The Palestine Chronology

Israel announces it has signed a prisoner swap agreement in Cairo with Hamas, which agreed to free IDF soldier Gilad Shalit (captured on the Gaza border in 6/2006). In return, Israel will release around 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in 2 stages: the 1st 450 Palestinians would be exchanged for Shalit within a wk.; the remaining 550 or so Palestinians would be freed within 2 mos. In Gaza, 1,000s pour into the streets to celebrate. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12; NYT, WP 10/13; NYT 10/17, 11/6)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops in Hebron violently beat a group of Palestinian children and teachers who refuse new IDF demands to submit to searches before crossing a permanent checkpoint in al-Shuhada Street to reach the Cordoba Elementary School, moderately injuring 7 children (ages 10–15). The IDF also demolishes a newly constructed mosque in Khirbat Yazra nr. Tubas; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes and an animal pen belonging to a bedouin family outside Qalqilya; conducts synchronized latenight patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya. (YA 10/11; PCHR 10/13; OCHA 10/14)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a low level for a 3d day, as severe weather continues. In Gaza, IDF, PA security officials hold expanded talks on lowering friction and violence in the field; plan further talks btwn. West Bank security coordinators. In Gaza, a roadside bomb goes off nr. an IDF convoy, causing no injuries. In Hebron, the IDF evacuates a number of Palestinian residents bordering on the Jewish settlement enclave, confiscates their homes as new military posts. Jewish settlers chop down Palestinian olive groves nr. Nablus. The IDF again shells Bayt Jala. (ADM, MM 10/25; NYT, WT 10/26)

Demonstrations against in solidarity with the Palestinians are held in Montreal, outside the U.S. emb. in Jakarta. (al-Awda Internet news group 10/25)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, dimming hopes that a cease-fire will take hold. The worst fighting is around Nablus, where the IDF escorts a group of 40 Jewish settlers on a hike nr. Aksar al-Balad refugee camp to view, among other things, the remains of Joseph's Tomb (see 10/7). 4 of the settlers reportedly open fire on the camp, prompting PA police to fire back, sparking an exchange of gunfire. The IDF warns Palestinians to evacuate areas of Nablus, then sends attack helicopters to cover and extract the settlers. During the 7-hr. exchange, 1 settler, 1 Palestinian are killed and 3 settlers, 15 Palestinians injured. In Bethlehem, an explosion at a Force 17 building, apparently caused by a gas leak, kills 3 Palestinians, injures several others. Around Gush Katif settlement, the IDF bulldozes 72 dunams of land, 2 walls surrounding Palestinian homes. Under heavy IDF guard, Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert, along with New York City council mbr. Noach Dear, attends a house warming celebration for a Jewish settler family that just acquired property in Palestinian East Jerusalem. (AP 10/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; NYT 10/21; Globes [Internet] 10/25; JP 10/27; MM, WJW 11/16)

Protests against Israeli actions are held in Boston, Ottawa, Washington. (al-Awda Internet news group 10/19)

The UN Human Rights Commission approves (19-16, with 17 abstentions) a resolution condemning Israel for the indiscriminate and disproportionate use of force and calling for an international inquiry into the violation of human rights during the clashes. (BDL 10/20; MEI 10/27)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin in Tunis, presses for progress toward Israeli-Syrian accord. (WT 10/14)

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators open meeting in Taba, Egypt, as Palestinian-Israeli DoP enters into force. PLO delegation headed by Nabil Shaath; Israeli, by IDF Dep. Chief of Staff Amnon Shahak. Talks center on size of Jericho autonomous region, size and powers of Palestinian police force, redeployment of Israeli troops, control over water resources, and security of Israeli settlers in o.t. Palestinians contend Jericho includes entire 133 sq. mi. Jericho district, while Israelis assert only town of Jericho, about 10 sq. mi., is to be handed over to Palestinians. PLO security official Amin al-Hindi excluded fr. Palestinian delegation over Israeli protests he was responsible for murder of Israeli athletes at 1972. Munich Olympics. Simultaneously, Israeli FM Peres and PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas meet in Cairo, agree on 5 steps for future negotiations including setting up liaison comm. and ministerial-level economic comm. Two sides urge "early resumption" of Arab-Israeli talks in Washington. (NYT, WP 10/14)

PLO Chmn. Arafat dismisses Fateh cmdr. in Lebanon Munir al-Maqdah, who had been critical of DoP and called for Arafat's resignation (see 8/23). (VOL 10/14 in FBIS 10/18)

General strike in o.t. called by Palestinian factions opposed to DoP observed throughout West Bank and Gaza Strip with exception of Jericho. (MM 10/13; CSM 10/15)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz, in interview with WT, faults DoP for not affirming Palestinian right of return, says "It is not fair to solve the Palestinian problem to create a Lebanese one.... implanting 400,000 Palestinians in Lebanon will create political, confessional, religious problems." (WT 10/13)

Israeli PM Rabin, in Beijing, admits Israel has sold arms to China, denies Israel broke U.S. laws against technology transfers and disputes CIA estimate that Israel-China arms trade amounts to billions of dollars a year, saying 1992-93 trade totaled $60 m. Rabin says "we have never done anything against American law" and asserts, "We are not stupid enough to endanger" U.S. aid to Israel. Rabin's 4-day visit to China includes meeting with Chinese DM Chi Haotian, tours of Chinese arms plants, and visit to Shanghai. (NYT, WT 10/14)