The Palestine Chronology

The IDF confiscates 352 d. in northwest Jerusalem for construction of the separation wall; fires nr.aPalestinian polling station in Khan Yunis; obstructs Palestinian movement in al-Mawasi; fires on 3 Palestinians attempting to infiltrate Gaza fr. Egypt, wounding and detaining all 3. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets at the western Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (JAZ 1/9; VOI 1/10 in WNC 1/12; OCHA 1/19)

After a robust campaign period, PA presidential elections are held. Abbas wins with 62% of the vote. Hamas, Islamic Jihad do not participate. (HA, NYT, WP 1/9; HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, MENA, Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation TV, PSCT, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, VOI, VOP, XIN, YA 1/9 in WNC 1/11; JAZ 1/9, AFP, AP, ATL, HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, XIN, YA 1/10 in WNC 1/12; HA, MM, National Democratic Institute press release, NYT, WP, WT 1/10; VOP 1/10, AYM, HJ, JP 1/12 in WNC 1/15; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/11; VOP 1/11 in WNC 1/13; PR 1/12; HJ 1/12 in WNC 1/14; MEI 1/21)

In the morning, a closed military memorial service for Arafat is held on a military base outside Cairo. The Palestinian leadership, Arafat’s family, Egyptian envoy Omar Sulayman then escort Arafat’s body by helicopter to Ramallah, where 10,000s of grieving Palestinians overrun the Muqata in an attempt to observe his sunset funeral. Israel executes Operation New Leaf–the Day After to step up Israeli security but ensure that “Palestinians’ dignity is preserved” for3days of mourning: declares a state of emergency, seals the occupied territories until 11/16, pulls out of all West Bank population centers, reinforces the troop presence surrounding Ramallah and leading to Jerusalem, facilitates West Bank Palestinians’ access to Ramallah for the funeral, allows PA security officers to carry weapons for the 3-day mourning period in order to maintain crowd control. The only reported violence of the day is in Rafah, where the IDF fires on, shells residential areas. Meanwhile, massive symbolic funerals are held in Gaza, with (as in the West Bank) the full participation of all political groups, including Hamas. (BBC, CNN, WT 11/12; ATL, DS, Interfax, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, JT, MENA, MNR, al-Ra’i, VOI, VOP 11/12 in WNC 11/16; NYT, WP, WT 11/13; HA, MM, PR 11/15; DS 11/17; PCHR 11/18)

The IDF fires a missile at 2 Palestinian boys (ages 12 and 15) playing with pipes and sticks in a street Jabaliya r.c., killing them; says video footage fr. drones in the area appeared to show militants preparing to launch a rocket. Also in n. Gaza, the IDF fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, seriously wounding a 12-yr.-old child in her home; demolishes 1 Palestinian home north of Bayt Hanun. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in an IDF attack on Jabaliya on 9/30; a 16-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/1; a 22-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Bayt Hanun on 10/3. The IDF also fires on 2 Palestinians who approach the Israeli border fence nr. the Sufa crossing into Israel in s. Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian while the other escapes; fires on residential areas, demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Rafah; shells residential areas, bulldozes 86 d. nr. Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, 2 antitank missiles at IDF troops in Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF moves troops into Balata r.c. and Tulkarm, fires on residential areas, then fires on stonethrowing youths who confront the troops; halts a Palestinian school bus at a Hebron checkpoint, detains 3 students; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Arub r.c., Jenin r.c., and in villages around Nablus, Tulkarm; bulldozes 60 d. southwest of Hebron for construction of the separation wall. The UNRWA delivers food, water to half of the 600 Palestinian families (ca. 3,300 individuals) who have been trapped in their homes east of Jabaliya r.c., unable to leave and without electricity or water since Days of Penitence began on 9/29. (United Nations Information Service 10/7; PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/7 in WNC 10/11; MEZ, WP 10/8; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

In Egypt, a huge truck bomb explodes at the Hilton hotel in Taba, 2 smaller bombs explode at hotels further south along the Red Sea in Nuwayba and Ras al-Shaytan in what appear to be al-Qa‘ida attacks targeting Israelis vacationing for the Sukkoth holidays; 34 people are killed (including at least 13 Israelis, 9 Egyptians, 2 Italians, 1 Russian), some 150 are wounded. (BBC, HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; ITAR-TASS, MA, MENA, MM, VOI, VOP 10/8, MENA, al-Quds 10/9, VOI 10/10 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/9; NYT 10/10; al-Ra’i 10/10, AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/14; LBC 10/10, MM 10/11; VOP 10/11 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/12; MM, NYT, PR 10/13; JP, WJW 10/14; MM 10/15, 10/18, 10/19; WT 10/20; MEI 10/22; WP 10/26)

The IDF raids a section of Gaza City nr. Netzarim settlement, occupies an abandoned house, shells a house (causing extensive damage but no injuries), bulldozes 20 dunams of land. The IDF also bulldozes 4 Palestinian homes, 2 “animal farms,” 45 dunams of land, an irrigation network in Khan Yunis; razes 10s of dunams of citrus trees nr. Bayt Lahia; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Jenin r.c., Qalqilya. A Palestinian fires on, tosses a grenade at an IDF post nr. Bayt Hanun (causing damage but no injuries), escapes. (VOI 7/9 in WNC 7/13; PCHR 7/15).

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) issues its nonbinding opinion on the separation wall, ruling (14-1, with only American judge Thomas Buerghenthal dissenting) that segments built on occupied Palestinian territory violate international law and should be removed or not built. (HA, JT, WP, WT 7/9; AYM, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, VOP 7/9, AN, DUS, HJ, MENA, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, VOP, XIN 7/10 in WNC 7/13; NYT, WP, WT 7/10; AYM 7/11, 7/13 in WNC 7/16; HJ 7/11, AN, JT, SA, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/14; JTA, MM 7/12; Asia Times, MA, MM 7/13; al-Quds 7/13 in WNC 7/15; al-Ra’i 7/13 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/14; MEI 7/23)

The IDF assassinates Hamas leader Rantisi, firing 2 missiles at his car as he drives through Gaza City, also killing his bodyguards Akram Nassar and Ahmad Ghurra, wounding 4 bystanders. 10,000s of Palestinians throughout the West Bank, Gaza take to the streets to protest. Hamas vows retaliation, says it has appointed Rantisi’s replacement but will not identify him for security reasons. (Senior spokesman Mahmud Zahar, senior political leader Ismail Haniyeh are considered the likely successors.) The IDF strike comes hrs. after a Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device inside the Erez Industrial Zone in Gaza, killing an Israeli border policeman, injuring 3; the AMB, Hamas claim joint responsibility. IDF undercover units raid Hebron and capture, beat, arrest an Arab Bank employee. The IDF also seals all West Bank and Gaza crossings except the Rafah checkpoint; tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement throughout the territories; fatally shoots a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays too close to a Jewish settlement nr. Gaza City; denies passage to a Palestinian who suffers a heart attack at a Nablus checkpoint, allowing him to die; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, cutting some electricity, seriously injuring a 9-yr.-old girl inside her home and 6 others elsewhere; fires on, shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Tulkarm (seriously injuring a 5-yr.-old girl); fires on residential areas nr. Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dayr al-Balah, Jenin; bulldozes 6 dunams of land in Bayt Hanun. (HA, MA, REU 4/17; AFP, MENA, MNR, PSCT, VOP 4/17, AFP, ATL, HA, IRNA, JP, LBC, MENA, MNR, al-Quds, VOP, YA 4/18 in WNC 4/20; NYT, WP, WT 4/18; CSM, MM 4/19; ITAR-TASS 4/19 in WNC 4/21; DUS, al-Ra’i 4/19, JT 4/20 in WNC 4/22; AYM 4/19, al-Quds, SA 4/21 in WNC 4/23; MM, PR 4/21; PCHR 4/22; WP 4/25; MEI 4/30)

The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Biddu, wounding 12; blows up 2 Palestinian homes in Bethlehem, 1 in Nablus; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem and in a-lArub r.c., East Jerusalem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; demolishes a PSF post, bulldozes 1.5 dunams of agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah. In Gaza City, 3,000 Palestinians demonstrate for the release of jailed Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, other Palestinian prisoners. Jewish settlers attempting to rebuild the illegal outpost in Hebron removed on 4/13 scuffle with IDF troops; 2 settlers are injured. Late in the evening, the IDF begins sending troops into Rafah allegedly to search for smugglers’ tunnels, firing on residential areas. (HA 4/14; VOP 4 /14 in WNC 4/16; PCHR 4/15, 4/22)

Meanwhile in Washington, Bush meets with Sharon, formally endorses Sharon’s unilateral disengagement plan, marking a dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward the peace process (HA, MM, REU 4/14; JP, VOP 4/14 in WNC 4/16; al-Ra’i 4/14, AFP, DUS, THWR, TSHR, VOP, XIN 4 /15 in WNC 4/17; HA, JP, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 4/15; CSM, HA, FT, JT, MEI, MM 4/16; AFP, DUS, ITARTASS, MENA, NHR, al-Ra’i 4/16 in WNC 4/20; NHR 4/16 in WNC 4/27; WP 4/17; JTA 4/19; PR 4/21; MEI 4/30)

The IDF assassinates Hamas spiritual leader and founder Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, firing 3 internationally banned flechette missiles at him as he leaves a Gaza City mosque after morning prayers, also killing 3 bodyguards, 4 bystanders, wounding at least 17 Palestinians, including Yasin’s 2 sons. Immediately, 100,000s of Palestinians take to the streets throughout the territories to protest the assassination. The IDF seals Gaza; clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in Balata r.c. (killing an al-Najah Radio correspondent in Balata r.c., apparently thinking his mobile phone was a weapon), Bethlehem, Dayr al-Balah, Hebron (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian watching fr. his balcony), Jenin, Khan Yunis (killing 3 Palestinians), Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, Qalqilya, Tal Zu’rub; imposes a curfew on areas around Jenin, fires on residential areas; temporarily occupies a Palestinian home as an IDF post nr. Dayr al-Balah. 100s of Palestinian youths in East Jerusalem gather at checkpoints to throw stones at IDF soldiers; Palestinian prisoners in 2 Israeli jails riot. Palestinians fire Qassam rockets, mortars, antitank rockets at Gush Katif and Netzarim settlements, nearby IDF posts, the western Negev, damaging 2 apartments in Netzarim but causing no injuries. An ax-wielding Palestinian fr. the West Bank village of Bidiyya wounds 3 Israelis outside an army base in Tel Aviv before being arrested. An unidentified assailant said to be Arab stabs, lightly wounds 3 Israelis on a Jaffa bus. 4 Palestinians are arrested for beating up a Jewish settler in East Jerusalem. Jewish settlers detain, beat a Palestinian man in the Jordan Valley. An estimated 200,000 Palestinians, including reps. of all Palestinian factions, take part in Yasin’s funeral services later in the day, with 21 PSF officers forming an honor guard for Yasin’s coffin, Gaza churches ringing their bells, mosques broadcasting Qur’anic verses. Meanwhile, Israeli defense chiefs meet, agree to target the entire remaining Hamas leadership immediately, without waiting for another Hamas attack. Israel also announces that it will close the only mental health clinic serving East Jerusalem Palestinians (1,200 patients) because of “security concerns.” (AP, BBC, CSM, HA, MA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 3/22; AP, ATL, ITARTASS, MNR, MENA, IDF Radio, IRNA, ITARTASS, JP, VIRI, VOI, VOP, XIN 3/22 in WNC 3/24; al-Arabiyya TV [Dubai], Syrian Arab News Agency 3/22 in WNC 4/27; AFP, BBC, CSM, HA, JT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/23; AFP, AYM, DUS, HA, al-Hayat al-Jadida, JT, MA, MENA, al-Ra’i, THWR, TSHR, VIRI, YA 3/23 in WNC 3/25; MM, NYT, PR, WP 3/24; ATL, ITAR-TASS, Izvestiya, JT, al-Ra’i, SA, VOP, XIN 3/24 in WNC 3/26; AYM 3/24 in WNC 4/3; JT, MM, PCHR, WJW 3/25; ITAR-TASS, MENA, NHR, VIRI 3/25 in WNC 3/27; MM 3/26; MNR 3/27 in WNC 3/30; AYM 3/30, VOP 3/31 in WNC 4/2; MEI 4/2; PCHR 4/15)

In Washington, Shalom holds further talks on Sharon’s disengagement plan with VP Dick Cheney, Powell, Rice. (WP 3/23)

Israeli aircraft strike an alleged Islamic Jihad training camp deep inside Syria, just 10 mi. northwest of Damascus in ‘Ayn Sahib, injuring at least 1 security guard. Israel says the attack is in response to the 10/4 suicide bombing, in which it claims Syria played a “detailed role in orchestrating.” Syria denies this, denounces the strike as a “grave escalation,” says its response will be diplomatic. (The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine–General Command [PFLP-GC] says ‘Ayn Sahib is its fmr. training base, which is no longer active; says the site was patrolled by 1 civilian guard, who was injured.) The U.S. says that “we have repeatedly told the government of Syria that it is on the wrong side in the war on terror and that it must stop harboring terrorists.” Bush phones Sharon after the attack on Syria, expresses condolences on the 10/4 bombing, agrees with Sharon on “the need to continue fighting terrorism,” does not criticize Israel’s strike. (AFP, IDF Radio, MENA, VOI, XIN 10/5 in WNC 10/7; XIN 10/5, AN, ATL, DS, DUS, IRNA, JT, MENA, QA, al-Ra’i, THWR, TSHR, VIRI, XIN 10/6 in WNC 10/8; SATN 10/5 in WNC 11/8; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/6; NHR 10/6, AN, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, SA, SFR, THWR, TSHR 10/7 in WNC 10/9; SFR 10/6, THWR, TSHR 10/8 in WNC 10/11; SANA, SARR, SATN 10/6, SANA, SATN 10/7 in WNC 11/11; MM 10/7; AFP, AYM, DUS, HA, ITARTASS, JT, MA, MENA, NHR, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, SFR, YA 10/7 in WNC 10/10; MM, PR 10/8; MM, WJW 10/9; MEI 10/10; PR 10/15; JPI 10/17; NHR 10/17 in NC 10/23)

Arafat declares a 30-day state of emergency in the occupied territories, issues a presidential decree appointing a 9-mbr. emergency cabinet, with Qurai‘, negotiating a regular cabinet since 9/10, as PM. The emergency cabinet is to serve for 1 mo. (VOP 10/5 in WNC 10/7; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/6; VOP 10/6 in WNC 10/8; WP 10/7; VOI, VOP 10/7 in WNC 10/9; AYM 10/7 in WNC 10/10; PR 10/8; PSCT 10/9 in WNC 10/11; MEI 10/10)

In the occupied territories, the IDF fires on Palestinians attempting to bypass a new checkpoint separating Rafah and Khan Yunis (imposed after the 10/4 bombing), killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 3; begins bulldozing Palestinian land nr. Morag settlement, 100 dunams nr. Hebron; demolishes 19 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 2 in Jenin (including the home of the 10/4 bomber’s family). (HA, NYT, WP 10/6; PCHR 10/7, 10/9)

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)

An IDF warplane drops a 550-lb bomb on a Gaza City building in an attempt to assassinate Hamas founder and spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, several senior Hamas leaders meeting there, destroying the top floor of the 3-story building, lightly injuring Yasin, 14 others. Following the attack, the IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement across the West Bank. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian teenager suspected of attempting to infiltrate Israel nr. Jabaliya, initially wounding him in the leg, then denies access toan ambulance for 19 hrs., allowing him to bleed to death; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian children in Bayt Furik (wounding 2, ages 9, 10), Nablus (wounding 4); also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Asira, Bayt Furik, Rafah. Wanted Hamas mbr. Massud dies of injuries received in an IDF assassination attempt on 8/26. (AFP 9/6; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/7; IDF Radio, IRNA, MA, MENA, NHR, al-Quds, SA, VOI 9/7 in WNC 9/9; DUS, al-Quds 9/7, AN 9/8 in WNC 9/10; MM 9/8; QA, SFR 9/9 in WNC 9/12; PCHR 9/11; MEI 9/12)

With no PC vote of confidence forthcoming, Abbas resigns as PM, citing no way of reaching a workable security arrangement with Arafat, lack of support fr. the U.S., on going militarism and little diplomatic effort by Israel. (NYT 9/6; MENA, al-Quds, XIN 9/6, JP, JT, MA, MENA, XIN, YA 9/7 in WNC 9/9; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/7; AN, DUS, al-Ra’i, 9/7, AN, AYM, ITAR-TASS, SA 9/8 in WNC 9/10; AYM 9/7, 9/9 in WNC 9/11; MM 9/9; Le Monde 9/9 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/10)

A Palestinian suicide bomber fr. Hebron detonates a device on a bus in West Jerusalem, killing 15 Israelis, 5 Americans, wounding more than 100 (13 seriously, 13 moderately), and violating a unilateral 3-mo. Palestinian cease-fire declared on 6/29. (Initially, Islamic Jihad claims responsibility, and Hamas denies it. After the bomber is identified as a known Hamas mbr., Hamas accepts responsibility but says it still adheres tothe cease-fire, this was a 1-time action to retaliate for the 8/14 IDF assassination of Islamic Jihad Hebron cmdr. Muhammad Sidr. Analysts suggest the bombing may be a joint operation or the work of a Hamas offshoot.) PA PM Mahmud Abbas, whois meeting with Islamic Jihad leaders at the time tourge them toextend the cease-fire to 6 mos., breaks off the mtg., denounces the attack, cancels cease-fire talks with Hamas scheduled for 8/20. Israel suspends further talks on a transfer of territory to PA control. The IDF sends tanks, troops into Hebron, surrounding villages to conduct searches, arrest raids; demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Jabal Mukabir in East Jerusalem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Israeli authorities demolish an Israeli Arab home in Lod, the 40th to be demolished in 2003; the Prime Minister’s Office reports that Israel has also demolished 117 bedouin homes in the Negev this yr. In Nablus, a shootout btwn. rival AMB factions fr. Nablus, Balata r.c. leaves 1 AMB mbr. dead. (HA, JP, MM 8/19; MENA 8/19 in WNC 8/21; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/20; IDF Radio, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JP, MA, MENA, VOI, YA 8/20 in WNC 8/22; MM, PCHR, WJW 8/21; QA, al-Quds 8/21 in WNC 8/23; al-Ra’i 8/21, AYM, al-Ra’i 8/22 in WNC 8/26; JPI 8/22; JPI, MM 8/29)

The IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 3 in Yatta; conducts arrest raids in Jenin. In Jerusalem, some 20,000 Jewish settlers demonstrate against the Aqaba summit. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement, a rocket at an IDF post, both in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. In a move deliberately timed with the Aqaba summit, Tourism M Benny Elon begins work to set up offices of the pro-transfer Moledet party in 1 of the 2 Palestinian homes next to the U.S. consulate in East Jerusalem’s Shaykh Jarrah neighborhood that Jewish settlers have been trying to seize for 1 yr. (see 4/27/03). (JP 6/4 in WNC 6/7; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 6/5; PCHR 6/12; PR 6/25)

In Aqaba, Bush meets with Abbas, Sharon, King Abdallah; then meets with Abbas, Sharon only. Afterward, Abbas and Sharon each give carefully worded statements reiterating their commitments to peace. (HA, MM 6/4; Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JT, MENA, QA, SA 6/4 in WNC 6/7; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/5; DUS, JP, JT, MA, MENA, NHR, QA, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, SA, SFR, Star, YA 6/5 in WNC 6/8; al-Quds 6/5, DUS 6/6 in WNC 6/10; MM 6/6; THWR , TSHR 6/7 in WNC 7/11; JPI 6/13; PR 6/18; JPI 6/20)

In the U.S., as many as 20 hijackers commandeer 4 commercial jets bound from east coast airports to California. Minutes apart, 2 planes hit the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City, destroying the twin towers and killing possibly 1,000s of people. Within an hr., the 3d plane hits the Pentagon in Washington, killing up to 200 people, and the 4th plane crashes in w. Pennsylvania, killing all aboard. Bush vows retaliation, saying, "We will make no distinction between those who committed these acts and those who harbored them." Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a mbr. of the Senate intelligence comm. claims that the U.S. intercepted reports by associates of Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden saying they had hit 2 targets; another intelligence official says, however, that the information was not so definitive. Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the PA, Hamas, Afghanistan's ruling Taliban immediately condemn the attacks. (ATL, MENA 9/11 in WNC 9/12; JT 9/11, DUS, ITAR-TASS, JT, QA, al-Quds, al-Ra'i 9/12 in WNC 9/13; HP, MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 9/12; AFP, HA, WJW 9/13; WP 9/15; MENA 9/16 in WNC 9/17; JP 9/21; JP, MEI 9/28)

Hopes for an Arafat-Peres mtg. fade as Israel steps up its attack on Jinin. Before dawn, IDF tanks encircle the town, cut electricity, shell residential areas of Jinin and a nearby refugee camp, killing 2 Palestinians. A 3d Palestinian is fatally shot when the IDF opens fire on a taxi in Gaza. The IDF also shells areas of Gaza City, hitting 2 factories, a PSF office. Palestinian snipers fatally shoot 2 IDF soldiers nr. Tulkarm. Israel's Jerusalem Municipality demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina, issues demolition orders for another 5 houses. (AP, BBC, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 9/11; MEZ, NYT, WP 9/12; LAW 9/20; MEI 9/28)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Under police surveillance, Israelis, Jewish settlers march through Jerusalem to celebrate Jerusalem Day, marking Israel's capture of East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. IDF helicopter gunships shell PSF post, a factory in Gaza where Israel claims mortars have been made. The IDF also sends tanks into al-Qarara to fire on several Palestinian homes; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Netzarim settlement; fires heavy machine guns at residential areas of Bayt Jala, al-Bireh, Hebron, Gaza City, al-Tira. (NYT, WT 5/21; London Press Association 5/21 in WNC 5/22; HP 5/22; NYT 5/23; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

Powell urges Israel, the PA to implement the Mitchell Comm. recommendations by declaring an unconditional cease-fire but does not endorse the comm.'s call for a settlement freeze (saying Israel should "restrain" settlement expansion as a confidence building measure after violence halts). Powell says he will not meet with Arafat or Sharon as discussed on 5/16; instead charges U.S. Amb. to Jordan William Burns, who has been nominated as asst. secy. of state for Near East affairs, with exploring what confidence building measures could be employed once violence ceases. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; ITAR-TASS 5/21, AYM, HJ, MENA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/22; MM, WP 5/23; AYM, HA, JT, MA, MENA, QA, al-Ra'i 5/23 in WNC 5/24; WJW 5/24; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2)

The IDF shells the home of PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub, injuring 6 bodyguards; Rajub, his family are home but are not injured. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at al-Arub refugee camp, Bayt Jala, al-Bireh, Hebron, al-Khadir, Ramallah. Jewish settlers establish a new settlement enclave in Nabi Salih, nr. Ramallah; occupy 2 Palestinian shops in Jerusalem's Old City; set Palestinian wheat fields on fire nr. Hebron. Israel's Peace Now reports that at least 15 new Jewish settlement sites have been established since Sharon was elected in 2/01. (HP, Peace Now press release 5/20; NYT, PMC, WT 5/21; HA, WP 5/22; HA, MM, NYT 5/23; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

The Mitchell Comm. gives Israel, the PA its final report, which is identical to its preliminary report (see 5/16). Comm. heads Mitchell and fmr. sen. Warren Rudman send a letter to the Anti-Defamation League stressing that the report makes no direct linkage between halting violence, halting settlements. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; ITAR-TASS 5/21, AYM, HJ, MENA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/22; MM, WP 5/23; AYM, HA, JT, MA, MENA, QA, al-Ra'i 5/23 in WNC 5/24; WJW 5/24; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2)

Angry over Sharon's decision to use F-16s on 5/18 without consulting the full cabinet or security cabinet, the full Israeli cabinet limits the "kitchenette" (Sharon, Peres, Ben-Eliezer) to ordering strikes against 3 types of Palestinian targets without prior approval. (HA 5/21; MA 5/21 in WNC 5/22)

U.S. VP Dick Cheney states that the Israel should stop using American-supplied F-16s against Palestinian targets. Sharon says Israel will use as much military force against the Palestinians as it deems necessary. (MM, NYT, WT 5/21; al-Quds 5/21 in WNC 5/22; QA 5/21 in WNC 5/23; WJW 5/24; MEI 6/1)

Israelis elect One Israel's Ehud Barak as PM with 56.1% of the vote, meaning no 6/1 runoff is needed. In the Knesset, 6 of the 15 parties to win seats are new, including the anti-Orthodox Shinui, formed 2 mos. ago, which won 6 seats. Control of right-wing parties shrinks, as Russians, other centrists gain, changing the balance of power. The ultra-Orthodox Shas, however, gains 7 new seats for total of 17 seats, security its place as the 3d largest party after Labor/One Israel (27, down fr. 34 seats), Likud (19 seats, down fr. 32 seats). The 1st Israeli Arab woman, Husniyya Jabara of Meretz, is also elected to parliament. Israel seals the West Bank, Gaza for the elections. Arab, Asian, European states, the U.S, and Russia welcome Barak's victory, hope it means the peace process will resume soon. (MM 5/17; AFP, LPA 5/17 in WNC 5/18; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/18; AFP, al-Ahram, Chungang Ilbo [Seoul], Interfax, JT, Kyodo [Tokyo], MENA, MKR, RE, RNE-1 Radio Network [Madrid], SANA, SAPA [Johannesburg], Taiwan Central News Agency, VOL, Xinhua [Beijing] 5/18 in WNC 5/19; al-Akhbar 5/18 in WNC 5/21; MENA 5/18, Athens News Agency, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JT, LPA, RE, Sueddeutsche Zeitung [Munich] 5/19 in WNC 5/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/19; CSM, NYT, WJW 5/20; CSM, MEI, MM, NYT 5/21; JP 5/28; CSM 6/17)

In a victory speech, PM-elect Barak lists 4 "red lines" for peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA), promises to put any final status agmt. to a referendum by the Israeli public. (MM 5/18; JT 5/19 in WNC 5/20; MEI 5/21)

On the 3d day of his Washington visit, King Abdallah of Jordan meets with U.S. Secy. of State Madeleine Albright, calls for lifting sanctions on Iraq. U.S. urges France, Germany, other creditors to cancel Jordan's debt; encourages Jordan to seek additional U.S. economic assistance. In the afternoon, the king discusses trade issue with U.S. Commerce Secy. William Daley, receives reps. of various American Jewish groups at Blair House. (JT 5/17 in WNC 5/18; WP, WT 5/18; al-Ra'i 5/18 in WNC 5/20; MM 5/21)

Venezuela signs $20 m. deal to buy Israeli antiaircraft defense system. (YA 5/18 in WNC 5/19)

In s. Lebanon, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) shelling kills 2 civilians. (RL 5/17 in WNC 5/18; NYT, WP 5/18; RL 5/18 in WNC 5/19; WT 5/19)

Israel announces it will close PLO offices at Orient House, calling 4/21 briefing for diplomats a PA "provocation." PA accuses PM Netanyahu of trying to ignite an incident in Jerusalem before the 5/17 Israeli elections; claims that mtg. was a PLO event, not a violation of the ban on PA diplomatic activity in Jerusalem. (MM, WP, WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; al-Quds 4/23, MENA, RJ 4/24, MENA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; WJW 4/29; PR 4/30)

In Damascus, Jordan's King Abdallah holds final round of talks on bilateral ties, regional issues with Pres. Asad before returning to Amman. (MM 4/22; JT, JTV 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; al-Ra'i 4/23 in WNC 4/26; Petra-JNA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; MM 5/12; al-Watan al-Arabi 5/14 in WNC 5/18)

Russian FM Ivanov arrives in Israel on 1st leg of regional tour aimed at reviving the peace process. Israeli candidates, vying for votes fr. Israel's Russian immigrants, who make up 14% of the electorate, queue to meet him. (MM 4/22; ITAR-TASS 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; WP 5/8)

IDF closes Palestinian school nr. Ariel settlement in the West Bank following stone throwing incidents nearby. (IDF Radio 4/22 in WNC 4/23)

 Clinton flies into Gaza airport by helicopter to attend the PNC session on the PLO charter, becoming the 1st sitting president to set foot on Palestinian soil. PNC mbrs., other officials approve the nullification of clauses of the PLO charter by show of hands. PM Netanyahu says he is satisfied but still will not carry out the next stage of the FRD on 12/18. U.S. says it will not press Netanyahu on the issue because of the upcoming Knesset no-confidence vote 12/21. In a luncheon speech, Pres. Clinton refers the Palestinian people's "chance to determine their own destiny on their own land," but does not speak of the right to self-determination or statehood directly. Palestinians view his visit to Gaza as tacit U.S. acknowledgement of their right to sovereignty. (CSM, MM 12/14; al-Aswaq, al-Dustur, IDF Radio, ITV, JT, MENA, al-Ra`i RE, al-Safir 12/14 in WNC 12/15; IDF Radio, ITV 12/14, AFP, JT, MA, RE 12/15 in WNC 12/16; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/15; WJW 12/17; ITAR-TASS 12/17 in WNC 12/21; Tishrin 12/16, al-Thawra 12/17 in WNC 12/28; PR 12/18; JP 12/21; MEI 12/25)

Hillary Clinton visits a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza, the Israeli-Palestinian town of Neve Shalom. (CSM 12/14; WP, WT 12/15; PR 12/18)

U.S. Commerce Secy. William Daley attends the official opening of th Qarni industrial zone. Coca Cola will be the first U.S. company to open operations in the zone. A total of 22 factories in the zone are ready for operation; 14 have been leased. (JP 12/21, 12/28)

Secy. Albright meets with Israeli DM Mordechai to discuss Wye implementation, Lebanon. (IDF Radio 12/14 in WNC 12/15)

Palestinians in Lebanese, Syrian refugee camps demonstrate against Wye agmt., amendment of the PLO charter. (VOL 12/14 in WNC 12/15; SATN 12/14 in WNC 12/16)

Jordan confirms that it recently deported, but did not turn over to the IDF, 3 Palestinians carrying PA passports fr. the kingdom because they are mbrs. of Hamas's Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, pose a security threat. (JT 12/15 in WNC 12/16; al-Dustur 12/15 in WNC 12/17)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians are wounded in clash with IDF. (AFP [Internet] 12/15)

Iran announces it has signed a deal with Anglo-Dutch Royal Dutch/Shell and the British Lasmo to explore Caspian Sea oil reserves. The $19.8-m. deal is just below the threshold set by the U.S. under its Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which threatens economic reprisals against any company investing more than $20 m. in those countries oil industries. (WT 12/16)

After 21 straight hrs. of talks with Pres. Clinton, Israel, PA reach an agmt. at Wye. Following a delay caused by Netanyahu's last minute claim that the U.S. backed out of a promise to release spy for Israel Pollard as part of the deal, the agmt. is signed at the White House. (MM, PR 10/23; IDF Radio, ITV, MENA 10/23 in WNC 10/26; IDF Radio, ITV, JTV, MENA 10/23, ATL, ITAR-TASS, JT, MENA, RE, RJ, al-Thawra 10/24, al-Ahram, al-Aswaq, ITV, MENA, al-Ra'i, RL, YA 10/25, MA, RL, al-Wafd 10/26 in WNC 10/27; NYT, WP, WT 10/24; WT 10/25; al-Ahram 10/25. al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/26; WJW 10/29; MEI 10/30; SA 10/30 in WNC 11/6; JP 11/2; NYT 11/11; WT 11/12; MM 11/13)

In Moscow, PM Netanyahu, Pres. Boris Yeltsin discuss expanding economic, political ties. (WP, WT 3/12; ITAR-TASS 3/12 in WNC 3/14; JP 3/22)

22 Jordanian deputies call on the government to cancel the 1994 Jordan-Israel peace treaty. (MM 3/11; RJ 3/11, al-Ra'i 3/12 in WNC 3/14; JTV 3/11, JT 3/12 in WNC 3/15)

An IDF soldier is found gravely wounded with 20 stab wounds outside the West Bank settlement he guards. (WP 3/12; CSM 3/13; JP 3/22)

Israel successfully test fires U.S.-financed Arrow-2 missile over the Mediterranean. (WT 3/12; JP 3/22)

Australia, Lebanon sign aviation accord. (RL 3/11 in WNC 3/14)