The Palestine Chronology

In n. Gaza, the PSF arrests the head of Islamic Jihad's military wing Shadi Muhana and his senior aide Mahmud Judeh. The IDF fires on a PSF checkpoint nr. Jinin, injuring 1 PSF officer, 1 Palestinian bystander; conducts an arrest raid in Gaza City. A Jewish settler driving nr. Qalqilya hits, seriously injures a Palestinian man. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/11. (PMC, WT 12/23; PCHR 12/26)

The IDF cuts electricity to Gaza City, Ramallah; sends tanks and F-16s to shell the control tower at Gaza airport, the PA headquarters in Gaza City and Ramallah (Arafat is unharmed), the PA naval police offices in Bayt Lahia, and PSF and Fatah offices nr. Gaza City, Ramallah, and Jinin; blows up the main radio, TV transmitters in Ramallah; bulldozes the Palestinian Media Center offices in Ramallah; occupies the home of Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti (who is not there at the time); makes incursions into PA-controlled areas of Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Beitunia, Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah, Sudaniyya, Tulkarm, al-Zahra; bulldozes Palestinian land in Rafah. A total of 4 Palestinians are killed during the day; shells strike the Friends Boys School, damaging 3 classrooms. In Gaza City, 2 Israeli missiles land nr. a mosque while Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin, Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahar are inside. Israel declares that the Zinni cease-fire talks are over, though Zinni had already planned to leave on 12/14 for Jordan and Egypt, then return to Washington. (AP, HP, MM, NYT, WP 12/13; MENA 12/13 in WNC 12/14; JP, HA, HP, NYT, WP, WT 12/14; HA 12/16; LAW, PCHR 12/19; MEI 12/21)

Upon his return fr. the U.S. Sharon meets with his security cabinet, then his full cabinet to discuss how to respond to the 12/1+n2 attacks. The full cabinet votes to declare the PA "an entity that supports terrorism," adds Force 17 (Arafat's "presidential guard") to its list of terrorist groups, authorizes Sharon to escalate military action. FM Shimon Peres, other Labor MKs walk out of the cabinet mtg. in protest but do not formally withdraw fr. the governing coalition. (AP, CNN, HA, MM 12/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/4; MM, WJW 12/6; MEI 12/7; MA 12/7 in WNC 12/12; WP 12/9)

While the cabinet meets, the PSF continues to arrest mbrs. of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, risking confrontations with hostile Palestinian crowds. Arafat also orders the arrest of Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, but when PSF officers arrive around midnight, crowds of Palestinians force them to retreat. The PSF says it has arrested more than 100 Palestinians since 12/2. Arafat asks Peres for a 4-day grace period, during which he vows he would crack down on opposition groups. Israel refuses, dismissing the arrests as a "show for international consumption." The U.S. says the PA must "root out the infrastructure of the groups that support terrorists." (HA 12/3; NYT, WP, WT 12/4; AKH 12/4 in WNC 12/5; MEI 12/7; MA 12/7 in WNC 12/11; WT 12/10)

Soon after the cabinet mtg., the IDF launches air raids against Arafat's headquarters and other PA sites around Gaza City, destroying the PSF barracks, Arafat's 2 personal helicopters, injuring 12 Palestinians; sends tanks into Gaza airport to bulldoze runways; sends troops into Ramallah to surround the PA's West Bank headquarters, where Arafat is staying. In Jinin, U.S.-supplied F-16s destroy the Palestinian governate building, jail, PSF headquarters. The IDF also fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Jinin; raids Beitunia, attacking several homes and arresting an Arafat adviser, several Islamic Jihad mbrs. In Bethlehem, Fatah mbrs. Rafat al-Bajali and Nidal al-Dirbani, both on Israel's wanted list, are killed in a mysterious explosion thought to be an IDF assassination. The White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says Israel "obviously has the right to defend itself. The president understands that very clearly." (AFP, AP, CNN, HA 12/3; XIN 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MENA 12/3, AN, MA 12/4 in WNC 12/5; HA, HP, NYT, WP, WT 12/4; HP, LAW 12/5; AYM 12/5 in WNC 12/7; AYM 12/6, al-Safir 12/7 in WNC 12/11; MEI 12/7; WJW 12/14; MEI 12/21)

During the day, IDF troops surrounding Jinin fatally shoot 2 Palestinians. The IDF sends tanks, troops into Dura to arrest 5 Palestinians, including 4 PSF officers. U.S. envoy Zinni tours Gaza with PA officials. Late this evening, 2 Hamas suicide bombers stage a synchronized attack in Jerusalem's Ben Yehuda market. Soon after, a car bomb explodes nearby. In total, 10 Israelis are killed, around 180 are injured. The PA immediately condemns the attacks, saying it will do everything possible to arrest those responsible. Sharon announces he will cut short his visit to the U.S., meeting with Bush in Washington on 12/2, instead of 12/3. Bush demands that Arafat immediately punish organizations that were behind, support the attacks. Britain, the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Russia make similar demands. (AP, PMC 12/1; QA 12/1 in WNC 12/4; NYT, WP, WT 12/2; AFP 12/2 in WNC 12/3; WP, WT 12/3; LAW 2/5; WJW 12/6; MEI 12/7; JP 12/14)

Ramadan begins. Despite pleas fr. Muslim nations, the U.S. continues its "war against terror" in Afghanistan. In Jerusalem, Israel bars younger Palestinian men access to the al-Aqsa mosque, citing security reasons. (AP 11/16; NYT 11/17)

The Israel Defense Force (IDF) enters 2 areas of Gaza controlled by the Palestinian Authority (PA), bulldozes Palestinian agriculture land, destroys a PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) post. In Jinin, 2,000 Palestinians protest outside a PSF office for the 3d day, demanding the release of senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Tawalbi, arrested by the PSF on 11/14. Clashes are also reported in al-Bireh. (AP 11/16; WT 11/17; LAW 11/26)

In a predawn raid, the IDF send 12 tanks and armored vehicles, 6 bulldozers into Khan Yunis, firing shells and heavy machine guns at homes, killing 1 Palestinian, injuring at least 13, completely demolishing 15 Palestinian homes, partially destroying 11. The IDF claims the action was in response to Palestinian gunfire aimed at Neve Dekalim. The IDF conducts a similar raid into Tulkarm, damaging several homes, uprooting an orchard, cutting electricity; sends tanks under helicopter cover into al-Shawawra village, damaging several homes, arresting 7 Palestinians; shells, fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahia, Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Kafr al-Dik, Salfit. In Jinin, 100s of Palestinians still angry over the arrest of Islamic Jihad's Tawalbi clash with PSF mbrs. The PSF releases 2 PFLP mbrs. ordered freed by the PA High Court on 11/7. (AP, HP, JP [Internet], PCHR, WT 11/15; NYT 11/16; AYM 11/16 in WNC 11/19; AFP 11/18; MEI 11/23)

Peres, in his speech to the UNGA, says that there is support in Israel for a Palestinian state, Palestinian independence; the gap btwn. Israeli, Palestinian positions are more emotional than political. (HA, MM 11/15)

In Jinin, the PSF arrest senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Tawalbi, who is wanted by Israel. The arrest sparks riots in Jinin, with some 3,000 Palestinians, including local Fatah tanzim mbrs., firing guns and throwing grenades at PSF offices, burning cars; 1 protester, 1 PSF officer are injured. A Palestinian in Tulkarm dies of kidney failure after the IDF bars him fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. In a gesture to mark the start of Ramadan, Israel extends the Palestinian fishing area to 12 mi. off the Gaza coast, releases 30 Palestinian prisoners, resumes prison visits in Israel for Palestinian families in the West Bank. (MM 11/14; JP [Internet], HA, NYT, PCHR, WP 11/15; WP 11/19; MEI 11/23)

The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Ramallah. Nr. Hebron, 1 Palestinian is shot dead, 2 are wounded allegedly by Israeli undercover units. The dead man, Issa Dababsa, reportedly had run-ins with local settlers over land he owns adjacent to their settlement. A 2d Palestinian is killed by heavy IDF gunfire in Khan Yunis. A 3d Palestinian dies of kidney failure at an IDF roadblock nr. Jinin after being denied passage to a hospital for dialysis. The IDF also fires on a PSF post outside Khan Yunis, injuring 1 officer; confiscates a Palestinian home in Tulkarm; reinforces troops outside Nablus. (AFP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 11/7; HP, PCHR 11/8)

The PA High Court orders the immediate release of 2 PFLP mbrs. arrested in connection with the 10/17 Ze'evi assassination, saying the PA had violated its own legal procedures in making the arrests, there is not enough evidence to hold the pair. The PSF does not release them. (al-Ahram 11/15; AFP 11/18; MEI 11/23)

The Israeli Interior Min. demolishes bedouin homes in the Negev that housed 60 individuals. (HA 11/8)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device at a crowded West Jerusalem pizzeria, killing 13 Israelis, 1 American, 1 Brazilian and wounding at least 90. Afterward, angry Israelis in Jerusalem, Jewish settlers in Hebron attack Palestinians in the streets, with little intervention fr. Israeli police, soldiers. Fearing a massive Israeli strike, Palestinians throughout the occupied territories close offices and stores, take refuge in their homes. Meanwhile, Palestinian gunmen fire on a vehicle nr. Jinin, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 3. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Jericho, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Rafah; bulldoze a Palestinian home in Gaza. (AP, BBC, HA 8/9; ITAR-TASS, MENA 8/9 in WNC 8/10; NYT, PMC, WP, WT 8/10; JT 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WP 8/11)

Immediately after the bombing, the IDF senior command, Israeli cabinet convene separately to discuss response scenarios. The cabinet agrees to a new strategy of hitting PA targets only with the aim of forcing Arafat to choose btwn. a full cease-fire, destruction of the PA. This evening, Sharon meets with his security cabinet, which also decides to set up new police stations in East Jerusalem. (HA 8/9; CNN, HA, JP [Internet], LAW, NYT, REU, WP, WT 8/10; MENA 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WT 8/11; Times [London] 8/13; WT 8/15)

Late tonight (2:00 a.m. local time), Israel sends F-16s to destroy a PSF post in Ramallah; sends more tanks into Gaza, bulldozing 1 PSF post. Israeli security forces occupy 10 unofficial PLO offices in East Jerusalem, including Orient House (the symbolic PLO FMin.); also detain 8 Orient House employees for questioning, confiscate files, remove the Palestinian flag, raise an Israeli flag. The IDF takes over the Abu Dis mayor's residence, several surrounding homes Israel claims are used as PA security command centers, marking the 1st reoccupation of sites in area B. Sharon declares that "Orient House will not open again. Ever. We will not leave Abu Dis." The State Dept. says the actions mark a "political escalation." Russia warns Israel has crossed a "dangerous line." In response, Israel removes the Israeli flag fr. Orient House. (HA 8/9; CNN, HA, JP [Internet], LAW, NYT, REU, WP, WT 8/10; MENA 8/10 in WNC 8/13; WT 8/11; JT, al-Quds 8/12 in WNC 8/14; Times [London] 8/13; AYM 8/13, SA 8/14 in WNC 8/15; ATL 8/15 in WNC 8/16)

A PA security court in Nablus sentences another Palestinian to death for collaborating with Israel in the 2/19 assassination of Hamas mbr. Mahmud Madani. (Independent [Internet] 8/10)

Nr. Jinin, an explosion kills 6 Fatah mbrs., 3 of whom are on Israel's most-wanted list, 1 of whom is a PA military intelligence officer. Fatah says they were assassinated by IDF tank fire; Israel claims they were assembling a bomb when it exploded. After Palestinians fire a mortar at Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza, injuring 1 girl, IDF helicopters fire shells at the main PSF headquarters in Gaza City, destroying a building that Israel claims was a mortar factory, injuring 7 PSF officers. The IDF also fatally shoots a PSF officer and an Islamic Jihad mbr. nr. Qarni crossing; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, Rafah. A small bomb explodes in a supermarket in Pisgat Ze'ev, and a roadside bomb explodes nr. a Jewish settler school bus nr. Ofra, neither causing injuries. Nr. Tulkarm, Palestinian gunmen fire across the Green Line at an Israeli border police car, injuring 3 officers. (AFP [Internet], BBC, NYT, REU, WP, WT 7/30; NYT, WP 7/31; SA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; LAW 8/6; MEI 8/10)

In response to Palestinian gunfire overnight, the IDF tanks enter PA-controlled Hebron before dawn to shell PSF posts, injuring 5 Palestinians. This evening, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber kills 2 IDF soldiers, wounds 9 others at a bus stop in Binyamina inside Israel. In response, the IDF sends tanks into Jinin, Tulkarm to shell PSF posts there. DM Ben-Eliezer places forces on alert, cancels a trip to Washington for a mtg. with Powell. The PA reiterates its call for a halt to actions inside Israel. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/17; HA 7/18; SA 7/18 in WNC 7/19; MM 7/23; MEI 7/27)

The Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Comm. holds a closed session to discuss the "Arab demographic threat" and the "dangers facing the survival of Israel as a Jewish state." Arab MKs denounce the mtg. as "naked racism." (al-Ahram [Internet] 7/19)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. After Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Gaza's Gadid settlement, causing no injuries, the IDF shells the PA naval headquarters, military intelligence headquarters in Gaza, killing 1 PSF doctor at the naval clinic, wounding 18 PSF mbrs., destroying the clinic and an ambulance. Citing the rare daylight strikes on occupied buildings, the PA again refuses to attend a U.S.-brokered security mtg. with Israeli officials (rescheduled fr. 4/9). Sharon asks Israelis questioning his security strategy to trust him, saying, "We know exactly what we're doing. I have a very clear plan. The plan will be executed, and security will be restored." The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire at a Force 17 building in Jinin, destroying it. (AFP [Internet], AP, MM, PCHR 4/10; XIN 4/10 in WNC 4/11; HP, NYT, WP 4/11; MA 4/11 in WNC 4/12; QA 4/11 in WNC 4/16; LAW, WJW 4/12; JT 4/12 in WNC 4/13; NYT 4/13)

The PA, the Organization of the Islamic Conference warn Sharon not to allow Jews access to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, saying it would be perceived as an attack on Islam and could precipitate a dangerous escalation in violence. 100 mbrs. of the Temple Mount Faithful, an ultranationalist Jewish group, attempt to force their way into the site but are blocked by Israeli police. (AP 4/10; MENA 4/10 in WNC 4/11; WT 4/11; JT 4/12 in WNC 4/13; MENA 4/13 in WNC 4/16; QA 4/26 in WNC 4/30) (see 4/5)

In Washington, Bush receives King Abdallah, who urges the U.S. to become more involved in the peace process, to actively support the Jordanian-Egyptian nonpaper. Bush reiterates that the U.S. will not become more involved in the peace process, that Israel and the PA must take parallel, reciprocal steps to halt violence before negotiations can resume. (MM 4/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/11; JT 4/11 in WNC 4/12; WJW 4/12; JT 4/13 in WNC 4/16)