The Palestine Chronology

During a regular security briefing to the Knesset, IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz says that Israel may need to strike Gaza if rocket fire continues, stating that Israel would initiate an operation before it would allow itself to be “dragged into” one. Later in the day, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging an empty kindergarten but causing no injuries. Late at night, the IDF carries out 2 air strikes (warplane and drone) targeting a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border and a group of armed Palestinians nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes n. of Jericho; patrols in al-Bireh and 3 villages nr. Ramallah during the day; conducts late-night house searches nr. Nablus, confiscating computers but making no arrests. Taking inspiration from the U.S. civil rights movement of the 1960s, 6 Palestinian peace activists, dubbed the Freedom Riders, board an Israeli commuter bus linking the West Bank Jewish settlements with Jerusalem and are arrested at an IDF checkpoint outside the city. The Israeli Housing Min. launches a major advertising campaign selling 277 subsidized apartments in Ariel settlement nr. Salfit, 743 in Ramot and 130 in Har Homa settlement in Jerusalem, and 164 in Mod’in nr. Ramallah, as well as leasing 213 plots of land zoned for construction in Efrat settlement nr. Bethlehem, 207 in Mod’in, 168 in Har Homa, and 18 in Pisgat Ze’ev in Jerusalem. (JP, WP 11/16; PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

Washington, opened 1/24, adjourns without reported progress. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; MM 2/4)

Multilateral Working Group on Arms Control and Regional Security ends Cairo mtg. opened 1/30 after discussing Russian-U.S. working paper, IAEA proposals. (MENA 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

IDF soldier in truck, firing at stone-throwers in Shatti camp, Gaza Strip, critically wounds 13-yr.-old Mahmud Abu Hajar. IDF spokesman admits soldier's action violates IDF rules of engagement. (MM 2/3; NYT, WP 2/4)

IDF undercover unit disguised as women and old men kills Fateh Hawks' leader Salim Muafi, 29, in surprise attack in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Hawks announce they will no longer obey PLO Chmn. Arafat's orders, escalate "armed struggle." IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Ehud Barak calls Muafi's killing a "great achievement." (WP 2/4)

IDF arrests 15 settlers attempting to establish new settlement nr. Maale Adumin, West Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

Israeli Ag. Min. program comm. approves expansion of Moshav Ramot, Maale Gamla settlements in Golan Heights. (MM 2/4)

U.S. Agency for International Development releases $7 m. in aid to Palestinian Housing Council in East Jerusalem to fund 192 apartments in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip. Money is 1st installment of $500 m. pledged to support Israel-PLO DoP. (MM, WT 2/4)

Jordan reduces staff of Iranian embassy in Amman by 21 in move interpreted as Jordanian disapproval of Tehran's support for anti-DoP groups. (AFP 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; WP 2/4)

Zionist Organization of America, National Jewish Coalition circulate Time magazine columns by Dep. Secy. of State-designate Strobe Talbott criticizing Israeli policy in campaign to stop his nomination. Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs issues news release saying Talbott's views are reason he "should be disqualified" fr. post. Other Jewish groups, led by Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, meet with Talbott and refuse to condemn him as anti-Israel. (MM, NYT 2/4)

"Seeds of Peace" organization presents awards to Israeli FM Peres, PLO UN Observer Muhammad Nasir al-Kidwa, and Egyptian UN amb. Nabil al-'Arabi. Group put together Israeli, Arab children for summer camp, was present at 9/13 DoP signing. (NYT 2/5)