The Palestine Chronology

The Israeli government issues tenders for 198 new settlement homes in Hebron and Efrata (Gush Etzion bloc). Meanwhile, the Jerusalem municipality approves the planned relocation of the National Defense College to the Mount of Olives. Also, Israeli NGO Peace Now says that approval for settlement plans jumped 300% in 2012, and that under Netanyahu’s premiership, 40% of construction starts in settlements were in settlements located outside of the so-called blocs that Israel intends to keep under a final-status agreement. (AP, JP, YA 1/16)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF fires warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials close to the border fence in the n. Gaza Strip, causing no injuries. In a separate incident, the IDF shells an open area 200 m from the border nr. Bureij, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, The IDF raids Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, opening fire on Palestinians with live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and tear-gas grenades, seriously wounding 1. The IDF says that Palestinian protesters threw stones and firebombs at the Separation Wall and Israeli forces. Palestinian news agencies report that the raid was in response to the Palestinians opening a hole in the bottom of the wall nr. Rachel’s Tomb. The IDF also demolishes sheep barns and sheds nr. Jericho; patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Salfit at night. Meanwhile, an IDF investigation concludes that Israeli soldiers fired 80 bullets without justification when they mortally wounded a Palestinian man in al-Nabi Salih on 11/17 (he died on 11/19). Jewish settlers raze land nr. 2 separate settlements in the Jordan Valley and nr. Nablus in preparation for expansion. (MNA, WAFA 1/16; PCHR, PNN 1/17)

Israeli security forces dismantle Palestinian protest camp Bab al-Shams in the E1 zone nr. Jerusalem, after the Supreme Court authorizes the government to dismantle the site. Protesters were removed on 1/12, but the tents had remained. Separately, the High Court of Justice orders the state to refrain from evicting Palestinians from 8 villages in the s. Hebron Hills in an area the IDF has designated a firing zone for training. (REU 1/16; AFP, HA 1/17)

Dep. head of Hamas’s political bureau Musa Abu Marzuq says that the movement will not agree to dismantle the IQB as part of a prospective reconciliation deal with Fatah. He makes the comments in response to recent reports in al-Quds al-Arabi that Fatah is demanding Hamas dismantle its armed wing and integrate it into the PA security forces. (ToI 1/16)

The EU grants €100 m. to the PA and to UNRWA to provide essential services in the West Bank. Palestinian pres. Abbas announces that Saudi Arabia will give the struggling PA $100 m. to alleviate the PA’s financial crisis. (IMEMC, REU 1/16)

Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi says that a ‘‘new approach’’ to the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is needed, following talks with the pres. of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy. Arabi says that the focus should be ending Israel’s occupation, ‘‘not signing temporary agreements.’’ Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdallah tells an AIPAC delegation that the failure to revive peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians is adding to regional tensions. UN secy.- gen. Ban Ki-moon also renews his criticism of Israel’s plans for settlement construction in the E1 area nr. Jerusalem and calls for the proposed construction to be rescinded. (AFP, AP 1/14)

The Israeli government announces that it is advancing plans to invest in socalled national heritage sites, including 9 located in the West Bank. (AP 1/14)

Egyptian authorities resume the shipment of Qatari fuel into the Gaza Strip via an Israeli-controlled crossing after 2 mos. of disruption due to the political unrest. (MNA 1/14)

In Gaza, the IDF shoots a Palestinian farmer in the head nr. Bayt Lahiya, killing him; the Israeli army denies involvement. The IDF makes a brief incursion into Gaza e. of Khan Yunis in what the IDF described as ‘‘routine activity.’’ The IDF later reports finding a tunnel leading from the Gaza Strip into Israel. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a number of structures in 3 locations s. of Hebron, including a family home and shacks used for agricultural work. The IDF also patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and Qalqilya at night. (MNA, REU, WAFA 1/14; MNA 1/15; PCHR 1/17)

Israeli newspaper Yedi’ot Aharonot reports that the EU is preparing a new plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, to be presented following the forthcoming Israeli elections. The plan reportedly will be detailed and aim to complete negotiations on core issues during 2013. The initiative is sponsored by the British and French foreign ministries, but could be adopted by the whole EU. The PA subsequently says it is unaware of such a plan. Meanwhile, Jordan’s King Abdallah tells the French media that his country is working with European countries to restart the stalled negotiations. (AFP, JP 1/13; JP 1/14)

Israeli NGO Peace Now says that Israel’s Defense Ministry has published plans for around 200 new housing units in the West Bank settlement of Rotem in the Jordan Valley. Meanwhile, PM Netanyahu tells the cabinet that the government will ‘‘not allow anyone to harm the contiguity between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim,’’ referring to the removal of Palestinian activists from the Bab al-Shams protest camp in the E1 area. (AFP, JP 1/13)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning and in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin in the afternoon, and in Nablus, Qalqilya, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus at night. (PCHR 1/17)

Armed Palestinians protest in Jenin r.c., demanding the PA security forces return confiscated weapons to the resistance. The PA vows (1/14) to investigate the demonstration. (MNA 1/14)

Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad meets Arab League mbrs. to discuss the PA’s cash crisis and ways of raising the $100 m. promised by Arab countries but as yet undelivered. Fayyad claims that the situation may push 1.5 m. Palestinians into poverty. The Arab League agrees to form a delegation to press mbr. states to meet their financial obligations to the PA. (AP, MNA 1/13)

Senior IDF officers brief Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu that Syrian armed opposition groups have taken up positions along the border of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (JP 1/13)

The Pentagon is sending briefings to senators in order to rebut what it calls ‘‘myths’’ about Defense Secretary–designate Chuck Hagel in the face of opposition to his appointment, in particular by pro-Israel groups. (WT 1/13)

The EU and Russia issue a statement condemning Israeli plans for settlement expansion, citing in particular the proposed E1 development in East Jerusalem. Israeli PM Netanyahu says on Israeli television that he will ignore international condemnation. Meanwhile, adviser to PA pres. Abbas, Nimr Hammad, says that Palestine may complain to the ICC if the UNSC fails to take substantive action over Israeli settlement construction. (JP, MNA, REU 12/21)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF opens fire on civilians and farmers protesting the buffer zone in 2 separate incidents: by the border fence nr. Jabalya, injuring 2 (1 seriously), and nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 2. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jericho in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the afternoon, and in Jericho, 3 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. Israeli soldiers attack weekly nonviolent demonstrations held by Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, al-Nabi Salih) and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 2 Palestinians are wounded with live ammunition. (PCHR 12/27)

Palestinian refugees begin to return to Yarmuk r.c. nr. Damascus after a deal was brokered by UN-Arab League peace envoy Lakhdar Brahimi’s representative Mokhtar Lamani to keep the fighting out of the area. UNRWA estimates that around 100,000 of the camp’s 150,000 inhabitants fled during recent clashes, many taking refuge in the parks and squares of the capital. (AFP, AP 12/21)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians close to the border fence in the s. Gaza Strip (injuring 1) and nr. the border fence nr. Jabalya (injuring 1). In the West Bank, Jewish settlers s. of Bethlehem uproot 200 olive trees owned by a Palestinian from al-Khadir village. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm at night. Israeli soldiers attack weekly nonviolent demonstrations held by Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, al-Nabi Salih) and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). In Bil‘in, 2 Palestinians are wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets. Palestinians also hold a demonstration in a village nr. Jenin in solidarity with Palestinian hunger-strikers in Israeli prisons. (MNA 12/14; PCHR 12/20)

Israel’s attorney general indicts Israeli FM Lieberman on charges of fraud and breach of trust. (HA 12/14)

The Arab League’s undersecretary for Palestinian affairs says that none of the $100 m. in pledged assistance to the PA for 2012 has been transferred and that no date has been set for the transfer. The PA continues to suffer from Israel’s decision to withhold $120 m. in tax revenues as a punitive measure following the UN bid. Meanwhile, Palestinian negotiator Mohammed Shtayeh says that a legal team is studying which international organizations to join in light of the recent status upgrade. (AFP, ToI 12/14)

A group of Palestinians releases a video declaring the formation of a new resistance faction based in Hebron called the National Unity Brigades. (MNA 12/15)

At an Arab League meeting in Doha, Palestinian pres. Abbas calls for renewed negotiations with Israel for a 6-mo. period, provided that Israel freeze all West Bank and East Jerusalem settlement construction during that time. Responding to recent public Palestinian criticism over the increasing cost of living, Abbas also calls for an amendment to the 1994 Paris Protocol covering economic relations between Israel and the PA. At the meeting, Qatari PM Shaykh Hamad bin Jassem al-Thani says that the 2002 Arab peace initiative (offering full normalization for full peace; see Quarterly Update in JPS 124) should be reviewed, though Abbas urges against withdrawing the initiative. Arab states agree to provide the PA with a monthly ‘‘safety net’’ of $100 m. to help bridge the PA budget deficit. The PA announces that it hopes to pay civil servants’ salaries for 11/2012 in the coming days. (AFP, JP, MNA, REU, ToI 12/9)

Israeli PM Netanyahu criticizes PA pres. Abbas for engaging with Hamas in reconciliation efforts. In Gaza, visiting Hamas leader Mishal says that it is time for Hamas and Fatah to put past mistakes behind them, though free and fair Palestinian elections should come first. (MNA, ToI 12/9)

In the Gaza Strip, the Hamas government releases Abu Hafs al-Maqdisi, leader of Salafist group Jaysh al-Ummah (Army of the Nation). The IDF fires warning shots at Palestinians collecting gravel and rubble close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding 1. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles in 2 incidents nr. Bethlehem and Hebron, injuring 1 Palestinian woman. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, in Nablus and 2 nearby villages, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah at night. (MNA 12/10; PCHR 12/13)

The death toll in clashes in Tripoli between Lebanese Sunni and Alawite militias hits at least 17, with over 100 wounded, in the worst case of spill-over violence in Lebanon from Syria’s civil war. (NYT 12/9)

A spokesperson for PA pres. Abbas says that the UN bid will go ahead and that direct talks with the Israelis must wait until after the UNGA vote. The head of the Arab League, Nabil Elaraby, expresses his support for the initiative. Meanwhile, Israeli FM Lieberman is reported by Israeli media to be telling international diplomats of his intention to severely punish the PA if Abbas goes ahead with the UN bid. (REU, AFP 11/5; INN 11/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, 1 village nr. Nablus, and 1 village nr. Tubas. Jewish settlers from Kiryat Arba uproot around 70 Palestinian-owned olive and fruit trees nr. Hebron. In the al-Tur neighborhood of East Jerusalem, Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian family, residents of a home that an Israeli court has ruled was sold by a relative to the Elad settler organization. (MNA 11/5; PCHR 11/8)

The IDF says that a bullet fired from inside Syria hit 1 of its vehicles in the occupied Golan Heights, causing no injuries. As fighting between government and opposition forces in Syria continues, 7 Palestinians are killed in government shelling of Yarmuk r.c. (AP 11/5; NYT, MNA 11/5)

Israel’s Interior Min. issues building permits for construction of the Simon Wiesenthal Museum of Tolerance on the site of the ancient Mamilla cemetery in Jerusalem, saying work can begin immediately; Palestinians denounce approval of the plans to desecrate a Muslim historic site. Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, lightly damaging 1 home but causing no injuries. The IDF responds with air strikes on 2 suspected weapons factories in n. Gaza, causing no reported injuries. Israeli naval vessels twice fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a dawn incursion into al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, fatally shooting a Palestinian who flees when he sees approaching troops; patrols in Jericho and 2 villages nr. Ramallah. (YA 7/12; AFP, HA, JTA, YA 7/13; PCHR 7/14; OCHA 7/15; JPI 7/22)

Egypt reopens the Rafah crossing as planned, permitting most Palestinians to cross freely for the first time in 4 yrs. (men ages 18–40 are the only group required to secure visas to enter Egypt). Unidentified Palestinians fire a homemade Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel for the 1st time since 4/18, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF bars Palestinian farmers fr. working their land nr. Bet Ayn settlement nr. Hebron; conducts late-night patrols in Bil‘in, sounding sirens and firing stun and flash grenades to intimidate residents; conducts late-night patrols without incident in Qalqilya; makes late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho and Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm. The IDF also fires tear gas, stun grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists staging a nonviolent march through Iraq Burin village nr. Nablus to nearby Brakha settlement to protest the settlers’ seizure of village lands to expand the settlement; 3 internationals are arrested. (AFP 5/28; MNA, NYT, WP 5/29; PCHR 6/2; OCHA 6/3)

In Qatar, Abbas briefs Arab League FMs on the recent speeches by Obama and Netanyahu. The FMs agree to support the Palestinians’ UN statehood bid in absence of a viable alterative. Abbas then goes to Cairo to brief Egypt’s acting government. (REU, WAFA 5/28; MENA 5/30)

In his first statement since the 10/8 Arab League decision, Netanyahu, at the opening of the fall session of the Knesset, publicly offers a “limited” extension of its partial settlement freeze if the Palestinians recognize Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people. Abbas rejects this as a key concession that Israel seeks as a basis to reject Palestinian refugees’ right of return to their homes in Israel, noting that the PLO formally recognized the State of Israel in an exchange of letters before signing the 1993 Oslo Accord. The State Dept. suggests that Abbas make a counter offer to keep the process going. (AFP, NYT, WP 10/11; AFP, HA 10/12)

Meanwhile, Israel’s ministerial comm. on legislation sends a bill to the Knesset for a second reading that would require a national referendum before any territory could be ceded in a peace agreement. (JTA, NYT 10/11)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, IDF undercover units make an incursion into Silwan in East Jerusalem, arresting 4 Palestinian boys (ages 12–13), firing rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them, seriously wounding a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy; all 4 boys arrested are released on 10/12. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. An Israeli military court sentences Abdullah Abu Rahma, head of the Popular Committee Against the Wall in the West Bank village of Bil‘in who organizes the weekly demonstrations against the separation wall, to 1 year in jail (including time served) and a $1,250 fine; Abu Rahma was arrested in 12/09 and convicted in 8/2010 of incitement and participating in illegal demonstrations. PA PM Salam Fayyad holds a groundbreaking ceremony to inaugurate a new agroindustrial park in the Jordan Valley, which is expected to create 10,000 new Palestinian jobs. (JTA 10/12; Israel National News, WT 10/13; PCHR 10/14; OCHA 10/15; Irish Times 10/21; UNSCO 10/22)

Mitchell returns to the region for 3 days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian peace teams, Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak, and the crown prince of Abu Dhabi Shaykh Muhammad bin Zayid al-Nahayan to press Israel and the Palestinians to resume direct talks. After their meeting, Abbas says he will begin direct talks with Israel if it accepts the 1967 borders as the baseline for negotiations and accepts deployment of international forces to guard them. (UPI 7/17; WP 7/18; AFP 7/19)

IDF troops on the northeastern Gaza border fire 3 artillery shells into an open area e. of Jabaliya, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF escorts Jewish settlers into Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit late at night to conduct religious ceremonies; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin; conducts latenight patrols in Tulkarm without incident. Palestinians and international activists take part in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against land confiscation and settlement expansion nr. Karme Tzur settlement nr. Hebron and outside Beit Romano settlement in Hebron; the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, leaving 5 Palestinian injured (including 3 journalists), 10s suffering tear gas inhalation, 1 Palestinian cameraman under arrest, 1 international activist detained for questioning (later released). At least 10 Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian nr. the al-Ibrahimi Mosque/ Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, moderately injuring him; IDF troops observe but only intervene to defend the settlers when Palestinians try to protect the injured man. In Gaza, Hamas authorities attempting to boost their Muslim credentials, begin enforcing a ban (announced 1 yr. ago) on women smoking water pipes in public. (NYT 7/18; WP, WT 7/19; OCHA, PCHR 7/22)

In Washington, Livni and Rice sign the MOU on curbing arms smuggling, aimed at facilitating Israel’s acceptance of the EgyptHamas cease-fire offer (see 1/15). Anonymous Israeli military officials state that OCL is “in its final act.”

Combat notes: Early in the day, the IDF pulls back to the outskirts of Gaza City (with reports indicating that Tal al-Hawa has been devastated), but fighting intensifies again in the evening. Intensified IDF ground operations under cover of air strikes and heavy shelling are reported on the outskirts of Khan Yunis. The IDF reports hitting more than 50 targets during the day, including 15 rocket-launching sites, 13 groups of armed men, 4 suspected weapons depots, 2 smuggling tunnels, at least 1 mosque, Hamas’s Asda’ media center outside Khan Yunis (previously hit on 12/27). Air strike target areas include Bani Suhayla, Bayt Lahiya, alBureij r.c., the al-Fukhari area, Gaza City (al-Shuja‘iyya, Tal al-Hawa; al-Tuffah), Izbat ‘Abid Rabbuh, Jabaliya town and r.c., Khan Yunis (white phosphorous suspected), alNasser (n. of Rafah), Rafah, the al-Satar al-Gharbi area (nr. Khan Yunis), and the alTannour area (e. of Rafah). Artillery and tank fire are reported in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah (white phosphorous suspected), Gaza City (city center and al-Sudaniyya, al-Zaytun), Jabaliya town, Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, al-Shuka, Twam, Wadi alSilqa (white phosphorous suspected). Naval bombardments center on open areas w. of Khan Yunis and in the al-Mawasi area, and in s. Rafah. Ground engagements are reported in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, the al-Fukhari area and nearby Ma’an, Gaza City, al-Mughraqa, al-Zahra’. At least 3 ambulances are hit trying to evacuate the dead and wounded in clashes in central Gaza nr. Shuhada junction and in al-Mughraqa.

In a highly publicized incident, IDF tank shells hit a Gaza City home, killing 4 young girls (3 sisters, 1 cousin). Father of the 3 sisters, Izzeddin Abu al-Aish, a prominent Gazan doctor who appears regularly as a commentator on Israeli TV, phones ITV channel 10’s live broadcast to beg for medical assistance for his injured family, reports that his daughters are dead. In addition, an IDF air strike targets a home receiving condolence visits in Gaza City’s al-Shuja‘iyya neighborhood, killing 10 Palestinians, wounding 7. Another air strike on a home in al-Bureij r.c. kills a mother and her 5 children, ages 7–15. Gazan medical officials put the Palestinian toll at 1,140 dead, more than 5,100 wounded (470 in serious condition).

Palestinians fire 22 rockets and 5 mortars into Israel. Areas hit include Ashdod and Kiryat Gat (where at least 3 Israelis are injured, 1 seriously).

Humanitarian notes: The IDF allows up to 109 trucks of humanitarian aid entry to Gaza during the 4-hr. lull. (AFP, AP, IDF, IFM, ITV, MA, MM, REU, XIN, Zaman 1/16; IFM, NYT, WP, WT, XIN 1/17; NYT 1/18; AY, DUS, ITIC, MM 1/19; PCHR, WT 1/22; PCHR 1/29; ITV, MM 2/4; NYT 2/5)

The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin, Nablus; fires rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinians who attend nonviolent demonstrations against OCL following Friday prayers in Hebron (injuring 4) and neighboring Bayt Umar (injuring 3), Issawiyya (injuring 4); fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 5 Palestinians, 4 with live ammunition); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent protests against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 12 Palestinians, including 7 children). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces beat and fire rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinians protesting against OCL nr. al-Aqsa Mosque (injuring 1) and in Ras al-Amud neighborhood (injuring 1). (PCHR 1/22)

Israel’s security cabinet authorizes the IDF to open phase 2 of OCL at its discretion by sending ground troops into Gaza “to destroy the terrorist infrastructure of the Hamas in the area of operation, while taking control of some of [sic] rocket launching area used by the Hamas”; authorizes the call-up of 10,000s of additional reservists. The IDF does not immediately take action.

Israeli action: The IDF continues air strikes and naval bombardment of Gaza, carrying out 65 air strikes and hitting 65 individual sites. Target areas include al-Atatra, Bayt Lahiya, Dahaniyya, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City (Shaykh Ridwan, al-Shuja‘iyya, Tal al-Hawa, al-Yarmuk), Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, Nussayrat, Rafah, Tal al-Za‘atar. Primary targets include the homes of more than 12 senior Hamas officials (including senior IQB official Imad Akel, who reportedly is killed along with 3 children nearby; and Haniyeh’s chief of staff Muhammad Madhun and fmr. PA Refugee Affairs M Atif Udwan, who are believed to be in hiding); a car carrying Hamas’s Gaza City military cmdr. Muhammad (Abu Zakariya) al-Jamal, assassinating him; the Rafah airport site (already heavily damaged by yrs. of IDF attacks); the American International School in al-Atatra in n. Gaza; a public works dept. building southwest of Gaza City; tunnels on the Rafah border; and suspected weapons depots across Gaza. The estimated Palestinian toll reaches 431 killed, more than 2,200 injured.

Palestinian actions: Palestinians fire 26 rockets and 5 mortars into Israel, including 10 rockets that strike nr. Ashqelon, 1 of which causes damage and lightly injures 2 Israelis.

Humanitarian notes: The IDF escorts 226 foreigners who opt to leave Gaza to the Allenby Bridge crossing into Jordan; allows 64 truckloads of humanitarian goods into the Strip.

Of note: By this date, nearly all of Gaza’s police stations and government buildings have been destroyed. One senior Israeli security official states that “All of the offices and databases are gone. When all this is over, no civil servant will have an office to sit in.” (HA, IDF, IFM, ITV 1/2; AFP, AP, HA, IDF, Nation, NYT, REU, WP, WT, YA 1/3; Adalah 1/4; IFM, JP, PCHR 1/8; WT 1/22; JPI 1/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 5 Palestinians), Ni‘lin (wounding 1 Israeli, 3 Palestinians), and Jayyus (injuring 3 Palestinians; 1 is hit with live ammunition). In Jerusalem, 100s of Palestinians clash with Israeli police after Friday prayers. Small demonstrations against OCL are reported in East Jerusalem and across the West Bank (including Bani Na‘im nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, Hebron, Issawiyya, Ramallah, Shu‘fat r.c.). IDF troops shoot at protesters in Bani Na‘im, wounding 5. The PASF breaks up large rallies against OCL in Hebron and Ramallah, firing tear gas at demonstrators, ripping up pro-Hamas placards and flags, beating and arresting suspected Hamas supporters, injuring at least 10 Palestinians. (HA, NYT, REU, WP, WT, YA 1/3; PCHR 1/8)

In Gaza, 2,000 Palestinians hold a peaceful demonstration at a sealed breach in the Rafah border to urge Egypt to keep the border open. Outside Rafah, 2 Palestinian teenagers are injured when they accidentally trigger unexploded IDF ordnance. In the West Bank, the IDF sets up a checkpoint outside a Bayt Umar cemetery to check the IDs of mourners attending the funeral of the 2d Kefar Etzion attacker (see 1/24); later fires percussion grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets at mourners, wounding 6; fires on residential areas of al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin, northwest of Jerusalem; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2). Palestinian children throw stones at Jewish settler vehicles traveling on Route 55 nr. Azun and Route 60 nr. Hawara, damaging 2 but causing no injuries. Inside Israel, 20,000 Israeli Palestinians march in Sakhnin to protest a 1/27 government decision not to try police officers who fatally shot 13 Israeli Palestinians during 10/00 antigovernment demonstrations in Um al-Fahm in solidarity with the intifada. In Gaza City, Hamas-affiliated police release Fayyad adviser Ghul, arrested on 12/14. (AFP 2/1; NYT, WP 2/2; OCHA 2/6; PCHR 2/7)

An IDF soldier is killed during an arrest raid in Jenin targeting Islamic Jihad and the Fatah tanzim. The IDF imposes a curfew on Hawara nr. Nablus; conducts arrest raids in al-Arub r.c., Jenin town and r.c. (occupying several homes as observation posts), al-Til nr. Tulkarm (destroying 3 cars). Israeli police break up a Palestinian conference in Jerusalem on the elections and the future of the city, seal the venue, arrest several speakers and participants, including PC mbrs., on charges of conducting illegal political activity. Palestinians in Gaza report that due to Israel’s ongoing closure of the Qarni commercial crossing, all bakeries in the Strip have closed for lack of flour. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai nr. Hebron bar Palestinian farmers fr. working their land nearby, cut down several grape vines. (AFP, IMEMC, MM 3/16; PCHR 3/23)

The IDF begins dismantling 1 of its main posts in Khan Yunis in preparation for disengagement; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c. and Wadi al-Silqa, around Hebron, nr. Qalqilya. Major Hamas-Fatah clashes erupt in Gaza City when PA preventive security force officers outside the force’s headquarters open fire on a car driven by an Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Within the hr., Hamas political leaders, senior PA officials hold a press conference appealing for calm, say they are ready to put aside all differences and hold talks on improving relations. Hrs. later unidentified gunmen (some reports say Hamas mbrs.) fire on the Gaza City homes of PA police cmdr. Abu Shibak (see 6/10), Fatah Gaza head Abdallah Franji, Fatah Revolutionary Council mbr. Majid Abu Shammala, Force 17 head Faisal Abu Sharkh, PA security forces Col. Nabil Tamus, and the offices of leading Fatah mbr. Samir Masharawi and the PA preventive security forces headquarters; exchange gunfire with Abu Shibak’s and Franji’s bodyguards, leaving at least 7 Palestinians (at least 2 Franji bodyguards, 2 Abu Shibak bodyguards, 1 attacker) injured. In Jericho and Ramallah, 10s of Palestinians, including some political leaders and heads of organizations, organized by the National and Islamic Higher Committee for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC) stage marches to demand that the PA take action to end lawlessness, support rule of law. A PA police officer dies of injuries received during the IDF incursion into Tulkarm on 7/13. In s. Israel, 1,000s of Israeli protesters observe a 3d and final day of demonstrations against disengagement. (AFP, IMEMC, PCHR, PR, REU, XIN 7/20; AYM 7/20 in WNC 7/21; NYT, PCHR, WP 7/21; OCHA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

Sharon authorizes the widening of the IDF’s campaign to include Hamas. Later 4 rockets fired fr. n. Gaza hit the Israeli town of Netiv Haasara, killing 1 Israeli woman, wounding 1; Hamas, the AMB each claim responsibility (the AMB for the fatal strike, which it says was in retaliation for the 7/10 assassination attempt); as many as 21 mortars and rockets are fired during the day, also damaging an IDF post. The IDF also continues operations in and around Tulkarm; launches arrest raids targeting Islamic Jihad nr. Bethlehem, in Abu Dis and Asira al-Qibliyya, and in and around Hebron. Abbas declares a state of emergency, placing PA security forces in Gaza on high alert and ordering them to prevent any fire on Israeli targets. PA police later fire on a car that fails to stop at a checkpoint in Bayt Lahiya, sparking a clash with Hamas gunmen in the car that leaves 5 Hamas mbrs., 3 policemen wounded; Hamas mbrs. later attack a PA police post, torch 2 police cars in retaliation. Abbas goes to Gaza to hold emergency talks with Hamas leaders regarding clashes in Bayt Lahiya. An Israeli wounded in the 7/12 bombing dies, bringing that toll to 5. (AFP, IMEMC, JTA, PRCS 7/14; HA, VOI, VOP 7/14 in WNC 7/15; HA, NYT, UNIS, WP, WT, XIN, YA 7/15; NYT, REU, WP 7/16; HA 7/17; OCHA, PR 7/20; PCHR 7/21)

A Palestinian suicide bomber fr. Dayr al-Ghusun nr. Tulkarm detonates a device outside a Tel Aviv disco, killing 4 Israelis, wounding 23. Israel and the PA immediately blame Hizballah, which denies involvement. Abbas denounces the attack by “terrorists” who want to “sabotage this process,” vows to track down those responsible. Palestinian factions deny responsibility, saying they will continue to abide by an unofficial cease-fire. The IDF places a curfew on Jericho. Palestinians report that the IDF has begun registering the names of all Palestinians traveling to and fr. Nablus through IDF checkpoints. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Neve Dekalim settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, JAZ, VOP 2/25, AFP, HA, MA, NYT, PRCS, WP, WT 2/26; al-Arabiyya TV 2/26 in WNC 3/28; HA, JAZ, WP, VOI 2/27; HA, MM 2/28; MM 3/1; OCHA, PR 3/2; PCHR 3/3; MEI 3/4; JPI 3/11)

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 assassinates Hamas spiritual leader and founder Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, firing 3 internationally banned flechette missiles at him as he leaves a Gaza City mosque after morning prayers, also killing 3 bodyguards, 4 bystanders, wounding at least 17 Palestinians, including Yasin’s 2 sons. Immediately, 100,000s of Palestinians take to the streets throughout the territories to protest the assassination. The IDF seals Gaza; clashes with Palestinian demonstrators in Balata r.c. (killing an al-Najah Radio correspondent in Balata r.c., apparently thinking his mobile phone was a weapon), Bethlehem, Dayr al-Balah, Hebron (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian watching fr. his balcony), Jenin, Khan Yunis (killing 3 Palestinians), Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, Qalqilya, Tal Zu’rub; imposes a curfew on areas around Jenin, fires on residential areas; temporarily occupies a Palestinian home as an IDF post nr. Dayr al-Balah. 100s of Palestinian youths in East Jerusalem gather at checkpoints to throw stones at IDF soldiers; Palestinian prisoners in 2 Israeli jails riot. Palestinians fire Qassam rockets, mortars, antitank rockets at Gush Katif and Netzarim settlements, nearby IDF posts, the western Negev, damaging 2 apartments in Netzarim but causing no injuries. An ax-wielding Palestinian fr. the West Bank village of Bidiyya wounds 3 Israelis outside an army base in Tel Aviv before being arrested. An unidentified assailant said to be Arab stabs, lightly wounds 3 Israelis on a Jaffa bus. 4 Palestinians are arrested for beating up a Jewish settler in East Jerusalem. Jewish settlers detain, beat a Palestinian man in the Jordan Valley. An estimated 200,000 Palestinians, including reps. of all Palestinian factions, take part in Yasin’s funeral services later in the day, with 21 PSF officers forming an honor guard for Yasin’s coffin, Gaza churches ringing their bells, mosques broadcasting Qur’anic verses. Meanwhile, Israeli defense chiefs meet, agree to target the entire remaining Hamas leadership immediately, without waiting for another Hamas attack. Israel also announces that it will close the only mental health clinic serving East Jerusalem Palestinians (1,200 patients) because of “security concerns.” (AP, BBC, CSM, HA, MA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 3/22; AP, ATL, ITARTASS, MNR, MENA, IDF Radio, IRNA, ITARTASS, JP, VIRI, VOI, VOP, XIN 3/22 in WNC 3/24; al-Arabiyya TV [Dubai], Syrian Arab News Agency 3/22 in WNC 4/27; AFP, BBC, CSM, HA, JT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/23; AFP, AYM, DUS, HA, al-Hayat al-Jadida, JT, MA, MENA, al-Ra’i, THWR, TSHR, VIRI, YA 3/23 in WNC 3/25; MM, NYT, PR, WP 3/24; ATL, ITAR-TASS, Izvestiya, JT, al-Ra’i, SA, VOP, XIN 3/24 in WNC 3/26; AYM 3/24 in WNC 4/3; JT, MM, PCHR, WJW 3/25; ITAR-TASS, MENA, NHR, VIRI 3/25 in WNC 3/27; MM 3/26; MNR 3/27 in WNC 3/30; AYM 3/30, VOP 3/31 in WNC 4/2; MEI 4/2; PCHR 4/15)

In Washington, Shalom holds further talks on Sharon’s disengagement plan with VP Dick Cheney, Powell, Rice. (WP 3/23)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Salfit, imposing a curfew, blowing up 2 Palestinian homes; fires on Palestinian protesters in Rafah, killing 2 Palestinian teenagers, wounding 25 others (including a 1-yr.-old boy); lifts the day curfew on e. Nablus (see 10/7); fires on residential areas and 2 schoolyards in Khan Yunis, injuring 8 Palestinians (at least 4 of them children). The IDF removes caravans fr. 2 unoccupied settler outposts in the West Bank; Jewish settlers dismantle 2 other unoccupied outposts. Jewish settlers block, attack a group of 5 international peace activists, 100 Palestinians attempting to reach Palestinian olive groves btwn. Elon Moreh and Itamar settlements, injuring 6 Palestinians; the IDF intervenes, orders Palestinians to leave. Israel releases Reuters journalist Jussry al-Jamal whom the IDF has held without charge since arresting him 5 mos. ago during Operation Defensive Shield; 3 other Palestinian journalists detained in 4/02, a reporter for al-Quds and 2 photographers for Agence France-Presse, are still being held. Israel also links Tubas, 21 surrounding villages to the Israeli electricity grid; the PA funded the $517,000 cost of the link-up. (HA, MM, PCHR 10/9; HA, NYT, PM, WP, WT 10/10)

The IDF temporarily lifts the curfew on Hebron; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, destroying 1 Palestinian home; bulldozes 3 Palestinian homes s. of Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis, Karabatha Bani Harith, Rafah (taking 8 Palestinians to Morag settlement for interrogation); temporarily detains, beats, confiscates the camera of Palestinian journalist for Reuters. Israel's National Religious Party (NRP) reports that 4 new settler bypass roads are under construction in the West Bank. (Hatzofe 8/18 in WNC 8/20; LAW, PCHR 8/21; PCHR 8/26)

In Tel Aviv, Israeli DM Benjamin Ben-Eliezer, PA Interior M `Abd al-Razzaq Yahya agree on implementation of Ben-Eliezer's Gaza First plan: the IDF is to withdraw fr. parts of Gaza and fr. Bethlehem within 48 hrs.; the PA is to take control of security in areas evacuated; if calm is maintained, Israel would extend the arrangement to Hebron. Israel makes no promises to halt assassinations, arrest raids, home demolitions; the PA makes no promises to make preventive arrests of mbrs. of opposition groups. National unity talks among the 12 Palestinian factions making up the National and Islamic Higher Coordinating Comm. of the Intifada (NIHC) reportedly continue in Gaza. (XIN 8/18 in WNC 8/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/19; AFP 8/19, AYM 8/20 in WNC 8/21; MM 8/21; al-Quds 8/21 in WNC 8/22, 8/23; MM 8/22; MA 8/25 in WNC 8/26; JPI, MEI 8/30)

Upon his return fr. the U.S. Sharon meets with his security cabinet, then his full cabinet to discuss how to respond to the 12/1+n2 attacks. The full cabinet votes to declare the PA "an entity that supports terrorism," adds Force 17 (Arafat's "presidential guard") to its list of terrorist groups, authorizes Sharon to escalate military action. FM Shimon Peres, other Labor MKs walk out of the cabinet mtg. in protest but do not formally withdraw fr. the governing coalition. (AP, CNN, HA, MM 12/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/4; MM, WJW 12/6; MEI 12/7; MA 12/7 in WNC 12/12; WP 12/9)

While the cabinet meets, the PSF continues to arrest mbrs. of Hamas and Islamic Jihad, risking confrontations with hostile Palestinian crowds. Arafat also orders the arrest of Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, but when PSF officers arrive around midnight, crowds of Palestinians force them to retreat. The PSF says it has arrested more than 100 Palestinians since 12/2. Arafat asks Peres for a 4-day grace period, during which he vows he would crack down on opposition groups. Israel refuses, dismissing the arrests as a "show for international consumption." The U.S. says the PA must "root out the infrastructure of the groups that support terrorists." (HA 12/3; NYT, WP, WT 12/4; AKH 12/4 in WNC 12/5; MEI 12/7; MA 12/7 in WNC 12/11; WT 12/10)

Soon after the cabinet mtg., the IDF launches air raids against Arafat's headquarters and other PA sites around Gaza City, destroying the PSF barracks, Arafat's 2 personal helicopters, injuring 12 Palestinians; sends tanks into Gaza airport to bulldoze runways; sends troops into Ramallah to surround the PA's West Bank headquarters, where Arafat is staying. In Jinin, U.S.-supplied F-16s destroy the Palestinian governate building, jail, PSF headquarters. The IDF also fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Jinin; raids Beitunia, attacking several homes and arresting an Arafat adviser, several Islamic Jihad mbrs. In Bethlehem, Fatah mbrs. Rafat al-Bajali and Nidal al-Dirbani, both on Israel's wanted list, are killed in a mysterious explosion thought to be an IDF assassination. The White House spokesman Ari Fleischer says Israel "obviously has the right to defend itself. The president understands that very clearly." (AFP, AP, CNN, HA 12/3; XIN 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MENA 12/3, AN, MA 12/4 in WNC 12/5; HA, HP, NYT, WP, WT 12/4; HP, LAW 12/5; AYM 12/5 in WNC 12/7; AYM 12/6, al-Safir 12/7 in WNC 12/11; MEI 12/7; WJW 12/14; MEI 12/21)

The IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades's Bethlehem regional cmdr., Omar Saada, firing 2 wire-guided missiles at his home, also killing a Hamas colleague. When neighbors and relatives come to the scene to survey the damage, the IDF fires a 3d missile, killing Saada's brother (a peace activist) and a 4th Palestinian, wounding 10. The PA arrests 5 Palestinians for allegedly collaborating with Israel on the strike. For the 1st time, West Bank Palestinians fire 2 mortars at the Jewish settlement of Gilo, outside Jerusalem, causing no damage. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gunfire at Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur in response. The IDF also shells residential areas of Qabatiyya (destroying a Force 17 post), Tulkarm; raids al-Arub, Fajar, al-Fawar, Salfit; places a closure on Qalqilya, reinforces troops in the area. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in al-Fawar. The IDF says it defused 2 bombs in Tel Aviv, outside a West Bank settlement. (AFP [Internet], BBC, CNN, HP, PMC 7/17; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/18; AYM, SA 7/19 in WNC 7/20; AP 7/21; WT 7/23; MEI 7/27)

Sharon phones Bush to urge him to press for a statement strongly condemning Arafat at the upcoming G-8 summit. Sharon also reportedly tells Bush that Israel plans to carry out "preventive operations" in the near future. An hr. later, Sharon receives a call fr. Powell urging Israeli restraint, but, late this evening, the IDF sends tank, troop reinforcements into the West Bank in its largest deployment since the start of the al-Aqsa intifada, raising speculation that a massive attack is imminent. (MM 7/20)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes increase slightly. A faction of Fatah claims responsibility for the drive-by shooting deaths of 2 Jewish settlers in the West Bank. In response, the IDF reimposes the blockade on Silat al-Dahir, Tulkarm. Palestinians fire mortars at Israeli targets in Gaza, causing no damage. In Haifa, the IDF disables 4 pipe bombs discovered hidden in a motor bike. The IDF dismantles roadblocks, eases restrictions on Halhul and Qalqilya, but sets up barriers on the Betin-`Ayn Yabrud road, tightens the closure on Hebron, confiscates 10s of dunams of Palestinian land nr. Ofra settlement, conducts an arrest sweep in Aqraba. Most secondary routes in the West Bank remain sealed. Jewish settlers burn 10s of dunams of Palestinian fields in Luban al-Gharbiyya, raze agricultural land in al-Zawiya, assault 3 Palestinian children (ages 8, 11, 13) in Hebron. (PMC 6/18; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/19; NYT, WJW 6/21; MEI 6/29)

28 survivors of the 1982 Sabra-Shatila massacre in Lebanon bring a war crimes case against Sharon before a Belgian court. Earlier this mo., 2 other survivors submitted a similar case to the same court. (REU 6/18; Guardian, HA, Independent, WP 6/19; MM 6/20; WJW 6/21; AFP [Internet] 6/26; WJW 6/28; MM 7/11; MEI 7/13, 7/27)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device outside a nightclub in Tel Aviv, killing 16 Israelis and injuring more than 80, mostly teenage Russian immigrants on a Friday night out. Arafat's spokesman condemns the attack, calls on all parties to show restraint. The PA orders Palestinians to close offices and stores and return to their homes, fearing a massive retaliation. Israel seals the West Bank and Gaza; reinforces internal closures on all Palestinian population centers, dividing the West Bank into 8 enclaves, Gaza into 4. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers set up a new enclave on Batn al-Masi hill in the West Bank. A Palestinian known for selling land to Jews is found murdered in Bethlehem. (CNN, HA, IGPO, JP [Internet] 6/1; NYT, WP, WT 6/2; MA 6/2, JT, SA 6/3 in WNC 6/4; NYT 6/3; MM 6/4; DUS 6/4 in WNC 6/5; WJW 6/7; AFP [Internet] 6/8; MEI 6/15)

Before the bombing, Israel allows 10,000s of Palestinians into Jerusalem to attend Faisal Husseini's funeral in Jerusalem. He is buried in a family tomb in the al-Aqsa Mosque compound. As Israeli police stand back and watch, Palestinians make their largest open display of Palestinian nationalism in the city since 1967. Some Palestinians throw stones at Sharon's East Jerusalem residence, and a Jewish tourist fires a teargas canister at mourners, but generally the event is peaceful. (AP, HA, YA [Internet] 6/1; MA, Radio France International 6/1, al-Quds 6/2 in WNC 6/4; HP, NYT 6/2; WJW 6/7; JP, MEI 6/15)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving a total of 6 Palestinians, 2 Israelis dead. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a nail bomb at a bus stop just inside Israel, nr. Qalqilya, killing 2 Israelis, wounding 4. Hamas, and a previously unknown group named the Popular Army Front Return Battalions claim responsibility. Israeli sappers disarm bombs in the Israeli cities of Petah Tikva, Netanya. This evening, after the Arab summit ends, Sharon orders air, land, sea strikes against Force 17 targets in Dayr al-Balah, Jabaliyya, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Ramallah, killing 3 Palestinians, injuring 62. Nr. Beitunia, a Palestinian woman is shot dead by IDF troops. In Rafah, a Palestinian boy is killed when he triggers unexploded IDF ordnance. The IDF reinforces its troop presence around Abu Sunayna in Hebron with 8 tanks, 15 troop carriers, numerous military jeeps and 3 new outposts; shells residential areas in Nablus; confiscates 28 dunams of Palestinian land in Beitunia to expand an IDF post; bulldozes Palestinian land in Mount Jarzim, Wadi Silqa. Israel issues demolition orders for 19 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem for construction of the "ring road" linking the Jewish settlements around Jerusalem; 658 dunams of Palestinian land is slated to be bulldozed for the project. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians and their property in Bayt Furik, Hebron, Silat Dahir. Settlers fr. Ma'ale Adumim, Kefar Atsion reportedly move into the Israeli controlled section of Hebron to reinforce settlers there. In Hebron, the PSF arrests a local Fatah mbr. for the 3/26 shooting that killed a settler baby. (BBC, CNN, HP, MM, REU 3/28; AFP, ATL 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; AFP, Interfax, MENA, al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; LAW, MM, WP 3/30; MA, MENA, al-Safir 3/30 in WNC 4/2; MM 4/3; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/15 in WNC 4/16; WP 4/23; al-Ahram [Internet] 4/26)

The Arab League summit closes. Arab states approve a $240 m. emergency aid for the PA over the next 6 mos. (MM 3/28; HJ 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP 3/29; JT 3/29 in WNC 3/30; HJ 3/29 in WNC 4/3; al-Ra'i 3/30, Star 3/31, JT 4/1 in WNC 4/2; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/10 in WNC 4/12)

2 bombs, the 4th and 5th since Sharon's 2/6 election, explode outside the Jewish settlements of Talpiot, French Hill in East Jerusalem, killing an apparent Palestinian suicide bomber, injuring 35 Israelis. Islamic Jihad takes responsibility for both attacks. Right-wing opposition MKs, Jewish settlers accuse Sharon of not taking Israeli security seriously and demand retaliation, with Likud Education M Limor Livnat saying Arafat should be targeted. Sharon's office says Israel will respond "at the time and place we choose." (AFP [Internet], MM 3/27; ITAR-TASS 3/27 in WNC 3/28; MM, NYT, WP 3/28; WJW 3/29; AFP 3/29 in WNC 3/30; JP, MEI 4/6)

In the West Bank and Gaza, Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. In Hebron, Jewish settlers attempt to storm Abu Sunayna for a 2d day, are push back by the IDF (which continues to urge Palestinian residents to evacuate the area). After dark, the settlers set fire to 5 Palestinian-owned stores, 7 cars, Waqf offices in the PA-controlled section of Hebron. Jewish settlers place caravans on confiscated Palestinian land on Mount Jarzim in Nablus. Israel arrests 2 Israeli border policemen for beating, torturing a Palestinian at a checkpoint into Israel earlier today. (MM 3/27; HA, HP, NYT, WP 3/28; AFP [Internet], NYT 3/29; MEI 4/6)

The 1st full Arab League summit in 12 yrs. opens in Amman. The agenda covers the peace process, aid to the Palestinians, Arab solidarity, inter-Arab economic ties, sanctions on Iraq. (MM 3/27; AN, DUS, JT, SA 3/27 in WNC 3/28; AYM 3/27, HJ, JT, SA 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, WP, USIS Washington File 3/28; JP, MEI 4/6)

On the sidelines of the Arab summit, Syrian pres. Asad meets with Arafat, marking the 1st senior-level Palestinian-Syrian mtg. since 1993. (JT 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, WP, USIS Washington File 3/28; JT, al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; DUS 3/30 in WNC 4/2; al-Majd 4/2 in WNC 4/3; AYM 4/2, HJ 4/3 in WNC 4/5; JP, MEI 4/6; MM 4/20)

After a week of negotiations on 2 compromise proposals fail, the U.S. vetoes a UNSC resolution backing a UN observer force to help protect the Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza. (AP 3/27; XIN 3/27 in WNC 3/28; WP 3/28; MM, NYT, WJW, WT 3/29; al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; MM 3/30; al-Quds 4/3 in WNC 4/5)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. When a bus of Jewish settlers, 2 IDF escort jeeps enter a Palestinian village nr. Jinin, students fr. a nearby school throw stones at the bus; settlers, soldiers open fire on the school and adjacent houses, killing 1 Palestinian. The 2d Palestinian is shot by Jewish settlers during clashes btwn. settlers, Palestinians in Kafr Haris. Palestinian snipers fire on at least 4 Jewish settler vehicles nr. Nablus and Ramallah, causing no injuries. The IDF shells residential areas of al-Bireh, Jinin, Khan Yunis (cutting telephone service), al-Maghrqa, Tal al-Sultan; razes 58 dunams of Palestinian agricultural land nr. Dugit settlement (destroying 1 storage building, 11 greenhouses, 4 wells, 1 irrigation network), 55 dunams nr. Netzarim settlement (demolishing 2 homes). (HP, LAW 1/9; PCHR 1/12; MM 1/16; AFP [Internet] 1/18)

CIA Dir. Tenet holds another round of talks with PA, Israeli, Egyptian security officials. The sides reportedly agree to an 8-point proposal, drafted by Tenet, for reducing tensions. (AFP [Internet], MM, REU 1/8; MENA 1/8 in WNC 1/9; SA 1/9 in WNC 1/10; MM 1/10; SA 1/10 in WNC 1/11; AYM, QA 1/10, AYM 1/11 in WNC 1/16; MENL 1/12)

100,000-250,000 Israelis, mostly right-wing, religious Jews, attend a rally at the Wailing Wall sponsored by MK Natan Sharansky's Yisrael Ba'Aliya party to "pledge allegiance" to a united capital of Jerusalem, to oppose Clinton's parameters for a peace agmt. (AFP [Internet] 1/8; AYM 1/8 in WNC 1/9; MM, NYT, WP 1/9; MM 1/10; WJW 1/11, 1/18; JP 1/19, 1/26; JP 2/2)

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)