The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians harvesting olives in the Masafer Yatta area, injuring 2. Israeli settlers also attempted to kidnap a child in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Elsewhere, armed Israeli settlers posing as soldiers vandalized a mosque in Menizel. Israeli forces raided Nur Shams refugee camp and attacked it with drones, killing 13 Palestinians, including 5 children, banned movement in and out of the refugee camp, and uprooted pavement with bulldozers. An Israeli soldier was killed in an IED explosion and 9 others were wounded. Israeli forces also shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, during raids in Budrus, Tulkarm, and Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 16 others during a raid in Budrus and al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished the family home in Qibya of a Palestinian alleged to have killed a settler before he was shot and killed by Israeli forces near Kafr Qaddum on 7/6. Around 184 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Ramallah, Dheisheh refugee camp, Tubas, Beita, Qalqilya, al-Eizeriya, Umm Safa, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, including 50 Palestinians workers from Gaza staying in Dheisheh refugee camp who had been expelled to the West Bank. In Gaza, around 285 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Israeli forces also assassinated the first female member of the Hamas political bureau Jamila al-Shanti, the head of the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committee Rafat Harb Hussein Abu Halal, and Hamas’ Jehad Mheisen. Israeli airstrikes also bombed the 12th century Church of Saint Porphyrius, killing at least 8 people sheltering in it and targeted 5 bakeries, killing many people waiting to purchase bread. Rockets were fired at Israel; no fatalities were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces shot and killed a journalist and injured 1 other in Hula. Israeli forces also attacked parts of South Lebanon with combat helicopters and killed 3 people it claimed were firing anti-tank missiles at Israel. Israel said 30 rockets were fired at Israel. (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19; AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/20)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 3,785 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 1,524 children, and 12,500 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. It is estimated that hundreds are still trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 81 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 22 children. More than 1,434 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,562 have been injured since 10/7. The number of Israelis killed rose from 10/18 as Israel released the names of Israelis killed on 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 21,900 housing units have been destroyed and 121,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting around 30% of all homes in Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 21 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 17 Palestinians, 3 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/19)

The UN reported that 74 Palestinian households, comprised of 545 people, have been displaced from Bedouin communities in Area C of the West Bank due to settler violence and access restrictions. (BTselem, UNOCHA 10/19)

Haaretz reported that on 10/12 a group of 20-25 Israeli settlers and soldiers abducted 3 Palestinians from the depopulated Wadi al-Seeq community before assaulting, undressing, and urinating on 2 of them, putting 1 of their faces in feces, and attempted to sodomize 1 of them. The 3 Palestinians were abused for 6 hours before they were dropped off at an abandoned building and photographed. The settlers and soldiers also stole their phones, a car, and $544 in cash. The Israeli military said it was investigating the incident and 1 commander of the military unit was suspended. (HA 10/19; MEMO, TOI 10/20)

Palestinian officials said that Israeli authorities have warned that Israeli forces will target the Gaza Power Plant if it tries to resume operations. (UNOCHA 10/19)

Palestinian officials also said Israel has arrested 4,000 workers from Gaza, holding them in military bases, and have arrested 1,070 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, doubling the total number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. (AJ 10/21)

An Al Jazeera investigation into the bombing of al-Ahli Arab Hospital found that evidence presented by Israel misrepresented the event, ruling out that footage used by Israel showed a misfired rocket hit the hospital and saying that no footage from live streams suggest that rockets were fired from Gaza at the moment of the bombing. (AJ 10/19)

The U.S. said it had intercepted 3 cruise missiles and several drones fired by Houthi forces in Yemen. The Defense Department said the missiles and drones were heading north in the Red Sea, potentially toward Israel. Rockets and drones also attacked the U.S. Ain al-Asad air base and another compound hosting U.S. military forces near Baghdad International Airport. It was unclear who attacked the bases. (AJ 10/18; HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU 10/19; AP, HA 10/20)

Egyptian machinery reportedly entered Gaza to repair roads near the Rafah crossing to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid. However, Hamas denied that repairs had begun. Israel has bombed the Rafah crossing at least 4 times since 10/7. At least 100 trucks are waiting to enter Gaza near the crossing while others are waiting at El Arish Airport. UN officials said UN observers will inspect aid to Gaza before it enters through the Rafah crossing (AJ, AP, REU 10/19)

Israel said Hezbollah has granted Hamas permission to fire rockets at Israel and “will bear the consequences.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told soldiers near the Gaza fence to get ready for a ground invasion. (AP, HA, REU 10/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. (WAFA 10/19)

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Israel for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Sunak said upon his arrival that he “stands with Israel” and that the UK is on the forefront of the effort to avoid further escalation of the conflict. 6 UK nationals were killed in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and 9 are still missing. Sunak also met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, who called Israel’s targeting of civilians in Gaza “a heinous crime and brutal attack.” Sunak will later travel to Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. (AJ 10/18; AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/19)

In an Oval Office address, U.S. president Joe Biden compared Hamas to Russian president Vladimir Putin and his attack on Ukraine, saying both want to annihilate their neighbors. Biden further claimed that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields and said he had told President Abbas he supports the Palestinian people. Biden also said he will send an “unprecedented” aid package for Israel to Congress for approval. The package was reportedly worth $14 billion. Israel had asked the U.S. for weapons, including precision-guided munitions, JDAMs, Iron Dome replenishment, and mortar shells. The U.S. Senate unanimously adopted a resolution affirming Israel’s right to self-defense and condemning Hamas and Iran. 10 Republican senators said they will introduce legislation to redirect $100 million in planned humanitarian aid to Palestinians to replenishing the Iron Dome. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said he had received a briefing that suggested the al-Ahli Arab Hospital bombing was caused by a rocket misfired by Islamic Jihad. California governor Gavin Newsom said he was traveling to Israel. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, REU 10/19; HA, REU 10/20)

Turkish media reported that the Israeli ambassador and other Israeli diplomats have left the country. (HA 10/19)

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the PA should take control of Gaza after Israel concludes its attack. (AJ 10/18)

Russia said it will deliver 27 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza via Egypt. Germany said it would donate $52.91 million to the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and UNWRA to help Palestinians in Gaza. (AJ 10/18; HA 10/19)

AP reported that Hamas may have used North Korean weapons during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, including F-7 rocket-propelled grenades. (AP 10/19)

A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 53% of U.S. Democrats and 55% of Independents believed that the U.S. should not send additional weapons and supplies to Israel, while 56% of all those polled disapproved of President Biden’s handling of the war. (HA 10/19)

More than 400 U.S. congressional staffers signed a letter saying they were “profoundly disturbed” by the lack of humanity extended to the Palestinian people by the U.S. Congress. Huffington Post reported that State Department officials were preparing a letter of dissent to the Biden administration’s approach to the war. (HA 10/19)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Israel has been included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program effective immediately, despite Israel’s entry to the program being scheduled for 11/30. (AP, HA, NYT 10/19)

Many countries urged their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. (AJ, AJ, HA 10/19)

The Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria in Texas said it had determined that it cannot host the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights’ (USCPR) national conference, citing security risks to its staff and guests. Texas governor Greg Abbot called USCPR “Hamas supporters.” The Council of American-Islamic Relations canceled a banquet at the Marriott Crystal Gateway hotel in Arlington, Virginia, after receiving bomb threats. (AP, HA 10/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces fired tear gas near a school in ‘Anata, injuring students and staff. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by former MK Yehuda Glick toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian at the Damascus Gate Plaza, injuring and arresting him. Israeli authorities demolished 1 commercial structure in Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians were killed and 25 others injured in an explosion during a protest near the Gaza fence. Palestinian officials said the 5 were killed when an explosive device accidentally exploded. 1 other Palestinian succumbed to wounds from the explosion on 9/17. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters east of Gaza City, injuring 9, including 3 minors. Palestinians marked the anniversary of the 2005 Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. (AJ, HA, QDS, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/13; PCHR, REU 9/14; QDS 9/17; UNOCHA 9/26)

6 Palestinians were killed, including 3 members of Fatah, and 15 were wounded during fighting in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp. The fighting reignited despite a ceasefire agreement from 9/11. 16 people have been killed since 9/7 when fighting broke out again after a month of relative quiet. Hamas and Islamic Jihad called for an immediate ceasefire after a meeting between Hamas Political Bureau deputy chairperson Moussa Abu Marzouk and Islamic Jihad secretary general Ziyad al-Nakhalah in Beirut. (AJ, AP 9/13; QDS 9/14)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with the new EU envoy to Palestine Alexandre Stutzmann. (WAFA 9/13)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Tartus on 2 separate occasions, killing 2 Syrian soldiers and wounding 6 others. Israeli forces also attacked the Shuairat military airport in the Homs province and several places in the Hama province, causing damage. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant appeared to brag about the attacks on 9/14 at an event with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu when he said, “[e]ven last night, we saw proof that in the State of Israel the thunder of planes is louder than all the background noise.” (AJ, AP, HA 9/13; ALM, HA 9/14)

In an interview with the podcast Pod Save the World, U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said that “what we hear from the Saudis that if this process [normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia] is to move forward, the Palestinian piece is going to be very important,” further stating that “in our judgement, of course, that must – needs to involve a 2-state solution.” (HA 9/13)

The U.S. signed a security agreement called the “Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement” with Bahrain, pledging to defend the country from attacks. (NYT 9/13)

UK foreign secretary James Cleverly said the UK will support UNRWA with $12.5 million during a visit to Jalazun refugee camp where he met with UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini. (QDS, WAFA 9/13)

In Gaza, Israeli forces assassinated 3 Islamic Jihad commanders, Khalil Bahtini, commander of the northern region, Tareq Izzeldeen in Gaza City, and Jihad Ghanam, secretary of the military council, in Rafah in simultaneous airstrikes. The strikes also killed 10 others, including 4 women, 4 children, and 1 Russian-Palestinian, and injured 20. In the assassination of Izzeldeen, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles at the fifth and sixth floor of an apartment building in the al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, killing Izzeldeen and his 2 children on the fifth floor and a family of 3 on the sixth floor; 6 were injured. In the assassination of Bahtini, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles at his home in al-Sha’af neighborhood of Gaza City, killing him, his wife and child, and 2 others in a neighboring building, including 1 child; 6 others were injured, including 3 children and 2 women. In the assassination of Ghanam, Israeli forces dropped 3 GBU-19 bombs on his home in Rafah, killing him and his wife and injuring 6 others, including 1 child. Later, and without receiving a response from Islamic Jihad, Israeli forces assassinated 2 members of Islamic Jihad, Wael al-Agha and Saed Farwana, in an airstrike on their car in Khan Yunis; 2 others were injured. Israel called the attacks “Operation Shield and Arrow.” In the West Bank, after the attack on Gaza, Israeli forces raided Nablus, injuring 12 Palestinians with live ammunition, including 1 minor, and injured 90 others with tear gas. Israeli settlers set up tents on Palestinian-owned land in Jaba’. Israeli forces assaulted members of the Hebron Municipality Council who were attempting to reopen an office at risk of being taken over by settlers. Israeli forces also issued a demolition notice for a house and a stop-work order for a school in Maeen. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Yatta, Hebron, al-Mughayyir, Nablus, and Ramallah. (NYT 5/8; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, QDS, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; AJ, ALM, AX, BBC, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, REU, UNOCHA 5/10; HA, MEE, PCHR 5/11; HA 5/12; HA 5/13; QDS 5/15; UNOCHA 5/19; HA 5/30)

In response to Israel’s attack on Gaza (see above), Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said, “[w]e do not accept that this is an attack specifically directed at the Islamic Jihad. From Hamas' point of view, this is an attack against the Palestinian people, and therefore there will be a proportionate response whose details will be determined by the joint operations room of all factions.” The PA called the Israeli attacks “organized state terrorism.” Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan’s foreign ministries issued statements condemning Israel’s attack on Gaza and Nablus. The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland condemned “the death of civilians.” (ALM, ALM, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; WAFA 5/10; MEE 5/11; MDW 5/12)

Following Israel’s attack on Gaza (see above), National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that his Jewish Power party would return to the Knesset. Ben-Gvir and his party started boycotting the Knesset on 5/3 after what he called a “lenient” response by the Israeli government to the protest that occurred after the Adnan Khader died in an Israeli prison on 5/2. Ben-Gvir called the attack “a nice start” and said it was time for “policy change in Gaza.” The assassinations and larger operation were approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on 5/5 but were not presented to the security cabinet. (HA, HA, HA, HA 5/9; HA, HA 5/10; HA 5/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the Russian envoy for the Middle East peace process Vladimir Safrenkov, discussing recent developments related to the occupation. (WAFA 5/9)

The Committee to Project Journalists issued a report saying that Israel has not held anybody accountable for the killing of 20 Palestinian and foreign journalists since 2001, creating a “chilling effect” on press freedoms. The report said that 15 of the journalists killed since 2001 were killed by Israeli forces while 2 were killed by gunmen in Palestinian presidential guard uniforms. (AJ, AP, HA, MDW, MEE 5/9)

Axios reported that U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides will resign this summer to spend time with his family. (AX, HA, HA, MEE 5/9)

Israel allows another 216 Gazans to leave Gaza through the Erez crossing for the Hajj (see 12/16); makes another “exceptional” opening of Sufa crossing to allow entry of livestock (85 truckloads of livestock have been allowed in since 12/16). The IDF makes air strikes on 2 cars in Gaza City, assassinating 6 Islamic Jihad mbrs. including senior cmdr. and master rocket maker Majid Harazin (who had been on Israel’s wanted list for 9 yrs. and targeted for assassination 3 times previously), his senior lieutenant Jihad Dhahir in the 1st strike and another senior rocket designer, Karim Dadu, in the 2d strike; 5 children are wounded in the 1st strike. In the West Bank, the IDF arrests senior Reform and Change employee Murad Badir Shahin, raids his Hebron home. (NYT 12/17; WP 12/18; NYT, OCHA 12/19; PCHR 12/27)

Overnight, the IDF sends tanks and troops, backed by air support, into Gaza City and Khan Yunis in a major day-long ground offensive targeting primarily Hamas and Islamic Jihad, but also including the AMB, arresting 10s of Palestinians, bulldozing 1 Palestinian home and 70 dunams of land, and leaving at least 13 Palestinians (including at least 4 gunmen and 6 civilians, including a 10-yr.-old boy) dead, more than 50 Palestinians and at least 2 IDF soldiers wounded; Fatah and Hamas gunmen fight side-by-side against the IDF, using small arms and antitank weapons. The IDF also makes an air strike on a car in Gaza City, assassinating Islamic Jihad senior cmdr. Raed Fanuna; bulldozes Palestinian land on the Gaza side of the Qarni crossing and industrial zone, along the border southeast of Khuza’a in s. Gaza. For a 2d day, the Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza City coast, forcing them back to shore. Islamic Jihad fires 4 rockets, 5 mortars fr. Gaza toward the Erez crossing; 2 mortars land on the Gaza side, injuring a Palestinian child; those landing on the Israeli side cause no damage or injuries. In Khan Yunis, a Palestinian is killed when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF launches a major arrest campaign in the Old City of Nablus, imposing a curfew, searching homes (occupying at least 7 as sniper posts), taking over local radio stations, searching hospitals; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Jenin. In Ramallah, unidentified gunmen fire on the home of senior Fatah official Hani al-Hassan, causing no injuries. In Hebron, unidentified gunmen fire on the home of the local PA General Intelligence head, causing no injuries. Islamic Jihad mbr. Zakariyya al-Tartar dies of injuries received in a 6/24 IDF air strike on his vehicle in Gaza City. (PCHR, WP, WT 6/28; OCHA 7/4; PCHR 7/5)

The IDF closes Gaza’s Kerem Shalom crossing for 2 days; makes air strikes on 2 cars driving in central Gaza, missing 1 car carrying 5 Islamic Jihad mbrs. but hitting the 2d, assassinating Islamic Jihad mbrs. Ahmad Abu Nijim and Wa’il al-Qaran, wounding a 3d mbr. and 3 bystanders; arrests Change and Reform PC mbr. Ahmad Mubarak in his home in Jalazun r.c., giving no reason; sends troops back into Nablus and Askar r.c., conducting arrest raids, house searches and firing on stonethrowing Palestinians who confront them; also conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin. (AFP, IMEMC, MM 4/27; NYT, WP 4/28; OCHA 5/3; PCHR 5/4)

Israel says it has begun construction of 2 additional fences around the Gaza Strip—1 of razor wire, 1 with electronic sensors and surveillance cameras—to ensure Israeli security after disengagement; both fences will be inside Israel. IDF undercover units make a major incursion into Tulkarm, raid the home of wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Mu’ayyad Musa, fatally shoot him in an apparent assassination. The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Husan w. of Bethlehem for construction of the separation wall; fires on residential areas of Budrus nr. Ramallah, Rafah; raids the Abu Huli neighborhood of Dayr al-Balah, searches homes, rounds up residents for interrogation, arrests 2; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bayt Khalil nr. Hebron, Burqin, Nablus, Qabatya, Yatta. Palestinians fire 3 rockets at Sederot and the Negev, a mortar at the Gaza security fence, causing no damage or injuries.Armed mbrs. of the Jenin Martyrs Brigades (a Bureij cell of the PRCs affiliated with Fatah) kidnap PA military intelligence officer Jihad ‘Abid (fmr. aide to fmr. military intelligence head Musa Arafat) as he returns to Gaza through the Rafah crossing. (AFP, HA, XIN, 7/28; NYT 7/29; PR 8/3; PCHR 8/4; HA 8/8)

The IDF imposes a closure on Palestinian sections of Hebron and surrounding areas (still in place as of 7/6), conducts arrest raids, house searches targeting Islamic Jihad; also conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah. Palestinian gunmen fire on a group of Jewish settlers at a hitchhiking post outside Beit Haggai settlement nr. Hebron, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 3. Despite the PA’s attempt to ban the gatherings, 100s ofIslamic Jihad mbrs. rally in Ramallah and nearly 1,000 rally in n. Gaza, protesting the IDF’s recent crackdown on its mbrs. and stating that it has no intention of abandoning the unofficial cease-fire. In Gaza, Islamic Jihad fires mortars at several Jewish settlements, causing damage but no injuries. (AFP, IMEMC, JTA 6/24; NYT, WP 6/25; HA, XIN 6/26; PRCS 6/27; JP 6/27 in WNC 6/28; OCHA, PR 6/29; PHRC 6/30)

In Nottingham, England, the Anglican Consultative Council, the global policymaking arm of the 77 million–mbr. Anglican Church, unanimously approves a statement urging the church’s 38 “provinces” to consider divestment fr. companies that bolster the Israeli occupation, as well as “investment strategies that support the infrastructure of a future Palestinian state.” (Religion News Service 6/24; NYT, WT 6/25; JP 6/26 in WNC 6/27; PR 6/29)

Overnight, the IDF raids Nur al-Shams r.c. outside Tulkarm to arrest wanted Islamic Jihad mbrs.; Islamic Jihad mbrs. Sa‘id Musay’i, Wa’il ‘Khadir are fatally shot when they open fire on the troops, a 3d mbr. surrenders. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian on a Nablus rooftop who allegedly is armed; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Beita; blows up a car in Nablus allegedly rigged as a car bomb; blocks the entrances to Kafr Dik village nr. Qalqilya; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes nr. Rafah, 1 nr. Khan Yunis; bulldozes 17 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; erects a new IDF post in Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin. The PSF fortifies Arafat’s headquarters in Ramallah, placing wrecked cars and concrete-filled barrels around the entrance to impede the IDF in the event of a raid. (AFP 5/7; MA, VOI, VOP, YA 5/7 in WNC 5/11; NYT 5/8; PCHR 5/13)

The IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad mbr. ‘Abd al-Hadi Omar nr. Jenin, also wounding 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., 2 bystanders; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, al-Til; disarms, arrests a would-be suicide bomber, wearing a 33 lb. explosives belt nr. Tulkarm; finds, safely defuses a 110 lb. bomb planted by the Gush Katif security fence. (HA, NYT 12/8; LAW, PCHR 12/11)

A day before the UN deadline, Iraq turns over a 12,000-page declaration on its biological, chemical, nuclear weapons programs, asserting that it has no weapons of mass destruction. (WP 12/7; NYT, WP, WT 12/8; MM 12/11)

In retlatiation for the IDF assasination of its military head Sawalha on 11/9, Islamic Jihad gunmen ambush a detail of IDF soldiers, border police, Jewish settler security officials nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, killing 4 IDF soldiers, 5 border police, 3 settler guards, injuring 15 soldiers, police, guards in what the IDF terms a “well planned ambush” that included positioning snipers on nearby hilltops; during the 3 hr. exchange of gunfire at least 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. are also killed. The IDF, Israeli government initially claim that all of those killed and injured were civilian worshipers en route fr. Sabbath prayers at the holy site; later admit that the group targetted was all military or paramilitary, that Islamic Jihad mbrs. allowed the group of Jewish worshipers to pass without incident mins. before the ambush. The attack comes barely 5 wks. after the Shin Bet warned (10/7) that tensions were high around the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, that a cell of 15+n20 Jewish settlers might be preparing an attack on Palestinians similar to the 1994 Baruch Goldstein shooting at the site; among those warning of a new Goldstein was IDF Hebron cmdr. Col. Dror Weinberg, killed in today’s attack. IDF undercover units assassinate senior Hamas mbr. Mahmud Obeid, arrest a 2d Hamas mbr. in Tulkarm; fire rockets at a workshop in Gaza City, destroying it; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Lahia; conduct arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah. During the 3d day of sweeps in Nablus, the IDF arrests another 14 suspected Hamas mbrs., fires on a group of stone-throwing youths, killing 1 Palestinian. (HA 11/15; HA, NYT, WP, WT 11/16; JP, NYT, WP 11/17; HA, PCHR 11/20; MEI 11/22; see also HA 10/7)

Arafat announces he is establishing a military court system to try people suspected of security offenses. Human rights groups, several PNC mbrs. say decision undermines Palestinian democracy. (MM 2/13; Al-Majd 2/13 in FBIS 2/14; MM 2/15; NYT 2/16; MEI 2/17; PR 2/20)

Talks on elections resume in Cairo after 4-wk. break to try to draft agmt. on elections before Rabin-Arafat mtg. 2/9. (MM 2/7; MENA, VOP 2/7 in FBIS 2/8; WP 2/8)

FM Peres meets with leading mbrs. of Congress in Washington, incl. Rep. Gingrich, Sen. Helms, discusses foreign aid, peace process; then addresses heads of U.S. Jewish organizations. (MM 2/8)

2-day U.S.-Lebanese security talks headed by Asst. Secy. of State Pelletreau, Lebanese Amb. Riad Tabbarah end in Washington; parties say mtg. was successful, they will meet again but give no date. U.S. should make decision on travel ban later this mo. (MM 2/8)

PSF raids, confiscates materials fr. DFLP offices, arrests over 60 DFLP supporters in Gaza in search for those who shot Israeli security guards 2/6. Those arrested incl. Wa'il Khalaf, DFLP representative in negotiations with PA on municipal councils. (MM, NYT, WT 2/8; MEI 2/17)

PSF arrests 20 Islamic Jihad mbrs., closes down offices of pro-Islamic Jihad paper al-Istiqlal. (MEI 2/17; PR 2/20)

U.S. Commerce Secy. Brown meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss Palestinian economic conditions, development. (VOP 2/7 in FBIS 2/8; WT 2/8)

Hamas stages rally against PLO-Israel accord at Gaza City's Islamic University, drawing 1,000s.  Demonstrators call for violence against IDF, settlers.  (WT 5/24)

Islamic Jihad refuses to surrender arms to Palestinian police, pledges to continues attacks on Israelis.  (MM 5/23)

Palestinian police at Erez checkpoint, Gaza Strip, shoot out tires of Israeli driver who refuses to stop.  (Qol Yisra'el 5/23 in FBIS 5/24; MM, WT 5/24)

PM Rabin demands PLO Chmn. Arafat reaffirm in writing PLO commitment to 5/4 accord, citing Arafat "jihad" speech in South Africa.  Police M Moshe Shahal says implementation of 5/4 agreement could be forestalled if attacks on Israelis continue.  (Qol Yisra'el 5/23, 5/24 in FBIS 5/24; MM 5/23; NYT, WP, WT 5/24)

Fateh Maj. Bassam Fawzi Mi`ari shot dead in Sidon by another Fateh mbr. in incident called "personal dispute."  Assailant turned over to Lebanese army.  (RL 5/23 in FBIS 5/24)

PM Rabin calls for stricter controls on the approx. 120,000 Palestinians who travel to work in Israel each day from the o.t., saying he would prefer a lower number. (NYT 3/20)

Poll shows 53% of Israeli Jews favor unilateral withdrawal from Gaza, 34% against. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 3/19 in FBIS 3/19)

Iranians celebrate Quds Day in support of the Palestinians, protesting the peace process. Deportees in southern Lebanon are divided; 35, mostly Islamic Jihad mbrs., heed Iran's call for protest against Israel. Ten Palestinian rejectionist factions issue statement honoring the occasion. (QPAR 3/18 in FBIS 3/19; MM 3/18, 3/19)

Al-Hayat reports that surprise U.S. warning to tourists in Jordan announced 3/1 was prompted by a Syrian-based Jihad al-Islami attack on U.S. tourists planned for 2/19, but thwarted 2/2 by Jordanian security. (MM 3/19)