The Palestine Chronology

In Gaza City, the PSF clashes with some 2,000 Palestinian students protesting the U.S.-led strikes on Afghanistan, opening fire on the crowd with tear gas, rubber bullets, live ammunition. Anti-PA riots last into the night, with outraged Palestinians setting fire to PSF offices and vandalizing Palestinian Airlines offices, cars, stores. In total, 2 Palestinians are killed; 1 Palestinian, 1 PSF officer are left brain dead; 200 Palestinians, 20 PSF officers are injured; 120 Palestinians are arrested. The PA convenes an emergency mtg. with the National and Islamic Higher Comm. for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC), representing all Palestinian factions. Participants issue a joint statement calling for national unity, appealing to the public for calm. Hamas says that Arafat agreed to suspend arrests of Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. in exchange for their cooperation in halting further demonstrations, observing the cease-fire. (AP 10/8; MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; QA 10/9, ABC [Madrid] 10/10 in WNC 10/11; MM, PR 10/10; MM 10/11; al-Quds 10/11, AYM 10/13 in WNC 10/15; JP, MEI 10/12; LAW 10/13; JP 10/19)

Meanwhile, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians; occupies a Palestinian home in al-Qarara as a look-out post for several hrs.; demolishes a Palestinian home, bulldozes agricultural land nr. Bayt Lahia, where around 2,000 dunams have been leveled since 10/3. (MEZ, PMC 10/9; LAW 10/13)

The IDF continues to direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at Palestinian residential areas of Hebron, killing 2 Palestinians. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Bureij, Khan Yunis; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land in Bayt Lahia, Khan Yunis, al-Qarara; sets up a new observation post outside Nablus. The PSF arrests at least 1 senior Hamas mbr., Abbas Sayid, and 1 senior Islamic Jihad mbr., Anans Shrata, in compliance with Israeli-U.S. demands for preventive arrests. (HP, WT 10/7; al-Quds 10/7 in WNC 10/9; LAW 10/13)

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)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. A critically ill Palestinian dies when the IDF bars his transportation through a checkpoint to a hospital; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In retaliation for the death of 2 Rumanian workers on 5/9, the IDF shells Gaza City, targeting and severely damaging Fatah and PSF offices, the PA Transportation Min., PSF central prison, injuring 5 PSF officers, 8 civilians. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 200 dunams of agricultural land in al-Qarara; surrounds 15 Palestinian homes (occupied by 150 people) nr. Kefar Darom settlement with barbed wire, barring any entry or exit to the area for 7 hrs. In Hebron, Jewish settlers severely beat 3 Palestinians (ages 9, 27, 54). (AFP [Internet], LAW, MEZ, PCHR 5/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/11; Interfax, QA 5/11 in WNC 5/14; HP 5/12; PCHR 5/17; LAW, MEI 5/18; JP 5/25)

U.S. Secy. of State Powell praises the Mitchell Comm.'s preliminary report, says it could become the basis of a peace initiative. (HA, NYT, WP 5/11)

The House votes (252-165) to pass an amendment to the foreign operations budget that would withhold $244 m. in UN arrears slated for payment in 2002 unless the U.S. regains it seat on the UNCHR.  (NYT, WP, WT 5/11; MM 5/14) (see 5/3)