The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 5 Palestinians dead. A 6th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. A Palestinian sniper fatally shoots a Jewish settler driving through Gaza; the IDF demolishes a nearby abandoned PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) post thought to be the source of the gunfire. IDF helicopter gunships, tanks shell residential areas of Dayr al-Balah (targeting the home of senior PSF official Ahmad `Abd al-Karim), Jericho, Khan Yunis, Nablus, al-Shaykh, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fire on Palestinian homes in Huwarra (nr. Nablus), in Kafr Deek (nr. Salfit). The IDF bulldozes 60 dunams of Palestinian land along setter bypass roads nr. Kefar Darom, 10s of dunams of olive groves nr. Salfit, a Palestinian road and water network in Ramallah. (ADM, LAW, MM 11/21; AFP, MENA 11/21 in WNC 11/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/22; SA 11/22 in WNC 11/24; HJ 11/22 in WNC 11/29; MEI 11/24; WJW 11/30)

In protest over Israel's 11/20 shelling of PA offices, Egypt recalls Amb. Muhammad Bassyouni but does not suspend diplomatic relations. (MM 11/21; AFP, MENA 11/21 in WNC 11/22; MENA 11/21, MENA 11/22, HJ, MENA, al-Quds, SA 11/23 in WNC 11/24; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/22; MEI 11/24; MENA 11/25 in WNC 11/29; MM 11/27; JP 12/1; SA 1/22 in WNC 1/23)

Israel informs the U.S. it will delay the start of the Mitchell Comm.'s investigation into the causes of the al-Aqsa intifada because "the timing is wrong." (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/22; ATL 11/22 in WNC 11/24; MEI 11/24; WJW 11/30)

PA-Israeli talks continue at Camp David. In his 1st comments since talks began, Pres. Clinton says there has been some progress toward an agmt., "but I can't say I know we will succeed." Today, Clinton meets with both delegations. In Emmitsburg, the PA, Israeli technical comms. on noncore issues meet; some sessions are held with U.S. reps. present. (White House press briefing 7/16; NYT, WP, WT 7/17; al-Quds, SA 7/17 in WNC 7/19)

 In Tel Aviv, some 100,000 Israelis, many of them Jewish settlers bussed in fr. the West Bank, protest against the Camp David talks. In Nablus, some 1,000 Palestinians hold a rally in support of the summit. Another 1,000 Palestinians in Jinin call on the PA to secure Palestinian sovereignty over East Jerusalem as part of an agmt. (JP [Internet], MA [Internet], NM, NYT, WP, WT, YA [Internet] 7/17; CSM 7/18; MA 7/21 in WNC 7/25)

For a 2d day in Hebron, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinians and attack Palestinian property. (al-Quds 7/22 in WNC 7/24; MEI 7/28) (see 7/15)

Jewish settlers confiscate 50 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Salfit. (LAW 8/10)

In Qalqilya, West Bank Palestinians clash with Palestinian migrant laborers fr. Gaza. Gazans have streamed into the West Bank looking for work since 10/99, when the safe-passage route linking the two PA-controlled areas was opened. (WP 7/18)

In Markaba, 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in a shootout with Amal mbrs.; up to 9 individuals fr. both sides are wounded. Both groups regret the incident, give no explanation of the cause. Reports suggest that Amal mbrs. picked a fight with Hizballah mbrs. hanging campaign posters for upcoming parliamentary elections, and the incident devolved into a shooting match. (MM 7/17; MEI 7/28)