The Palestine Chronology

The IDF maintains its closure of Nahalin village for a 4th day. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and the administrative detention of Palestinian prisoner al-Qiq in 5 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Jalazun r.c., and outside Ofer Prison), 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and in 4 areas along Gaza’s border; 13 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya, as well as Tulkarm and Tulkarm r.c., arresting 2 Palestinian journalists; patrol in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 6 nr. Hebron, and 1 each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. al-Bureij r.c., causing no injuries. (AFP, MNA, SAM 2/12; PCHR 2/18)

Israeli PM Netanyahu speaks with EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, effectively ending the suspension of peace process–related talks with the EU that Netanyahu ordered on 11/29. The Israeli govt. then confirms that the suspension is over. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 2/12; MNA 2/13)

In Israel, a suspected Palestinian stabs and injures a Jewish Israeli in Rahat nr. Beersheba, then flees the scene. Later in Ashqelon, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Sudanese national after he allegedly stabs and injures an Israeli soldier. Meanwhile in the West Bank, IDF troops confiscate the work permits of a number of Palestinians trying to cross into Israel nr. Jenin (a PLO spokesperson says 10 permits have been revoked so far, and that the Israelis decided to do so hours after lifting the closure of nearby Qabatiya on 2/6). IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village and Tulkarm r.c. nr. Tulkarm, 1 village each nr. Nablus and Jenin, and 2 nr. Salfit, as well as Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 13 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrol in 4 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. (MNA, WAFA, YA 2/7; PCHR 2/11)

 On the 75th day of his hunger strike, Palestinian prisoner al-Qiq rejects an Israeli military court offer to be released on 5/1, demanding an immediate end to his administrative detention and treatment in a Palestinian medical facility upon release. (MNA 2/7; SAM 2/8)

Hamas and Fatah officials meet in Doha to start a new round of mediated talks on Palestinian national reconciliation. They discuss the possible formation of a new unity PA govt., elections, and the civil servants Hamas has hired in Gaza since 2007, who have not been paid a full salary since the current PA consensus govt. was sworn in on 6/2/2014. (XIN 2/6; AnA, JP, MEMO, TOI 2/7)

The IDF assassinates an Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Aziz Shami, firing a missile at his car as he drives through Gaza City, also killing a 12-yr.-old Palestinian walking to school, wounding 2 passengers in Shami’s car, 7 bystanders on the street. The IDF also fires on a group of Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate Israel fr. Gaza nr. Bureij r.c., mortally wounding a Palestinian teenager, allowing him to bleed to death. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF convoy in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Hebron Jewish settlers attack local Palestinians with iron bars (seriously injuring 1), break the windows of 4 Palestinian homes to deter them fr. using a road linking al-Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs and Kiryat Arba settlement. (PCHR 2/7; VOP 2/7, MENA, VOP 2/8 in WNC 2/10; HA, NYT, WP, WT 2/8; PR 2/11; PCHR 2/12)

The PA hastily convenes a military tribunal to arraign 4 Palestinians in connection with the 10/15/03 Erez roadside bombing that killed 4 American security officers, charging them with possessing explosives and weapons, planting mines nr. the area of the bombing, but not charging them with the specific bombing that led to those deaths. (JP 2/7; HA, NYT, WP, WT 2/8; al-Quds 2/11 in WNC 2/13)

More than 350 Fatah mbrs. resign to protest corruption, mismanagement, lack of political direction within the movement. (REU 2/7; NYT, WP, WT 2/8; VOP 2/8 in WNC 2/10; MM 2/9, 2/10; NYT, WJW 2/12; SA 2/13 in WNC 2/18)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel fr. Gaza; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian in Tulkarm when he fails to heed orders to halt; opens fire on Palestinian stone throwers in Nablus, injuring 12; demolishes a Palestinian home in Nablus; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Abud, Tamun, Tura. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/11. (AP, HA, WT 2/21; HA, NYT, WT 2/22; LAW 2/23; LAW, PCHR 2/27)

PLO Exec. Comm. gen. secy. and senior PA negotiator Mahmud Abbas says that the PA is calling for a 1-yr. demilitarization of the intifada. The AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) reject the call. (HA 2/21; Interfax 2/21, SA 2/23 in WNC 2/24; NYT 2/23; al-Quds, JT 2/24 in WNC 2/25; AYM 2/24 in WNC 2/26)

The IDF fatally shoots a “suspicious” Palestinian nr. Tulkarm; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Furik, al-Til. In a joint AMB-PFLP operation, 2 Palestinian gunmen attack an IDF post nr. Nablus, killing 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 1 before being shot dead. An Israeli Arab stabs, lightly injures an Israeli policeman in n. Israel before being shot dead by another officer. Based on information fr. the IDF interrogation of 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. capture in the West Bank today, Israeli police find an explosive belt in the washroom of a mosque in the Israeli-Arab town of Taibeh, which they remove and detonate. (MM, REU 2/6; VOI 2/6 in WNC 2/7; NYT, WP 2/7; HA, NYT 2/8; PR 2/12; PCHR 2/20)

Following up on the Sharon-Qurai` talks on 2/5, PA Interior M Hani al-Hassan meets secretly with Sharon chief of staff Dov Weisglass at the home of U.S. Amb. to Israel Dan Kurtzer to discuss possible resumption of Israeli-PA cease-fire talks. (HA, MM 2/10; JT, QA, al-Quds, SA 2/10 in WNC 2/11; HA, MM 2/11; PR 2/12; MEI 2/21)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Maghazi r.c., killing a 65-yr.-old Palestinian woman who refused orders to vacate; raids a PSF office in Qalqilya, fatally shooting 1 PSF officer, wounding another; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Nablus, killing a 17-yr.-old Palestinian, and in Tamun, seriously injuring a 13-yr.-old Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 13 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, demolishes stalls in the vegetable market in Hebron; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Awla, Bethlehem, Dayr Dibwan, Ramallah. Late in the evening, IDF helicopters open fire on a retirement home attached to a hospital in Gaza City, killing 2 Palestinian medical workers. Palestinians fire 10 mortars at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, HA, LAW, PCHR, REU 2/5; XIN 2/5 in WNC 2/7; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 2/6; NYT, PM, WP 2/7; DUS 2/7 in WNC 2/10)

Israeli Interior Min. inspectors demolish a mosque in Til al-Malah, an unrecognized bedouin village in the Negev. (HA 2/5)

Under “intense pressure from the American administration,” Sharon holds secret talks with PC speaker and senior PA negotiator Ahmad Qurai`, presents him with a plan for a gradual cease-fire and resumption of security coordination. (HA 2/8; WT 2/9; MM, NYT, WT 2/10; JT, QA, al-Quds, SA 2/10 in WNC 2/11; MM 2/11; AYM 2/11 in WNC 2/13; PR 2/12; MEI 2/21)

IDF soldiers fire at the car of Palestinian Council (PC) speaker and senior PA negotiator Ahmad Qurai` as it approaches a West Bank checkpoint. Qurai` is unharmed; Israel apologizes for the error. IDF soldiers at a checkpoint in Nablus shoot, wound a pregnant Palestinian woman, not knowing that she, her husband had been given IDF approval to pass through the checkpoint to reach a hospital where she could give birth. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Balata, Rafah. (AFP 2/24; AFP, NYT, WP 2/25; PCHR 2/27; WJW 2/28)

The Israeli inner cabinet votes (12-0, with 3 abstaining) to loosen the tank cordon around Arafat's Ramallah headquarters, allow him to leave the compound, but require him to seek Sharon's permission if he wishes to leave the city. The PA says the decision has little positive effect, the requirement for permission is insulting. In protest, the PA cancels today's the trilateral security comm. mtg.; refuses Sharon's request to meet with Arafat senior adviser Mahmud Abbas, Qurai`, Rashid. (HA 2/24; RMC 2/24 in WNC 2/25; JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/25; AYM, DUS, SA 2/25 in WNC 2/26; AKH, JT, MENA, al-Quds 2/26 in WNC 2/27; WT 3/2)

Palestinians fire mortars at an IDF checkpoint, detonate a bomb outside Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. In response, the IDF shells the PA naval police headquarters in Dayr al-Balah, residential areas of Khan Yunis; sends tanks, troops into Khan Yunis for 3 hrs. to conduct extensive searches. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Abu Dis, Azariyya. Some 2,000 Palestinians in Gaza City and 15,000 Palestinians in Nablus rally in support of Arafat. The PFLP announces it is suspending its membership in PLO in protest over the PSF's continued detention of Saadat. (WP 2/2; AFP 2/2 in WNC 2/4; NYT, WT 2/3; SA 2/3 in WNC 2/4; PCHR 2/4; LAW 2/6)

Palestinian collaborator Murad Abu al-Asal detonates a suicide bomb nr. Taibeh, Israel, injuring his 2 Shin Bet handlers. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 1/21. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, East Jerusalem, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, detaining 9 Palestinians fr. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP; shells residential areas of Tulkarm. (HA, MM, PCHR 1/30; NYT, WT 1/31; MA 1/31 in WNC 2/4; LAW 2/6)

The Israeli cabinet approves the Enveloping Jerusalem plan. (WP, WT 1/31) (see 1/28)

The Palestinian woman who carried out a suicide bombing on 1/27 is identified as Wafa Idriss, a Red Crescent volunteer medical worker who reportedly was distraught over the Palestinian casualties inflicted by the IDF. Most recently, a boy she treated, who had been shot by the IDF and left in a coma died, on 1/25. AMB claims she was "one of our female fighters," but family and friends say she had no connection to the group; she also was not religious, never attended al-Najah University. Her brother, Khalil Idris, is a local Fatah leader wanted by Israel. (AP, REU 1/30; HA, NYT, Red Crescent press release, WP 1/31; SA 2/2 in WNC 2/4; WT 2/3; JP 2/8; WP 2/9; NYT 2/11)

Sharon meets secretly in Jerusalem with Qurai`, PA senior negotiator Mahmud Abbas, Arafat economic adviser Muhammad Rashid, marking his 1st mtg. with PA officials since his election in 2/01; reportedly says he accepts the idea of an interim agmt. along the lines of the Peres-Qurai` plan, with implementation taking 7 yrs. (XIN 2/1, AYM, al-Ra'i 2/2 in WNC 2/4; NYT, WP, WT 2/2; AFP, JP [Internet] 2/3; MM, NYT, WT 2/4; AYM 2/4 in WNC 2/6; WP, WT 2/5; MA 2/9 in WNC 2/11)

Ben-Eliezer meets with Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh, says Israel currently sees no partner for peace on the Palestinian side, asks Egypt to inform Damascus that Israel is ready to renew peace talks with Syria. (HA, MM 1/30; MENA 1/30 in WNC 1/31; WT 1/31; MM 2/1; MENA 2/5 in WNC 2/6; MM 2/7)

The IDF sends tanks, troops into Artas village, nr. Bethlehem, to detain a wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Omar Ayish. In the process the IDF wound 4 Palestinians; throw a grenade into the Ayish home, causing damage but no injuries; leave a trail of cars crushed and overturned by tanks. In response to the raid, Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo fr. Bayt Jala, lightly injuring 1 Jewish settler. IDF soldiers detain and beat a Red Crescent doctor, ambulance driver at a checkpoint in Nablus. The doctor is released after several hrs. but the driver is kept in custody. (AP 1/29; NYT, PCHR 1/30)

Omri Sharon, the PM's son, meets Arafat in Ramallah to arrange a secret mtg. btwn. Sharon, senior PA officials in Jerusalem for 1/30. (SA 2/3 in WNC 2/4; MM 2/4)

In his State of the Union address, Bush calls Iran, Iraq, North Korea an "axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world"; also refers to a "terrorist underworld, including groups like Hamas, Hizballah, [and] Islamic Jihad." (HA, NYT, WP, WT 1/30; MM 1/31; MM 2/1; MA 2/1 in WNC 2/4; JP, MEI 2/8)

A female Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in West Jerusalem, killing 1 Israeli, wounding 2 seriously, 5 moderately. This marks the 1st suicide bombing carried out by a Palestinian woman, though 2 women have been caught placing bombs previously during the al-Aqsa intifada. A release faxed to Hizballah's TV station in Lebanon identifies the woman by name as a Palestinian Hamas mbr. from Nablus University, but neither the school nor the PA can find a woman by that name; no women are reported missing. In response, the Israeli air force flies low-level sorties over Gaza City, breaking the sound barrier, shattering windows. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/28; DUS, MA 1/28 in WNC 1/29; Guardian [Internet] 1/29; NYT 1/30; SA 2/2 in WNC 2/4; JP 2/8)

MK Salah Tarif, Israel's 1st Arab cabinet mbr., resigns, saying he can no longer effectively perform his job in light of an announcement last wk. that Atty. Gen. Rubenstein planned to lift his immunity and indict him for fraud. Tarif has consistently denied charges, 1st raised in 2001, that he gave $5,000 to an Interior M official to obtain citizenship papers for a Palestinian businessman. (WP, WT 1/28)

Israeli Arabs hold a demonstration in Umm al-Fahm protesting Israeli aggression against the Palestinians. (al-Quds 1/28 in WNC 1/29)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The IDF shells residential areas of al-Bireh, Ramallah (damaging the PA Local Government Min., 3 homes, 1 apartment block). Israeli police tear down the Damascus Gate market in East Jerusalem, run and frequented mostly by Palestinians. The PA reports that the private office of PLO Executive Comm. secy.-gen. and PA senior negotiator Mahmud Abbas has been hit repeatedly by Israeli gunfire over the past few days. (SA 2/27 in WNC 2/28; LAW 3/1)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes, which have left 365 Palestinians, 19 Israeli Arabs, and 58 Israeli soldiers, settlers, and civilians dead, stretch into their 5th mo. The most severe clashes are in Ramallah. 2 Palestinians are killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). Palestinian Auhority (PA) General Intelligence Service (GIS) officer Anwar Mar'i is stabbed to death by Palestinian assailants nr. Salfit; the PA claims it is an IDF-backed assassination. A 4th Palestinian dies of a heart attack when the IDF delays his passage through a checkpoint to a hospital for over 1 hr. The IDF bulldozes Palestinian land nr. the Rafah border, demolishing 7 Palestinian homes, 10 greenhouses; shells residential areas nr. al-Bireh. (WT 2/17; LAW 2/18; SA 2/19 in WNC 2/21; LAW 2/22)

Outgoing Israeli Labor PM Ehud Barak announces he will join a unity government with Likud's PM-elect Ariel Sharon as DM, pending finalization of the government guidelines and the coalition. (MM 2/16; WT 2/17; AYM 2/17 in WNC 2/22; AYM 2/18 in WNC 2/21; MM 2/19; NYT 2/20)

Hizballah fires mortars at an IDF convoy in the disputed Shaba` Farms area of the occupied Golan Heights, killing 1 soldier, wounding 2. In response, the IDF bombards s. Lebanon, using tanks, artillery, helicopter gunships. (NYT, WP, WT 2/17; MM 2/19-21; WJW 2/22)

The U.S., Britain bomb 5 Iraqi sites, marking the 1st strikes outside the no-fly zones since 12/98, signalling a more confrontational approach to Baghdad by the new administration of U.S. Pres. George W. Bush. 3 Iraqi civilians are killed, 25 are injured. France, Turkey, the Arab states condemn the action. (ATL 2/16, ATL, MENA, MIL 2/17, ATL, HJ, JT, al-Quds 2/18, JT, MA, MENA 2/19 in WNC 2/20; NYT, WP, WT 2/17; MIL 2/17, 2/18 in WNC 2/21; NYT, WP, WT 2/18; MM, WP, WT 2/19; MM 2/20; HJ 2/20 in WNC 2/22; MM, WT 2/21; WP 2/22; MIL 2/22 in WNC 2/23; MEI, MM 2/23; al-Quds 2/23 in WNC 2/27; AP, WP 2/25; JP 3/2)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate to their highest point in recent wks. after the IDF assassinates Force 17 cmdr. Massud Ayyad, firing 4 air-to-surface rockets at his car as he drove through Jabaliyya. Israel claims Ayyad led a Gaza-based cell of Hizballah, which it asserts has been ordered by Iran to take up operations in the West Bank, Gaza. Barak, who personally ordered the assassination, publicly congratulates the IDF. A 2d Palestinian, 14 yrs. old, is fatally shot in a separate incident. Hot spots are in Bethlehem, Gaza, Hebron, Ramallah. The IDF orders 4 schools in al-Khadir shut for 2 wks.; bulldozes 5,000 dunams of Palestinian agricultural land in Halhul; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Bayt Sahur (damaging the YMCA), al-Bireh, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers place caravans on Palestinian land nr. Surayf. (AP, LAW, REU 2/13; NYT, WP, WT 2/14; MENA 2/14 in WNC 2/15; NYT 2/15)

The U.S. criticizes Israel's "targeted killing" of Ayyad, saying it causes a serious deterioration in the security situation. (NYT 2/15)

Sharon's top foreign policy advisers Moshe Arens (fmr. DM), Dore Gold (fmr. amb. to the UN), Zalman Shoval (fmr. amb. to the U.S.) arrive in Washington to meet with officials fr. the White House, State Dept., Congress. (SA 2/13 in WNC 2/14; NYT 2/14, 2/15)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The IDF shells residential areas of al-Bireh, severely damaging the Local Government Min., Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Fatah High Command offices. (WP, WT 2/10)

Arafat phones Sharon to congratulate him, expresses hopes peace talks could resume soon, mentions the economic hardship in the West Bank and Gaza. Sharon says he will only take steps to lift the blockade if the PA halts violence and rearrests Islamists released fr. PA jails in the past 4 mos. (Chicago Tribune [Internet], NYT, WP 2/10)

PM-elect Sharon meets with outgoing PM Barak, who has yet to officially resign as head of Labor, and offers him position of DM in a unity government. Labor MK Peres would be offered the role of FM. Barak, Peres to not reject the offers. (MM 2/9; NYT, WP 2/10; WT 2/11; WJW 2/15)

In a Sharq al-Awsat interview published today, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad says Syria's peace terms have not changed, he would resume talks with any Israeli PM who is serious about reaching an agmt., he is willing to meet with Arafat if there is a clear objective and agenda. (MM 2/9; SA 2/9 in WNC 2/13; SA 2/14 in WNC 2/15)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a low level, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, parts of 2 factories nr. Netzarim Junction. (LAW 2/8)

U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell says the Bush administration will continue to examine moving the U.S. emb. fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem but currently believes making the move would damage the U.S.'s ability to act as mediator in peace talks. (WT 2/5; SA 2/7 in WNC 2/13) (see 1/22)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at the same low level as in the past 2 wks. The IDF bulldozes 8 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Bayt Lahia, 10 dunams nr. Netzarim Junction (demolishing 1 Palestinian home); shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. IDF soldiers detain a Palestinian man at a roadblock nr. Jinin, handcuff and severely beat him. (MEZ 1/29; LAW 2/3; ADM 2/5)

In Taba, Israel, the PA end 6 days of talks; issue a joint statement saying they have made substantial progress on each of the issues discussed, they will not be able to finalize an agmt. by the 2/6 Israeli elections. They hope to resume talks following the elections, quickly bridge remaining gaps. (AP, REU 1/27; AFP, MENA 1/27, AYM 1/29 in WNC 1/29; NYT, WP, WT 1/28; AYM 1/28, JT 1/29 in WNC 1/30; MM 1/29; AYM 1/29 in WNC 2/5)

Despite statements that talks will not be resumed until after elections, Israel confirms that Barak is exploring holding a mtg. with Arafat to formulate a joint statement that could be issued before 2/6. (AP, REU 1/27; NYT, WP, WT 1/28; AYM 1/29 in WNC 1/29) (see Peace Monitor)

IDF troops in the Shaba` Farms area shoot dead 2 PFLP-GC mbrs. on the border inside Lebanon. (Tehran Times 1/30 in WNC 1/31; WT 1/31; WJW 2/1; MM 2/2; SA 2/4 in WNC 2/5; MEI 2/9)

Israel carries out airstrikes on Lebanon for 3d day. Israeli FM Levy warns that if Hizballah responds by firing rockets into n. Israel, "the soil of Lebanon will burn. . . . Vital interests of Lebanon will go up in flames, and it will take many years to restore them." Disputing Barak's 2/8 claims, UN monitors in s. Lebanon say they observed all but 1 of the recent Hizballah strikes on IDF/SLA targets and none was staged fr. a civilian area. UN cmdr. Goksel says that "it looks to me that [the Israelis] are creating an atmosphere to do what they wanted to do already." (AFP, RL, SA 2/9 in WNC 2/10; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/10; MM 2/11; JP 2/18)

Israel releases the summary of an official report that says that during the intifada, Shin Bet interrogators committed systematic abuses against Palestinian detainees. The report was submitted to the Knesset subcomm. on intelligence in 1995 but was kept secret until the High Court ordered it to be released. (NYT 2/10; LAW 2/11; Guardian Weekly 2/17)

In response to recent attacks that have killed 5 IDF soldiers in s. Lebanon, Israel carries out airstrikes against Hizballah bases in the Biqa` Valley and 3 power stations n. of the self-declared security zone, wounding 18 Lebanese civilians and leaving much of Lebanon without electricity. The raids are the most severe since 6/99, before Barak took office. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/8; AFP 2/8 in WNC 2/10; MEI 2/11; JP 2/18)

The PA says it is suspending negotiations until Israel provides acceptable answers questions on FAPS talks, FRD implementation. (NYT 2/8; SA 2/8 in WNC 2/10; AYM 2/8 in WNC 2/14)

The PA releases senior Hamas official `Abd al-`Aziz Rantisi, who has been jailed for nearly 2 yrs. without charges for his outspoken criticism of the Oslo process. (NYT 2/8; JP 2/18)

Egyptian FM Musa makes 1-day trip to Syria to discuss with Pres. Asad developments in the peace process. (MENA 2/7 in WNC 2/8; NYT 2/9)

Tunisian secy. of state for foreign affairs Tahar Sioud meets with Israeli FM Levy, marking the 1st visit to Israel of a high-ranking Tunisian since the countries established diplomatic relations 6 yrs. ago. (NYT 2/8)

Palestinian judges go on a 3-day strike to protest the failure of the PA police to stop an attack on a Bethlehem courthouse on 2/6. (LAW 2/7; NYT, PCHR 2/8)

IDF troops storm a home in West Bank area C to arrest 2 Palestinians wanted for security reasons. The mother of the 2 men suffers a fatal heart attack fr. the shock of the predawn raid. (LAW 2/9)

In the West Bank, Palestinian residents of Jalud, al-Mughir, Qaryut, Turmusaya villages scuffle with Jewish settlers fr. nearby Shafut Rahil, who begin plowing under plots owned by the villagers. IDF troops intervene to break up the fight. (AYM 2/5 in WNC 2/10)

In s. Lebanon, IDF helicopters fire rockets at the car of Hizballah's top military cmdr. Ibrahim `Aql, slightly injuring `Aql, 6 civilians. The failed assassination attempt was meant as retaliation for the recent series of fatal Hizballah attacks on IDF, SLA targets. (RL 2/4, AFP 2/5 in WNC 2/7; NYT 2/7; JP, MEI 2/11; JP 2/18) (see 1/31)

The SLA evacuates Sujud post in s. Lebanon. The IDF calls the withdrawal a tactical maneuver. (RL 2/4 in WNC 2/7)

In Jeddah, Iran, Saudi Arabia hold talks on expanding bilateral trade. (SA 2/5 in WNC 2/10)

In Moscow, U.S. Secy. of State Albright, Russian FM Igor Ivanov host the multilateral steering comm. session. Participants agree to resume working group mtgs. on refugees, water, economic development, the environment in 4/99 and 5/99. But Egypt refuses to convene the arms control group, of which it is chair, unless Israel agrees to open its nuclear program for inspection. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 2/1 in WNC 2/2; ITAR-TASS, XIN 2/1, ITAR-TASS 2/2 in WNC 2/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/2; WJW 2/3; MENA, SA 2/3 in WNC 2/4; RL 2/4 in WNC 2/7; AYM 2/6 in WNC 2/10)

The IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home, damages a 2d in East Jerusalem. (LAW 2/1)

King Hussein dies. Crown Prince Abdallah is sworn in as King Abdallah II, appoints his half-brother Hamza as crown prince. Jordan declares a wk. of mourning. Syria, Egypt announce official 3-day mourning period. Syria also postpones 2/8 presidential elections. (IDF Radio, Interfax, IRNA, JTV, RJ, RL, VIRI 2/7 in WNC 2/8; AFP, Xinhua 2/7 in WNC 2/9; GIU, CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/8; MA, SA 2/8 in WNC 2/9; CSM 2/9; WJW 2/11; JP, MEI, PR 2/12)

Swiss officials formally announce arrest of Mossad agent 2/19; say warrants have been issued for the other 4 agents, who are presumed to have left the country; refuse to comment on target of break in, reportedly an Iranian intelligence officer and Hizballah mbr. (IGPO, MM, NYT, WP 2/26; IDF Radio, QY, YA 2/26 in WNC 3/3; SA 2/27 in WNC 3/4; al-Aswaq 2/28 in WNC 3/5; CSM 3/5; JP 3/7; YS 3/8 in WNC 3/11; WT 3/16)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah attacks IDF position, killing 3 soldiers, wounding 3. (RL, VOL 2/26 in WNC 3/3; MM, WP 2/27; JP 3/7)

UN Secy. Gen. Annan reaches agmt. (signed 2/23) with Iraq on resuming unrestricted inspections under which UN Special Committee (UNSCOM) teams of technical experts will be accompanied by senior diplomats appointed by Annan to act as observers. The UNSC must approve the agmt. U.S. expresses cautious optimism. (RJ 2/22, ITV, MENA, RJ 2/23, al-Ahram, al-Ra'i, RL 2/24 in WNC 2/26; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/23; Le Soir [Brussels] 2/25 in WNC 3/3; MEI, PR 2/27)

Violent clashes continue in Ma'an, Jordan, for 3d straight day. (JTV, MBC, RJ 2/22, JT, JTV, RJ 2/23 in WNC 2/26; MM, WP, WT 2/23; WP 2/26; MEI 2/27) (see 2/21)

In Cairo, 15,000 students fr. `Ayn Shams, Cairo university demonstrate against U.S. policy toward Iraq. (MENA, RMC 2/22 in WNC 2/26)

3 Palestinians are injured when IDF breaks up "pro-Iraq" demonstration in Birzeit. Another protest is held at al-Najah University in Nablus. (ITV 2/22 in WNC 2/26; PR 2/27)

Jordan arrests 3 Jordanians for plotting attacks on Israeli targets, possession of explosives. (SA 2/23 in WNC 2/26)

EU Pres. Santer arrives in Damascus for 2 days of talks on the peace process, meets with Syrian pres. Asad. (SANA 2/11 in WNC 2/12; SATN 2/11 in WNC 2/15)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron to make way for expansion of Israeli quarries. (LAW 2/17)

Ultraorthodox Jew is stabbed to death in East Jerusalem. Israel suspects Palestinian militants. (NYT, WP 2/12, PR 2/20)

In Amman, Jordanian police arrest youth attempting to throw molotov cocktail at British embassy to protest potential military strike on Iraq. (RJ 2/11 in WNC 2/12; MM 2/12; JT, SA 2/12 in WNC 2/15)

Iraq offers U.S. a Russia-brokered compromises for inspections at 8 presidential palaces over 2-mo. period. U.S. rejects plan, saying it is not up to Iraq to set conditions for inspections, Iraq must agree to inspections of all sites for indefinite period. (MM 2/11; WP 2/12; JTV 2/12 in WNC 2/17)

In Kuwait, GCC states hold emergency mtg. on Iraq crisis, say they prefer diplomatic to military solution. (U.S. Defense Secy. Cohen, who is in Bahrain today, says that all 6 states have agreed that Saddam Hussein should bear all responsibility for an attack if he does not fully comply with UN requirements.) (MM 2/11, 2/12)

King Hussein returns home fr. trip to Morocco, UK, Germany, Ireland. (JTV 2/20 in WNC 2/24)

FBI chief Louis Freeh arrives in Jordan to discuss extradition of Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq, raising speculation the U.S., Israel prefer to deport him to a 3d country. Freeh arrived in Amman fr. Israel, is heading to Egypt. (NYT 2/21; SA 2/22 in WNC 2/25; al-Ra'i 2/24 in WNC 2/26; JP 3/1; MEI 3/7) (see 2/11)

ILMG closes 2-days of talks on death of 1 Lebanese civilian, wounding of 2 others during IDF shelling 2/18; blames Israel for the death. (RL 2/19 in WNC 2/20; RL 2/20 in WNC 2/21; RL 2/20, 2/21 in WNC 2/24; al-Nahar 2/21, RL 2/22 in WNC 2/25)

IDF mine explodes in s. Lebanon, killing 1 Lebanese civilian. (RL 2/21 in WNC 2/24)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops curfew Balata refugee camp, conduct house-to-house searches, arrest dozens of Palestinians [JP 11/24; FJ 11/29]. Army stops group of 50 would-be settlers who attempt to squat in Jericho [JP 11/24].

Arab World: Israeli forces patrolling in S. Lebanon security zone kill 2 armed Palestinian gunmen; 2 Israelis are wounded [JP 11/24]. President Mubarak states Egypt is urging PLO to reconsider position on UN resolutions 242 and 338 to ease way for intl. M. E. peace conference; comments follow 3 hours of talks with U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy [JP 11/24].

Military Action

Arab World: Syria begins placing longer-range SAM-2 anti-aircraft missiles along Syrian border with Lebanon, withdrawing shorter-range SAM-6 and SAM-8 missiles from Lebanese territory [JP 12/18; MEP 12/20; NYT 12/26]. Egyptian airliner carrying nearly 100 passengers is hijacked over the Mediterranean by Arabs identifying themselves as "Egypt's Revolution." After landing in Malta, several bodies are thrown out of the plane [WP, BG, TS 11/24].

Other Countries: Israel and Argentina pledge to increase volume of bilateral trade at conclusion of visit to Argentina by Trade Min. Ariel Sharon [JP 11/24].