The Palestine Chronology

The IDF assassinates wanted AMB mbr. Rafat Daraghma, firing 4 missiles at his car in Tubas, also killing 2 Palestinian teenagers in the vehicle; 1 missile misses the car, hits a house, killing 2 Palestinian children, injuring 7 others; the main target of the attack, local AMB leader Jihad Sawafta, escapes. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in al-Bireh, Ramallah (arresting Hamas spokesman Hassan Yusif); bulldozes agricultural land in al-Qarara; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in `Ayn Arik nr. Ramallah. A PFLP gunman infiltrates Brakha settlement nr. Nablus, wounding 2 before being shot dead by Jewish settlers. In Jaba', AMB gunmen kill an alleged Palestinian collaborator. (NYT, WP, WT 9/1; AFP, MM, NYT 9/2; LAW, PCHR 9/4; MEI 9/13)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Ramallah, detaining PFLP politburo mbrs. Bashir Khayri and Ali Jaradat, PFLP activist Sakir Hanacha (see 8/25); temporarily lifts the curfew on Hebron. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing light damage but no injuries. Jewish settlers establish a new settlement enclave nr. Eli settlement. (PCHR, WT 8/28; JP 8/29; AFP, Peace Now press release 9/2)

In Ramallah, IDF commandos assassinate senior Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) mbr. Muhammad Saadat, brother of PFLP head Ahmad Saadat; the IDF also raids Tulkarm r.c., fatally shoots wanted tanzim mbr. Afsam Salima in an apparent assassination. A Hamas sniper fatally shoot an IDF soldier nr. Gadid settlement in retaliation for the IDF sniper shooting of a Hamas mbr. a wk. ago; IDF forces in the area return fire killing a 15-yr.-old Palestinian bystander. IDF also shells Khan Yunis, Tulkarm r.c. (killing 1 Palestinian); raids Dayr al-Balah (conducting house-to-house searches), Jenin r.c. (firing live ammunition and tank shells at stone throwers, injuring 5), al-Yamun (occupying 2 Palestinian homes). (MM 8/20; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR, WP 8/21; PCHR 8/26; MEI 8/30)

Israel's American PR consultants urge Israel, American Jewish groups to adhere to a new PR strategy based on equating Israeli and U.S. values, not attacking PA head Yasir Arafat directly, being more hopeful. The changes come as a result of polls showing that Americans are increasingly blaming both sides in the conflict. (JTA 8/20)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus at Meron Junction in n. Israel, killing 3 IDF soldiers, 2 Israeli civilians, 2 Philippine workers, 2 Israeli Arabs and wounding 40 (mostly soldiers); Hamas says it will not release the name the bomber to prevent Israel fr. retaliating against his relatives. In Jerusalem, an AMB gunman fatally shoots an Israeli guard, an Israeli telephone employee nr. Damascus Gate; Israeli policemen, soldiers open fire indiscriminately in the direction of the shooter, who is near a café, killing him, a Palestinian café patron, wounding 17. Nr. Aley Sinai settlement in Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian frogman as he emerges fr. the sea carrying a rifle, grenades in a sealed bag. AMB gunmen detonate a roadside bomb nr. a settler car nr. Ramallah, fire on passengers, injuring 3 Jewish settlers. PFLP gunmen fire on a settler bus nr. Tulkarm, injuring 4 Jewish settlers. A roadside bomb injures 4 IDF soldiers nr. Ramallah. The IDF demolishes an 18-dunam PA Youth and Sports Min. complex, a 20-dunam PSF training center, 4 privately owned buildings, several boats in Bayt Lahia. Jewish settlers attack a PRCS ambulance nr. Ramallah, injuring 2 paramedics. (AFP 8/4 in WNC 8/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/5; LAW, PCHR 8/7)

The IDF makes new incursions into Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c., al-Khadir, Tulkarm and surrounding villages; continues operations in Ramallah, arresting 30 Palestinians (including PFLP 2d-in-command `Abd al-Rahim Malluh), reportedly uncovering an explosives lab in a Force 17 building; searches a PRCS office nr. Hebron; delays ambulances at checkpoints in the Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah areas. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in a restaurant in Herziliya, killing 1 Israeli, wounding 8. The IDF fatally shoots a 9-yr.-old Palestinian boy when he strays too close to Netzarim settlement; 2 Palestinians in Gaza, who allegedly fired on a Jewish settler vehicle. The AMB fatally shoots 2 collaborators in Hebron. A 7th Palestinian is found dead nr. Erez crossing; the IDF claims a roadside bomb he was planting accidentally exploded. Nr. Hebron, 3 Jewish settlers are wounded when they accidentally trigger an explosive device in a field. A Palestinian stabs, wounds an Israeli policeman in Jerusalem. Israeli authorities demolish 6 Palestinian homes in Sur al-Bahir in East Jerusalem. (AFP, LAW, MM, PRCS press release, UPMRC 6/11; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/12; AYM 6/30 in WNC 7/31)

A Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) suicide bomber dressed as an IDF soldier detonates a device in a Netanya market, killing 2 Israelis, wounding 50. The PFLP says the attack is to protest the PA's continued detention of the group's leader, Ahmad Saadat, under U.S.-British supervision in connection with the 10/01 PFLP assassination of Tourism M Rehavam Ze'evi. The IDF sends tanks, APCs into Ramallah after shots are fired at a Jewish settler driving nearby; troops withdraw to the outskirts of the city a short time later. The IDF also makes incursions into several villages nr. Hebron, Tulkarm; partially demolishes 2 factories, bulldozes a strip of agricultural land, 7 greenhouses nr. Qarni crossing in Gaza; lifts a week-long 24 hr. curfew on the al-Mawasi area of Gaza. (AP, Palestine Media Center 5/19; AFP 5/19 in WNC 5/20; NYT, WP, WT 5/20; Interfax 5/20 in WNC 5/21; WT 5/21; LAW 5/22; JPI 5/31)

Israel releases tenders for the construction of 957 housing units in Jewish settlements. (HA 5/19; WT 5/21)

The European Union (EU) says that Belgium, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain have agreed to take the 13 Palestinians deported to Cyprus on 5/10 as part of the Israeli-PA deal to end the Church of the Nativity stand-off. (AFP, CNA 5/19 in WNC 5/20; NYT 5/20)

Around 90 Peruvian converts to Judaism are airlifted to Israel to take up residence in Alon Shvut, Karmei Tzur settlements. The Ashkenazi chief rabbinate sent a delegation of rabbis on a 2 wk. mission to impoverished rural areas Peru in early 5/02 to convert anyone "who said they were willing to immigrate to Israeli immediately." (HA 7/19; WT 7/24)

The IDF stages a major predawn incursion into Palestinian areas of Hebron, conducting house-to-house searches, arresting 150 Palestinians, killing 10 Palestinians, including apparently assassinating wanted Hamas mbr. Tarik al-Dufashi. The IDF threatens to raid Hebron hospital in search of 15 wanted Palestinians; destroys several buildings, including a TV station. In Bethlehem, an IDF sniper fatally shoots a Palestinian inside the Church of the Nativity. The IDF does not begin a withdrawal fr. Ramallah, with Israel demanding that the PA hand over PFLP head Saadat, Arafat aide Fuad Shubaki (wanted by Israel in connection with the Karine A affair) in addition to the 4 PFLP mbrs. The IDF bulldozes land in Rafah r.c., sparking clashes. (CNN, GS, WP, WT 4/29; MENA 4/29 in WNC 4/30; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/30; AYM, al-Quds 4/30 in WNC 5/1; MEI 5/3)

In Ramallah, IDF tanks flatten 10s of PA vehicles outside the PA compound, soldiers demolish the interiors of buildings inside. Israeli police arrest 2 Jewish settlers for planting a timer-controlled bomb in Maqassid Hospital in East Jerusalem, disable the device; say the pair may be behind the 3/5 bomb planted at a Palestinian school in East Jerusalem. (AYM 4/28 in WNC 4/29; NYT, WP 4/29; HA, Oznik News Service [Internet] 4/30; JP, HA 5/10; WP 5/11)

The Israeli cabinet accepts a proposal by Bush to allow Arafat to travel freely in exchange the PA transferring 4 wanted PFLP mbrs. fr. the Ramallah compound to British-U.S. security personnel, who will monitor their confinement in a PSF jail in Jericho until Israel, the PA decide how to handle them. Arafat also agrees. Bush invites Sharon to meet with him in the U.S. in a wk. (AFP, HA 4/28; NYT, WP, WT 4/29; MA, al-Quds, al-Safir 4/29 in WNC 4/30; MM 4/30; MEI 5/3) (see 4/25)

The IDF raids Qalqilya, killing (possibly assassinating) local PFLP leader Ra'id Nazil, detaining 16 Palestinians. The IDF also conducts arrest raids into Jenin and Nablus, arresting 26 Palestinians. In Bethlehem, IDF snipers again fire on the Church of the Nativity, seriously injuring 2 Palestinians, who are evacuated for treatment; 4 PSF officers surrender to the IDF. In Ramallah, 100s of Palestinians demonstrate outside the PA compound against Arafat's confinement, clash with the IDF, leaving 11 injured. In Gaza, 15,000 Palestinians attend a Hamas rally calling fo the continuation of the armed intifada. The IDF detains without explanation Agence France-Presse's (AFP) Palestinian photographer Hossam Abu Alan. (AFP, HA, MM, REU 4/26; NYT, WP, WT 4/27; al-Quds 4/27 in WNC 4/29; WP 5/4)

The IDF sends tanks into PA-controlled Hebron, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 4 before withdrawing. In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 4 Palestinians who allegedly try to infiltrate Kefar Darom settlement, sparking an exchange of gunfire with local PSF officers that leaves 1 PSF mbr. dead. A 7th Palestinian is fatally shot at an IDF checkpoint elsewhere. In Bethlehem, IDF snipers fatally shoot 2 Palestinians inside the Church of the Nativity, but the IDF allows 9 Palestinian children, 2 corpses to be evacuated. In Arafat's Ramallah compound, a PA judge sentences 4 PFLP mbrs. to terms of 1-18 yrs. for their involvement in the Ze'evi assassination; Israel dismisses the trial as invalid, repeats demands their extradition. In Jenin r.c., Palestinians reject U.S.-donated emergency aid, saying the U.S. is culpable in the destruction of the camp. The IDF begins constructing a security fence, buffer zone along 7.5 km of the Green Line nr. Tulkarm. (CNN, Irish Times [Internet], Jewish Telegraphic Agency, MM, NYT, WT 4/25; AFP, USIS Washington File, WP, WT 4/26; AYM 4/26 in WNC 4/29; AFP, HA, MM 4/30; JP 5/16; AYM 5/16 in WNC 5/21)

An IDF soldier is killed during a raid on a village nr. Nablus; a total of 5 Palestinians are killed by the IDF during the day, including senior AMB mbr. Marwan Zallum who is assassinated in Hebron. In his Ramallah compound, Arafat opens a military trial of 4 PFLP mbrs. (not including PFLP head Ahmad Saadat) wanted by Israel for involvement in the Ze'evi assassination; AMB gunmen fire on 3 Palestinian collaborators in Manara Square, killing 1, wounding 2. In Bethlehem, a serious exchange of gunfire is reported nr. the Church of the Nativity; the IDF confiscates the credentials of 17 journalists trying to approach the area. The IDF lifts the curfew in Dahaysha for 3-4 hrs. (AP, HA, Israeli Trade Min. press release, MM 4/22; NYT, WP, WT 4/23; Le Monde, al-Quds 4/23 in WNC 4/24; NYT, WP, WT 4/24; QA 4/24 in WNC 4/25; MA 4/26 in WNC 4/29; MM 4/30; MEI 5/3)

Just before Zinni arrives, Israel begins pulling back gradually fr. Ramallah. The U.S., PA say that is not enough, with the State Dept. publicly stating, "We want to see a full withdrawal" fr. area A, including all Palestinian towns, refugee camps. During the day, at least 5 Palestinians are killed in Ramallah, 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/5; 2 explosions nr. Tulkarm kill 6 Palestinians (including senior AMB mbr. Mutasim Makhluf) in what are thought to be assassinations; 2 Palestinian collaborators are killed by Fatah Hawks mbrs. in Bethlehem. In an incident similar to that on 2/14, Palestinian assailants detonate a powerful roadside bomb in Gaza, destroying a Merkava tank, killing 3 IDF soldiers, wounding 2; the AMB, PFLP each claim responsibility. In al-Bireh and nr. Ramallah, Palestinians fire RPGs at 2 tanks, damaging them. Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo settlement, causing no damage. In retaliation, the IDF sends tanks into the heart of Bethlehem, firing repeatedly at a Catholic maternity hospital and orphanage, which houses 16 patients and 50 children ages 5 and younger, causing damage but no injuries. IDF shelling, heavy machine gun fire are also reported in `Ayn Arik, Beitunia, al-Irsal, al-Tira, Umm al-Sharayit. The IDF demolishes 15 Palestinian homes in al-Mighraqa village in Gaza; makes arrest raids into onto al-Naqura, Shu`fat. Jewish settlers fr. Ma'ale Mikhmas, guarded by IDF soldiers, attack and drive off several bedouin families camping nr. the settlement. (AFP 3/13, MA, QA, XIN 3/14 in WNC 3/15; HP, LAW, MM 3/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/15; Die Presse [Vienna] 3/15, al-Quds 3/16 in WNC 3/18; LAW 3/20; MEI 3/22)

Zinni meets with local reps. of the quartet--an ad hoc diplomatic formation of the EU, Russia, UN, U.S. employed at times when presenting a united international front may more effectively press Israel and the PA to take a desired course of action. He then meets with Sharon. (XIN 3/14 in WNC 3/15; MM, NYT, WT 3/15; MEI 3/22)

In a massive predawn operation, the IDF sends tanks, troops into Gaza City fr. 3 directions, firing heavy machine guns, demolishing the Palestine Broadcasting Center, taking Palestinian TV and radio off the air. IDF helicopters strike the PA military intelligence, military police, Force 17 buildings in the city. The IDF also sends bulldozers into enter Brazil r.c., killing 6 Palestinians; dispatches F-16s to bomb a PA security building in Khan Yunis, helicopters shell a Force 17 building in al-Bireh, naval vessels shell a PA naval police station in Bayt Lahia. Nr. Jerusalem, a Palestinian fires on an IDF post, injuring 2 IDF soldiers before being shot dead. A 8th Palestinian is fatally shot at an IDF checkpoint for "acting suspiciously"; an Israeli Arab is killed in an incident elsewhere. The PSF arrests 3 senior PFLP mbrs. suspected of involvement in the 10/01 assassination of Israel's Tourism M Rehavam Ze'evi. Israel, which had made the arrests a condition of easing Arafat's confinement, says the PA must also arrest anyone behind the Karine A arms shipment, Arafat must achieve complete quiet before Israel will allow him to leave his Ramallah compound. (AP, MM, NYT, PCHR, REU, WP, WT 2/21; AFP 2/21 in WNC 2/22; AFP, NYT, WP, WT 2/22; PCHR 2/27; WP 4/19)

The CIA convenes a trilateral security comm. mtg. at Erez crossing to discuss security issues. As a result of the mtg., Israel agrees not to initiate military operations for 1 wk., except to prevent imminent terrorist attacks. (NYT 2/22, 2/23; NYT, WT 2/24; WP 2/25)

In a TV address, Sharon urges Israelis to stiffen their resolve but does not offer a vision for how to achieve a cease-fire or durable peace; announces plans to create buffer zones to impose "security separation" between Israeli and Palestinian territory; demands the "complete demilitarization" of the PA areas as a "prelude" to a final settlement; denounces "expressions of disobedience" such as the IDF conscientious objection petition, which he says "encourage terrorist organizations." (MM 5/21; AFP, HP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/22; QA 2/22 in WNC 2/25; WP, WT 2/23; Guardian 2/23; Le Monde 2/24 in WNC 2/26; HA 3/1; MEI 3/8)

At a UN Security Council (UNSC) emergency session in New York, UN Secy-Gen. Kofi Annan warns that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is "sliding toward a full-fledged war"; says that the Mitchell and Tenet plans have clearly not succeeded, that an active international effort and "new thinking" are necessary. The Israeli, U.S. reps. strongly reject anything other than U.S. mediation. (NYT 2/22)

In response to the Salahadin Brigades attack on 2/14, IDF F-16s twice bomb the PSF headquarters in Jabaliya, killing 1 PSF officer, wounding 30 Palestinians. IDF commandos raid Saida, killing 1 Islamic Jihad mbr., arresting 4 others, razing Palestinian agricultural land, bulldozing 1 Palestinian home; during the demolition, a wall of the home collapses on a senior IDF undercover officer, killing him. Nr. Ramallah, AMB mbrs. fire on an IDF post, killing 1 soldier. In Ramallah, 100s of DFLP, PFLP supporters rally outside Arafat's Ramallah compound, calling for the release of a Palestinians held by the PA without charge. (BBC 2/15; AFP 2/15 in WNC 2/19; NYT, WP, WT 2/16; WP 2/17; PCHR 2/21)

Palestinian collaborator Murad Abu al-Asal detonates a suicide bomb nr. Taibeh, Israel, injuring his 2 Shin Bet handlers. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 1/21. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, East Jerusalem, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, detaining 9 Palestinians fr. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, PFLP; shells residential areas of Tulkarm. (HA, MM, PCHR 1/30; NYT, WT 1/31; MA 1/31 in WNC 2/4; LAW 2/6)

The Israeli cabinet approves the Enveloping Jerusalem plan. (WP, WT 1/31) (see 1/28)

The Palestinian woman who carried out a suicide bombing on 1/27 is identified as Wafa Idriss, a Red Crescent volunteer medical worker who reportedly was distraught over the Palestinian casualties inflicted by the IDF. Most recently, a boy she treated, who had been shot by the IDF and left in a coma died, on 1/25. AMB claims she was "one of our female fighters," but family and friends say she had no connection to the group; she also was not religious, never attended al-Najah University. Her brother, Khalil Idris, is a local Fatah leader wanted by Israel. (AP, REU 1/30; HA, NYT, Red Crescent press release, WP 1/31; SA 2/2 in WNC 2/4; WT 2/3; JP 2/8; WP 2/9; NYT 2/11)

Sharon meets secretly in Jerusalem with Qurai`, PA senior negotiator Mahmud Abbas, Arafat economic adviser Muhammad Rashid, marking his 1st mtg. with PA officials since his election in 2/01; reportedly says he accepts the idea of an interim agmt. along the lines of the Peres-Qurai` plan, with implementation taking 7 yrs. (XIN 2/1, AYM, al-Ra'i 2/2 in WNC 2/4; NYT, WP, WT 2/2; AFP, JP [Internet] 2/3; MM, NYT, WT 2/4; AYM 2/4 in WNC 2/6; WP, WT 2/5; MA 2/9 in WNC 2/11)

Ben-Eliezer meets with Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh, says Israel currently sees no partner for peace on the Palestinian side, asks Egypt to inform Damascus that Israel is ready to renew peace talks with Syria. (HA, MM 1/30; MENA 1/30 in WNC 1/31; WT 1/31; MM 2/1; MENA 2/5 in WNC 2/6; MM 2/7)

A Palestinian is fatally shot while driving through the West Bank, possibly by Palestinian gunmen who mistook him for a Jewish settler. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Battir, Nahalin. The PFLP organizes demonstrations in Bethlehem, Ramallah demanding the PA release Saadat. (MM, PCHR 1/16; JP [Internet], WT 1/17; al-Quds 1/20 in WNC 1/22)

AMB gunmen ambush, abduct, fatally shoot a Jewish settler nr. Bayt Sahur. Unidentified Palestinian gunmen fatally shoot a 2d Jewish settler, wound a 3d nr. Givat Ze'ev. Both settlers killed are U.S. passport holders. The IDF tightens blockades around Bethlehem, Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya. Jewish settlers uproot an olive grove nr. Keddumim. The PSF arrests PFLP head Ahmad Saadat in Ramallah after luring him to a mtg. with PA West Bank intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi; the Israel claims the arrest was only meant to impress a visiting U.S. congressional delegation. In Bethlehem, Gaza City, and Ramallah, 100s of Palestinians gather to protest Saadat's arrest. Demonstrators outside Arafat's office in Ramallah denounce Tirawi as a collaborator. The PSF also shuts the Gaza City office of al-Risala, the NISP's newspaper. (AFP, BBC 1/15; AFP, JP, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 1/16; HA, MM, NYT, WP 1/17; al-Quds 1/17 in WNC 1/18; al-Safir 1/18; al-Nahar 1/19 in WNC 1/22; MEI 1/25)

In light of increasing violence, the U.S. places Zinni's 3d trip to the region, set to begin on 1/18, on hold. (WT 1/16; MM 1/21)