The Palestine Chronology

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Tubas; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 39 dunams of land in al-Bureij r.c. The PSF raids a mosque in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting Hamas mbrs. thought to be plotting a suicide bombing. Shin Bet arrests Palestinian hospital worker and chemist Rashid al-Nimr, cousin of PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Faruq al-Qaddumi, on charges of selling Hamas 6 containers of hydrogen peroxide for use in building bombs, transporting the chemicals by ambulance, evading the IDF by hiding in hospitals. (JP 11/25 in WNC 11/27; LAW, PCHR 12/4; JP 12/11 in WNC 12/13)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Tulkarm, sparking an exchange of gunfire that leaves 1 Hamas mbr. dead, arresting 3 Palestinians, including local Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader Nayif Jaradat; pulls bulldozers out of Bureij r.c., ending a 4-day operation that leveled 55 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of Palestinian land. (HA, XIN 11/17; VOP 11/17 in WNC 11/19; NYT 11/18; PCHR 11/20)

Israeli PM Ariel Sharon meets secretly in Rome with U.S. National Security Council Middle East adviser Elliott Abrams, reportedly briefs Abrams on his plans for unilateral actions in the occupied territories. (HA, VOI 11/22 in WNC 11/25; HA, MM 11/24; WP 11/26)

The IDF reinforces its troop presence in n. Jerusalem, surrounding villages; sends tanks, troops into Maghazi r.c. in search of wanted Palestinians, shells residential areas (wounding 5, destroying 1 Palestinian home), exchanges fire with Hamas mbrs. attempting to block the incursion, killing Hamas mbr. Mu‘amin Mughari; opens fire on a group of Palestinians nr. the Qarni crossing, killing a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy; raids Jenin, capturing local Islamic Jihad cmdr. Amjad Obeid, sparking rioting and an exchange of gunfire in which 1 Palestinian is killed; raids, fires on residential areas of Balata r.c. (killing 1 Palestinian), Rafah; fatally shoots 2 Palestinian teenagers apparently attempting tosneak across the Israeli border at Bayt Hanun to find work; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Jenin, 1 in Rafah, a greenhouse nr. Rafah. The PSF arrests 2 AMB mbrs. for plotting attacks inside Israel. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (AP, MM, NYT 11/7; al-Quds 11/7 in WNC 11/11; WP 11/8; PCHR 11/13)