The Palestine Chronology

IDF soldiers demolish a residential building and 3 shops in the al-Tur neighborhood of East Jerusalem on the grounds that they lacked construction permits. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers demolish 3 homes in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. In the Jordan Valley, IDF soldiers inform 100 families in Wadi alMalih that they must temporarily relocate to make space for military training. IDF forces also open fire on 2 Palestinians trying to damage the separation wall nr. Jalbun northeast of Jenin, injuring 1. The IDF patrols in Jenin and 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Jenin, 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in Hebron, 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Meanwhile, the IDF makes a brief incursion into northern Gaza nr. Bayt Hanun to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence. (MNA, WAFA 4/24; PCHR 4/25)

The PA agrees to postpone the presentation of 5 resolutions condemning Israeli policies to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) executive board in Paris. As part of the Russia and U.S.-brokered agreement between the PA and Israel (with the help of Jordan and Brazil), UNESCO experts will survey a number of sites in Jerusalem. (JP 4/24)

Israeli warplanes overfly s. Gaza, dropping leaflets warning Palestinians not to enter the 300-m no-go zone along the border fence. Israel seals the West Bank until 3/21 for the Purim holiday. During the day, the IDF patrols in al-Bireh, Ramallah, Tulkarm (randomly stopping and searching vehicles), 4 villages nr. Qalqilya (searching several shops in 1 village but making no arrests), and 3 others nr. Jenin (ordering 4 Palestinians to appear for questioning). Late at night, the IDF patrols in Jericho and conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers beat a Palestinian laborer working inside Shilo settlement; a settlement security guard intervenes, calling Israel border police who transport the Palestinian to a Ramallah hospital. Jewish settlers burn the cars of 2 Palestinian laborers working in Keddumim settlement nr. Qalqilya. Later, Keddumim settlers stone Palestinian cars on a nearby road; the IDF intervenes to disperse them. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron settlement nr. Qalqilya stone passing Palestinian vehicles. In Gaza, Hamas-affiliated police break up 40 protesters rallying in Gaza City calling for national reconciliation, arresting 1 protester and 2 Palestinian cameramen covering the event. (AFP, NYT 3/18; PCHR 3/24; OCHA 4/1)

The UNSC authorizes (10-0, with Brazil, China, Germany, India, and Russia abstaining) “all necessary measures” short of foreign occupation to protect civilians in Libya, including calling for an immediate halt to the heavy fighting ongoing nationwide, imposition of a no-fly zone, and interdiction of ships heading to support Qaddafi’s forces. (NYT, WP, WT 3/18)

Responding to an appeal made by PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas in 11/2010, Brazil recognizes Palestine as a state based on 1967 borders. The Israeli FMin. opens low-profiles talks with other Latin American leaders to prevent them fr. following suit. (WP 12/4; WJW 12/16; JPI 12/17)

Israeli municipal authorities in East Jerusalem demolish 1 Palestinian home in al-Tur neighborhood. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Jabaliya direct at least 17 artillery shells and gunfire at armed Palestinians planting explosive devices along the border fence, killing 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs.; later makes a brief incursion into the area to level land in the area to clear lines of sight. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night patrols in Zayta nr. Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. (PCHR 12/2; NYT 12/3; PCHR 12/9; OCHA 12/10)

In Gaza, 5 Palestinians are treated for breathing trouble after working in a tunnel on the Rafah border nr. Brazil r.c. In the West Bank, the IDF raids, searches, and occupies a Palestinian home nr. Tulkarm as an observation post; troops are still in the home at the end of the day. (OCHA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)

In Gaza, the IDF drops leaflets on and makes automated phone calls to residents in n. Gaza warning them to evacuate areas around rocket launch sites, buildings used by militants; shells Bayt Lahiya, killing 3 Palestinian civilians, wounding 11 others (the IDF says a shell may have misfired); repeatedly shells Bayt Hanun and perimeter, killing 3 Palestinian civilians, wounding 8; shells a shed on a farm nr. Gaza City, allegedly serving as a weapons depot. IDF troops stationed at the Dahaniyya airport fire on residential areas of nearby al-Shuka, wounding 1 Palestinian woman outside her home. Palestinians fire 8 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF conducts air strikes destroying 2 Palestinian homes in Gaza City and Khan Yunis (belonging to an Islamic Jihad mbr.), damaging surrounding stores and residences, wounding 3 bystanders; in both cases, the IDF phoned the homes 20 min. before the attack to warn residents to evacuate. The IDF also makes an air strike destroying a house of a Hamas mbr. under construction in Brazil r.c., also destroying 2 neighboring homes, damaging several others, wounding 15 bystanders (including 7 children). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Beitunia nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jericho, Tulkarm, and in ‘Askar r.c., Azariyya, Jenin town and r.c.; bulldozes 35 d. of Palestinian land for construction of the separation wall nr. Jerusalem. (WP 7/24; NYT, WP 7/25; PCHR 7/27; B’Tselem 8/3)

IDF ground forces advance another halfmile into s. Lebanon, using bulldozers to clear roads and demolish buildings, engaging Hizballah mbrs. in Bint Jubayl and encountering artillery fire, antitank weapons, land mines, leaving 2 IDF soldiers dead, 14–20 IDF soldiers wounded, 2 Hizballah mbrs. captured, an unknown number of Hizballah casualties, up to 5 IDF tanks disabled; an IDF helicopter returning fr. Bint Jubayl crashes in the n. Galilee, killing another 2 IDF soldiers. Meanwhile, IDF-Hizballah clashes continue in Maroun al-Ras. The IDF also continues air strikes across Lebanon, targeting at least 70 Hizballah sites (particularly around Tyre), killing at least 7 Lebanese civilians; also hitting a UN post, injuring 4 UNIFIL soldiers. Hizballah fires around 80 rockets into n. Israel, injuring 20 Israelis, 2 seriously, and starting brush fires. (JAZ, NBC Nightly News, Slate, Wall Street Journal 7/24; NYT, WP, WT 7/25; WP 7/26)

The IDF fires missiles at a car in Jabaliya r.c., assassinating Islamic Jihad cmdr. Said Abu Jidayn, as well asIslamic Jihad mbrs. Akram Qaddas, Omar Obayid, wounding 3 bystanders; fires missiles fr. F-16s at an educational center in Khan Yunis (causing serious damage but no injuries), 7 access roads to the n. Gaza no-go zone; conducts mock air raids, breaking the sound barrier over Gaza City; extends closure on the Tulkarm and Jenin areas (in place in Tulkarm since 12/15, in Jenin since shortly thereafter) to Nablus, effectively prohibiting any Palestinian travel southward towards Ramallah and sealing 800,000 Palestinians in the northern canton; detains 23 Palestinian election officials on their way to a training session in Ramallah at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm for 6 hrs.; arrests a Palestinian candidate for the 1/25 elections campaigning in Jerusalem; patrols in Bethlehem, Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Arub r.c. (arresting the campaign coordinator for the Alternative list in the 1/25 elections), Balata r.c., Jenin town and r.c. and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron; uproots 400 Palestinian olive trees southwest of Hebron for construction of the separation wall. Dozens of armed Jewish settlers attempt to reoccupy the vacated West Bank settlement of Sanur; the IDF removes them. Some 200 PA policemen rampage through PA offices, courthouses, an election office, and a municipal building in Rafah, firing in the air to protest the PA’s failure to fight lawlessness in Gaza after the death of a PA policeman in clashes on 12/29. AMB mbrs., PA police clash in Gaza; no injuries are reported. In Brazil r.c., 2 Japanese aid workers escape a kidnapping attempt by unknown Palestinians. (HA, IMEMC, JAZ, XIN 1/2; NYT, PCHR, WP 1/3; NYT, PCHR 1/5; HA 1/13)

The IDF fires tank shells at Palestinians harvesting strawberry fields outside Bayt Lahiya, killing 7 Palestinian children (ages 10–17) wounding at least 2 adults, 5 children; fires on Palestinians working agricultural land southeast of Gaza City, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 5; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and in Bethlehem, al-Fawwar r.c., Silwad, ‘Anin nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, Rafah. Hamas fires 2 Qassam rockets fr. Khan Yunis at nearby settlements and fr. n. Gaza at Sederot, injuring 2 Israelis. (FT, IMEMC 1/4; VOI, VOP 1/4 in WNC 1/6; MM, NYT, PM, PR 1/5; IDF Radio, al-Quds, VOI, YA 1/5 in WNC 1/7; PCHR 1/6; MEI 1/7)

The IDF seals Jericho for the day; closes the Gaza coastal and the Jenin–Nablus roads to Palestinian traffic; makes an incursion into Shaykh Ajlin neighborhood in Gaza City, shells residential areas, bulldozes 69 d. of agricultural land; fires on Brazil r.c.; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin, and in Hebron, Nablus, and Nur al-Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm. A West Bank Palestinian sneaks across the Green Line, fatally stabs an Israeli woman outside her home in Moshav Nehusha, 1 mi inside Israel; no word on whether he is arrested or escapes. Palestinians fire an antitank missile at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, damaging a synagogue but causing no injuries. (JTA 12/21; VOP 12/21 in WNC 12/23; PCHR, WP 12/23)

Hamas takes responsibility for planting a bomb in a chicken coop nr. Gaza’s Qarni crossing, luring an IDF bomb squad to the site, and detonating the device, killing an IDF solider and a bomb-sniffing dog, wounding 4 soldiers. The IDF retaliates with gunfire nearby, killing 2 Hamas mbrs., 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., wounding 10 bystanders, bulldozing 30 d. of land. The IDF raids a charitable society, orphanage, and school reportedly tied to Hamas in Bani Na‘im, confiscating files, sealing 3 offices; raids the Prisoners’ Supporters Society in Hebron, confiscating computers, files; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., Beitunia, Hebron and nearby Bayt ‘Awwa, Qalqilya and neighboring ‘Azun and Jayyus, Taqu‘a, Zabbuba nr. Jenin; begins large-scale bulldozing operations nr. Jaba‘ village northwest of Hebron for construction of the separation wall; fires rubber bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall in Budrus nr. Ramallah, also arrests 40 Israeli protesters demonstrating with them. The AMB kills a Palestinian collaborator believed to have passed information to the IDF that led to the killing of 3 AMB mbrs. on 11/21. A carload of Jewish settlers twice attempts to run down a group of Palestinian teenagers on their way to school; the settlers then emerge fr. the car, attempt to kidnap a Palestinian boy, scuffle with teenagers; the IDF intervenes, orders settlers to leave but does not arrest them. (IMEMC, MM 12/7; VOI 12/7 in WNC 12/9; NYT, WP, WT 12/8; VOI 12/8 in WNC 12/10; PCHR 12/9; MEI 12/17)

The IDF fires on a group of “suspicious” Palestinians in Rafah apparently attempting to cross the border into Egypt, killing 2 Palestinians and wounding 2 in the group, killing a Palestinian doctor inside his home nearby; tightens movement around Ramallah; bulldozes 15 d. for construction of the separation wall nr. Hebron; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Rafah. (VOI, VOP 11/28 in WNC 11/30; NYT 11/29; PCHR 12/2)

The IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Yatta, on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm. A Palestinian sniper shoots, wounds an IDF soldier manning a post outside Dayr al-Balah. Hamas fires mortars at a Jewish settlement in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (XIN 11/24; VOP 11/24 in WNC 11/27; PCHR 11/25; JP 11/25 in WNC 11/27)

The IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c.; bulldozes 7 Palestinian homes in Brazil r.c. and Rafah. Jewish settlers fr. Bnei Hefetz nr. Hebron uproot 10s of Palestinian olive trees in neighboring Khirbet al-Bawayb. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Ein settlement nr. Bethlehem armed with machine guns raid an olive production facility in nearby Jaba village, cart away large amounts of olives. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier in Rafah. Unidentified gunmen fire on the home of Tulkarm mayor Mahmud Jallad, causing light damage but no injuries. (PRCS 10/17; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21)

The IDF continues bulldozing operations in Khan Yunis, pulling out early in the morning; imposes a daylong curfew on Wadi al-Hussein nr. Hebron, also transforms an empty Palestinian house into an observation post; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Aza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 8/19 in Brazil r.c. (PRCS 8/20; PCHR 8/26)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Nablus but by evening lifts the curfew, withdraws troops, ending Operation Full Court Press. The IDF fires on 2 Palestinians who stray into a closed military zone in Rafah, injuring 1, then fatally shoots another Palestinian youth who attempts to reach him to provide aid; later shells residential areas of Rafah, killing a 62-yr.-old Palestinian; fires tear gas, live ammunition at Palestinians waiting to cross al-Mahatin checkpoint nr. Dayr al-Balah in central Gaza; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis (seriously damaging a hospital); bulldozes 60 d. of agricultural land, shells residential areas in Wadi al-Silqa in s. Gaza; occupies a building under construction in Hebron as a military post. Late in the evening, the IDF sends bulldozers into Khan Yunis, demolishing 4 Palestinian homes. Palestinians fire 5 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly inuring 1 Israeli. (HA, XIN 8/19; NYT 8/20; PCHR 8/26)

The IDF continues operations in Nablus, conducting house searches, firing on stonethrowing youths, fatally shooting a 9-yr.- old Palestinian sitting on the stoop of his home. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbrs. laying a roadside bomb outside Gaza’s Atzmona settlement; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Brazil r.c.; directs heavy machinegun fire at residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem and nr. Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Ramallah; raids the offices of the National Society in Dahaysha r.c., arresting 3 employees, confiscating computers, sparking clashes with local Palestinians, wounding 5. The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders for construction of 1,001 new housing units in 4 Jewish settlements (Ariel, 214; Beitar Ilit, 604; Karnei Shomron, 42; Ma’ale Adumim, 141). (HA, MM 8/17; VOP 8/17 in WNC 8/19; MM, NYT, PCHR, PR, WP, WT 8/18; PCHR, WJW 8/19; MM 8/20, 8/23; MEI 8/27)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) fires missiles at 4 Palestinians allegedly preparing to fire a Qassam rocket fr. Bayt Hanun into Israel, killing 2; continues large-scale operations (dubbed Operation Full Court Press) in Nablus that began on 8/7, imposing a curfew, fatally shooting a Palestinian standing on his roof, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops; blows up 3 residential buildings housing 13 Palestinian families (76 individuals) in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Brazil refugee camp (r.c.), Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes 2 wells, a commercial building in Bayt Hanun; conducts arrest raids, house searches in villages outside Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Hanun, orders Palestinians to evacuate several homes nr. Erez Crossing, searches and digs around homes for several hrs. looking for tunnels. Islamic Jihad fires 2 mortars at Gaza’s Gush Katif settlement as a solidarity gesture with the Palestinian prisoners (on hunger strike since 8/15), causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (AP 8/16; PRCS press release, WP, WT 8/17; PR 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

The IDF shells, directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis, Rafah (wounding 1 woman inside her home); sends troops into Balata r.c., Nablus under cover of shelling, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding 6; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Yatta. A 13-yr.- old Palestinian dies of injuries received during the 8/8–9 IDF raid on Rafah. A newspaper runs an ad signed by 144 prominent Palestinians, demanding government reform, new elections. More than 100 unemployed Palestinian university graduates temporarily occupy a PA building in Gaza, demanding the PA find them jobs. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai throw stones at, lightly injure a 15-yr.-old Palestinian in Hebron. (HA, WT 8/14; WP 8/15; PR 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

An AMB gunman ambushes, fatally shoots a Jewish settler security chief patrolling around Itamar settlement in the West Bank, is then shot dead by other security guards; the IDF later blows up the gunman’s home in nearby Bayt Furik. The IDF also continues operations in Gaza City, bulldozing 700 dunams of land, demolishing several Palestinian homes, firing on Palestinians, wounding 4 before withdrawing later in the day; fires on residential areas of Aida r.c., Bayt Furik, Tal al-Sultan, Yatta; raids, fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., Tulkarm r.c. and town; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Khadir, Bayt Sahur; shells an electricity tower in Rafah, cutting electricity to some neighborhoods and Brazil r.c. The IDF also fires warning shots at a Spanish emb. vehicle at the Abu Huli checkpoint in Gaza; Spain lodges a formal complaint, saying it had received Israeli approval for the trip. (NYT, WP 8/14; PCHR 8/19) The 20th summer Olympics opens in Athens. Palestine is represented by 2 track and-field athletes, 1 swimmer. The International Olympic Comm. (IOC) 1st recognized Palestine in 1934, but rescinded recognition in 1948, when it recognized Israel. After the signing of the Oslo Accord in 1993, the IOC recognized Palestine again. Palestinian teams have competed in the summer Olympics in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000). (PR 8/18, 8/25)

The IDF send troops into Nablus and neighboring Bayt Furik, firing on stonethrowing youths, shells residential areas, wounding 5; fires on Palestinians waiting to cross a checkpoint e. of Jerusalem, wounding 1; shells residential areas of Rafah; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., Brazil r.c., Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm; fires on a PSF observation post in Rafah, injuring 1 PSF officer; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bethlehem, 1 in Dahaysha r.c.; raids, checks identification of everyone in a PSF office nr. Hebron. (VOI 8/8 in WNC 8/10; PCHR 8/12)

PA Planning M Nabil Qassis resigns to accept a position as pres. of Birzeit University. Arafat does not immediately name a replacement. (PSCT 8/7 in WNC 8/10; NYT, WP, XIN 8/8; PR 8/11)

In continuing operations in Nablus, the IDF makes a predawn raid on a residential building, orders residents to evacuate, and immediately shoots the 1st 2 Palestinians who emerge—a Nablus University professor and his 16-yr.-old son—in an apparent botched assassination attempt. Later during the same maneuver, the IDF fatally shoots PFLP West Bank military cmdr. Yamun Faraj, senior PFLP cmdr. Amjad Hanani in an exchange of gunfire, in which an IDF officer is also killed, 3 IDF soldiers are wounded. In nearby Balata r.c., wanted Palestinian Wail Araysha is killed in a mysterious explosion in his car. In Gaza, 2 armed Palestinians open fire on, throw grenades at an IDF jeep, wounding 2 IDF soldiers; the soldiers return fire, killing both Palestinians. In Bayt Hanun, the IDF bulldozes at least 400 dunams of citrus trees, 1 Palestinian home, part of a cement factory; fires on stone-throwing youths; conducts arrest raids. The IDF also demolishes 4 Palestinian homes and a shop in Brazil r.c., 1 home in Wadi al-Silqa; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Rafah. (HA, PCHR, WT 7/6; VOI, VOP 7/6, 7/7 in WNC 7/9; NYT, PR, WP 7/7; PCHR 7/8; MEI 7/9; HA 7/23; PR 8/4)

The IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Anata, 2 in Sur al-Bahir for construction of the separation wall nr. East Jerusalem; demolishes another Palestinian home in Brazil r.c.; bulldozes 50 dunams of agricultural land nr. Qalqilya for a new settler bypass road to a small settler enclave nr. Alfe Menashe settlement; conducts arrest raids in Nablus and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah. (VOP 6/2 in WNC 6/4; MM, PCHR, PM 6/3; IDF Radio, VOI, VOP 6/3 in WNC 6/5; PCHR 6/10)

The IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home, bulldozes 14 dunams of agricultural land nr. Khan Yunis; demolishes a Palestinian home in Brazil r.c.; conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Bethlehem, al-Fawwar r.c., Hebron, Nablus, and the villages of Tura and Zinnab in the n. West Bank; shells residential areas of Rafah; fires on residential areas of Nablus. (VOI 5/28 in WNC 6/1; PCHR 6/3)

During the day, the IDF continues operations in Rafah, demolishing 5 Palestinian houses completely, redeploying tanks surrounding Tal al-Sultan away fr. the area (bulldozing 120 dunams of agricultural land before leaving), moving tanks and bulldozers into Brazil r.c., firing on residential areas. The IDF withdraws fr. Rafah after sundown, effectively ending Operation Rainbow, saying that since 5/17 it found 3 tunnels and demolished 56 “structures” that allegedly had provided cover for Palestinian gunmen, that it will regroup and resume operations soon. After the pullback, the IDF fires on a funeral in Rafah, seriously injuring several Palestinians. The IDF also raids Balata r.c., fires on stone-throwing youths, killing 1 Palestinian. (JTA, MM, NYT, PM, REU 5/24; MENA, VOI 5/24 in WNC 5/26; AP, NYT, WP, WT 5/25; MM, PR 5/26; PCHR 5/27; JPI 6/4)

Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Sulayman meets separately with Israeli PM Ariel Sharon, Palestinian Authority (PA) head Yasir Arafat to present them with a list of conditions that Egypt would require to be in place before it would agree to retrain Palestinian security forces to assume security control in Gaza under Sharon’s disengagement plan. (MM 5/24; MENA, VOI, YA 5/24 in WNC 5/26; AP, MM, NYT, REU, WT 5/25; MENA, VOP 5/25 in WNC 5/27; WP 5/26; AYM 5/26, AYM, VOP 5/27 in WNC 6/1; NYT, WP 5/28; VOP 5/31 in WNC 6/2) 

The IDF begins redeploying troops to the outskirts of parts of Rafah (Brazil r.c., Tal al-Sultan), but bulldozes 298 dunams of agricultural land and 1 Palestinian home in the Tal al-Sultan area. The UN begins moving 10,000 gallons of emergency water supplies into Rafah. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in Nablus, Qalqilya; bulldozes a road, 4 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas nr. Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. An 18-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received during the 5/12 IDF raid on Gaza City. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received during the 5/15 IDF raid on Rafah. (AP, MM, WP 5/21; VOI 5/21 in WNC 5/25; WT 5/22; PCHR 5/27)

IDF expands operations in Rafah to Brazil r.c. and al-Salam neighborhood. IDF helicopters fire 4 missiles at some 3,000 Palestinians, mostly school children, staging a peaceful march fr. neighboring Shabura to Rafah’s Tal al-Sultan neighborhood in protest against the incursion, killing at least 8 Palestinians, wounding more than 60; Israel apologizes for the deaths, saying “warning shots” went astray, but says Operation Rainbow will continue. Also in Rafah, the IDF fires a missile at 5 Palestinian gunmen, killing them all; fatally shoots a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy who leaves his home under curfew to get water for his family; continues house-tohouse searches; orders all Palestinian males between ages 16 and 50 to gather in a local school, transfers them to bases at nearby Jewish settlements for interrogation, releases most by sunset; demolishes at least 5 Palestinian homes. In the West Bank, the IDF shells an apartment building in Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, claiming that wanted Palestinians were hiding inside but finding none. (HA, MM, YA 5/19; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, REU, WP, WT 5/20; HJ, Interfax, XIN 5/20 in WNC 5/22; CSM, MM, NYT 5/21; WP 5/25; PR 5/26; PCHR 5/27)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem in connection to the 1/29 bombing, but after informing the PAof its plans to enter the city and asking the PSF to evacuate its posts while the operation is underway; 4 Palestinians are arrested, 10s detained for questioning. The IDF also assassinates wanted Hamas mbr. Jihad Suwayti in Hebron, raiding a home, shooting him in the head; fatally shoots 1 AMB mbr., 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. (both armed) who attempt to infiltrate Gaza’s Dugit settlement to stage a joint attack; fatally shoots a 4th Palestinian nr. Nablus; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Ramallah, the home of the 1/29 bomber’s family in Aida r.c.; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c. (BBC, HA, MM 1/30; NYT, WP, WT 1/31; LAW, PCHR 2/12)

Hizballah, Israel complete implementation of the 1st phase of their prisoner release, open contacts via Germany on the 2d phase. (MEI 2/6)

Overnight and early this morning, the IDF demolishes 22 Palestinian homes in Khan Yunis that allegedly provided cover for mortar attacks, leaving 178 Palestinians (25 families) homeless; another 6 Palestinian homes housing 40 Palestinians (6 families) are heavily damaged. The IDF also erects several new roadblocks in the Jenin area; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Hebron, Nablus. The IDF also removes 1 uninhabited unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Nablus, scuffling with Jewish settlers who attempt to block the move. (BBC, PCHR 12/15; NYT 12/16; PR 12/17; PCHR 12/18; MEI 12/19)

The IDF blows upa2d smugglers’ tunnel to Egypt in Rafah (see 12/9), demolishing a Palestinian home; fires on residential areas of Birzeit, Brazil r.c. Israeli police say that in recent days, they have arrested 9 East Jerusalem Palestinians on suspicion of putting together a Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount security patrol financed by the PA. Jewish settlers unilaterally evacuate 1 unauthorized settlement outpost in the central West Bank; the IDF says it has received orders to dismantle another 5. An Israeli military court exonerates for lack of evidence PA General Intelligence officer Musa Shahin, who was placed in administrative detention in 7/02 for allegedly firing on 2 IDF posts. (HA 12/10; al-Quds 12/10 in WNC 12/16; PCHR 12/11)

Islamic Jihad says that it could agree to the establishment of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders “on a temporary basis.” (VOP 12/10 in WNC 12/12)

A 2-day donors’ Ad Hoc Liaison Comm. mtg. opens in Rome. (AP, MM 12/10; AFP, VOP 12/10 in WNC 12/12; MM, NYT 12/11; VOP 12/11 in WNC 12/13; Jerusalem Times 12/18)

The IDF transfers 3 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees to Gaza for 2 yrs. for their involvement in Palestinian violence; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c. , Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Tubas nr. Jenin. (BBC 11/24; VOP 11/24 in WNC 11/26; PCHR 12/4)

Sharon tells his cabinet that he is considering submitting a plan to cabinet vote for “unilateral steps” in the West Bank and Gaza. Sharon does not confirm leaks to the press that the steps would include dismantling some isolated Jewish settlements, especially in Gaza, as part of a final status deal. (HA 11/23; Los Angeles Times 11/24)

The IDF begins construction of a new 7.4-km. segment of the separation wall w. of Ramallah, nr. Rantis; bulldozes land in Bureij r.c.; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c. A Jewish settler kills a Palestinian in a hit-and-run incident nr. Hebron. (VOP 11/14 in WNC 11/18; PCHR 11/20)