The Palestine Chronology

The IDF continues operations in Balata r.c. for the 5th day, firing on residential areas and stone-throwing youths (wounding 5), demolishing 1 Palestinian home; conducts arrest raids nr. Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (PM 12/20; YA 12/21 in WNC 12/23; PR 1/7; PCHR 12/25)

The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Nablus, Tulkarm; shuts the only entry point to Qalqilya; opens fire on a taxi in Nablus that reportedly fails to stop for a checkpoint, killing 1 Palestinian student en route to al-Najah University in Nablus; shells, fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. The IDF reports that Palestinians have fired more than 20 mortars at Gush Katif since 12/12, causing light damage, no injuries. (AP 12/13; VOP 12/13 in WNC 12/16; NYT 12/16; PR 12/17; PCHR 12/18; HA 12/20)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who strays too close to Netzarim settlement; bulldozes 3 dunams of land in al-Mughraqa; demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Hebron. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF vehicle, damaging it but causing no injuries; fire on an IDF position outside the Gush Katif bloc in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Hebron, damaging it but causing no injuries. (VOI, YA 11/20 in WNC 11/22; PCHR 12/4)

The IDF continues Operation Root Canal in Rafah, killing 1 armed Palestinian, wounding at least 5, demolishing at least 42 Palestinian homes, uncovering a 3d tunnel; local Palestinians report that the IDF has ordered those in the “front-line area” to evacuate their homes. The IDF also destroys 3 wells in Bayt Hanun; the 4 wells demolished in the past 2 days were among 8 previously destroyed by the IDF, reconstructed 2 mos. ago with Israeli permission and USAID financing ($40,000/well); the U.S. reportedly threatens to stop reconstruction work unless Israel guarantees not to demolish its projects. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at Gush Katif, damaging 1 home, causing no injuries. (HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/12; PCHR 10/16; Independent 11/5)

The IDF lifts the seal on the West Bank and Gaza, imposed on 9/26; bars a Palestinian heart attack victim fr. crossing a checkpoint nr. Hebron, allowing her to die; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Hebron, 1 in Jenin; fires on residential areas of Jenin, Nablus, Rafah; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths in Nablus, wounding 2 stone-throwers (ages 10, 12), 2 bystanders inside their homes. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries; fire on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Einav settlement, causing damage but no injuries. (HA 9/29; VOP 9/29 in WNC 10/1; PCHR 10/2)

On the 3d anniversary of the outbreak of the al-Aqsa intifada, 1,000s of Palestinians across the occupied territories stage rallies in support of Arafat. The IDF sends tanks into, fires on residential areas of Jenin, al-Maghazi r.c., Nablus; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths in Bayt Furik, wounding a 12-yr.-old; searches a home, assaults a Palestinian in Shaykh Ajlin; bulldozes 3 dunams of land in al-Maghazi r.c., an olive grove and road in al-Mughraqa. Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. (WP, WT 9/29; PCHR 10/2)

Overnight, the IDF launches a major raid on Bureij r.c., firing air-to-surface shells at the home of wanted Hamas mbr. Muhammad Bashir Akel, assassinating him and demolishing his home; surrounding the home of, attempting to arrest Bureij Islamic Jihad leader Jawad Shahin (not at home at the time), sparking a gun battle that kills Islamic Jihad mbr. Nur Abu Armana and 1 IDF soldier, wounds 7 IDF soldiers; demolishing Shahin’s home; killing a 3-yr.- old Palestinian girl and wounding at least 6 bystanders. The IDF also raids Hebron, assassinating wanted Hebron Islamic Jihad leader Diab Shuwayki (whom Israel has tried to assassinate twice previously) and Dura Islamic Jihad leader ‘Abd al-Rahim Talhami, wounding a 3d Islamic Jihad mbr.; fatally shoots a Palestinian attempting to plant a pipe bomb nr. Morag settlement; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 4. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian woman fr. Hebron stabs, lightly wounds an IDF soldier, is arrested. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire 2 antitank rockets at an IDF post nr. Gadid settlement and fire on IDF patrols nr. Psagot and Gush Katif settlements; no damage or injuries are reported. In Abu Dis, construction workers digging the foundations for the separation wall unearth a previously unknown Byzantine monastery. A Palestinian woman dies of injuries received during the apparent IDF assassination of Abu Sawarih on 9/18. (AFP, BBC, HA, PCHR, WT 9/25; MENA, VOP 9/25 in WNC 9/27; HA, NYT, WP 9/26; al-Quds 9/26 in WNC 10/4; PR 10/1; PCHR 10/2)

The IDF raids, searches a Qalqilya hospital (including emergency and operating rooms), looking for wanted men, leaves without finding any; sends tanks and bulldozers into Rafah in response to the mortar fire at Gush Katif on 9/23, sparking an exchange of gunfire with local Palestinians, killing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 14; occupies a kindergarten in Khan Yunis as a military post; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah (seriously damaging another 18), 2 nr. Khan Yunis, 1 nr. Jenin, 1 in Kfar Rantis; 13 greenhouses, 9 dunams of land are also bulldozed in Khan Yunis. 27 retired and reserve Israeli air force pilots sign a letter to the air force cmdr. saying they will not participate in operations in the occupied territories, which they term “illegal and immoral”; 1 of the 27 is Brig. Gen. Yiftach Spector (res.), who took part in the 1981 bombing of Iraq’s Osiraq nuclear reactor. (AFP, HA, PCHR, PR 9/24; VOP 9/24 in WNC 9/26; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 9/25; MM 9/26, 9/29; PR 10/1; PCHR 10/2)

The IDF fatally shoots an Islamic Jihad mbr. whoattempts toinfiltrate a Jewish settlement in Gaza; fires on a Palestinian elementary school in Rafah for 15 mins., wounding 1 student, 1 teacher; fires on Palestinians nr. Dugit; demolishes a Palestinian home in Abu Dis; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes, 17 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Jenin, Khan Yunis, Ramallah. 1 of the Jewish settlers convicted on 9/17 of plotting attacks on Palestinians reveals that his group had planned simultaneous attacks on several mosques, including al-Aqsa, during Friday prayers. Palestinians reportedly fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing nodamage or injuries. (PM 9/23; VOP 9/23 in WNC 9/25; HA, NYT, WT 9/24; PCHR 9/25)

The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 1 in Jenin; bulldozes 12 dunams of land in al-Maghazi r.c.; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (WT 9/20; HA, VOI, YA 9/20 in WNC 9/23; PCHR 9/25)

The IDF fatally shoots an Islamic Jihad mbr. at a roadblock when he allegedly emerges fr. his car with a gun; fires on Palestinians in Bayt Furik (wounding 2), Rafah (wounding 1); demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem, 1 in Rafah. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire 5 antitank rockets at Gush Katif settlement, damaging 1 building. A Hamas mbr. dies of injuries received in the 9/1 IDF assassination of Husary. An 11- yr.-old Palestinian girl dies of injuries received in the 8/26 IDF assassination attempt on Massud. (HA, WP, WT 9/3; PCHR 9/4)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas political leader and spokesman Ismail Abu Shanab, firing 5 missiles at his car as he drives through Gaza City, also killing 2 bodyguards, wounding at least 19 bystanders. Hamas, Islamic Jihad declare the cease-fire officially over. The IDF also imposes curfews on all Palestinian cities; continues operations in Nablus, where tanks and troops have entered the heart of the city, demolishing 1 Palestinian apartment, raiding and evacuating the staff of a medical clinic for 6 hrs.; sends 5 bulldozers, 100 special forces units into Nazlat Issa, nr. the Green Line, to demolish at least 7 Palestinian homes, 115 shops, 2 factories, several warehouses; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Jenin, 2 in Hebron (including the home of the 8/19 bomber); shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Qabatiyya. Palestinians fire 12 mortars at Gush Katif, 5 Qassam rockets at s. Israel, damaging 2 buildings but causing no injuries. The IDF arrests a Hebron settler for alleged membership in a Jewish militant group. (BBC, HA, MM, PCHR, PM 8/21; MA, MENA, al-Quds, VOI, XIN, YA 8/21 in WNC 8/23; XIN 8/21, AYM, JP, QA, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, SA 8/22, JT, al-Quds 8/24 in WNC 8/26; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/22; WT 8/23; PR 8/27; PCHR 8/28; MEI 9/12)

The IDF arrests 3 Palestinians fr. Hebron on charges of selling weapons, IDF maps, IDF uniforms to militant groups; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Jabal Mukabir in East Jerusalem; fires on curfew breakers in Badraw, nr. Ramallah, injuring several; fires on residential areas of Jenin. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif settlement, open fire on IDF post nr. Nablus and Tulkarm, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 8/19; PCHR 8/21)

The IDF reports several incidents of Palestinian gunfire fr. Khan Yunis toward Gush Katif, but no injuries or damage are reported. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah, al-Qarara. Israel commutes the sentences of 69 Palestinian prisoners in preparation for their release; of the 69, all committed minor crimes, such as being in Israel illegally or theft; 48 were sentenced to terms of less than 1 yr., 13 were sentenced to 1–2 yrs. The Israeli cabinet approves a plan to accelerate construction activity in Jewish settlements along the seam line in Jerusalem by offering grants to apartment buyers and subsidizing builders’ costs for the next 4 mos. (HA 8/11, 8/12; MM 8/13; PCHR 8/14)

The IDF conducts arrest raids nr. Nablus, targeting Hamas; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI 8/9 in WNC 8/12; PCHR 8/14)

An East Jerusalem Palestinian fatally stabs an Israeli on promenade in Tel Aviv, wounds 2 others, is wounded and captured by police; a statement faxed to Reuters takes responsibility in the name of the AMB, but AMB spokesmen say the group was not involved. Israel says it will release Irishman Morgan, whom it confirms is not a Real IRA mbr. The IDF fires on cars traveling on the main north–south road in Gaza, apparently to halt traffic for passage of a Jewish settler convoy fr. Gush Katif. More than 40 Israeli tour guides file suit in Israeli court against the PA for earnings lost because of intifada violence. (BBC, HA, JTA, MM, WP 7/15; AFP 7/15 in WNC 7/18; NYT, PR, WP, WT 7/16; MM, NYT 7/17; MM 7/18; PCHR 7/24)

Some 3,000 Palestinians attend a Hamas rally in Jabaliya r.c., demanding Israel’s immediate release of Palestinian prisoners; Hamas warns that the ceasefire will not hold unless Israel is more forthcoming with concessions. In what the PSF terms a “misunderstanding,” Dahlan’s bodyguards shoot, wound a Hamas mbr. they thought was about to shoot at Dahlan’s car driving nr. Erez crossing. In response, some Hamas mbrs. set fire to PA cars outside a Gaza City PSF office. In the evening, the PSF sets up roadblocks nr. Gush Katif and Kefar Darom settlements, nr. Khan Yunis and confiscates several weapons found in vehicle searches, which began on 7/7. The IDF captures 4 Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel to work, wounding 2; demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah. Armed Jewish settlers halt, search an ambulance outside Nablus. (HA, MM, PRCS 7/11; HA, JP, NYT, WT 7/12; al-Quds 7/13 in WNC 7/16; PM 7/15; PCHR 7/24)

The IDF bulldozes 100 dunams of land southwest of Rafah; detains 4 ISM mbrs. at a “peace camp” set up in Arraboni as a nonviolent demonstration against construction of the separation wall; fires on Palestinian residential areas nr. Morag settlement; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Ramallah. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, ISM press release 7/9; PCHR 7/10)

As gestures to the PA, Israel announces a halt to deporting families of West Bank Palestinian militants to Gaza; releases 34 Palestinian prisoners, including senior Gaza PSF official Sulayman Abu Mutlak, who was arrested in early 5/03 and is freed for lack of evidence. Overnight, Palestinians fire an antitank rocket at Kefar Darom, wounding 4 Jewish settlers; the Palestinian resistance comms. (PRCs) and a Rafah-based Fatah offshoot called Abu Rish, neither of which agreed to the cease-fire, claim responsibility; meanwhile, the PSF arrests 4 PRC mbrs., an AMB mbr. in connection with the attack; the IDF shuts Gaza’s main north–south road for 6 hrs. to search for the assailants, without success. Abbas condemns the rocket attack and the 6/30 fatal shooting of a Bulgarian worker as “acts of sabotage.” The PSF also arrests 2 Palestinians in Khan Yunis on charges of firing mortars at Gush Katif on 7/1. The IDF raids Qalqilya, arresting local AMB head Ibrahim Mansur, fatally shooting his aide Mahmud Shawar (reportedly 1st wounding him in the leg, then executing him with gunshots to the head); the AMB vows to respond within 24 hrs. The IDF also imposes a curfew on, conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm; fires on Palestinians waiting to cross a Khan Yunis checkpoint, wounding 1; bulldozes 8 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Dayr al-Balah. Sharon authorizes Israeli police to crack down on crime among bedouin in s. Israel. (HA, MM 7/3; MA, VOI 7/3, AYM 7/5 in WNC 7/10; NYT, WP, WT 7/4; NYT 7/6; MM 7/8; PR 7/9; PCHR 7/10)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian outside Tulkarm, saying the man fired on their post, causing no injuries; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian among others; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, Nablus. Palestinians fire mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, HA 7/1; JP, NYT, WP 7/2; PCHR 7/3; VOI 7/3 in WNC 7/10)

In Nazareth, Israeli bulldozers tear down the foundation of a mosque on a site adjacent to the Church of the Annunciation over the tomb of a Muslim saint. Muslims, Christians have disputed the construction of the mosque for 6 yrs. In 4/99, PM Ehud Barak gave formal permission for the project, sparking riots and bringing formal protests fr. the Vatican. In 3/02, Sharon ordered a halt to construction. (MM 7/1; MM, NYT, WT 7/2; JP 7/2 in WNC 7/10; JPI 7/11, 7/25)

Abbas, Sharon hold their 3d mtg. to discuss road map implementation; agree to establish 4 comms. to oversee release of Palestinian political prisoners, a halt to Palestinian incitement, security, trade. Sharon says that Arafat may travel to Gaza “as long as he stays there” and if he asks Israel’s permission. (HA, MM 7/1; AYM, MENA 7/1, Interfax, QA 7/2 in WNC 7/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/2; MM 7/4; JPI, MEI 7/11)

The IDF arrests an ailing Palestinian being transported by ambulance to Jordan (with the permission of Israeli, Jordanian authorities) for treatment. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Abasan, Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Tulkarm. Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, NYT 6/29; JP 7/2 in WNC 7/10; PCHR 7/3)

Rice holds talks with Abbas, Dahlan in Jericho on her 1st visit as Bush’s personal envoy on the peace process. (HA 6/28; NYT, WT 6/29; MM 6/30; NYT 7/1; PR 7/2)

The IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Askar r.c., Balata r.c.; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 1 in Issawiyya; bulldozes 26 dunams of land in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c., Nablus, Qabatiyya, Qalqilya, Tulkarm; searches homes in Dayr al-Balah, occupying 1 as an IDF post; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Ramallah. Palestinians reportedly fire an antitank missile at an IDF post in Gaza, injuring 1 soldier, a civilian worker; fire 3 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. IDF F-16s break the sound barrier over the Gaza Strip throughout the day. Late in the evening, at least 1 Palestinian gunman fires on an Israeli vehicle just inside the Israeli border nr. Qalqilya, killing a 7-yr.-old Israeli girl, wounding 3; the AMB, PFLP-GC each claim responsibility. Israeli police detain Mufti of Jerusalem Ikrima Sabri for questioning as part of the investigation into whether the Islamic Movement laundered money for Hamas. The IDF says it has drawn up a list of another 19 unauthorized outposts to be dismantled; of the original list, 10 uninhabited outposts have been removed, while 5 inhabited ones are slated for removal in the next few days. (AFP, AP, HA, HP 6/17; VOI, YA 6/17 in WNC 6/19; HA, MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 6/18; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR 6/19; JPI 6/27)

Israel begins implementing some of the 5/29 gestures, lifting the sealing of the West Bank and Gaza in effect since Passover, on 4/15, allowing some 25,000 Palestinian workers into Israel (if they can reach the border given internal closures and roadblocks still in place; only 4,500 of Gaza’s 15,000 permit holders are able to reach a crossing into Israel today). The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian for “acting suspiciously” nr. the Kissufim crossing in Gaza; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian who walks in front of a tank in Bayt Hanun. Palestinians fire a mortar at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. The Israeli Housing Min. authorizes construction of 2,000 Jewish settlement housing units to begin, says 10,000 units await approval. (HA 6/1; VOI, YA 6/1 in WNC 6/2; HP, JP, WT 6/2; WP 6/3; PCHR 6/5)

IDF undercover units raid Nablus, sparking numerous demonstrations and exchanges of gunfire, in which wanted AMB mbr. Taysir Shihab is fatally shot, 20 Palestinians (mostly stone-throwing youths) are injured. The IDF also bars Norwegian special envoy to the Middle East Jakken Bioern Lian entry to Gaza for a scheduled mtg. with PA officials (see 5/11); issues an order expelling a Palestinian fr. the al-Mawasi area, where he resides, for 6 mos.; shells a PSF post nr. Netzarim settlement, killing 3 PSF officers, wounding 2; makes arrest raids in Jenin, sparking clashes that leave a 12-yr.-old Palestinian dead; conducts additional arrest raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes more than 86 dunams e. of Bayt Hanun. Jewish settlers evacuate 7 mobile homes fr. an unauthorized outpost nr. Shilo. Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot and 5 mortars at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (AFP, HA, PCHR, REU 5/14; HA, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/15)

Israel allows Islamic Movement northern branch head Shaykh Ra’ed Salah, 1 of the 15 arrested on 5/13, out of custody for several hrs. to attend the funeral of his father in Umm al-Fahm, which turns into a massive Israeli Arab rally against Israeli government discrimination. (HA 5/15)

IDF undercover units arrest 2 senior Hamas mbrs. in a raid on Ramallah. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home in Qalqilya; occupies a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah; blows up a carpentry shop in Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya. Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets at Sederot; 1 falls on a factory outside the city, lightly injuring 3 Israelis. Palestinians also fire 2 mortars at an IDF base nr. Gush Katif settlement, lightly injuring 9 soldiers, moderately injuring 1; in retaliation, the IDF sends more than 100 tanks and armored vehicles, supported by helicopters, into Khan Yunis, shelling residential areas, wounding at least 20 Palestinians, demolishing 26 Palestinian homes (leaving 247 Palestinians homeless), damaging another 30. The body of the missing 4/29 British bomber washes up on shore nr. Tel Aviv; he apparently drowned. (AFP, BBC, HA, JP, MM 5/13; AFP, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/14; NYT, PCHR 5/15; MM 5/16; HA 5/18, 5/19)

In a predawn raid on Umm al-Fahm, Israeli police arrest 15 Israeli Arabs, all leading mbrs. of the Islamic Movement (which has 2 seats in the Knesset) on charges of laundering millions of dollars for Hamas in the guise of raising money for charitable orgs.; police say they do not have proof that the Islamic Movement funded acts of terrorism. (HA, JP, MM 5/13; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/14)

The IDF demolishes 10 Palestinian homes, bulldozes 4 dunams of land and large trees in Dayr al-Balah, nr. the Kefar Darom site of the 5/8 suicide attack on an IDF tank; bulldozes 49 dunams of land e. of Bayt Hanun, 15 dunams s. of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Hebron, Yanun. The IDF also raids the ISM offices in Bayt Sahur, surrounding the building with 22 vehicles, detaining 3 ISM mbrs. (2 foreign, 1 Palestinian), confiscating computers and other equipment. Israel says that information that 2 British suicide bombers attended a memorial service for ISM mbr. Corrie before staging their 4/29 attack raises concerns that “terrorists” could enter Israel posing as ISM volunteers. Israel announces that henceforth all foreign nationals entering Gaza must sign a waiver exempting Israel from any responsibility should they be killed or injured, promising that they will not disrupt military activities. Hamas fires 6 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 2 Israelis. Palestinians also fire 2 mortars at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (AFP, HA 5/9; VOI 5/9 in WNC 5/12; HA, NYT, WT 5/10; PCHR 5/15) (see 5/3)

Israel vows to step up attacks on Hamas, saying “no terrorist chief, with the emphasis on Hamas, will be immune.” Hamas fires another 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian sniper fires on an IDF post outside Gush Katif settlement, wounding 1 IDF solider; the IDF demolishes 8 Palestinian buildings that could have provided the sniper cover. The IDF also fires on, shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes 2.5 dunams of land, 1 Palestinian home in Khan Yunis. A Palestinian shepherd dies when he triggers an explosive device in a field nr. Tulkarm. (HA, WT 3/10; LAW, PCHR 3/13)

The IDF raids Nablus, fatally shooting a wanted tanzim mbr. in what may be an assassination, arresting 6 others; raids Qalqilya, encounters a stone-throwing mob, opens fire on the protesters, killing an 8-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 9; fatally shoots a armed Palestinian nr. Kissufim crossing in Gaza; demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c.; conducts arrest raids targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Beitunia, Husan, Jenin, Kafr Qalil; fires on residential areas of al-Qarara, Rafah. A PFLP gunman fatally shoots an IDF officer in Manger Square in Bethlehem; the IDF sends tanks into the city, declares it a closed military zone. Late this evening, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians nr. Dugit settlement. Israeli police arrest an Israeli DMin. supervisor responsible for overseeing construction of a section of Israel’s new security fence on charges of collaborating with building contractors to uproot Palestinian olive trees, sell them for profit inside Israel. (HA 2/11; HA, NYT, PR, WP, WT 2/12; VOI 2/12 in WNC 2/13; PCHR 2/20)

Outside Gush Katif settlement, 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. detonate a car bomb nr. an IDF checkpoint, killing themselves, lightly injuring 4 IDF soldiers; soldiers open fire on Palestinians waiting to cross the checkpoint, wounding 2. The IDF demolishes 8 Palestinian homes in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in East Jerusalem; fires on residential areas of Abasan, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Tulkarm. (HA, REU 2/9; HA, NYT, WT 2/10; VOI 2/10 in WNC 2/11; PCHR 2/20)

Israeli pres. Moshe Katsav formally invites Sharon to form a coalition government. Sharon accepts saying that “The new government will have to complete the campaign against terror, remove the terrorist leadership, and create the conditions for the emergence of a new Palestinian leadership with which it will be possible to make real peace.” (WT 2/10)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Maghazi r.c., killing a 65-yr.-old Palestinian woman who refused orders to vacate; raids a PSF office in Qalqilya, fatally shooting 1 PSF officer, wounding another; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Nablus, killing a 17-yr.-old Palestinian, and in Tamun, seriously injuring a 13-yr.-old Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 13 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, demolishes stalls in the vegetable market in Hebron; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Awla, Bethlehem, Dayr Dibwan, Ramallah. Late in the evening, IDF helicopters open fire on a retirement home attached to a hospital in Gaza City, killing 2 Palestinian medical workers. Palestinians fire 10 mortars at Gush Katif settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, HA, LAW, PCHR, REU 2/5; XIN 2/5 in WNC 2/7; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 2/6; NYT, PM, WP 2/7; DUS 2/7 in WNC 2/10)

Israeli Interior Min. inspectors demolish a mosque in Til al-Malah, an unrecognized bedouin village in the Negev. (HA 2/5)

Under “intense pressure from the American administration,” Sharon holds secret talks with PC speaker and senior PA negotiator Ahmad Qurai`, presents him with a plan for a gradual cease-fire and resumption of security coordination. (HA 2/8; WT 2/9; MM, NYT, WT 2/10; JT, QA, al-Quds, SA 2/10 in WNC 2/11; MM 2/11; AYM 2/11 in WNC 2/13; PR 2/12; MEI 2/21)