The Palestine Chronology

In response to escalating tensions in East Jerusalem, 1,000s of Palestinians attend a rally in Gaza organized by Hamas calling for another intifada. (WT 10/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian by the separation wall nr. Azun Atma; conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Nablus and nr. Jenin, arresting 2 Palestinians. (PCHR 10/8)

Israeli-Palestinian tensions in Jerusalem remain high following the 10/4 clashes. Although Israel deploys 1,000s of additional police in and around the Old City and IDF helicopters and drones monitor fr. above, some significant clashes are reported in and around the city. At a checkpoint at the entrance of Shu‘fat r.c., Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian who stabbed an Israeli soldier in the neck; IDF troops then enter Shu‘fat r.c., fire sound bombs and tear gas, and arrest 8 more Palestinians (all under the age of 18, 2 under the age of 13). At Qalandia checkpoint, Israeli security forces fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at 10s of Palestinian protesters. In Ras alAmud neighborhood, Israeli security forces arrest 13 Palestinians for stone-throwing. Israeli authorities also seal off 2 Arab neighborhoods adjacent to the Old City and bar men under the age of 50 fr. entering alAqsa Mosque. At least 7 Palestinians are wounded in clashes during the day. Israel releases 2 Palestinians detained at crossings into Jerusalem on 10/4 but bars them fr. entering Jerusalem for 90 days. (WT 10/6, PCHR 10/8)

A complaint filed by Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din results in the arrest of an IDF soldier on charges of beating the Bil‘in Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement during a late-night raid on 9/15. (OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

What the IDF describes as an Israeli “special police unit” operating outside Jenin ambushes, assassinates wanted Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Nahid Abu Ghanim, seriously wounds a bystander. Hrs. later, the AMB kills 3 Jewish settlers, wounds at least 5 in drive-by shootings outside Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem and Eli nr. Nablus; the IDF seals Bethlehem and Hebron, bars Palestinian traffic in those areas, says arrest raids will increase; YESHA settlers council calls on Sharon to close all West Bank roads to Palestinian traffic. During the day, the IDF also handcuffs and severely beats a Palestinian shepherd nr. Tulkarm for no apparent reason; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Kafr Qalil nr. Nablus. Late in the evening, the IDF launches arrest raids that continue overnight in villages around Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah, Tulkarm. An unnamed IDF spokesman confirms that the IDF has sent undercover officers who can pass as Arabs into the weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil`in to encourage Palestinians to throw stones; troops then use force to disperse crowds. Jewish settlers cut down 30 Palestinian olive trees in Salim. (HA, PCHR 10/16; NYT, PM, WP, WT 10/17; CSM, HA 10/18; PCHR 10/20)

Unidentified Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb outside Erez crossing as a U.S. emb. convoy (carrying the cultural attache, en route to interview Fulbright scholarship candidates) passes, destroying 1 of 4 armored cars, killing 3 U.S. security officers, wounding 1 U.S. diplomat; the convoy passes along a route and at a time a CIA detail involved in monitoring road map progress usually passes through the area, despite mos. of warnings fr. the PA of the dangers of routine movements, conspicuous bodyguards. AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Comms. (PRC) deny responsibility, though a phone call to the press claims the attack on the PRCs’ behalf. After this 1st successful targeted attack against Americans by Palestinians, the U.S. for the 1st time discloses that in 6/03 a roadside bomb went off nr. a CIA vehicle in Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. Palestinians also detonate a smaller roadside bomb nr. an IDF convoy in Gaza, injuring 3 IDF soldiers. The IDF sends troops back into Brazil r.c., fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, searching and occupying homes, bulldozing land, demolishing a number of houses, shelling residential areas; arrests a Palestinian woman who attempts to stab a soldier at a Tulkarm checkpoint; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; imposes a curfew on Nablus, escorts 100s of ultra-Orthodox Jews on a pilgrimage to Joseph’s Tomb. Israel orders another 3 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees expelled to Gaza (see 10/14). An Israeli Arab dies of injuries received in the 10/4 Haifa bombing, bringing that toll to 21. (BBC, HA, MM, PR, PRCS 10/15; XIN 10/15, al-Ra’i 10/16 in WNC 10/18; AP, HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 10/16; MM, WP 10/17; AYM 10/18 in WNC 10/25; PR 10/22; WJW 10/23; JPI, MEI 10/24; JPI 10/31)

A female Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device in a Haifa restaurant, killing 14 Israeli Jews, 5 Israeli Arabs, wounding around 50. (The bomber, Hanadi Taysir Jaradat, who had just graduated fr. law school in Jordan, watched as IDF undercover units assassinated her brother and cousin, both Islamic Jihad mbrs., outside their family home in Jenin on 6/12/03.) Israel says Arafat is to blame for failing to order the PSF to take steps to dismantle Islamic Jihad. Bush says the bombing “underscores once again the responsibility of the Palestinian authorities to fight terror,” says “the new Palestinian cabinet must dedicate itself to dismantling the infrastructure of terror,” does not call for Israeli restraint; Powell also phones Israeli FM Silvan Shalom to express condolences and strong condemnation of the attack, but does not urge restraint. In response, the IDF shells, demolishes an empty Palestinian home in Gaza City, and empty garage in Bureij r.c.; makes a failed assassination attempt on an Islamic Jihad mbr. in central Gaza, firing missiles at him in an open field, but missing him; moves troops into Jenin. Mbrs. of the Israeli peace group Gush Shalom, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) surround Arafat’s Ramallah headquarters to act as human shields should Israel attempt to “remove” him. During the day, the IDF also raids Tulkarm r.c., assassinates AMB mbr. Sirhan Biharan Hassin Sirhan, whom Israel says killed 5 Israelis in Kibbutz Metzer on 11/10/02, also killing a 9-yr.-old Palestinian bystander; fires on residential areas of Rafah. A Palestinian toddler dies of injuries received on 10/2; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received in 2002. (GS, HA 10/4; AFP, MENA, VOP 10/4, AFP, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, VIRI, VOP, XIN 10/5 in WNC 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MM, WP 10/6; al-Ra’i 10/6 in WNC 10/8; HA, MM, NYT 10/7; PR, WP 10/8; PCHR, WJW 10/9; MEI 10/10; MM 10/17)

The IDF moves troops back into Jenin, after withdrawing to the outskirts of the city on 10/18; fires on Palestinian farmers in Jenin; bulldozes 18 Palestinian homes (15 in Jiftlik, 1 in `Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., 1 in Balata r.c., 1 in Rafah, 1 in Salim); bars a Palestinian heart attack victim fr. crossing and IDF checkpoint to reach a hospital for 2 hrs., allowing him to die; raids 2 homes in Hebron, sets fire to residents’ belongings. IDF commandos raid Balata r.c., arrest 2 Palestinians, leave behind their van, booby trapped with explosives; the van later explodes, injuring 10 Palestinians. With the IDF’s pledge of protection, Palestinian residents of Yanun return to their homes (see 10/18). The PA complains that btwn. 9/4 and 10/16, the IDF has taken 750 single-bed truckloads, 250 double-bed truckloads of sand out of Gaza for use in construction projects inside Israel. (LAW, PCHR 10/23; AYM 10/23 in WNC 10/28; NYT, WT 10/24; HA 11/15)

U.S. Asst. Secy. of State William Burns arrives in Jerusalem to meet with Israeli, PA officials regarding a U.S. draft road map; presents the PA with the draft for the 1^st time (see 10/16). (HA, MM, PR 10/23; HA, MM, NYT 10/24; MM, NYT, WT 10/25; AYM 10/25, 10/26 in WNC 10/28; WP 10/26; MEI 11/8)

The Knesset rejects (23-51) a proposed bill that would ban fr. the parliament any party trying to incite the expulsion of Palestinians, Israeli Arabs. (AFP 10/23)

In the 1st bombing since 8/4/02, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device at a bus stop in a Umm al-Fahm in Israel, killing 1 Israeli policeman, wounding a 2d policeman, 1 Israeli Arab. An AMB gunman ambushes a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Jenin, killing 1 Jewish settler, injuring a Rumanian worker; a 2d Jewish settler is found murdered in East Jerusalem; an alleged Palestinian collaborator is found murdered, apparently by Hamas. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian at a roadblock, claiming he attempted to run over soldiers; conducts house-to-house searches in Rafah, bulldozing 1 Palestinian home, firing on an UN delegation touring earlier damage; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes in Abu Dis, belonging to the families of suicide bombers; demolishes 34 residential units in a General Union of Palestinian Workers housing project in `Ayn Sinya nr. Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, barring an ambulance fr. retrieving at least 1 injured Palestinian; bulldozes, paves over 5 dunams of agricultural land nr. Khan Yunis for a new settler bypass road. According to the IDF, Palestinians fire 3 antitank missiles at an IDF post nr. Rafah, causing no damage. (AP, JTA, LAW, PCHR, REU 9/18; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/19; QA 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM 9/20; NYT 9/21; MM 9/24; PCHR, PR 9/25; MEI 9/27; WT 10/26)

Peres says that he is preparing a personal peace initiative, that he will probably meet with Arafat on the sidelines of a 2-day economic conference that opens in Spain on 11/2. Sharon, expressing surprise, reminds Peres he must coordinate any mtgs. with Arafat with the PM's Office. (AP, MM 10/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/31; HA 11/6; HP 11/7; MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9; JP 11/11 in WNC 11/14) (see Peace Monitor)

Israel demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. The U.S. condemns the action as highly provocative. The IDF conducts raids into Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia under intense shelling and heavy machine gun fire, hitting electricity generators, cutting power to the area; also makes arrest raids in Araba, Tulkarm; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; fires on Palestinian fishermen off Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes 10s of dunams of Palestinian land in Wadi Qana, reportedly to expand Ma'ale Shomron settlement; bulldozes 6 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Netzarim settlement; reinforces troops on the Nablus-Qalqilya road (cutting power to the area), around Tulkarm. Palestinians fire several mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. The PA says it has arrested 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in connection with the Hadera attack on 10/28. Families of Palestinians placed under 6-mo. administrative detention by the PSF over the past 2 wks. hold a demonstration outside PSF offices in al-Bireh, Ramallah; scuffle with PSF officers. (LAW 10/30; HP, LAW, NYT, WT 10/31)

In the Galilee, 400 Israeli police clash with 1,000 Israeli Arabs residents of al-Tira and Taybeh protesting the government's expropriation of village lands for a highway, leaving more than 40 Israeli Arabs (including 3 MKs), 18 police officers injured. (JP [Internet] 10/30; HA 10/31)

The U.S. convenes another trilateral security comm. mtg. to press Israel to withdraw fr. Jinin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. No agmt. is reached. Israel says the U.S.'s repeated urgings are as counterproductive, only encourage Palestinian obstinacy. (NYT, State Dept. briefing, WT 10/30)

Meanwhile, the IDF shells residential areas of al-Maghazi refugee camp, a PSF post in Tulkarm; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah; announces that a permanent fence will be build around 3 Jewish settlements in n. Gaza, effectively annexing the area to Israel proper. (LAW 10/31; al-Ahram 11/1)

The Israeli General Security Service (GSS) announces it has arrested 11 Israeli Arabs on suspicion of planning "terrorist attacks," including kidnapping, murdering soldiers. This reportedly brings to 30 the number of Israeli Arabs detained by the GSS in the past wk. (JP [Internet] 10/27; MA 11/12 in WNC 11/14)

Under further pressure fr. the EU, Russia, UN, and U.S., Israel agrees to pull the IDF out of the Bethlehem area on 10/27, to consider expanding the pullout to 5 other major PA-controlled towns if the cease-fire in Bethlehem holds and the PA agrees to extradite suspects in the Ze'evi case. Throughout the day, however, heavy clashes continue in, around Bethlehem except for a brief period while a team of EU officials tour the area. The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians, 1 Israeli Arab; digs deep trenches in Jinin to keep Palestinians from sneaking into Israel; sets up new military outposts outside Nablus, Ramallah; enters Dayr Nitham village, opening fire on and damaging several Palestinian homes; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts an arrest raid in Qalqilya. (MM 10/27; NYT, WP, WT 10/27; Interfax 10/27 in WNC 10/29; LAW 10/31)

Islamic Jihad detonates a car bomb in a parking garage in Talpiot settlement in East Jerusalem, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Jinin, Rafah; tightens the closure on Jinin, Khan Yunis, Ramallah, Tulkarm; bars teachers, students fr. entering a school in Hawara; raids a 2d school in Nablus. Jewish settlers severely beat 2 Palestinian children en route to school in Nablus; bulldoze 350 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Mihula; raid Kafr Laqif village nr. Qalqilya, attack several Palestinians, set fire to an olive grove. The IDF bars a pregnant Palestinian woman in labor fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital, forcing her to give birth at the crossing. (AP, HP 10/1; GS, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; MM 10/3; LAW 10/10; MEI 10/12)

Senior Israeli, PA security officials discuss cease-fire implementation. Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer authorizes the IDF to remove roadblocks around Jericho, reopen the Rafah crossing into Egypt, ease Palestinians' passage through checkpoints, withdraw tanks from areas "where quiet is maintained." (Israeli DMin. press release, JP [Internet] 10/1; AYM 10/1 in WNC 10/2; al-Quds 10/2 in WNC 10/3)

Inside Israel, Israeli Arabs observe a general strike, stage protests to mark the 1st anniversary of the 10/00 riots, which left 18 Israeli Arabs dead (13 killed by Israeli police; 5 by Israeli civilians). Israeli police keep a distance fr. demonstrators; no violence is reported. (MM 10/1)

Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza continue demonstrations to mark the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. The IDF clashes with protesters, killing 3 Palestinians, wounding more than 100. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The main hot spots are Hebron, Qarni crossing, Rafah. Inside Israel, 1,000s of Israeli Arabs hold rallies in Arraba, Haifa, Jit, Kafr Manda, Kafr Qana, Nazareth, Sakhnin, Umm al-Fahm; demonstrations in Nazareth, Umm al-Fahm turn violent with protesters clashing with police, vandalizing stores, but no injuries are reported. The IDF directs shell, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Bireh, Brazil camp, Hebron, Khan Yunis, Yibna; sets fire to a Palestinian orchard nr. a bypass road outside Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Ramallah. Jewish settlers install a tower, water reserve, electricity hook-up to a new settlement enclave btwn. Suisa, Ma'on settlements. (HP 9/29; NYT, WP, WT 9/30; al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/9; MM, WT 10/1; Independent, NYT 10/2; WJW 10/4; LAW 10/10)

Israel, the PA each complain that the other has not undertaken the steps required in the initial 48 hr. stage of the Tenet plan. Sharon meets with his inner cabinet, which agrees to allow Peres to continue truce talks with PA officials, but says it will resume "initiated actions" in 48 hrs. if violence continues. (HP 9/29; NYT, WP, WT 9/30; al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/9; MM, WT 10/1; Independent, NYT 10/2; WJW 10/4; LAW 10/10)

The Arab League closes its 2-day emergency session, issuing a nonbinding resolution calling for a $1 b. Palestinian aid fund, recommending Arab states postpone further normalization with Israel. Tunisia orders Israel to shut its representative offices it Tunis. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; MENA 10/23; HJ, IRNA 10/24 in WNC 10/25; HJ 10/24, 1025 HJ, SA 10/26 in WNC 10/30; WJW 10/26; MEI 10/27)

Barak formally suspends the peace process. In response, Arafat states that Palestinians have a right to an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital and "to accept it or not to accept--let [Barak] go to hell." Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate further, leaving 4 Palestinians dead, over 100 injured; 2 others die of injuries received earlier. The most violent exchange is nr. Bethlehem, where the IDF orders residents of Aida camp, Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur to evacuate their homes before ordering machine guns, tanks, and helicopter gunships to fire into the area, targeting buildings fr. which snipers shot into nearby Gilo settlement and destroying 2 Palestinian factories, several houses, a power plant. The gunfire continues overnight. In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land along roads leading to Morag settlement. Israel also recloses the Gaza airport, reinstates the internal closure on PA areas, shuts crossings into Egypt and Jordan. (ADM 10/22; BDL, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; MM 10/24; MA 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MEI 10/27; AYM 11/12 in WNC 11/13)

In Cairo, 1,000s of Egyptian students protest the failure of the Arab League summit to cut ties with or to call for military action against Israel. There are also reports of at least 1 Palestinian protest in Bethlehem denouncing Arab leaders, especially Mubarak, for the weak Arab League statement. Other rallies in support of the Palestinians are held in Bahrain, London, Ottawa. (WP 10/23; HJ 10/24, SA 10/26 in WNC 10/30; Bahrain Freedom Movement press release 10/25; MM 10/26)

Barak announces an inquiry will be held into the deaths of Israeli Arabs during the recent clashes and a 4-yr. development plan for Israeli Arab areas. Israeli Arabs complain that the inquiry's recommendations will be nonbinding. (NYT 10/23; WJW 10/26; MM 10/30)

International mediation efforts continue, with UN Secy.-Gen. Annan, Russian FM Ivanov, EU foreign policy dir. Javier Solana each meeting separately with Arafat, Barak. Egypt's Musa flies to Damascus to confer with Syrian pres. Asad, who phones Arafat to express Syrian support. Mubarak also phones Arafat and rejects Clinton's proposal (10/8) for a summit in Egypt, saying Israel must 1st agree to pull its troops back fr. PA areas, stop threatening Lebanon and Syria (see 10/8), bar official Israeli visits to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, agree to an international inquiry. (ATL, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, MENA, XIN 10/10 in WNC 10/12; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 10/11; Milliyet 10/11, al-Quds 10/12 in WNC 10/13; CSM, WJW 10/12)

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate somewhat. Inside Israel, Israeli Jews stab to death 2 Israeli Arabs nr. Tel Aviv, set fire to 3 Arab apartment buildings in Jaffa, and set fire to 3 Palestinian homes and a Jewish-owed restaurant that employed Palestinians in Tel Aviv. Clashes btwn. Israeli Jews and Arabs are also reported in Haifa, Tiberias, and Acre, where Israeli police intervene, firing tear gas and live ammunition, wounding 1 Israeli Arab. (Israeli police say they have arrested some 400 Israeli Arabs, 200 Israeli Jews since clashes began.) Jews fr. West Jerusalem damage Palestinian property in East Jerusalem. In Gaza, the IDF demolishes another apartment building in Netzarim Junction, which was evacuated earlier because it had been hit by IDF shells. Jewish settlers reportedly attack Palestinians in Hebron, Khan Yunis, Rafah and outside Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah; some incidents involve settlers firing automatic weapons. In Rafah, a 12-yr.-old Palestinian is shot dead by the IDF. Nr. Ramallah, IDF soldiers wound a Palestinian ambulance driver with live ammunition. (ADM, BBC, MM 10/10; ADM, MM, NYT, WP 10/11; AFP 10/10, MA 10/11, Le Monde 10/12 in WNC 10/12; MM, WJW, WP 10/12; MEI 10/13; WP 11/30)

Protests in solidarity with the Palestinians are held in Brussels, Cairo, Madrid. In the U.S., rallies are held in Ann Arbor, New Haven. (RL 10/10 in WNC 10/12; WT 10/11)

Citing "compelling national security interests," the State Dept. restores Amb. to Israel Indyk's security clearance. (NYT, WT 10/11; WJW 10/12) (see 10/4)

Barak extends indefinitely his 48-hr. deadline for Arafat to halt Palestinian riots passes in light of international mediation efforts. Clinton, Albright spend the day on the phone, discussing with Arafat, Barak, Mubarak, various EU leaders ways of halting the violence. UN Secy.-Gen. Annan, Russian FM Ivanov meet with Barak in Tel Aviv, Arafat in Gaza. Arafat goes to Cairo to confer with Mubarak. (MM, NYT, WT 10/9; Interfax, IRNA, MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; Interfax 10/9, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; MENA 10/9, DUS 10/10, MA 10/11 in WNC 10/12; HA [Internet], CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/10; WJW 10/12; MEI 10/13)

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue throughout the West Bank and Gaza and inside Israel. The IDF extends the West Bank-Gaza closure indefinitely, cancels all permits issued to Palestinians working in Israel. 100s of Israeli Jews fr. Upper Nazareth rampage through Arab Nazareth, firing automatic weapons and wielding clubs, injuring 50 Israeli Arabs, damaging homes and shops. Israeli police break up the ensuing riot, firing tear gas and rubber bullets. 2 Israeli Arabs are shot dead with live ammunition either by Jews or the police. In Tel Aviv, 500 Israeli Jews attack Arab apartment buildings, set Arab-owned stores on fire. In Jaffa, Israeli Jews set fire to 2 mosques, a number of Palestinian homes. In East Jerusalem, Jewish settlers attempt to vandalize the Latin Patriarchate Church. In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians are found dead, both apparently killed by Jewish settlers avenging the murder of a rabbi on 10/8 (1 is later judged by international experts to have died in a car accident). 2 Palestinians die of injuries received earlier. (Gush Shalom press release, MM 10/9; AYM 10/9, MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; ADM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/10; WJW 10/12; MEI 10/13)

10,000 Kuwaitis rally in solidarity with the Palestinians. Smaller rallies are held in Canada, Egypt, Italy, and the UK, as well as in Chicago. (MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM, WP 10/10; MEI 10/13; MM 10/17)

As Israeli-Palestinian fighting continue as Israel marks Yom Kippur. Barak warns if clashes continue, the IDF's will begin targeting Arafat's offices, PA police stations, top cmdrs.; Israel may implement a "sanctions package" (including, sealing the West Bank and Gaza, halting all monetary transfers). At Netzarim Junction, the IDF demolishes 2 apartment buildings formerly used as PA police barracks, a factory, an office, several homes, a water well, and an 20-dunam orange grove. A settler rabbi is found shot to death in a West Bank cave. Armed Jewish settlers enter Palestinian areas of East Jerusalem and Hebron, Bidya, Husan, Salfit, Shuafat camp, burning shops, beating Palestinians, shooting at houses, and wounding at least 8 Palestinians, 1 of whom bleeds to death as settlers hold off ambulances with gunfire. Inside Israel, Jewish residents of Upper Nazareth attack Israeli Arabs, property in Nazareth. (ADM, LAW, REU 10/8; Interfax 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Gush Shalom press release, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; HA [Internet], MM, WP 10/10; MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; HA [Internet] 10/11; MEI, NYT 10/13; LAW 10/19; Globes [Internet] 10/25)

Lebanon places its forces on alert as Israel reinforces troops on the blue line, conducts overflights of Beirut, and warns Hizballah, Lebanon, and Syria of "decisive action" if Hizballah does not release the 3 IDF soldiers kidnapped on 10/7. Saudi Arabia warns Israel that Arab states will not sit idly by if Barak follows through on his threat. (NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MM 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Pres. Clinton asks Mubarak to convene a summit where they could meet with Arafat, Barak. None of the 3 leaders immediately embraces the idea. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; AYM 10/10 in WNC 10/12)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with the Executive Authority and reps. of Hamas, Islamic Jihad to coordinate a joint response to Barak's latest warnings. (NYT 10/9; HJ, MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM 10/11)

The PA releases 5 Hamas mbrs. fr. PA jails. Hamas says 23 mbrs. have been freed in recent days. (AYM 10/9 in WNC 10/12; AYM 10/12 in WNC 10/13) (see 10/4)

Jordan announces that it will postpone sending its newly appointed amb. to Israel to protest Israel's excessive use of force against Palestinians. (WP 10/9; MM 10/10; HA [Internet] 10/11)

In Morocco, 500,000 people march to protest Israel's recent actions. In Amman, 100s of Jordanian students attempt a march to the U.S., Israeli embs. but clash with riot police; at least 5 are injured, 10 arrested. In Beirut, 25,000 Lebanese and Palestinians march in funeral processions for 2 Palestinians shot by IDF on the blue line on 10/7. In Cairo, 9,000 Egyptian students hold a rally. Demonstrations continue in Australia, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen. In the U.S., protests are held in Albuquerque, Anaheim, Kansas City. (UPI 10/8; MENA 10/8, JT 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9; Daily Star [Internet], NYT, WP 10/9; TT 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and Gaza abates slightly but escalates again this evening, leaving at least 3 Palestinians dead. The most serious incident is in Nablus, where the IDF, implementing the Sharm agmts., turns over Joseph's Tomb to the PSF. Palestinians celebrating the IDF pullback overrun the PSF, destroy the tomb. In response, armed Jewish settlers roam areas around West Bank settlements, stoning and firing at Palestinian cars, killing 1 Palestinian. Inside Israel, Jews fr. Upper Nazareth rampage through Arab Nazareth throwing stones at Israeli Palestinians, sparking a riot; when Israeli Arabs start to fight back, Israeli riot police intervene, using tear gas and live ammunition, shooting dead 2 Israeli Arabs. In Tiberias, Jews vandalize a historic mosque. The IDF moves tanks into the West Bank to guard the Jewish settlement of Psagot, which has been the target of Palestinian sniping. At Rafah airport, Palestinians fire on a bus Israeli airport workers, injuring 8. Israel shuts the airport. (LAW 10/7; MENA, RL 10/7, al-Quds 10/8, AFP, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; ADM, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; AYM 10/9, MA 10/10, 10/11 in WNC 10/12; NYT 10/10; WJW 10/12; MEI 10/13; WJW 10/19; WP 10/28)

Barak calls up IDF reservists, sets an ultimatum of 48 hrs. for Palestinians to halt their assaults on IDF outposts, Jewish settlements or "we will regard this as a cessation by Arafat of the peace process, and we will order the army to use all means at its disposal." Barak also says he is considering forming a "unity government" with Likud MK Sharon. (AYM 10/7, al-Quds 10/9 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/9; Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/11; JP, MEI 10/13)

Nr. Shaba` Farms, IDF soldiers fire across the blue line into Lebanon at 100s of Palestinian refugees staging a protest, killing 2, wounding 15. In response, Hizballah guerrillas cross into Golan Heights, kidnap 3 IDF soldiers; fire rockets at the IDF's Shaba` outpost, injuring 6 soldiers. Barak reinforces the border area, sends Israeli warplanes and attack helicopters into Lebanon to strike Hizballah targets, injuring 4 Lebanese civilians. U.S.'s Albright phones Lebanese pres. Lahoud, Syrian pres. Asad to urge them to intercede with Hizballah to release the IDF soldiers. France, Germany, the Red Cross, Russia, the UN open channels with Hizballah, which demands Israel release at least 19 Lebanese political prisoners (kidnaped by the IDF in Lebanon, held without trial for as long as 20 yrs.) in exchange for the soldiers. (CNN [Internet] 10/7; RL 10/7, AYM 10/8, Interfax 10/9, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; Manar TV [Internet], MM, NYT, WT 10/9; al-Quds 10/9, DUS, al-Safir 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM, NYT, WP 10/10; NYT, WJW, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13; JP 10/27, 11/3)

After 6 days of debate, the UNSC passes (14 to 0, with the U.S. abstaining) a watered down resolution that condemns the "excessive use of force" against the Palestinians but does not mention Israel by name. U.S. Amb. Richard Holbrooke threatened to veto stronger language. (AP 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; CSM, WP 10/10; MEI 10/13)

In Amman, Jordanian police open fire on Palestinian refugees demonstrating for the closure of the Israeli emb., killing 1, arresting 97. Demonstrations condemning Israeli violence, U.S. support of Israel are held in Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, France, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen. In the U.S., rallies are held in Albuquerque, Dearborn, New York. (BBC, al-Jazeera TV [Internet] 10/7; AFP, ATL, MENA 10/7, JT 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Daily Star 10/12 in WNC 10/13; Gulf News [Internet], NYT 10/8; MM 10/11; AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

In Paris, U.S. Secy. of State Albright, CIA Dir. Tenet meet with Arafat, Barak. After 12 hrs. of talks, joined at times by UN Secy.-Gen. Annan and French pres. Chirac, the sides reach an arrangement under which Barak agrees to withdraw troops to their positions before 9/28, Arafat agrees to try to curb Palestinian rioting, both sides agree to keep people away fr. 3 hot spots (Netzarim Junction in Gaza, Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, and the "circle area" nr. Ramallah). The U.S. had hoped Arafat and Barak would sign a document outlining the agmts., but the Arafat would do so only if the text included provisions for an international inquiry, which Barak rejected. After the mtg. Albright, Arafat leave for Sharm al-Shaykh. Barak returns to Israel, saying there no point in meeting with Mubarak. (MM, REU 10/4; AFP, ATL, Interfax, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, MENA, Yonhap [Seoul] 10/4, AFP, IDF Radio, Interfax, JT, MA, MENA, al-Quds, SA, VOI 10/5 in WNC 10/6; AP, CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; Arab News 10/5, AYM, HJ, MENA 10/6, SA 10/7, MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM, WP 10/6; AYM, Le Monde 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MM, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13)

Meanwhile, Palestinian-Israeli clashes continue in the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel, leaving 9 Palestinians dead, 10s wounded; 2 Palestinians die of wounds received earlier. An Israeli Arab is killed in a clash Israeli police in Kefar Manda in the Galilee. The IDF eases open-fire regulations, permitting soldiers to fire on any vehicles approaching checkpoints and continues to use heavy weapons, but overall the fighting is less intense than in previous days. The most serious clashes are nr. Bethlehem, Jaffa, Nablus, Netzarim Junction. (MM 10/4; ANSA, IRNA 10/4 in WNC 10/6; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; HJ, Daily Star 10/5 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9)

Protests against Israel's actions are held in Damascus, where 1,000s of students demonstrate outside the U.S. emb.; in Cairo, where 1,500 students demonstrate outside the Israeli emb.; and in Amman, where riot police fire tear gas to disperse 800 protesters marching toward the Israeli emb., injuring 62. In Copenhagen, 5,000 attend a Palestinian solidarity rally. Smaller rallies are staged in Istanbul, London, Rome. In the U.S. demonstrations are staged in Dearborn, Detroit, Madison, Miami, New Haven, Portland. (MENA 10/4 in WNC 10/5; ATL 10/4, JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MENA 10/5, HJ 10/6 in WNC 10/10; MENL 10/11)

The PA releases 12 Hamas political prisoners who had been held without charge in PA jails. Israel says the PA is giving a "green light for terrorism." (HJ 10/5 in WNC 10/6; WP 10/6)

The PC convenes an emergency session in Ramallah, denounces Israel's aggression, calls for an Arab summit. (WP 10/5)

Citing "compelling national security interests," the State Dept. sends Amb. Indyk back to Israel to maintain contact with Israeli officials during the clashes. (WT 10/5) (see 9/22)

This morning, the IDF begins pulling back reinforcements fr. the West Bank, Gaza after reaching a new agmt. with the PA. Initially, clashes abate, but fighting continues at old hot spots (e.g., Hebron, Nablus, Netzarim Junction, Ramallah, Tulkarm). Within hrs., the IDF sends reinforcements back in, firing antitank missiles and deploying helicopter gunships, tanks against Palestinians, killing 3, injuring 40. In Nablus, 27 Palestinians are injured when and IDF helicopter fires rockets at an apartment building. 1 Palestinian injured last wk. dies. Inside Israel, massive demonstrations continue across the Galilee following 2 funerals for Israeli Arabs killed by the Israeli police earlier in the wk. (MM 10/3; AFP, IRNA, MENA 10/3, JT, Le Monde 10/4 in WNC 10/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/4; AYM 10/4 in WNC 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Barak meets with Israeli Arab leaders to "ease concerns about the neglect of their community," agrees to set up a special cabinet comm. to address Arab concerns. Under pressure fr. Israeli Arab MKs, he bans police fr. using live ammunition against Israeli protesters unless there is "clear and immediate danger to life." The Israeli government also releases plans to improve roads in schools in Israeli Arab towns, raise the standard of living of the Arab minority. (MM 10/3; NYT, WT 10/4; MEI 10/13)

In Beirut, 20,000 Palestinians, Lebanese march to UN House to protest Israeli actions. Some 10,000 Palestinian refugees demonstrate in camps in Rashidiyya, Sidon, and Tyre. In Amman, Jordanians observe a strike in solidarity with the Palestinians, and Jordanian riot police wield clubs against 100s of stone-throwing demonstrators marching on the Israeli emb. In Norway, some 100 Norwegians take part in a violent protest outside the Israeli emb. in Oslo, burning flags, throwing bottles, breaking windows. Rallies are also reported in Egypt, Greece, Oman, Pakistan, the UAE. In the U.S., anti-Israeli protests are held in Austin, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, Washington, and outside the CNN offices in Atlanta, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Toronto. (JP [Internet], MM 10/4; JT 10/4 in WNC 10/6; Daily Star [Internet] 10/5; MM 10/6; MEI 10/13)

The IDF admits that its soldiers fired the shots that killed a Muhammad al-Dura at Netzarim Junction on 10/1 but blames Palestinians for the "cynical use" of children in confrontations with IDF troops. (WP 10/4; NYT 10/5) (see 10/2)

Despite another attempt to secure a cease-fire, Israeli-Palestinian clashes in Israel and throughout the West Bank and Gaza continue, leaving 10 Palestinians, 7 Israeli Arabs, 1 IDF soldier, 1 Jewish settler dead and some 300 Palestinians injured; 3 Israeli Arabs wounded on 10/1 also die. Israel closes roads in n. Israel, the West Bank, Gaza to civilian traffic. Around 30 exchanges of gunfire btwn. Israeli security forces and armed Palestinian civilians and police are reported. Nr. Tulkarm, Palestinians set afire an industrial plant owned by Jewish settlers. Nr. Hebron, Jewish settlers fatally shoot a Palestinian. The IDF dep. chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon warns that if Palestinians do not stop attacking troops guarding Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, the IDF will move in even though the area is under full PA control; the IDF has taken up positions around areas A but has not crossed into them. Barak authorizes his forces to use "all necessary means" to protect Israeli lives, quell riots. (AP, MM 10/2; AFP, ANSA, EFE [Madrid], Interfax, RL, XIN 10/2 in WNC 10/3; RL, SAPA [Johannesburg] 10/2, JT, HJ, al-Quds, SA 10/3 in WNC 10/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/3; HJ, al-Quds, Sabah 10/3, MA 10/6 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9)

The IDF claims that Muhammad al-Dura, the 12-yr.-old killed at Netzarim Junction on 10/1, had been throwing stones at soldiers before he was shot, contradicting widely broadcast footage of the incident recorded by France 2 TV showing the boy and his father pinned down by gunfire for 45 minutes. The pair were returning from errands and had been dropped off by a taxi, which refused to take them across Netzarim Junction because of heavy IDF fire. (Age [Melbourne], HA [Internet], MM, WP 10/3; MA 10/6 in WNC 10/10)

U.S. secy. of state Albright announces that she will meet with Arafat, Barak in Paris on 10/4 to discuss the clashes, the peace process. All 3 will then meet with Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh on 10/5. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/3; Radio France International 10/3 in WNC 10/6)

In Amman, Arafat, King Abdallah discuss the Israeli-Palestinian clashes, call on Israel to pull back forces to restore calm, and urge Arab states to convene an emergency summit. In Cairo, Mubarak, Syrian pres. Asad also call for an Arab summit. Massive rallies protesting Israeli actions are held in Amman, Cairo, Damascus, refugee camps in Lebanon, Yemen. Protests are also held outside Israeli embassies and legations in many European and North American cities, including Ann Arbor, Austin, Brussels, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Montreal, New Haven, New York, Ottawa. (AP, BDL, UPI 10/2; MENA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; MENA 10/2, JT, MENA 10/3, JT 10/4 in WNC 10/6; NYT, WP, WT 10/3; AYM 10/3 in WNC 10/12; MM, WT 10/4; WJW 10/5; HJ 10/5, al-Quds 10/7 in WNC 10/10; JP 10/13)

In Paris, PA Planning M Shaath briefs French pres. Chirac on the ongoing clashes. Chirac calls on both sides to deescalate the violence, calls for an international inquiry into the clashes. (AFP 10/2, 10/3, Le Monde 10/4 in WNC 10/6)

In New York, the UNSC begins closed-door mtgs. on several draft resolutions regarding the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli clashes. Britain, the U.S. lobby against issuing a resolution, saying, at most, a statement should be read. (UPI 10/3; HA [Internet] 10/4; WJW 10/5)

On the 4th day of Palestinian-Israeli clashes, another attempt to secure a cease-fire fails, and rioting spreads to Israeli cities, including Acre, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Israeli Arab towns across the Galilee. In Umm al-Fahm, 1 Israeli Arab is shot dead by Israeli police, sparking massive rioting. In the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF rolls out heavy weapons--including tanks, antitank missiles, attack helicopters, grenades--to combat stone-throwing Palestinians, resulting in another 12 Palestinian fatalities, over 200 Palestinians wounded. The 1st IDF soldier is killed in street clashes (see 9/29). Jewish settlers in Jerusalem open fire on a Palestinian car, killing a toddler. The 1st confirmed incidents of Palestinians shooting at IDF troops take place in Gaza and Ramallah, but no IDF injuries are reported. The IDF places a 24-hr. curfew on Palestinians in Hebron. Israel states that its troops have "exercised restraint," accuses the PA of "orchestrating a campaign of spreading violence for political gain." Clinton phones Arafat to urge him to halt the violence; says that once the fighting stops, he will convene PA, Israeli security officials for a fact-finding session "to figure out what went wrong." (PCHR 10/1; IRNA, MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2; AFP 10/1, IRNA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; AP, CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; HA [Internet], MM, NYT 10/3; MEI 10/13)

On his 1st official visit abroad as head of state, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad arrives in Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. Talks touch on bilateral relations, the peace process, Jerusalem. (MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2, 10/3)

In Amman, Jordanians, Palestinians demonstrate against Israel's use of excessive force against Palestinians. (JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

In Cairo, Arafat briefs Pres. Mubarak on developments in the peace process, particularly implementation of Wye II, settlements, 10/14+n15 donor mtg. (MENA 10/18 in WNC 10/19; MENA 10/18, 10/19 in WNC 10/20)

Fmr. South African pres. Nelson Mandela, on his 1st visit to Israel, says that his talks with Syrian pres. Asad have convinced him that Syria is committed to peace with Israel. (MM 10/18; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/19; WP 10/20; PANA [Dakar] 10/20 in WNC 10/21; MM 10/26)

In Amman, DFLP head Hawatimah meets with 3 Israeli Arab MKs to discuss his request to return to the occupied territories, says he is ready to meet with Israeli officials. (JT 10/19 in WNC 10/20)

At the weekly cabinet mtg., PM Barak says that although he still has not found a suitable person to lead the final status team, comprehensive staff work has been done to formulate Israel's position in the political-security sphere and on the subject of economic separation. (MM 10/18; al-Quds 10/19 in WNC 10/20; AYM 10/21 in WNC 10/25; WT 10/23)

Opening of s. safe-passage route, scheduled for today, is delayed for 2d time, because Israeli, PA officials cannot agree on the location of a joint office in Gaza that would hand out travel permits to Palestinians. (WP 10/17; AYM 10/21 in WNC 10/25) (see 10/4)

In Damascus, Syrian pres. Asad receives Jordanian FM Khatib for talks on the peace process, briefing on King Abdallah's mtg. with Pres. Clinton. (GIU 10/18; CSM 10/19; SA 10/20 in WNC 10/21)

Arab Human Rights Organization calls on Jordan to immediately release the 20 Hamas political leaders, activists it has detained since 8/31. King Abdallah says he believes that a "formula" can be reached to resolve the issue. The Muslim Brotherhood is still mediating. (AFP 10/19, JT 10/20 in WNC 10/21; WT 10/20; JT 10/21 in WNC 10/22; MEI 10/29) (see 9/22)

Jordan's Interior Min. says that it has detained 3 Israeli Arabs on charges of selling Palestinian land in Jerusalem to Israelis using forged land-sale affidavits. 3 other men are wanted. (al-Quds 10/19 in WNC 10/21; JT 10/31 in WNC 11/2)

Israeli Interior M Sharansky rescinds the regulation allowing the residency rights of East Jerusalem Palestinians to be revoked on the grounds that their tax, water, electricity, rental, school or enrollment records suggest they may have lived outside the city for some time during the past 7 yrs.; does not say whether Palestinians who had their residency revoked under this law will have their rights restored. (MM, NYT 10/18; al-Quds 10/18, AYM 10/19 in WNC 10/21; al-Quds 10/21 in WNC 10/25; JP 10/29) (see 7/20)

Some 5,000 Jewish settlers, angered by Barak's plans to fully or partially dismantle 12 settlements, protest outside the PM's home. (MM, WP, WT 10/18; AYM 10/19 in WNC 10/21; MEI 10/29)

In Nazareth, a group Muslim Palestinians angry over the city's plans to construct a large plaza next to the Church of the Annunciation on a site that was slated for construction of a mosque attack, slightly injure the town's Christian mayor, Ramiz Jaraisi. Israeli police arrest 2 suspects. (WT 10/18, 10/20) (see 4/20)

A new press and publication law goes into effect in Jordan, replacing the controversial 1998 press law. While the new version lifts the ban on nearly 1,000 books, reduces the amounts that journalists can be fined for violations, and lowers the minimum capital a newspaper must hold to be licensed, the Jordan Press Association cautions that it does not ban the arrest of journalists for political reasons. (JT 10/18 in WNC 10/19; JT 10/30 in WNC 11/2)

PA Planning M Nabil Shaath receives Jordanian FM Abdallah Khatib for talks on the peace process, briefs him on Arafat's recent visit to Washington. The 2 men also discuss holding a 3-way (Egypt, Jordan, PA) and 4-way (including Israel) ministerial mtgs. on displaced persons. (DUS 10/7 in WNC 10/11)

Orient House head Faisal Husseini hosts delegation of 20 Jordanian parliamentarians, urges Jordan to support the PA in its final status talks with Israel. (MM 10/7)

Israel's Education M Yossi Sarid urges Israeli teachers to mark the anniversary of the 1956 Kafr al-Qasim massacre in their classrooms for the 1st time this yr.; says Israel owes it to its Palestinian citizens to commemorate the incident in which the IDF shot dead 47 Israeli Arabs (including 15 women, 11 children) as they returned to the village of Kafr al-Qasim, unaware of a military curfew that barred movement after dark. (NYT, WT 10/7; MM 10/12; WJW 10/14)

Saying that the incident had nothing to do with Iran, Iranian pres. Khatami rejects a request fr. Pres. Clinton for help in investigating the 1996 Khobar barracks bombing in Saudi Arabia in which 19 U.S. soldiers were killed. Clinton secretly sent a letter to Khatami in late 8/99 asking for assistance. (WP 10/7; see also MM 9/10)

Jordan's State Security Court issues new charges against detained Hamas political chief Mishal, spokesman Ghawshah, 2 of which can carry the death penalty. (MM 10/7, 10/8; MEI 10/15)

In s. Lebanon, 2 civilians are wounded by IDF shelling. (RL 10/6 in WNC 10/8)

Secy. of State Albright meets with Egyptian pres. Mubarak in Alexandria. Albright, Mubarak had hoped to host the signing of a revised Wye agmt., but Israel, the PA still differ over the prisoner release issue. Albright phones Barak in Israel, meets with Arafat in Alexandria, then flies to Jerusalem to meet with Barak for 3 hrs. Despite her efforts, Israeli officials say talks are over: "We're looking for . . . answers. It's not a negotiation." Barak issues statement again saying that if the PA does not accept Israel's terms by 9/3, Israel will implement Wye "as written." (AFP, MBC, MENA 9/2 in WNC 9/3; CSM, MM, WP, WT 9/3; WT 9/4)      

Fmr. Israel FM Ariel Sharon wins as position as head of Likud with 53% of the vote, beating Jerusalem mayor Ehud Olmert, MK Meir Shitreet. (MM 9/3; WJW 9/9) (see 5/27)

Israeli police arrest an Israeli Arab for the murder of 2 Jews nr. Megiddo on 8/30. (MM, WP 9/3)

In exchange for a 24-yr. sentence, American Jewish teenager Samuel Sheinbein pleads guilty in an Israeli court to murdering another teenager in Maryland. Sheinbein, who fled to Israel and claimed citizenship through his father, who was born in Mandatory Palestine, could be tried in the U.S. if he were ever to return. (WP 9/2-3; see also NYT, WP, WT 8/25-26; WJW 8/26; JP 9/3, 9/10; WP 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/25; WJW 10/28) (see 4/19)

Hizballah fires rockets toward n. Israel in retaliation for IDF shelling that killed Lebanese civilians. (MM 9/2)

Arafat returns to Washington to meet with Pres. Clinton, then briefs Egyptian FM Musa. (MM 9/29; MENA 9/29 in WNC 9/30; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/30; MM 10/1)

IDF places 2-day closure on occupied territories for Yom Kippur holiday. (NYT, WT 9/30; MM 10/1; PR 10/2)

1 Palestinian is killed, 2 are wounded in Beitunia, West Bank, when a bomb blows up in their car. PA police say the 3 alleged Hamas mbrs. had just collected a bag they believe to contain weapons, which detonated as they left the rendezvous. Later, the PSF arrests 4 Israeli Arabs in the Hebron area for selling arms to the men. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/30; ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; PR 10/2, 10/9) (see 9/21)

PA security forces raid a suspected Hamas building in Hebron, find 640 lbs. of explosives. (ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; MM, WT 10/1)

Clashes btwn. Israeli Arabs, police in Umm al-Fahm continue for 3d day, spread to Nazareth (Israel's largest Arab city). Arabs throughout Israel strike to protest police brutality. Palestinians Bethlehem also hold solidarity protest, clash with IDF. (MM 9/29; NYT, WT 9/30; MM 10/1; MA 10/1 in WNC 10/2; MEI, PR 10/2; Shihan 10/3 in WNC 10/5; ITV 10/2, 10/3 in WNC 10/6; MM 10/5; JP 10/10; JTV 10/19 in WNC 10/21)

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Israel for 2-day visit, meets with PM Netanyahu, FM Levy. (IDF Radio, ITAR-TASS [Moscow], QY 10/26, Interfax [Moscow], ITV 10/27, YA 10/28 in WNC 10/29)

PA's Arafat, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Yemen's Pres. Ali `Abdallah Salih hold talks on peace process in Cairo. (MENA 10/26, RE 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

YESHA settlers council decides to build a new settlment west of Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem if Isarael accepts any sort of settlement freeze at the upcoming Washington talks; says general plan for the new settlement was approved in the 1970s by PM Golda Meir, but  exact location would be kept secret until the government's stand on settlements is clarified. (MM 10/27; JP 11/8)

PA Preventive Security Force arrests journalist and human rights worker Khalid al-Amayreh following the publication in an Israeli Arab newspaper of his report on the torture of Hamas activists arrested by the PA over the past few mos. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 10/27)

Israel commutes to 24 yrs. the life sentence Alan Goodman, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen found guilty of killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 9 at al-Aqsa Mosque on 4/11/82; releases him after he agrees to spend the remaining 8 yrs. of his sentence in the U.S. (WT 10/27; WP 10/30)

IDF shells strike medical center affliated with PFLP-GC in s. Lebanon, killing a nurse. (MM 10/27; RL 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

PA-Israeli talks on Hebron continue in Taba. Progress is made on municipal issues, hot pursuit, but talks stick on Israel's demand to establish buffer zones btwn. H1, H2 areas. (MM 10/17; QY 10/17 in IL 10/17; IDF Radio 10/17 in WNC 10/19; RMC 10/17 in WNC 10/22; WT 10/18) (see 10/16)

PM Netanyahu appoints Tourism M Qatzav as M for Israeli Arab affairs, a position canceled under the Labor government. (MA 10/18 in IL 10/18; JP 10/26)

In Washington, Secy. of State Christopher tells Lebanese PM Hariri that the time is not right for the U.S. to lift its travel ban on Lebanon. (MM 10/18)

KDP threatens to ask for Iraqi military support if PUK continues to press its offensive around the city of Salahudin. Meanwhile in Washington, Asst. Secy. of State Robert Pelletreau holds talks with KDP officials. UN officials in n. Iraq say that Iran is aiding the PUK logistically, but KDP reports of 1,000s of Iranian troops fighting along PUK mbrs. is exaggerated. (WP, WT 10/18) (see 10/16)

Pres. Bush rebukes Israel for not acting "with more restraint" on 10/8, also says he would refuse to allow concern over Israeli-Palestinian conflict to deflect attention from Iraq's occupation of Kuwait [MEM, NYT, WP, WT 10/10].

At UN Sec. Council U.S. proposes resolution censuring Israel for excessive use of force on Haram al-Sharif, but also deploring Palestinian violence against Israeli worshippers (cf. 10/10) [NYT, LAT, WP, WT, MEM 10/10].

Palestinians and Israeli Arabs mount scattered demonstrations in O.T. and Arab towns in Israel; Israeli Arab leaders call for 2-day strike beginning today to protest "gov't- inspired massacre"; IDF and police enforce curfews imposed on most densely populated Palestinian areas, and detain more than 40 leading Palestinians, including Faisal Husayni and deputy mufti of Jerusalem Muhammad al-Jamal (cf. 10/22, 10/24); UNLU leaflet calls on Palestinians to kill Israeli soldiers, settlers, and police; 2 border police in E. Jerusalem are stabbed and slightly wounded [MEM 10/9; NYT, LAT, WP, WT 10/10; AVP 10/9 in FBIS 10/11].

The 12 EC countries strongly condemn Israel for excessive use of force on Haram al-Sharif; EC also calls for UN peace conference to settle Arab-Israeli conflict [NYT, WT 10/10].

Saddam Hussein threatens to attack Israel if it persists in occupying Arab lands, and links Haram al-Sharif killings to Gulf crisis, saying Israel had exploited presence of U.S. troops in region to heighten tensions with Palestinians [NYT, LAT 10/10].

Saudi officials express concern that Haram al-Sharif killings could have the effect of weakening international alliance against Iraq [NYT 10/10]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The director of the U.S. SDI program announces that Israel has been awarded over $165 million in SDI contracts, more than any foreign country [WP 10/25].

Arab World: The PLO reiterates statements by Chairman Arafat that Israeli Arabs and Jews should vote for "forces that represent the real peace choice" [NYT 10/ 25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Reuters reports the existence of Israeli undercover "death squads" on W. Bank and Gaza Strip; military spokesman denies that Israel assassinates wanted men [WT 10/24]. In Far'ah refugee camp soldiers shoot, kill 17-yearold Palestinian [NYT 10/25, FJ 10/30]. In Nablus 3 Palestinians are shot, injured by Israeli soldiers. In Nusayrat camp 4 Palestinians are injured during clashes with troops. At Beach camp soldiers shoot, injure 2 Palestinians [FJ 10/30].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes strike Syrian Social Nationalist Party base in south Lebanon. One person is wounded [NYT, WP 10/25]. In south Lebanon Israeli troops capture 7 Palestinian guerrillas trying to cross the Lebanese-Israeli border [WP 10/ 25].