The Palestine Chronology

Within hrs. of Arafat’s death, the PC, in keeping with the Basic Law, formally swears in PC speaker Rawhi Fattuh as interim head of the PA until elections are organized within the next 60 days;Qurai‘ maintains the position of PM, responsible for daily PA operations. Qaddumi is elected as head of Fatah by the 15-mbr. Fatah Central Comm. Abbas is voted head of the PLO by the PLO Exec. Comm. The State Dept. says that it is prepared to help the Palestinians hold elections if asked; says that Israel still must carry out Gaza disengagement. France sends Arafat’s body off to Egypt with full military honors. Throughout the day, Palestinians across the territories rally, demonstrate in honor of Arafat. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/11; JAZ, VOI, VOP 11/11 in WNC 11/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/12)

The IDF raids Shaykh Ajlin, exchanging fire with armed Palestinians (leaving 1 Palestinian dead), shelling residential areas (killing 2 Palestinian civilians, wounding 7), bulldozing 120 d.; fatally shoots an Egyptian who apparently infiltrated into Gaza fr. Egypt; fatally shoots 3 Palestinians (at least 2 of them armed) s. of Netzarim; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Bayt Omar nr. Hebron, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 10; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall nr. Jayyus, wounding 2 with live ammunition; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus. Some 100 AMB mbrs. (some armed and masked) outside Arafat’s headquarters in Ramallah call for an investigation into Arafat’s death and rumors he was poisoned by Israeli agents, chant slogans denouncing Abbas, fmr. PA security chief Muhammad Dahlan as agents for the CIA. Israeli border police disperse 100s of Palestinians conducting nationalist marches in East Jerusalem in memory of Arafat. In Haifa, Israeli police disperse some 100 Israeli Palestinians holding a candlelight vigil for Arafat, detain a woman carrying a Palestinian flag. ( JP, VOI, YA 11/11 in WNC 11/13; HA 11/17; PCHR 11/18)

The IDF fatally shoots a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Jenin who allegedly throws a Molotov cocktail at troops; fatally shoots 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who attempt to infiltrate Neve Dekalim; fatally shoots a Palestinian who opens fire on troops nr. Tulkarm; conducts rare arrest raids, house searches in Jericho; also conducts arrest raids, house searches in Birzeit, Jenin town and r.c. and nr. Hebron; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, hitting a hospital, wounding a patient; sends 40 tanks into Rafah, bulldozes at least 10 Palestinian homes, fires on residential areas. In Qalqilya, 2 Palestinian militants are killed, 1 is wounded when their car explodes. Jewish settlers rampage through Palestinian sections of Hebron, stone and vandalize Palestinian homes and cars, harass a group of Palestinian schoolgirls. (AFP, XIN 11/6; VOI, VOP, YA 11/6, VOP 11/7 in WNC 11/9; NYT, PRCS, WP 11/7; PRCS 11/11)

Qurai‘ goes to Gaza to chair a mtg. of all Palestinian factions, PA security forces, Gaza Fatah leaders to urge them to seek a pledge of unity during the current leadership crisis, an agmt. to halt all attacks on Israeli civilians, to ensure that the IDF has no excuse to stage major raids; holds private mtg. with Hamas leaders, who say they will exercise restraint toward Israel but will not guarantee a cease-fire. (VOP 11/6, XIN 11/7 in WNC 11/9; HA, NYT, WT 11/7; MM, NYT 11/8)

The Israeli security cabinet, IDF senior cmdrs., Fatah Central Comm., PLO Exec. Comm. hold emergency mtgs. to discuss Arafat’s failing health, after he reportedly slips into a “reversible coma.” The PLO Exec. Comm. grants PA PM Ahmad Qurai‘ temporary responsibility for urgent matters involving the PA security services and finances. Hamas calls for formation of a collective leadership, in which it would participate, to rule until elections are held. The IDF places troops in the West Bank and Gaza on alert, fearing an upswing in violence if Arafat dies; the PA does the same with its security forces. The IDF also demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on residential areas of al-Brazil r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus, nr Hebron. (AFP, BBC, HA, REU, WP, XIN 11/4; AFP, JAZ, MENA, VOI, VOP, XIN 11/4 in WNC 11/6; BBC, CSM, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/5; VOP, XIN 11/5 in WNC 11/9; PRCS 11/11)

The IDF increases its troop presence in Asira, imposes curfew, fires on residential areas; fatally shoots an armed Palestinian in an exchange of gunfire nr. Bureij r.c.; fires on residential areas, demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Khan Yunis; bulldozes 45 dunams of land in Khan Yunis. A 15-yr.- old Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/8. (PCHR 11/12; VOP 11/12 in WNC 11/14; PCHR 11/13; ISM press release 11/18; PCHR 11/20)

The PC approves (46-13, with 5 abstentions, 23 absent) Qurai‘’s cabinet; Arafat swears in the new government. (MM, PR 11/12; VOP 11/12 in WNC 11/14; NYT, WP, WT 11/13; AYM 11/13 in WNC 11/18; MM 11/14; MM 11/17; PR 11/19; WJW 11/20; MEI 11/21)

The IDF eases the encirclement (in place since the 9/9 suicide bombings) of 6 major Palestinian cities, excluding Jenin and Nablus, in an apparent bid to aid Qurai‘ in forming a cabinet; confiscates 424 dunams of Palestinian land in the n. Jordan Valley for construction of the separation wall; blows up a Palestinian home in Silwad (nr. Ramallah); conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; shells a main water reservoir in Bayt Hanun, cutting the water supply to the area. Palestinians who are allowed to reach their olive groves for the 1st time since the harvest began report that Jewish settlers have felled 100s of trees nr. Sawiyya (nr. Ely settlement) outside Hawara (where a curfew remains in effect; see 11/4); the IDF confirms the reports, also requests an additional NIS 20 m. fr. the Finance Min. for the fortification of Jewish settlements. Jewish settlers also beat up a Palestinian in East Jerusalem. (AFP, HA, MM 11/5; VOP 11/5 in WNC 11/7; NYT, PCHR 11/6; VOP 11/6 in WNC 11/8; MA 11/7 in WNC 11/11; PCHR 11/13)

Israeli aircraft strike an alleged Islamic Jihad training camp deep inside Syria, just 10 mi. northwest of Damascus in ‘Ayn Sahib, injuring at least 1 security guard. Israel says the attack is in response to the 10/4 suicide bombing, in which it claims Syria played a “detailed role in orchestrating.” Syria denies this, denounces the strike as a “grave escalation,” says its response will be diplomatic. (The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine–General Command [PFLP-GC] says ‘Ayn Sahib is its fmr. training base, which is no longer active; says the site was patrolled by 1 civilian guard, who was injured.) The U.S. says that “we have repeatedly told the government of Syria that it is on the wrong side in the war on terror and that it must stop harboring terrorists.” Bush phones Sharon after the attack on Syria, expresses condolences on the 10/4 bombing, agrees with Sharon on “the need to continue fighting terrorism,” does not criticize Israel’s strike. (AFP, IDF Radio, MENA, VOI, XIN 10/5 in WNC 10/7; XIN 10/5, AN, ATL, DS, DUS, IRNA, JT, MENA, QA, al-Ra’i, THWR, TSHR, VIRI, XIN 10/6 in WNC 10/8; SATN 10/5 in WNC 11/8; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/6; NHR 10/6, AN, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, SA, SFR, THWR, TSHR 10/7 in WNC 10/9; SFR 10/6, THWR, TSHR 10/8 in WNC 10/11; SANA, SARR, SATN 10/6, SANA, SATN 10/7 in WNC 11/11; MM 10/7; AFP, AYM, DUS, HA, ITARTASS, JT, MA, MENA, NHR, al-Quds, al-Ra’i, SFR, YA 10/7 in WNC 10/10; MM, PR 10/8; MM, WJW 10/9; MEI 10/10; PR 10/15; JPI 10/17; NHR 10/17 in NC 10/23)

Arafat declares a 30-day state of emergency in the occupied territories, issues a presidential decree appointing a 9-mbr. emergency cabinet, with Qurai‘, negotiating a regular cabinet since 9/10, as PM. The emergency cabinet is to serve for 1 mo. (VOP 10/5 in WNC 10/7; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/6; VOP 10/6 in WNC 10/8; WP 10/7; VOI, VOP 10/7 in WNC 10/9; AYM 10/7 in WNC 10/10; PR 10/8; PSCT 10/9 in WNC 10/11; MEI 10/10)

In the occupied territories, the IDF fires on Palestinians attempting to bypass a new checkpoint separating Rafah and Khan Yunis (imposed after the 10/4 bombing), killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 3; begins bulldozing Palestinian land nr. Morag settlement, 100 dunams nr. Hebron; demolishes 19 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 2 in Jenin (including the home of the 10/4 bomber’s family). (HA, NYT, WP 10/6; PCHR 10/7, 10/9)

The IDF drops a half-ton bomb on the Gaza City home of Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahar in an attempt to assassinate him; Zahar is wounded, his son,a body guard, a 3d Palestinian are killed, 26 Palestinians (including Zahar’s wife, daughter) are injured, his house and an adjacent building are destroyed. The IDF also tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Tulkarm; opens fire on stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c., killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 1; opens fire on Palestinian youths attempting to cross the separation wall nr. Silat al-Harith, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 1, arresting 1; arrests 20 Palestinians in Rantis, the home of both 9/9 suicide bombers; fires on residential areas of Abasan, al-Brazil r.c., Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, Rafah; conducts arrest raids, bulldozes a small plot of land in Dayr al-Balah. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received in the 9/9 Rishon Letzion bombing; an Israeli civilian dies of injuries received in the 9/9 Jerusalem bombing. Israeli FMin. spokesman Gideon Meir confirms that the Hamas leadership did not authorize the 8/19 suicide bombing, that it was staged by a renegade Hamas cell in Hebron. (BBC, HA, MM 9/10; YA 9/10 in WNC 9/12; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 9/11)

Under pressure fr. the U.S., Qurai‘ drops his conditions for accepting the PM nomination, announces that he will begin forming a new government; may seek PC’s permission to form a security-oriented “crisis cabinet” of only 6–8 mbrs. in the next few days, rather than a full cabinet. (AP, HA 9/10; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/11; JP 9/11 in WNC 9/13)

Arafat, Peres meet at Gaza airport; issue a joint statement (see 9/20) restarting phased implementation of the Tenet cease-fire plan as the 1st step toward implementation of the Mitchell recommendations for resuming negotiations. A comm. led by Peres, PC speaker Qurai` is to oversee implementation. Arafat, Peres plan to meet in 1 wk. to assess progress. Israel also demands that the PA immediately arrest 108 wanted Palestinians. (AP, HA, JP [Internet], MM, WP 9/26; ATL, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, XIN 9/26 in WNC 9/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/27; QA, al-Quds 9/27, MA 9/28, al-Quds 9/29, MA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; NYT 9/28; NYT 10/2; JP 10/5; MEI 10/12)

Meanwhile, a large bomb explodes at an IDF post on the Gaza-Egypt border, lightly injuring 3 soldiers. In response, the IDF shells residential areas of Rafah throughout the day, damaging homes; sends tanks and bulldozers into Rafah in an overnight operation in which soldiers demolish 14 Palestinian homes, killing 3 Palestinians, wounding 31. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinian demonstrators nr. Gaza airport, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 9; shells residential areas of Hebron, Khan Yunis. This evening, as it does annually, Israel seals the West Bank and Gaza for Yom Kippur; the closure is to be lifted on 9/28. A PA court sentences 3 Palestinians to death for collaborating with Israel. (AFP, BBC, HA 9/26; AFP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/27; AFP, MM 9/28; MEI 10/12)

Israeli-Palestinian violence continues. The IDF says that overnight Palestinians threw 60 grenades at an IDF post in Rafah, where a Palestinian boy was killed on 7/7, but caused no damage. Following the boy's funeral today, Palestinians fire on the same IDF post, causing no injuries. Undercover IDF units kidnap senior Hamas mbr. Ayoub Sharawi, wanted by Israel for allegedly "dispatching terrorist cells," fr. Hebron. The IDF also directs machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis (injuring 2), Yibna; occupies 2 Palestinian homes in Nabi Salah as a military post, evicting residents and injuring 12, including 1 Palestinian woman who suffers a miscarriage; bulldozes 40 dunams Palestinian land nr. Netzarim settlement; sets fire to an olive grove along the Zawata-Bayt Ibia road; fires on a Force-17 post in Hebron. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF vehicle outside Hebron, injuring at least 1 soldier; fire on a Jewish settler bus nr. Ramallah, injuring 1 settler. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian property, severely beat 3 Palestinians in Hebron; vandalize Palestinian homes, cars in al-Sahla; bulldoze land, set fire to cattle pens, damage water wells in al-Musafir. 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded by snipers nr. Abraham Avino settlement in Hebron. The PA sentences Tahir Walid Jabir to life in prison with hard labor for collaborating with Israel. (PMC 7/8; HA, HP, NYT, PMC, WT 7/9; NYT 7/10; MEI 7/13)

After an Israeli cabinet mtg. on the security situation, DM Ben-Eliezer says Israel will ease its "policy of restraint," gauge its response to "terrorist attacks in terms of their potential to do violence, and not their results." The cabinet reportedly approves IDF Chief of Staff Shaul Mofaz's revisions to the IDF's 6/2 assault plan, entitled "The Destruction of the Palestinian Authority and Disarmament of All Armed Forces," which he recommends be implemented after the next big suicide bombing inside Israel that causes heavy casualties. (HA 7/8; MM 7/11; AFP [Internet], CBS News [Internet] 7/12; HA, WP 7/13; REU 7/14; WP 7/16; AN 7/16 in WNC 7/17)

With Sharon's permission, Peres meets with Palestinian Council (PC) speaker Ahmad Qurai` to discuss the cease-fire. (NYT 7/12; MA 7/17 in WNC 7/18; MM 7/19)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. Palestinian gunmen continue to snipe at Gilo, and the IDF again fires rockets back at Bayt Jala. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Rafah and at Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast, injuring 1 fisherman. Jewish settlers in Hebron sever telephone wires, cutting phone service to about 1,000 Palestinians. Settlers also set fire to a Palestinian barn nr. Nablus, killing several goats. The IDF arrests 8 Palestinians in the West Bank village of al-Mughir; bulldozes 10s of dunams of Palestinian land btwn. Netzarim Junction and Qarni crossing, in the Rafah area, nr. Kissufim crossing. (LAW 12/5; AIC, IDF Radio [Internet], LAW, NYT, PCHR, WT 12/6; YA 12/7; PCHR 12/18)

The PA's Qurai` makes a low-key trip to Jerusalem to meet with Israel's Sher. (MA [Internet] 12/12) (see 11/29)

In Jordan, an Israeli emb. employee is ambushed, shot in the leg. (MM,NYT, WP, WT 12/6; AFP, JT 12/6 in WNC 12/8; MM, WJW, YA 12/7; DUS, Star 12/7 in WNC 12/12; WT 12/8; MEI 12/22) (see 11/19)

IDF soldiers manning the blue line fire across the border into Lebanon, wounding a Hizballah mbr. manning a checkpoint. IDF soldiers cross the border into Lebanon to treat the man until a UN medical team arrives. (MA 12/6 in WNC 12/8)