The Palestine Chronology

Israel lifts the seal on the West Bank; partially reopens Qarni crossing for import and export of goods; continues to shell the n. Gaza no-go zone fr. land and sea, damaging several buildings but causing no injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, nr. Tulkarm, and in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, Jenin town and r.c., Nablus, Tulkarm r.c. In Silwan and al-Tur (Mount of Olives), East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian families are evicted fr. their homes (30 Palestinians in 3 apartment buildings in Silwan; 2 apartment buildings in al-Tur), which they have lived in for at least 40 yrs., after an Israeli court rules that the buildings were legally acquired by the Jewish National Fund in 1923. Jewish settlers fr. Kefar Etzion uproot Palestinian olive trees nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by the IDF, vandalize an empty car belonging to the PA Education Min. (OCHA 3/29; DS, PCHR 3/30; IMEMC 3/31; HA 4/3; PCHR 4/6; HA 4/23)

Abbas swears in the new Palestinian cabinet. PM Haniyeh says his government will allow Abbas to pursue peace negotiations with Israel, will continue reform efforts. The U.S. orders its diplomats, contractors not to have any further contacts with PA ministries, though contacts with Abbas, his office would be allowed; presses the international community to do the same. (AP, Canada TV, REU 3/29; AFP, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP 3/30; VOP 3/30 in WNC 3/31; HA 3/31)