The Palestine Chronology

The IDF expels another 2 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees to Gaza; demolishes at least 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Tarqumiyya (nr. Hebron); bulldozes 3 dunams of land in al-Mughraqa. The IDF, border police fire tear gas, percussion grenades into a peaceful crowd of more than 300 Palestinians, 30 ISM volunteers staging a nonviolent march fr. Tulkarm toward the separation wall, beating and arresting several marchers. (ISM press release 11/13; PCHR 11/20)

The IDF sends tanks, troops into Balata r.c. in a predawn raid, erecting earthen barriers, bulldozing recently repaved streets, occupying at least 2 Palestinian homes as staging areas, conducting house-to-house searches, and firing live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas at stone-throwing youths, wounding 14 Palestinians (including a 12- yr.-old hit by a live bullet in the face), 2 ISM volunteers. The IDF alsoissues confiscation orders for 4,000 dunams of Palestinian land in Bethlehem, reportedly for settlement expansion; imposes a curfew on Hawara (nr. Nablus) after Jewish settlers attack local Palestinian farmers harvesting their olives; shoots, wounds a Palestinian child in Tulkarm r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Qalqilya, Silat al-Dahir (nr. Jenin). (VOP 11/4 in WNC 11/6; PCHR, PR 11/5; PCHR 11/6)

The IDF fatally shoots an 11-yr.-old Palestinian in Dayr al-Balah; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., wounding 2 Palestinian children, 2 ISM volunteers. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing minor damage but no injuries. 2 Palestinians die of injuries received in Rafah a wk. ago. In Haifa, the wife of Israeli Arab MK Issa Makhoul is unhurt after a small explosive device detonates under her car; no group takes responsibility. (AFP, HA 10/24; NYT 10/25; PCHR 10/30, 11/5)

The IDF sends troops back into Rafah in what is officially called Operation Root Canal 2, demolishing 10 more Palestinian homes, wounding 4 Palestinians, including a Palestinian photographer shot in the face. International aid organizations note that since 10/10 the IDF has cleared 2 full blocks of homes in some neighborhoods to create an empty zone along the Egyptian border. Amnesty International says the Israeli destruction “constitutes a war crime.” The IDF also sends troops into Tulkarm town and r.c., imposing a curfew, fatally shooting a Palestinian who fails to obey orders to halt, firing on residential areas, arresting 4 ISM volunteers; conducts arrest raids, fires on residential areas in Nablus; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. Israel announces plans to expel to Gaza 15 West Bank Palestinian administrative detainees, mbrs. of Hamas and Islamic Jihad. (AP, BBC, MM, PRCS, WP 10/14; MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/14 in WNC 10/16; NYT, PR, PRCS, WP, WT 10/15; PCHR 10/16)

A female Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device in a Haifa restaurant, killing 14 Israeli Jews, 5 Israeli Arabs, wounding around 50. (The bomber, Hanadi Taysir Jaradat, who had just graduated fr. law school in Jordan, watched as IDF undercover units assassinated her brother and cousin, both Islamic Jihad mbrs., outside their family home in Jenin on 6/12/03.) Israel says Arafat is to blame for failing to order the PSF to take steps to dismantle Islamic Jihad. Bush says the bombing “underscores once again the responsibility of the Palestinian authorities to fight terror,” says “the new Palestinian cabinet must dedicate itself to dismantling the infrastructure of terror,” does not call for Israeli restraint; Powell also phones Israeli FM Silvan Shalom to express condolences and strong condemnation of the attack, but does not urge restraint. In response, the IDF shells, demolishes an empty Palestinian home in Gaza City, and empty garage in Bureij r.c.; makes a failed assassination attempt on an Islamic Jihad mbr. in central Gaza, firing missiles at him in an open field, but missing him; moves troops into Jenin. Mbrs. of the Israeli peace group Gush Shalom, the International Solidarity Movement (ISM) surround Arafat’s Ramallah headquarters to act as human shields should Israel attempt to “remove” him. During the day, the IDF also raids Tulkarm r.c., assassinates AMB mbr. Sirhan Biharan Hassin Sirhan, whom Israel says killed 5 Israelis in Kibbutz Metzer on 11/10/02, also killing a 9-yr.-old Palestinian bystander; fires on residential areas of Rafah. A Palestinian toddler dies of injuries received on 10/2; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received in 2002. (GS, HA 10/4; AFP, MENA, VOP 10/4, AFP, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, VIRI, VOP, XIN 10/5 in WNC 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MM, WP 10/6; al-Ra’i 10/6 in WNC 10/8; HA, MM, NYT 10/7; PR, WP 10/8; PCHR, WJW 10/9; MEI 10/10; MM 10/17)

The IDF fatally shoots an AMB mbr. nr. Tulkarm who was allegedly planting a roadside bomb; fires on a taxi driving into Nablus, injuring 2 Palestinians; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., Rafah; arrests 2 Palestinians in East Jerusalem for allegedly aiding suicide bombers who staged attacks in 5/03, 6/03; demolishes a Palestinian home in Masha to make way for the separation wall, arrests 46 ISM mbrs. (including 4 Israelis, 3 Palestinians) protesting the construction. Palestinians fire an antitank rocket at an IDF post on the Rafah border, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers shoot, wound a Palestinian nr. Nablus; begin work on a new unauthorized outpost e. of Hebron. (HA 8/4; NYT 8/5; PCHR 8/7)

Israel publishes a list of 342 Palestinian prisoners it plans to free on 8/6. To protest the lower-than-promised number (see 7/29), Abbas cancels a mtg. with Sharon scheduled for 8/6. (BBC, HA, MM, NYT, WP 8/5; IDF Radio, VOI, XIN, YA 8/5 in WNC 8/7; NYT, WP 8/6; AYM 8/7 in WNC 8/14; MEI 8/8)

In Dayr al-Ghasun, Palestinians, accompanied by ISM volunteers, for the 1st time attempt to gain access to farmland newly cut off by Israel’s separation wall to plant fall crops, but the IDF denies them passage; the wall cuts off 500 farmers fr. 3,000 dunams of village crop land. Nr. Nablus, the IDF arrests 6 ISM mbrs. who remove 2 earthen roadblocks barring Palestinian traffic on a local road. The IDF also issues order for the confiscation of 424 dunams of land n. of Tulkarm (for construction of the separation wall), 100s of dunams of land in al-Khadir (reportedly to expand Ofra settlement); tightens roadblocks around Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah; fires on a PSF post in Rafah, causing no injuries; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah; demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Hebron. Palestinians rally in Khan Yunis to call for Israel’s release of Palestinian prisoners. Jewish settlers scuffle with IDF soldiers attempting to evacuate an unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Nablus. A Palestinian boy is hit and killed by a Jewish settler driving nr. Nablus. (AP, HP, ISM press release 7/10; NYT, PMC 7/12; PR 7/16; 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)

The IDF launches a major operation on Tulkarm city and refugee camp (r.c.), sending in 10s of tanks before dawn, imposing a closure, conducting house-to-house searches, arresting 3 International Solidarity Movement (ISM) activists, 2 AMB mbrs. The IDF also fatally shoots an armed Palestinian attempting to sneak into Israel nr. Bayt Hanun; places curfews on Bayt Rima and Dayr Ghassana, begins demolishing caves there; bulldozes 5 Palestinian homes, 56 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c. citing “security reasons,” Israel announces plans to banish to Gaza indefinitely 3 West Bank Fatah mbrs. being held in administrative detention. (HA 5/24; WT 5/25; HP 5/26; PR 5/28; LAW, PCHR 5/29)

The IDF imposes a tight curfew on Hebron; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Khan Yunis, 1 in Bayt Hanun; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 25 dunams of land in Khuza, 20 dunams e. of Bayt Hanun; arrests another 3 ISM volunteers in Tulkarm; bars 6 foreign aid workers fr. entering Gaza, without giving a reason (see 5/5). (GS, HA 5/10; AFP, Arab News 5/11; AIDA 5/12; PCHR 5/15)

Powell arrives in Israel for mtgs. aimed at starting implementation of the road map with Abbas (who has accepted the plan), Sharon (who has not); meets with FM Shalom, who reiterates Israel’s position that Abbas must dismantle militant groups before Israel would take steps to implement the road map. (HA 5/10; XIN 5/10 in WNC 5/12; HA, NYT, WP, WT 5/11; MEI 5/16)

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)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Jenin; conducts arrest raids in Nablus; blows up 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah. Britain arrests a 6th man in connection with the 4/29 Tel Aviv bombing. Israel says it will step up deportations of ISM mbrs. after learning that the 4/29 bombers attended a memorial service for ISM activist Corrie, killed by the IDF on 3/16; ISM said the 2 men never sought to join the group. (AFP 5/3; NYT 5/4; HA 5/5; PCHR 5/8)

Overnight, Jewish settlers fatally shoot 2 Palestinians they claim were attempting to infiltrate Elon Moreh settlement. A Jewish settlement guard in the Jordan Valley fatally shoots a 60-yr.-old Palestinian laborer returning from work, whom he believed was attempting to infiltrate the settlement. The IDF for no apparent reason fatally shoots a Palestinian woman tending livestock nr. Qarni crossing, also killing 4 of her animals; demolishes 8 Palestinian homes in Rafah; conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin; removes another vacant unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Hebron. The IDF also detains an ISM mbr. in Rafah. (HA 4/30; LAW, PCHR 5/1; HA 5/2; PCHR 5/8)

After Abbas and his cabinet are sworn in today, the U.S. formally presents Israel, the PA with the road map. (BBC, HA, NYT 4/30; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/1; MA 5/1 in WNC 5/2; MEI 5/16)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Hebron; bulldozes 34 dunams of land in Abasan. The IDF also detains an ISM activist, an Italian journalist for photographing soldiers detaining Palestinian women, children in Nur al-Shams r.c.—the 1st implementation of a new policy, aimed at ISM in particular, to bar pro-Palestinian activists fr. entering Israel and the territories, deport those already there. (HA 4/23; GS, LAW, PCHR 4/24)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c., Burkin, Jenin town and r.c., al-Khadir; bulldozes 5 dunams of land in Dayr al-Balah. 2 Palestinians die of injuries received earlier (on 2/19, 4/8). IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Moshe Ya’alon says that he has ordered the IDF to remove ISM activists from the territories “for their own benefit” and because they are “creating provocations that injure our freedom of action on the ground.” (LAW, PCHR 4/17; GS 4/23; LAW, PCHR 4/24)

The IDF shoots British ISM activist Thomas Hurndall in Rafah, leaving him brain dead; the Briton was standing btwn. IDF soldiers and a group of stone-throwing Palestinian youths when troops opened fire, hitting him in the head. IDF helicopters fire missiles at a cemetery in Khan Yunis, injuring 7 Palestinians. The IDF also sends troops, 10s of tanks into Bureij, conducting house-to-house searches, arresting at least 4 Palestinians; conducts similar raids in Nablus, Qalandia. Jewish settlers shoot at Palestinian farmers working nr. Harsina settlement, wounding 5. (HA 4/11; NYT 4/12; LAW, PCHR 4/17)

“Frenzied looting” continues across Iraq, particularly in Baghdad, unchecked by coalition forces, spreads to private homes, hospitals, banks. In Washington, U.S. Secy. of Defense Donald Rumsfeld strongly criticizes press coverage of the mayhem, saying, “Stuff happens! Freedom’s untidy. And free people are free to make mistakes, and to commit crimes and do bad things.” (NYT, WP WT 4/12; MEI 4/18)

An IDF bulldozer crushes, kills American International Solidarity Movement (ISM) worker Rachel Corrie, part of a group blocking bulldozers fr. demolishing a Palestinian home in Rafah. The IDF also seals the West Bank, Gaza for Purim (3/17–19); fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, killing 1 Palestinian; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian standing in his doorway in Rafah; bulldozes 2 dunams of land, 12 olive trees in Dayr al-Balah; raids areas around Bethlehem, Salfit. Arafat cancels the al-Azhar University workers union elections, fearing a landslide victory by Hamas, Islamic Jihad. (BBC, LAW 3/16; ITV, MA 3/16 in WNC 3/17; JP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/17; WT 3/18; PR 3/19; PCHR, WJW 3/20; MEI 3/21)

The IDF lifts the comprehensive curfew on the occupied territories imposed on 1/26; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian shepherd who leads his flock too near IDF bulldozers leveling 400 dunams of Palestinian crops nr. Jabaliya r.c.; bulldozes land around, fires on residential areas of Tal al-Sultan, wounding 18 Palestinians; reportedly finds, disables 2 bombs planted nr. a Jewish settlements in Gaza, inside a PSF station in Hebron. A Palestinian gunman fires at a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Beit El settlement, wounding 2 Jewish settlers. A 2d Palestinian gunman shoots, lightly injures an IDF soldier outside a Jewish settlement in Gaza; soldiers fire on residential areas nearby in response, wounding 19 Palestinians. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during the IDF’s 1/25 attack on Gaza City. Jewish settlers attack 2 international peace activists who approach Itamar settlement to investigate Palestinian claims that settlers had taken over Palestinian farmland. Settlers beat the activists: steal their phone, camera; take their jackets, shoes, socks, wallets, passports; forcibly take them to Itamar. The IDF arrests the activists for trespassing on settler property. An Israeli court authorizes Israel’s seizure of over $9 m. fr. the PA’s frozen funds to pay the Ayalon insurance company to cover claims for cars stolen btwn. 1996 and 2000, allegedly with the PA’s knowledge and cooperation. (HA, International Solidarity Movement press release, LAW, PCHR 1/29; HA, NYT 1/30; PR 2/5)

Arafat calls on Sharon to immediately resume peace talks in light of his election victory, but Sharon says he will not deal with Palestinians “involved in terror.” (HA 1/29; NYT 1/30)

Bush phones Sharon to congratulate him on his election victory. Also calling to congratulate Sharon are Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak, who invites him to reopen peace talks with the Palestinians in Cairo after his new government is formed, and European Union (EU) pres. Romano Prodi who urges him to take action on the road map quickly, now that elections are over. (HA, MM 1/30, 1/31; MM 2/5; MEI 2/21)