The Palestine Chronology

In what may be an assassination, the IDF fatally shoots wanted senior Hamas mbr. Talib Abu Hawash during a raid in Nablus, allowing him to bleed to death over several hrs. while denying access to ambulances. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian who strays too near Netzarim settlement; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina, 5 cow pens in Ramallah. Palestinians fire grenades at IDF outposts nr. Gush Katif, Rafah, causing no injuries. (LAW, PCHR 12/25; HP, WP, WT 12/26; HA 12/27)

The IDF redeploys fr. 2 Palestinian neighborhoods in Hebron; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; confiscates 2,600 dunams of Palestinian land in Izbat Salman and Izbat Jilad for construction of the security fence; bulldozes 200 olive trees in Qalqilya for the security fence, 31 dunams of land in Dayr al-Balah, 7 dunams in al-Mughraga in s. Gaza (also destroying 3 cars, partially demolishing 2 Palestinian homes); raid the al-Sultan Cultural Center in Hebron, arresting 1 employee, photocopying the center’s files; bars Palestinian fire trucks fr. fighting a blaze nr. Askar r.c. The IDF clashes with some 1,000 Jewish settlers who refuse to evacuate Havat Gilad, leaving 8 soldiers injured; troops clear the area, dismantle trailers, but 100s of settlers return after dark to reoccupy the site. In Gaza, Palestinians reportedly fire 2 antitank grenades at an IDF convoy nr. Netzarim, several mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MM, NYT, WT 10/21; MA 10/21 in WNC 10/22; LAW, PCHR 10/23)

Across the U.S., evangelical Christian churches observe a day of prayer for Israel. (WP 10/21)