Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving at least 5 Palestinians dead; a 6th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In Qalandiyya, Senior Fatah mbr. Samih Malabi is killed when his booby-trapped cell phone explodes. A Jewish settler is wounded in a drive-by shooting nr. Jinin. In West Jerusalem, 2 cars owned by the Washington Post are set on fire outside the bureau's offices. The IDF shells residential areas of Abu Snaina, al-Harayik, al-Shaykh, al-Zaytun; demolishes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah. (LAW, MEZ, REU 12/17; LAW, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/18; MENA 12/18 in WNC 12/20; NYT 12/19; WJW 12/21; MEI 12/22; WP 1/8)
Israeli, PA negotiators agree to hold separate talks with U.S. officials in Washington in an attempt to revive negotiations. (NYT, WP, WT 12/18)