The Palestine Chronology

Sharon denies Arafat permission to leave Ramallah to attend Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. Instead, a delegation of prominent Christian leaders goes to Ramallah to visit Arafat. The Vatican denounces Israel's action as "arbitrary." In protest, the AMB ambushes a car outside Nablus, seriously injuring 1 Jewish settler. The IDF fires on residential areas of Hebron, Khan Yunis. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JT, MENA 12/24, AFP, AKH, MENA, al-Quds 12/25 in WNC 12/26; BBC, NYT, WP, WT 12/25; PCHR, WT 12/26)

Overnight, IDF helicopters rocket a residential area of Khan Yunis, killing 4 Palestinians, wounding 21, destroying 2 Force 17 buildings. This evening, AMB, Hamas gunmen jointly detonate a roadside bomb nr. a Jewish settler bus outside Emmanuel settlement nr. Nablus, then open fire on the bus, 2 cars traveling with it, the medical workers who come to the scene, killing 9 Jewish settlers, 1 Israeli border police officer, wounding 30; 1 Hamas mbr. is run over, shot dead by the IDF. In Gaza, 2 Hamas suicide bombers detonate devices outside a Jewish settlement, wounding 4. Sharon severs all contacts with the PA, declares Arafat "irrelevant," says Israel will no longer wait for the PA to "wipe out terror networks" but will do the job itself. The IDF immediately begins F-16 air strikes on targets in al-Bireh, Gaza City, Jinin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, killing 1 Palestinian; tightens its encirclement of major Palestinian population centers; enters Jinin's area A with tanks, injuring 19 Palestinians before withdrawing; fires on a funeral procession in Khan Yunis, injuring 3. The Israeli inner cabinet agrees to "rapidly deploy" the IDF for "massive and continuous" operations "in cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip." Arafat orders the closure of all Hamas, Islamic Jihad offices, schools, clinics. (AP, LAW, MEZ, PMC 12/12; AFP, AP, HA, HP, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 12/13; AFP, MENA, XIN 12/13 in WNC 12/14; ATL 12/13 in WNC 12/17; JP, JT [Internet], MM 12/14, 12/17, 12/18; JP, MEI 12/21)

Israel resumes attacks on PA targets, with F-16s dropping bombs on a PSF post in Gaza, injuring 18 Palestinians. Under the force of continued Palestinian demonstrations, PSF pulls back fr. Shaykh Yasin's house. The NIHC ultimately brokers an informal agmt. btwn. Hamas and the PA under which Yasin agrees to observe a "voluntary house arrest," leaving only to go attend prayer services at a nearby mosque. Sharon claims PA is not making a serious effort to arrest wanted Palestinians. In Gaza, Palestinians fire 6 mortars at 2 Jewish settlements and toss grenades at an IDF post, causing no injuries. The IDF returns fire killing 1 Palestinian; a 2d Palestinian dies of a heart attack at an IDF checkpoint when soldiers refuse him passage to a hospital. A Palestinian woman gives birth at an IDF checkpoint when soldier refuse to let her ambulance pass. Fatah stages a pro-Arafat rally in Gaza, but only 1,000 Palestinians take part. (NYT, WP, WT 12/7; al-Quds 12/7 in WNC 12/11; MM 12/10; IRNA 12/10 in WNC 12/12; NYT 12/21)

Egyptian FM Ahmad Maher meets with Sharon, Arafat in a new cease-fire effort, presses Israel to relax its demand for a 7-day quiet period. Instead, Sharon hands Maher a list of demands to transmit to Arafat. U.S. envoy Zinni, still in the region, also meets with Arafat today. (HA 12/6; MENA 12/6 in WNC 12/7; WT 12/7; MENA 12/7, 12/9 in WNC 12/11; AKH 12/13 in WNC 12/17; MEI 12/21; MEI 2/8; al-Majallah 2/9 in WNC 2/11)

Israel strikes PA targets for a 2d day, shelling Arafat's Ramallah compound (though not hitting the building housing his office, where he is staying), sending F-16s to hit PSF, Force 17 offices in Gaza City. The IDF also shells PSF, Force 17, PA military intelligence offices in Bayt Lahia, Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, Salfit, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm and the Information Min. offices in Ramallah; reoccupies the village of Iktaba and areas of al-Bireh, Nablus, Ramallah; fires on the home of PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Ghassan Shaka`. A total of 3 Palestinians are killed, over 150 wounded, including 60 schoolchildren; a 4th Palestinian, an ill baby, dies when the IDF prevents his transportation through a checkpoint to a hospital. The PA dismisses Tulkarm's PSF head Brig. Gen. Mahmud Awadala for releasing prisoners fr. Tulkarm's jail, including 6 Islamic Jihad mbrs., in fear that the IDF would shell the prison. (AFP, AP, HA, HP, MEZ, MM, NYT, PMC, WP, WT 12/4; MENA 12/4 in WNC 12/5; HP, LAW, MM 12/5)

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)

Addressing the UNGA, Arafat welcomes Bush's 10/2 and 11/10 comments in support of a Palestinian state, reiterates the PA's desire to resume peace talks with Israel and willingness to confront "international terrorism," requests an international monitoring mechanism for the West Bank and Gaza. Powell meets separately with Arafat, Peres. (AFP, AP 11/11; MM, NYT 11/12; MM 11/14; MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/19)

A Palestinian gunman kills an Israeli security officer in the Israeli village Kefar Hess, nr. the West Bank border. A Palestinian dies in a mysterious explosion in Bethlehem. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/9. Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron hits, seriously injures an 82-yr.-old Palestinian man. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Hebron enter the Palestinian village of Halhul, vandalize property, fire in the air, throw stones at cars, assault residents. Jewish settlers, under IDF protection, move caravans and electrical generators to a new settlement site outside Jinin. The IDF confiscates, bulldozes 10s of dunams of land in Jabi', n. of Jerusalem, for annexation to Adam settlement. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land along the Gaza border, nr. Bayt Hanun; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Khan Yunis; tightens the closure on Hebron. (HP, PMC 11/11; AFP, NYT 11/12; MM 11/13; PCHR 11/15)

The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Qalqilya, keeping a closure on the city, positioning itself to reinvade quickly if so ordered. The body of a PSF officer, missing since 10/20, is found in the area evacuated by the IDF; he had been shot 10 times. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/21. Israel tightens Palestinian access to East Jerusalem, deploying more border police, special forces units; placing new checkpoints nr. the "Greater Jerusalem" boundary at Anata, Bayt Hanina, Jaba', Shu'fat; closing the Bethlehem road checkpoint into the city; placing a closure on Azariyya. IDF troops, under cover of shelling and heavy machine gun fire, enter Rafah, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, damage 2 others. The IDF also reinforces troops in Jinin, Tulkarm; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, Tulkarm; digs a trench across the main Jinin-Nablus road. Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian store, vandalize several other shops in the Israeli-controlled section of Hebron; shoot, wound a Palestinian teenager in Silat al-Dahir; stone Palestinian cars in East Jerusalem. Egyptian officials say that 1,200 Palestinians are trapped on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border, that Israel is only allowing 200 Palestinians/day into Gaza. (AFP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 11/5; NYT, WP 11/6; al-Quds 11/6 in WNC 11/7; PCHR 11/8; MENA 11/19 in WNC 11/20)

On the sidelines of an Euro-Mediterranean economics conference in Brussels, Arafat, Peres hold informal talks with EU reps. on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. (AFP 11/5 in WNC 11/6; NYT, WT 11/6)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes diminish overall, though sharp fighting is reported on the Gaza coast. (WP 11/4)

On the sidelines of a Euro-Mediterranean economic conference in Spain, Spanish PM José María Aznar hosts a working lunch with Arafat, Peres, Mubarak to discuss the Israel-Palestinian conflict. Although Peres lacks a mandate fr. Sharon to conduct negotiations, the men reportedly hold "serious and intense" talks on the situation. (AFP, MM, REU 11/2; RNE 11/2 in WNC 11/3; MENA 11/2, EFE [Madrid], RNE 11/3 in WNC 11/5; WT 11/3) (see 10/30)

The U.S. widens its campaign to freeze "terrorist" assets to include all groups on the State Dept. list of "terrorist" orgs., including Hamas, Hizballah, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP. (NYT, WP 11/3; WJW 11/8; SAF 11/8 in WNC 11/9; MM 11/13; SA 11/13 in WNC 11/14; JT 11/19 in WNC 11/20) (see 9/24)

Based on new intelligence information, the IDF chief rabbi officially declares dead the 3 IDF soldiers kidnapped by Hizballah in 10/00. (MM 11/2; WP 11/3)

Israel cuts off all contact with the PA; gives Shin Bet, the IDF the "green light" to step up assassinations. Some MKs say Sharon should banish Arafat fr. the West Bank, Gaza. The PA arrests 3 PFLP leaders, but says it has not identified Ze'evi's assassins, will not extradite them to Israel once it does. Israel says if the killers are not extradited, it will treat the PA as a sponsor of terrorism. (The State Dept. refuses to back Israel's extradition demand.) Sharon declares that "Arafat has 7 days to impose absolute quiet in the territories. If not, we will go to war against him. As far as I'm concerned, the era of Arafat is over." (HP, MM 10/18; MENA, XIN 10/18 in WNC 10/19; NYT, WP, WT 10/19; MM 10/23)

The IDF reoccupies areas A in Jinin, Nablus, and Ramallah, sending in tanks and troops, shelling buildings, killing 3 Palestinians. In Bethlehem, 3 Palestinians, including Fatah tanzim leader Atif Ubayyat, 1 of Israel's most wanted, are killed when an explosion destroys their car. The deaths, which Palestinians claim were an assassination, spark a serious gun battle around the city; Palestinians in Bayt Jala also fire a mortar at Gilo for the 1st time in 2 mos., causing no damage. Palestinian gunmen fire on a group of Jewish settlers hiking in the Jordan Valley, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 2. (HP, MM, PMC 10/18; AP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 10/19; WP 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

Senior Hamas mbr. Mustafa Rawajba is found dead in the West Bank. The IDF issues a statement that Rawajba was "killed . . . while trying to plant an explosive charge," raising speculation that he was assassinated. The PSF releases the last Palestinians detained during Gaza protests on 10/8. The IDF conducts arrests raids in Hizma. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12; LAW 10/17)

In a briefing on the strikes on Afghanistan, Bush reiterates his support for creation of a Palestinian state, the boundaries of which would be negotiated, as long as it would recognize the right of Israel to exist; says he would meet with Arafat if he believed it would further the peace process; says "the world ought to applaud" Arafat for cracking down on "radical elements" as he did on 10/8. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12; MA 10/14 in WNC 10/15; MENA 10/22 in WNC 10/23)

Bush for the 1st time publicly endorses the creation of a Palestinian state, saying it "has always been a part of our vision, so long as the right of Israel to exist is respected." The State Dept. says this does not mark a change in either U.S. or admin. policy. (MENA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; MM, REU, WP, WT 10/3; AFP, AN, DUS, MA, al-Nahar, QA, al-Quds 10/3 in WNC 10/4; MM 10/4; JT, MA, MENA 10/4 in WNC 10/5; al-Quds, al-Ra'i 10/4, SA 10/5, AKH 10/8 in WNC 10/9; al-Quds 10/9 in WNC 10/10; AN 10/10 in WNC 10/11; MEI 10/12; MENA, al-Quds 10/13 in WNC 10/15)

In Gaza, 2 Hamas mbrs. raid Aley Sinai settlement, tossing grenades into buildings and shooting IDF soldiers guarding the settlement as well as residents, killing 2 Jewish settlers, wounding 7 soldiers and 8 settlers before being shot dead. Arafat orders the PSF to hunt for the assailants. Sharon calls an emergency mtg. of his cabinet. Palestinians also fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in s. Gaza. The IDF fires tear gas, rubber bullets at Birzeit University students, staff conducting a peaceful protest march to Surda checkpoint, injuring 3 journalists covering the event, 1 marcher. (HA 10/2; MM, REU, WP, WT 10/3; MA, al-Quds 10/3 in WNC 10/4; MM 10/4; MM 10/8; LAW 10/10; JP, MEI 10/12)

At least 60 IDF tanks take up positions outside Jinin, shell residential areas, killing 1 PSF officer and wounding 4 in what Palestinians fear is the 1st stage of a major retaliation for the 9/9 Nahariya bombing. The IDF also enters PA-controlled areas of Gaza City; shells residential areas of Rafah; reinforces positions outside Nablus, Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in al-Arub, Bayt Qad. Jewish settlers place caravans on a new site east of Kefar Darom; dig trenches, topple electricity poles in the Palestinian section of Hebron. Overnight tonight, the IDF seals the PA intelligence and security offices in Azariyya, a DFLP office in Abu Dis. (HP 9/10; BBC, MM, NYT 9/11; MEI 9/14; LAW 9/20; MEI 9/28)

Powell phones Peres twice to press Israel to move ahead with cease-fire talks with Arafat. Israel, the PA discuss the issue throughout the day, agreeing that Arafat and Peres could meet as early as 9/11 but differing over the venue. Talks are suspend around midnight without agreement. (AFP, HP, MM 9/10; AFP, AN, MA, MENA 9/10, MENA 9/11 in WNC 9/12; NYT 9/12, 9/13)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving a total of 7 Palestinians dead. IDF forces in Rafah refuse to allow a PA delegation to cross the checkpoint into Egypt unless they consent to be strip searched, which they refuse. Palestinians throw grenades at, fire on IDF posts on the border with Egypt, causing no injuries. The IDF shells residential areas of Rafah in response, hitting a Palestinian home and killing senior tanzim mbr. Samir Abd al-Az (Abu Zayd), his 2 young children in what may be an assassination. Palestinians fire mortars at an Israeli settlement in Gaza, causing no damage; the IDF responds by shelling, destroying a PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) post, a Force 17 office nr. Khan Yunis, injuring 3 PSF officers. IDF troops fatally shoot a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Rafah, 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus; direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Hebron, Jenin, Khan Yunis. (HP 8/19; MENA 8/19 in WNC 8/20; AFP, HP, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 8/20; JT 8/20 in WNC 8/21; NYT 8/21; LAW 8/22; AYM 8/24 in WNC 8/27)

Israeli FM Shimon Peres says that Israel and the PA have had contacts "on different levels" regarding implementing cease-fire, that he plans to meet with PA head Yasir Arafat soon. The PA says it supports holding an Arafat-Peres mtg. in principle. (MM, NYT 8/20; AYM 8/20 in WNC 8/21; al-Quds 8/21 in WNC 8/22; MA 8/23 in WNC 8/24)

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)

The IDF sends tanks into PA-controlled Hebron fr. 3 directions to destroy 5 Force 17 posts, wounding 9 Palestinians. Armed Jewish settlers occupy a Palestinian building in the city, fire on Palestinians, wounding 1. Inside Israel, 2 Palestinians are killed while they are allegedly preparing a bomb nr. the stadium where the Maccabiah Games are scheduled to open today. In Bethlehem, Israeli undercover agents kidnap senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Hamdan. (MM, WP 7/16; MM 7/17; AP 7/21; al-Haq press release 7/23)

During Sharon's address opening the Maccabiah Games, 8 Jewish women silently stand and hold signs saying "War Criminals" and "Stop Ethnic Cleansing." They are beaten by other Israeli spectators, removed by Israeli police, arrested, charged with "improper behavior," and released. The women also distribute a leaflet at the games denouncing Israeli actions. (Bat Shalom press release, HP 7/17; MEI 7/27)

In Cairo, Peres, Arafat meet after holding separate talks with Pres. Mubarak on the deteriorating Israeli-Palestinian situation. Peres warns Arafat that Israel will not hold back if there is another major bombing. (ITAR-TASS 7/15 in WNC 7/16, 7/17; MM, WT 7/16; MM 7/19; MENA 7/19 in WNC 7/23)

The Israeli cabinet approves construction of new communities in a vacant Negev area of Halutza Sands, bordering the southeast corner of the Gaza Strip, that the previous government had considered giving to the PA in a land-swap deal as part of a final status agmt. (NYT, WP, WT 7/16)

IDF soldiers fatally shoot 1 Palestinian at a roadblock nr. Ramallah. (Soldiers say the man was "moving suspiciously," they fired at his legs but "somehow struck" him in the heart.) IDF sends troops into PA-controlled al-Qarara; flies low-level F-16 sorties over Jinin, breaking the sound barrier; bulldozes 3 Palestinian homes in Gaza City, nr. Netzarim settlement; tightens the closures on Ramallah, Tulkarm (digging more trenches across roads leading to the city). The PSF arrests 2 Palestinians in the shooting death of a Greek monk on 6/12. Inside Israel, a pipe bomb hidden in a trash can explodes in a bus station in Hadera, causing no injuries. A Palestinian sniper kills a Jewish settler nr. Nablus. In response, Jewish settlers enter a nearby Palestinian village, damage buildings, set fire to an olive grove. Settlers also raze an olive grove nr. Tulkarm. 10s of armed Jewish settlers protest outside Sharon's offices in Jerusalem. (HA, JP [Internet], PMC 6/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/21; MA 6/21 in WNC 6/22; QA 6/21 in WNC 6/25; MEZ 6/24; MEI 6/29)

After further talks with his security cabinet, Sharon decides not to abandon the Tenet plan but says Arafat has "done nothing" to stop violence, warns that plans for a major military strike are ready but will be held in abeyance for now. Arafat accuses Israel of focusing on isolated incidents while ignoring PA successes in controlling violence; notes that the IDF has not stopped using tanks, machine guns against Palestinians or prevented Jewish settlers fr. harassing, attacking Palestinians. EU, U.S. say the PA is making a noticeable effort but should do more. (AP 6/20; NYT, WP, WT 6/21; DUS 6/25 in WNC 6/27)

At the weekly trilateral security comm. mtg., Israel presents a timetable for the IDF to completely lift its blockades in the West Bank, Gaza and to redeploy to 9/28/00 positions, but says it will not implement it until all violence ceases. Several District Coordination Offices (DCOs) have reopened in the West Bank as required in stage 2 of the cease-fire, which ends today. Israel has also reopened 5 mi. of sea off to Gaza fishermen; allowed 1,000s of Palestinian workers to return to an industrial park on the Gaza border; left 2 of 9 Palestinian homes in Rafah that the IDF occupied as security outposts. (NYT, WT 6/21; AYM 6/23 in WNC 6/26)

After phone calls to Arafat, Mubarak, and Sharon, Bush announces he will send Powell to the region next wk. to reinforce the shaky cease-fire. (MM 6/20; MENA 6/20 in WNC 6/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/21; JT 6/22 in WNC 6/25)

Overnight, international leaders press Israel, the PA to show restraint, deescalate tensions in light of the 6/1 suicide bombing. Powell phones Arafat to warn him to declare a cease-fire and immediately arrest Hamas and Islamic Jihad mbrs., or the U.S. would sever all relations with the PLO and would not intervene with Israel to prevent a massive retaliation. German FM Joschka Fischer, in Israel on other matters, races to Ramallah to meet with Arafat, whom he warns to make a statement in is own words calling for a halt to violence or lose all EU political and economic support to the PA. During a heated session, Fischer, UN special coordinator Terje Larsen work with Arafat to draft a statement condemning the bombing and ordering an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, which Arafat reads publicly this morning. (MENA 6/2, AFP, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, MENA 6/3 in WNC 6/4; NYT, WT 6/3; MM, NYT, WP 6/4; WP 6/5; XIN 6/5 in WNC 6/6; al-Ahram [Internet] 6/9; JP, MEI 6/15)

Meanwhile, Sharon holds a 7 hr. mtg. with his security cabinet to discuss how to respond to the 6/1 bombing. According to an anonymous U.S. admin. official, they draw up plans to "carry out a massive, full-force invasion" of PA-controlled territory lasting up to a wk. After Arafat reads his cease-fire call, the security cabinet places its strike plan in reserve but declares that the IDF will resume instigating actions against Palestinians (see 5/22). (NYT, WT 6/3; JT 6/3 in WNC 6/4; MM, NYT, WP 6/4; Interfax 6/4 in WNC 6/5; MM, WP 6/5; al-Ahram [Internet] 6/9; UPI 6/12 JP, MEI 6/15)

The U.S. ambs. to Egypt, Israel, Jordan send an urgent cable to Powell, appealing to him to come to the region to firmly urge against violence, in favor negotiations. Powell says the time is not right. (NYT 7/5)

Meanwhile, 2 Israelis injured in the 6/1 bombing die, bringing the Israeli toll to 18. Nr. the site of the bombing, 100s of Israeli Jews surround a mosque, chanting "Death to Arabs!" stoning the mosque, breaking windows, trapping some 20 worshipers inside, attacking journalists, setting fire to 2 cars outside. Although the situation builds for hrs., Israeli police look on but do not intervene, saying, "We don't have enough manpower, and we won't use tear gas against Jews." Israelis also gather at the disco where the bombing occurred, carrying signs saying, "Enough passivity. We want war." In Jaffa, a mob of Israeli Jews sets fire to a restaurant owned by Israeli Arabs. The IDF tightens internal closures on PA areas, reports only a handful of incidents of sniping at Jewish settlements. Hamas says it will not abide by Arafat's cease-fire. (HA, NYT, WT 6/3; AN 6/3 in WNC 6/4; NYT, WP 6/4; WP 6/5; HA 6/7; al-Ahram [Internet] 6/9; JP, MEI 6/15)

The EU dispatches up to 24 security experts to Bayt Jala, Rafah to monitor the PA's cease-fire compliance. The experts, coordinated by Alistair Crooke, security adviser to EU special envoy Miguel Moratinos. (MA 6/6 in WNC 6/7; NYT 6/8; AFP 6/8 in WNC 6/11; MA 6/11 in WNC 6/12)

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)

Palestinians mark Nakba commemoration day by observing 3 minutes of silence. Large rallies are held in every major Palestinian city in the West Bank and Gaza, after which a recorded message by Arafat is read over loudspeakers. Israeli Arabs hold marches to the sites of their destroyed villages. Marches, rallies are also held in Amman (where 1,000s demonstrate), Cairo, Tehran, Washington. (MM 5/15; IRNA, MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/16; SA 5/15, HJ, JT, al-Quds 5/16 in WNC 5/17; NYT, WP, WT 5/16; WJW 5/17; HA, WP 5/18)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate due to the Nakba anniversary, leaving 5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli settler dead, some 250 Palestinians wounded. In an apparent assassination in Gaza, the IDF fires a tank shell at the car driven by `Abd al-Hakim al-Manama, bodyguard of Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Yasin, killing him and a passenger. In Ramallah, an IDF soldier shoots French TV reporter Bertrand Aguirre, who captures his targeted shooting on video; Aguirre escapes fatal injury because he is wearing a bulletproof vest. A Palestinian woman gives birth at an IDF checkpoint when soldiers refuse to let her pass to reach a hospital. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Tulkarm. (AP, LAW 5/15; HP, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; PCHR 5/17; CSM 5/18; JP 5/25)

The Higher Follow-Up Comm. for the Arab Community (HFCAC), composed of Israeli Arab political and community leaders, reports that Israel is restricting the freedoms of Israel Arabs in light of the al-Aqsa intifada. Israeli Arab journalists, poets have been detained for questioning, warned against "incitement" for writing on the intifada; community activists have received threatening telephone calls fr. police, intelligence officials; Israel police have opened investigations against 4 Israeli Arab MKs; 1 Israeli Arab has been placed under administrative detention; several Israeli Arabs have had their passports confiscated for taking part in a trip to Syria. (HFCAC press release 5/15)

In Washington, PA senior negotiator Abbas holds talks with Secy. of State Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on halting violence, Arafat visiting the U.S. (WP, WT 5/16; MENA 5/16 in WNC 5/17; NYT 5/17, 5/21)

Israel, the PA submit their official responses to the Mitchell Comm. report, generally welcoming the report as a basis for a cease-fire. (MM 5/15; NYT 5/16; AYM 5/16 in WNC 5/18; NYT 5/17)

Israel reinforces troops in Shaba` Farms, directs machine gun fire across the border into Lebanon, flies helicopters along the border area. (RL 5/15 in WNC 5/16)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. a Jewish settler school bus in the West Bank, killing himself but causing no other injuries. Palestinians also fire 2 mortars at a Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza. Inside the Green Line, Israeli police find, safely detonate a bomb in Netanya. The IDF shells a PSF office in Gaza, residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes Palestinian land in Khan Yunis; conducts an arrest sweep in Jalazun. Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian olive grove in Salfit, destroying 50 trees. (WP 4/30; LAW 5/4)

Arafat orders the popular resistance comms. to disband and their mbrs. (most of whom are Fatah mbrs., some of whom are PSF officers) to "return to their original security positions," calls senior PSF officer Yasir Zanun (a Fatah mbr. and a leader of the resistance comms.) in for questioning, has the PSF arrest Hamas spokesman `Abd al-`Aziz Rantisi for statements accusing Arafat of treason for resuming security talks with Israel. Fatah tanzim leader Barghouti, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP strongly oppose disbanding the resistance comms. (WP 4/30; AYM 5/1 in WNC 5/3; WJW 5/3; SA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; MEI 5/4 WP 5/7; MEI 5/18)

Israeli FM Peres presents Israel's response to the Jordanian-Egyptian proposal to Mubarak in Cairo, Jordanian FM Khatib in Amman. Egypt, Jordan say they will study Israel's reservations and proposed changes, but they are not willing start a new process of "talks about talks." (MENA 4/29 in WNC 4/30; HA, NYT, WP 4/30; HA, MM 5/1; AYM 5/1 in WNC 5/3; MM 5/2; MEI, MM 5/4)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Hrs. after the IDF completes its pulls out of PA-controlled areas of n. Gaza, Palestinians again fire 7 mortars fr. Bayt Hanun toward a Jewish settlement in Gaza and the Erez crossing, causing no damage. The IDF sends tanks, bulldozers back into Bayt Hanun to demolish a PSF post. Bush calls Sharon to urge restraint. Sharp clashes are reported in Bethlehem (where the IDF fires surface-to-surface missiles at a new conference center, a stone cutting factory), nr. Jerusalem. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Gaza airport. (MM 4/18; ATL, MENA 4/18 in WNC 4/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/19; AYM, MENA, al-Quds 4/19 in WNC 4/24; WP 4/21)

Israeli FM Peres meets with Arafat economic adviser Muhammad Rashid (Khalid Salam) reportedly to discuss reducing violence, though no details are released. (EFE [Madrid] 4/19 in WNC 4/24; AYM 4/24 in WNC 4/25)

Arafat phones Sharon, Peres to wish them a happy Passover, to call on Israel to resume talks soon. Sharon reiterates his demand that Palestinians 1st halt all violence. Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, with a higher incidence of gunfire on both sides. (MENA 4/7, 4/7 in WNC 4/9; WT 4/8)

Despite the ban on public gatherings, 200 Jordanians stage a rally in Amman to mark the anniversary of the Dayr Yasin massacre, to reaffirm the Palestinians' right of return. Some 5,000 people attend a right of return rally in New York. Similar demonstrations are held in Australia (Melbourne, Perth, Sydney), Canada, Holland, Italy, Japan, Lebanon, the occupied territories, Spain, Syria. (AP 4/7; JT 4/8 in WNC 4/9; JP [Internet] 4/9)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. 2 Palestinians are shot dead in Gaza. A 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. An ailing Palestinian dies after the car rushing her to a Ramallah hospital is delayed 45 minutes at an IDF checkpoint. Another Palestinian woman gives birth at an IDF checkpoint after being held there almost 4 hrs. Around Morag settlement nr. Khan Yunis, the IDF reinforces troops, bulldozes 10 dunams of Palestinian land. The IDF also tightens the closure on the Tulkarm area, reseals the Rafah crossing, shells Palestinian residential areas nr. Netzarim settlement. Jewish settlers halt and damage a Palestinian car, threaten the driver nr. Aley settlement; set up a checkpoint nr. Ashkalot settlement to stop, search Palestinian cars. (MENA 1/24 in WNC 1/26; HP 1/25; NYT, WP 1/26; ADM 2/5; WP 2/16)

The new Bush administration takes its 1st step in defining its Middle East diplomacy by having its regional ambs. contact Israel and the PA to urge them to resume the Taba talks, to request briefings on the talks. Israel agrees to resume the talks on 1/25. (NYT, WP, WT 1/25)

Aides to PM candidate Sharon arrive in Vienna to meet with top Arafat aide Muhammad Rashid (Khalid Salam). Sharon says mtgs. are to stress to the PA that he will not hold peace talks until all Palestinian violence ceases. (HP, IDF Radio [Internet], IsRN, MM, YA 1/25; MA {Internet], MM, NYT 1/26; QA, SA 1/26 in WNC 1/29; AYM 1/28 in WNC 1/30; Die Presse [Vienna] 1/31 in WNC 2/1; MA 2/1 in WNC 2/5)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to abate, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes nr. Dugit settlement; fires on an ambulance nr. Khan Yunis, preventing its passage to al-Shifa hospital; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in Khan Yunis (damaging 4 Palestinian homes, cutting electricity), Rafah (damaging 6 Palestinian homes). (REU 1/4; WT 1/6; PCHR 1/12)

Israeli chief negotiator Sher arrives in Washington for mtgs. with the U.S. peace team on Arafat's reaction to Clinton's proposals. (MM, NYT, WP 1/4; MM, WP, WT 1/5; NYT, WP, WT 1/6)

In Cairo, Arafat briefs Mubarak, the Arab League on his mtgs. with Clinton. The Arab League endorses Arafat's conditional acceptance of the U.S. proposals. (MM 1/4; MENA, RMC 1/4 in WNC 1/5; AYM 1/4, SA, al-Safir 1/5 in WNC 1/8; MA [Internet], MM, NYT, WP 1/5; al-Ahram [Internet] 1/10; MEI 1/12)