP, WT 11/23; NYT, WP 11/24; HA 11/25; NYT, WT 11/26; HA, LAW, PCHR 11/27; CSM, JP, WJW 11/28; HA 12/2; NYT 1/4)

Christian Coalition leaders end a wk. long solidarity visit to Israel, saying they will use their “fact-finding mission” to help galvanize support for Israel in the U.S. (WT 11/27)

An Israeli bus driver coming fr. Ma'ale Adumim stops at an Israeli checkpoint into Jerusalem, warns border police of a suspicious passenger on board. Israeli border police scuffle with and detain a Palestinian passenger wearing an explosive device, which is defused by bomb experts. Later, a Hamas gunman dressed as an IDF soldier infiltrates a home in the West Bank settlement of Hamra, fatally shoots 2 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier, wounds 4 settlers before being shot dead by soldiers. In response, IDF F-16s bomb 2 prisons in Nablus, injuring 11 Palestinians. During the strikes, wardens release 25 Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners (including 2 of Israel's most wanted, Islamic Jihad mbrs. Mahmud Tawalba, Ali Safuri) for their safety but keep 103 suspected collaborators in custody. The IDF also captures a vegetable truck on Jenin-Nablus road loaded with 8 Qassam-2 missiles and a launcher; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian who threw a hand grenade at an IDF post on the Rafah border; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina and Shu`fat; arrests 3 Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast, confiscates their boats. The IDF also raids, confiscates the files of, and closes the East Jerusalem offices of 2 NGOs that represent Palestinian interests: the Arab Studies Society's Land Research Center, the Welfare Association's Multisectoral and Technical Offices. (AP, LAW 2/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/7; NYT, WP, WT 2/8; NYT 2/9; MA 2/10 in WNC 2/11; MA 2/11 in WNC 2/12; PCHR 2/13; HA 2/17)

In a report to Congress, CIA Dir. George Tenet identifies several "terrorist groups"--including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP--that have no ties to al-Qa`ida but could be future U.S. targets because they have "displayed anti-U.S. sentiments" and have threatened U.S. interests overseas. (WP 2/10)

Israeli-Palestinian violence escalates, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. After a 2d Jewish settler wounded on 7/12 dies of his injuries, the IDF sends tanks, armored personnel carriers, heavy machine guns into the PA-controlled area of Hebron to fire on 4 Force 17 positions in the midst of Palestinian residential areas, leaving more than 20 Palestinians injured, 10s of houses damaged and triggering a major exchange of gunfire. In Tulkarm, senior Hamas mbr. Fawwas Badran is killed when his car explodes in an apparent Israeli assassination. IDF soldiers see a Palestinian woman place a bomb outside a Jewish settlement in Gaza and run away. When they approach to dismantle the bomb, another Palestinian throws a grenade at them, causing no injuries. Soldiers shoot him dead. The IDF also seizes a Palestinian home in Nabi Salih as a new outpost, fire on an ambulance in Tulkarm. (MM 7/13; WP, WT 7/14; Palestinian Red Crescent Society press release 7/16)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Senior Hamas Hani Abu Bakir is assassinated by IDF troops in Gaza. IDF soldiers, Palestinian gunmen engage in a protracted gunfight outside Morag settlement in Gaza; later, the IDF bulldozes at least 17 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Morag. Palestinians ambush, seriously injure a settler nr. Ramallah. A grenade explodes nr. Gush Katif settlement, causing no injuries. Israel approves the entry of 13,000 Palestinian laborers needed to help bring in the citrus, flower, other crop harvests. (LAW 12/14; HA, NYT, WP, WT 12/15; PCHR 12/18; MA 12/25 in WNC 12/27)

Late this evening, Arafat, Israeli FM Ben-Ami, Israeli chief negotiator Sher hold talks at Erez on resuming peace talks. (REU 12/14; HA, IsRN, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/15)

Car bomb explodes at bus stop in Afula, northern Israel, killing 8, including bomber, and wounding 44. Hamas claims responsibility in calls to news agencies, announcements on Gaza Strip mosque loudspeakers. Demonstrations against attack erupt in Afula and other towns; Israeli police deploy in Israeli-Arab villages to protect Palestinian citizens of Israel. Complete closure imposed on o.t. Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu demands govt. suspend talks with PLO. PLO Chmn. Arafat, asked by State Dept. to condemn bombing, refuses comment when asked about it at Cairo news conference. (MM 4/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/7)

6 IDF soldiers wounded, none seriously, in grenade attack on patrol in Shatti r.c., Gaza Strip. (NYT 4/7)

Israeli delegation to talks with PLO in Cairo takes 3-day break to observe Holocaust Day. PLO officials decline to take over Gaza police station evacuated by Israel, postpone entry of Palestinian police into Gaza, Jericho. (MM 4/6; NYT, WP, WT 4/7)

PM Rabin testifies to closed session of commission of inquiry into Hebron massacre, last of 94 witnesses. Rabin's testimony not made public. (MM 4/6; NYT 4/7, 4/9)

Israeli FM Peres begins 8-day tour of Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland, focusing on economic relations, Scandinavian participation in multilateral peace talks. (MM 8/17)

Jordan's King Hussein announces new "temporary" election law, establishing " 1 man 1 vote" system for 11/93 parliamentary elections. Move seen as threatening electoral prospects of Islamist, leftist opposition parties. (JTV 8/18 in FBIS 8/18; MM 8/18)

IDF soldier, Hamas mbr. wounded in clash in Rafah, Gaza Strip. In separate incidents, firebomb thrown at IDF position in Gaza City, grenade at Border Police patrol. (Ha Aretz 8/18 in FBIS 8/19)