The Palestine Chronology

An AMB gunman attacks an IDF outpost n. of Jerusalem, killing 6 IDF soldiers, critically wounding 1, and escaping. IDF F-16s shell 2 PSF buildings in Rafah, Ramallah; naval vessels fire a missile at PA head Yasir Arafat's compound in Gaza, killing 4 Force 17 mbrs. The IDF also rockets a Hamas office in Jabaliya, killing 2 Hamas mbrs. in an apparent assassination; among the 11 injured are 9 children. 2 Palestinians are killed in IDF strikes on Nablus. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in the West Bank, killing only himself, causing no injuries. The IDF bulldozes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah, 2 Palestinian homes in Umm Tuba nr. Jabal Abu Ghunaym settlement, 1 dunam of Palestinian agricultural land nr. Yatta; bans all Palestinian vehicular traffic except ambulances in the n. West Bank. Late this evening, the IDF fires 18 shells at Arafat's compound in Gaza, killing 5 PSF officers; 1 missile into his compound in Ramallah, where he has been held under virtual house arrest since 12/01. In Hebron, Jewish settlers fire on Palestinian areas, causing no injuries. (AP, Mezan, MM, NYT, WT 2/19; AP, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/20; AFP, MA 2/20 in WNC 2/21; MM, PCHR, WP 2/21)

Israeli-Palestinian violence leaves a total of 6 Palestinians, 3 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier dead. In Gaza, the IDF fires on 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate a Jewish settlement, killing 1; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, killing 3 Palestinians, barring ambulances fr. reaching the scene, firing on at least 1 ambulance. AMB gunmen fire on a settler vehicle nr. Kissufim crossing in Gaza, then 1 AMB mbr. detonates a suicide bomb, killing 3 settlers, wounding 4. In the Jordan Valley, the IDF stops a Palestinian car at a checkpoint nr. Ma'ale Adumim; the driver emerges, fires on soldiers, detonates a remote controlled car bomb, killing himself and 1 soldier, injuring a 2d soldier. The IDF responds by sending F-16s to destroy 3 PSF buildings nr. Rafah, injuring 4 PSF officers; blocks 3 main roads in Gaza, banning all Palestinian traffic; shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah. The IDF confiscates 80 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Karnei Shomron settlement. (NYT, WP 2/19; NYT 2/20)

An Israeli bus driver coming fr. Ma'ale Adumim stops at an Israeli checkpoint into Jerusalem, warns border police of a suspicious passenger on board. Israeli border police scuffle with and detain a Palestinian passenger wearing an explosive device, which is defused by bomb experts. Later, a Hamas gunman dressed as an IDF soldier infiltrates a home in the West Bank settlement of Hamra, fatally shoots 2 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier, wounds 4 settlers before being shot dead by soldiers. In response, IDF F-16s bomb 2 prisons in Nablus, injuring 11 Palestinians. During the strikes, wardens release 25 Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners (including 2 of Israel's most wanted, Islamic Jihad mbrs. Mahmud Tawalba, Ali Safuri) for their safety but keep 103 suspected collaborators in custody. The IDF also captures a vegetable truck on Jenin-Nablus road loaded with 8 Qassam-2 missiles and a launcher; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian who threw a hand grenade at an IDF post on the Rafah border; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina and Shu`fat; arrests 3 Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast, confiscates their boats. The IDF also raids, confiscates the files of, and closes the East Jerusalem offices of 2 NGOs that represent Palestinian interests: the Arab Studies Society's Land Research Center, the Welfare Association's Multisectoral and Technical Offices. (AP, LAW 2/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/7; NYT, WP, WT 2/8; NYT 2/9; MA 2/10 in WNC 2/11; MA 2/11 in WNC 2/12; PCHR 2/13; HA 2/17)

In a report to Congress, CIA Dir. George Tenet identifies several "terrorist groups"--including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP--that have no ties to al-Qa`ida but could be future U.S. targets because they have "displayed anti-U.S. sentiments" and have threatened U.S. interests overseas. (WP 2/10)

The IDF directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, Qarni, Rafah, Wadi al-Silqa; occupies a Palestinian home, bulldozes land in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah, Dayr al-Sharaf, Hebron, Tal; fires on a Palestinian boat off Gaza, wounding 1 fisherman; places new roadblocks on the roads linking Nablus with Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Gush Katif settlement causing no damage. The IDF reports that incidents of Palestinian violence are up to an average of 17/day (see 12/30). 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (HA, HP 2/5; LAW, PCHR 2/6; PCHR 2/13)

In Jenin, a mob of more than 1,000 Palestinians enraged by reduced sentences handed down by a judge, storms a makeshift PA security courtroom and executes 3 Palestinians convicted of murdering a popular PSF officer over an intrafamily feud; 100 PSF officers surrounding the building are unable to fend off the mob. Since 9/01, the IDF has demolished Jenin's 2 police headquarters, its security headquarters, 2 prisons, the governor's administrative offices, and its military courtroom, leaving the PA without a secure compound to hold the controversial trial. The military court sought to move the trial to Jericho but could not due to Israeli closures. (AP, HA 2/5; MM, NYT, WP 2/6)

In New York, Ben-Eliezer says that Arafat is not a partner for peace; urges the U.S. to open talks with more "realistic" Palestinians who could form an alternative leadership. He also alleges that Israel has new intelligence information that al-Qa`ida mbrs. have been relocating to Lebanon to join forces with Hizballah; says he will encourage the U.S. to target Hizballah in its war on terror when he meets with officials in Washington on 2/6. (XIN 2/5 in WNC 2/8; AP, HA 2/6; MM 2/7; al-Quds 2/16 in WNC 2/19)

The IDF fires missiles at a car traveling nr. Rafah, killing 5 DFLP mbrs. Israeli security sources say 1 of those killed, Ayman Bihdari, was targeted for assassination for his role in organizing the 8/25/01 raid on a Gaza IDF post that left 3 soldiers dead. The DFLP vows retaliation. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Issawiyya; shells an alleged Palestinian mortar factory in Jabaliya. Nr. Nablus, Palestinian gunmen fire on a car with Israeli license plates, wounding an Israeli Arab B'Tselem employee on the job collecting information on human rights violations by the IDF. (BBC, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 2/4; XIN 2/4 in WNC 2/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/5; LAW, PCHR 2/6)

Senior Fatah mbr. Imad Assaf is seriously injured in a mysterious explosion in Dahaysha; the PA accuses Israel of attempting to assassination him. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. In response, the IDF directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah (leaving 1 Palestinian clinically dead). The IDF also fires tear gas, concussion grenades to disperse a peaceful protest by Palestinians, international peace activists in Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Osrin, firing on Palestinian homes; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land along secondary roads in the Bethlehem, Jenin areas; imposes closures on 10 villages around Ramallah. (HP 2/3; AFP 2/3 in WNC 2/4; NYT, PCHR, WT 2/4; LAW 2/6)

In a New York Times op-ed, Arafat outlines the Palestinians' vision of peace as a 2-state solution, with an independent Palestinian state in all of the West Bank and Gaza, and a secure Israel within its 1967 borders. He also affirms that any solution to the refugee issue must consider Israel's demographic concerns and denounces "attacks carried out by terrorist groups against Israeli civilians." (HA, JP [Internet], NYT 2/3; AP, HA, NYT, WT 2/4; JT, MA, MM, QA, al-Quds 2/5 in WNC 2/6; PR 2/6; MEI 2/8)

Correcting its 1/11 statement, the PSF says it has only arrested Shubaki in connection with the Karine A; both Mughrabi, Razim are apparently abroad. In the 4th day of reprisals for the 1/9 Hamas attack, the IDF shells a PA naval police office in Gaza City, confiscates several fishing boats, bulldozes a warehouse; sends naval commandos to blow a hole in Arafat's yacht, anchored at the base; demolishes 7 Palestinian houses in Rafah, injuring 8 Palestinians; bulldozes olive trees, conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm. (NYT, WP, WT 1/13; LAW 1/16; JP 1/25; NYT 1/29)

The PSF announces it has arrested Shubaki, Mughrabi in connection with the Karine A; has issued a warrant for Razim, who is believed to be in Jordan. Israel, dismissing the arrests as insufficient, shells PA naval targets in Gaza and residential areas of Rafah, destroying 19 Palestinian houses, damaging another 100, injuring 8 Palestinians, leaving up to 850 homeless; bulldozes the remaining Gaza airport runways; shells, destroys the main sewerage network serving Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Rafah; closes the main southern road in Gaza." The IDF also fires tear gas, rubber coated steel bullets to disperse a peaceful Palestinian demonstration in Ramallah, injuring 2. (AFP, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 1/11; NYT, WP, WT 1/12; QA, al-Ra'i 1/12 in WNC 1/14; Amnesty International press release, MM 1/14; LAW, PCHR 1/16; MA 1/16 in WNC 1/17; al-Quds 1/22 in WNC 1/24)

In a predawn operation, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Rafah to demolish at least 54 Palestinian houses, damaging another 20, leaving some 650 Palestinians homeless. Israel claims the houses were used by "terrorists" to shoot at IDF troops, hid tunnels used for smuggling arms fr. Egypt. (The UN, U.S. condemns the demolitions, which bring the total number of Palestinian homes in Rafah demolished by the IDF in the past yr. to about 200; another 200 houses have been damaged, 69 stores destroyed, 520 acres of agricultural land bulldozed.) In response, Islamic Jihad says it is dropping its pledge to halt attacks inside Israel. The IDF also takes over another 3 PSF posts, demolishes a sewage network nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids nr. Rafah crossing. The PSF announces that it has arrested 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., including 1 of Israel's most wanted. (AP, HA 1/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/11; QA, al-Quds 1/11 in WNC 1/14; HA 1/12; B'Tselem press release 1/13; MM 1/14; LAW, PCHR 1/16; AYM 1/16 in WNC 1/22; al-Quds 1/22 in WNC 1/24; MEI 1/25)

Sharon vows not to resume contacts with the PA until it arrests those Palestinians behind the Karine A arms shipment. (AP, JP [Internet], MM, WP, WT 1/11)

In the first deadly Palestinian attack since 12/25, 2 armed Palestinians cross the border into s. Israel, attack an IDF outpost using guns and grenades, killing 4 IDF soldiers, wounding 2 before being shot dead. The IDF claims the assailants were mbrs. of the PA naval police, but Hamas claims responsibility, saying it staged the attack to punish Israel for capturing the Karine A. The PA condemns the attack. The Israeli inner cabinet meets to discuss how to respond. Afterward, the IDF takes over 2 PSF post in Rafah, nr. where the Hamas mbrs. infiltrated Israel; raids the PA naval police offices in al-Mawasi, confiscates weapons. An ailing Palestinians dies at Rafah border en route to a Egyptian hospital when the IDF delays his ambulance at the crossing for several hrs. (AFP, AP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM, PCHR 1/9; AP, HA, MM, NYT, WP 1/10; SA 1/11 in WNC 1/14; al-Quds 1/14 in WNC 1/15; MEI 1/25)

In Washington, Israeli intelligence, military officials brief U.S. officials on their Karine A evidence. The U.S. says evidence indicates the PA, Fatah were involved but does not implicate Arafat directly. (AFP, MM, NYT 1/9; NYT, WP, WT 1/10; MM 1/11; JT 1/11 in WNC 1/14)

Just 15 minutes into Zinni's 1st mtg. of his tour with Arafat, Israel announces that at dawn on 1/3 it captured a cargo ship, the Karine A, loaded with 50 tons of weapons en route fr. Iran to the PA. The PA, Iran deny involvement. (AFP 1/4; AYM, al-Quds, VIRI 1/4, VIRI 1/6 in WNC 1/7; JP [Internet], NYT, WP, WT 1/5; HA 1/6; MM 1/7, 1/9; AYM 1/9 in WNC 1/10; WJW 1/10; MEI 1/11; AKH 1/11 in WNC 1/14; MENA 1/14 in WNC 1/15; WT 1/15; JP 1/18; MEI 1/25)

IDF undercover units raid Tal, killing 1 Hamas mbr., arresting 2 who allegedly were planning an attack on a Jewish settlement; Palestinian sources, however, identify the dead man as a PSF officer. The IDF also fires tear gas, rubber bullets to disperse a peaceful Palestinian demonstration in Ramallah, injuring 2 journalists, 3 demonstrators; fires on residential areas of Rafah. An armed Jewish settler severely beats a Palestinian telephone repairman fixing a line nr. Hebron. (MM 1/4; NYT, WP 1/5; al-Ra'i 1/5 in WNC 1/7; LAW, PCHR 1/9)