The Palestine Chronology

The PSF arrests 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who may have participated in a foiled attack on Netzarim on 12/28, 4 PFLP mbrs. who may have been involved in the 10/17 Ze'evi assassination. (Israel claims that the PFLP mbrs. had nothing to do with the murder.) Nr. Ramallah, unidentified assailants fire on a Jewish settler bus, causing no injuries. (HA, WT 12/30)

A group of 250 Jewish, Arab Israeli peace activists delivers 2 tons of food, clothing to the Palestinian village of Bayt Umar, which has been closed by an IDF military blockade for over 1 yr. IDF soldiers manning the Surda checkpoint on the Bethlehem-Birzeit road push, shove, kick, aim rifles, and fire tear gas and percussion grenades at around 100 mbrs. of an ad hoc group foreign civilians, known as International Checkpoint Watch, who position themselves at the crossing as nonviolent observers to protect Palestinians traveling the route. (GS 12/29; NYT 12/30)

In Gaza, The IDF fatally shoots Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud al-Burai allegedly en route to stage a suicide attack on Netzarim settlement; a 2d Islamic Jihad mbr. gets away. The body of a Jewish settler missing for a wk. is found in a cave nr. Jaba in the West Bank. The IDF fires on residential areas of Brazil refugee camp, Tal al-Sultan; eases the closure on Bethlehem. (REU 12/28; NYT, WP, WT 12/29; WT 12/30; LAW, PCHR 1/2)

More than 700 Israeli, Palestinian peace activists march in Jerusalem in support for an independent Palestinian state, renewal of peace talks. In Ramallah, the IDF fires live ammunition, rubber bullets, tear gas to disperse a peaceful demonstrators, injuring 5. (GS, NYT, WP 12/29; PCHR 1/2)

Israel says it will ease travel of Christian pilgrims (fr. the territories, Israel, abroad) to Bethlehem but says Arafat still may not leave Ramallah. The IDF conducts arrest raids in the PA-controlled section of Hebron (arresting 8 Palestinians) and in Rafah (occupying 6 Palestinian homes); fires on residential areas of Nablus. In Ramallah, the IDF fires tear gas, sound grenades, rubber bullets at 1,000s of Palestinians and 350 foreign peace activists protesting the Israeli siege, injuring 15 Palestinians, 10 foreigners. The PSF shuts 2 metal workshops in Gaza that allegedly made homemade mortars for Hamas. (AP 12/27; WT 12/28; PCHR 1/2)

Sharon denies Arafat permission to leave Ramallah to attend Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem. Instead, a delegation of prominent Christian leaders goes to Ramallah to visit Arafat. The Vatican denounces Israel's action as "arbitrary." In protest, the AMB ambushes a car outside Nablus, seriously injuring 1 Jewish settler. The IDF fires on residential areas of Hebron, Khan Yunis. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JT, MENA 12/24, AFP, AKH, MENA, al-Quds 12/25 in WNC 12/26; BBC, NYT, WP, WT 12/25; PCHR, WT 12/26)

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)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a powerful device on a bus in Haifa, killing 14 Israelis, 1 Filipino, and injuring more than 40. Arafat condemns the attack, outlaws "any movement, organization, or gathering" that does not abide by his cease-fire order, orders confiscation of illegal weapons, reiterates plans for a crackdown, saying that around 90 Palestinians have already been arrested. Israel dismisses the arrests as "a stunt," seals PA areas, bans all Palestinian vehicular traffic, shells residential areas of Jinin. In one of several similar incidents in the Bethlehem area, 20 PSF officers attempting to arrest journalist Issa Zawahara, who has ties to Islamic Jihad, are chased off by an angry crowd of Palestinians. Arafat later meets with PA security heads, convenes the Palestinian Council (PC) to discuss the recent attacks. (AFP, AP, HA 12/2; AFP, ATL, Interfax, LPA, XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/3; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/3; DUS, MA 12/3 in WNC 12/4; WT 12/4; AYM 12/4 in WNC 12/5; LAW 12/5; WJW 12/6; MEI 12/7; JP 12/14)

Sharon, Bush meet at the White House. Sharon says he does not expect Arafat to take serious steps to arrest those responsible for recent suicide attacks, says Israel will "do what we have to do to protect our citizens." Neither Bush nor U.S. officials urge Israeli restraint. (JP [Internet] 12/2; LPA 12/2 in WNC 12/3; MM, WP, WT 12/3; WT 12/4; VIRI 12/4 in WNC 12/5; MM 12/5)

Meanwhile, Hamas also takes responsibility for a drive-by shooting in Gaza, which leaves 1 Jewish settler dead. In the Jordan Valley, 7 settlers are wounded in a 2d drive-by shooting. Palestinians in Bayt Jala fire on Gilo, injuring 2 settlers. Armed Jewish settlers accost Palestinians in Hizma. An Israeli security guard outside an East Jerusalem bank fatally shoots a Palestinian, apparently fearing that he was about to stage an attack. The IDF fatally shoots 4 Palestinians nr. a Jinin checkpoint, 1 Palestinian in Tulkarm; fires a tank shell at a Palestinian in Qabatiyya, killing him. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Aida, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Salim; conducts arrest raids in Abu Dis, Azariyya, Burqa. In Gaza, some 1,000 Hamas supporters rally in support of continued attacks on Israeli targets. In Nablus, 300 Palestinians attend a rally against political arrests sponsored by the National and Islamic Higher Comm. for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC). (HA 12/2; XIN 12/2 in WNC 12/3; PMC, REU, WP 12/3; LAW 12/5)

As U.S. envoy Zinni meets with PA officials, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus in Hadera, Israel, killing 3 Israelis, wounding 7. The bomber reportedly boarded the bus in the Israeli Arab town of Umm al-Fahm. A Palestinian gunman also kills 1 IDF soldier in a drive-by shooting at a West Bank checkpoint. The IDF opens fire on a Palestinian car at a Jordan Valley checkpoint, killing 2 Palestinians that "acted suspiciously" by making a U-turn to avoid the congested crossing. The IDF also opens fire on a French delegation (135 politicians, journalists, intellectuals) touring homes demolished by the IDF in Khan Yunis; seals Hebron; sets up more roadblocks, especially on the road to Bethlehem; tightens the closure on Tulkarm, bulldozing areas along the Green Line; raids a Palestinian factory nr. Qarni crossing, confiscating electrical equipment; directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of Jinin; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers, under IDF protection, place caravans on a new settlement site nr. Dayr al-Balah. (AFP, HP 11/29; AFP, AP, HP, MM, NYT, WT 11/30; al-Quds 11/30 in WNC 12/3; LAW 12/5)

Sharon arrives in the U.S. on an official visit, accuses Arafat of having built a "coalition of terror" against Israel. (MM 11/30; NYT 12/1)

IDF soldiers guarding Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem open fire on stone-throwing Palestinian youths, killing a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy. In retaliation for the 11/24 mortar attack on Kefar Darom, the IDF shells, destroys the PA military intelligence office in Khan Yunis, a naval police post in Sudaniyya, and a Fatah office in Dayr al-Balah, injuring 3; bulldozers demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Tal Sultan. Palestinians fire 8 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage; detonate a roadside bomb nr. Hebron, causing no damage. (PMC 11/25; HP, HA, NYT, WT 11/26)

Addressing the UNGA, Arafat welcomes Bush's 10/2 and 11/10 comments in support of a Palestinian state, reiterates the PA's desire to resume peace talks with Israel and willingness to confront "international terrorism," requests an international monitoring mechanism for the West Bank and Gaza. Powell meets separately with Arafat, Peres. (AFP, AP 11/11; MM, NYT 11/12; MM 11/14; MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/19)

A Palestinian gunman kills an Israeli security officer in the Israeli village Kefar Hess, nr. the West Bank border. A Palestinian dies in a mysterious explosion in Bethlehem. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/9. Jewish settler driving nr. Hebron hits, seriously injures an 82-yr.-old Palestinian man. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Hebron enter the Palestinian village of Halhul, vandalize property, fire in the air, throw stones at cars, assault residents. Jewish settlers, under IDF protection, move caravans and electrical generators to a new settlement site outside Jinin. The IDF confiscates, bulldozes 10s of dunams of land in Jabi', n. of Jerusalem, for annexation to Adam settlement. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land along the Gaza border, nr. Bayt Hanun; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Khan Yunis; tightens the closure on Hebron. (HP, PMC 11/11; AFP, NYT 11/12; MM 11/13; PCHR 11/15)

In Baqa` al-Sharqiyya, a Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device as IDF commandos raid his hide-out, wounding 2 commandos. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 11/6. The IDF tightens the closures on Jinin, Salfit, Tulkarm; directs gunfire at a Jordanian diplomatic vehicle traveling nr. the Erez crossing; bulldozes agricultural land in Bayt Lahia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities evict, confiscate the home of a Palestinian family; give evacuation orders to 2 other families. Israel also bars PA Telecommunications M Imad al-Faluji fr. leaving the PA areas to attend an Arab League mtg. in Cairo. A Jewish settler driving nr. Bethlehem hits a 5-yr.-old Palestinian boy, seriously injuring him; the IDF blocks his transportation to a hospital for over 1 hr. In a similar incident, a 4-yr.-old Palestinian boy is hit, injured by a Jewish settler nr. Jinin; due to the closure, it takes the boy's father 2 hrs. to get him to a hospital less than 1 mi. away. (HP 11/8; MA, MENA, Voice of Israel 11/8 in WNC 11/9; PMC 11/10; AYM 11/14 in WNC 11/19; PCHR 11/15)

The White House says that Bush will not meet with Arafat on the sidelines of the upcoming UNGA session because the PA has not done enough to stop "terrorism." (WT 11/9; AN, QA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; AYM 11/11, Le Monde 11/13 in WNC 11/14)

Israeli police question Israeli Arab MK Talib al-Sana on suspicion of sedition for reportedly stating in an interview with Abu Dhabi TV that a Palestinian attack on the Israeli DMin. on 8/5 was legitimate since the target was military and not civilian. (JP [Internet] 11/9) (see 11/6)

The Lebanese cabinet formally rejects U.S. requests to freeze Hizballah assets. (SAF 11/8 in WNC 11/9; NYT, WP 11/9; SAF 11/10 in WNC 11/13; al-Nahar 11/10, al-Anwar [Beirut] 11/11 in WNC 11/14; MM 11/13; WJW 11/15; MEI 11/23) (11/2)

Under U.S. pressure, Sharon pulls the IDF out of Bethlehem, Bayt Jala. Jewish settlers assault journalists covering the pullout. Islamic Jihad gunmen kill 4 Israelis, wound 30 in a drive-by shooting in Hadera, are fatally shot by Israeli police. AMB gunmen kill 1 IDF soldier on the West Bank-Israeli border, escape into the West Bank. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Nablus, al-Ubayat; reinforces positions in Jinin, Tulkarm; opens fire on 9 Palestinian schools in the PA-controlled section of Hebron, injuring 4 students with rubber-coated metal bullets, 15 with tear gas; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Qalqilya. Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars outside Silwad. (HP 10/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/29; QA 10/29 in WNC 11/1; LAW 10/31)

With Israeli-Palestinian clashes continuing unabated in Bethlehem, Israel postpones plans to withdraw fr. the area for at least 24 hrs. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia (damaging a PSF post), Jinin, Khan Yunis, Qalqilya, Rafah, Tulkarm (killing 1 Palestinian); temporarily occupies a Palestinian school in the PA-controlled section of Hebron; reinforces troops in Bayt Lahia, around Ramallah. PFLP mbrs. arrested by the PSF since the Ze'evi assassination begin a hunger strike to protest their detention. (AFP 10/27; HP, NYT, WP, WT 10/28; LAW 10/31)

Under further pressure fr. the EU, Russia, UN, and U.S., Israel agrees to pull the IDF out of the Bethlehem area on 10/27, to consider expanding the pullout to 5 other major PA-controlled towns if the cease-fire in Bethlehem holds and the PA agrees to extradite suspects in the Ze'evi case. Throughout the day, however, heavy clashes continue in, around Bethlehem except for a brief period while a team of EU officials tour the area. The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians, 1 Israeli Arab; digs deep trenches in Jinin to keep Palestinians from sneaking into Israel; sets up new military outposts outside Nablus, Ramallah; enters Dayr Nitham village, opening fire on and damaging several Palestinian homes; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts an arrest raid in Qalqilya. (MM 10/27; NYT, WP, WT 10/27; Interfax 10/27 in WNC 10/29; LAW 10/31)

The IDF pulls out of Bayt Rima. Heavy clashes continue in Bethlehem and Tulkarm, leaving a total of 5 Palestinians dead, including a Hamas mbr. killed by an IDF sniper in Bethlehem. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah; conducts an arrest raid in Jinin. Journalists in Gaza report that the IDF bulldozing is "methodically creating free-fire [buffer] zones along the periphery of the Strip." (NYT, REU 10/25; HA, NYT, WP 10/26; LAW 10/31)

Sharon briefs his cabinet on U.S. demands for Israel to withdraw fr. areas A. Afterward, he reiterates that the IDF will only pull back if the PA adheres to stringent cease-fire demands, including the arrest and extradition of "terrorists." The cabinet declares that Israel "reserves the right to freedom of activity." In response, the U.S. convenes the trilateral security comm., and envoys fr. the EU, Russia, the UN, and the U.S. meet with Arafat. After the PA pledges that areas A would not be used as staging areas for attacks on Israel after a withdrawal, Israel agrees to begin pulling out of reoccupied Palestinian towns by 10/28. (WP, WT 10/26; NYT, WP 10/27)

In a predawn raid on Bayt Rima (area A), the IDF kills at least 5 Palestinians, wounds 10s, arrests 11, invades homes, interrogates residents, imposes a curfew, and seals the village, barring medics, ambulances, journalists fr. entering. 1 of the Palestinians bleeds to death awaiting medical treatment. The IDF cmdr. admits that at least 2 of those killed were armed but not firing and were attempting to flee. Soldiers bulldoze 2 Palestinian homes in the village; a 3d is destroyed by fire during the raid; 5 others are occupied by troops. Israel confirms it has arrested 2 of 4 Palestinians whom it is certain were involved in the 10/17 Ze'evi murder, but says 2 trigger men are still at large. Another 5 Palestinians are killed elsewhere in the West Bank in clashes with the IDF. Israeli attacks intensify in Bethlehem and nearby Aida, Aza refugee camps, which have been surrounded by IDF tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs) for several days. The IDF demolishes shops at the entrance to Aza to ease the entry of tanks, APCs; deliberately fires tank shells at a Palestinian home in Aida destroying it. In an apparent assassination outside Bethlehem, an IDF tank and APC corner, open fire on a Palestinian car, killing Issa Jiryis Elali. Jewish settlers open fire on a Palestinian vehicle nr. Hebron, wounding 6 Palestinians. (AP, BBC, HP, NYT, PCHR, PMC 10/24; AYM 10/24 in WNC 10/25; JT, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/25; MM, NYT, WP 10/26; see also AYM 10/23 in WNC 10/25; MA 10/25 in WNC 10/26)

IDF soldiers fatally shoot 3 Palestinians in Tulkarm; a 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/22. Heavy shelling, machine gun fire is reported in Bethlehem, Tulkarm. In Bethlehem, Christian and Muslim religious leaders lead 6,000 Palestinians in a peace procession and prayer service, calling on Israel to evacuate the city. In Nablus, 1,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of assassinated Hamas mbr. Halawih. The IDF sends bulldozers, under cover of heavy machine gun fire, into Bayt Hanun; reinforces troops around Khan Yunis; bulldozes land in al-Qarara, demolishing 1 home, 1 workshop. (AP, MEZ 10/23; NYT, PCHR 10/24; AYM 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

In separate mtgs. with Bush and Powell, Peres rejects the U.S. demand for Israel's immediate withdrawal fr. PA-controlled areas. (AFP, AP, MM 10/23; NYT, WP 10/24; MA 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

The U.S. strongly condemns Israel's recent incursions into Palestinian towns, calls for Israel's immediate withdrawal. The EU, Russia, UN, and U.S. send a delegation of senior envoys to meet with Arafat to urge him to "address Israel's security concerns," to make "absolutely certain" that the PA arrests those responsible for the Ze'evi assassination. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; MA, QA 10/23 in WNC 10/24; AYM 10/23, MA, al-Quds 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM 10/24; NYT 10/27)

Peres arrives in Washington for 2 days of consultations with senior U.S. admin. officials. Peres is accompanied by a dozen senior Israeli officials, IDF officers, who plan to brief U.S. officials, Jewish leaders on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. (NYT, WP 10/23; HA 10/26)

Meanwhile, the IDF has entered or surrounded and cut off every major Palestinian population center in the West Bank. Fighting is especially heavy in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian opens fire on Jewish settlers in Talpiot settlement, wounding 4 before being shot dead by the IDF. In an apparent assassination, wanted Izzeddine al-Qassam mbr. Ayman Abu Halawih is killed, his 3 passengers are injured when his car explodes in Nablus. A 3d Palestinian is fatally shot by IDF troops nr. Tulkarm. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/21. A Palestinian woman in labor is denied passage through an IDF checkpoint to a Bethlehem hospital; she gives birth at the crossing, the baby dies. A Palestinian, detained since 10/18, dies in PA General Intelligence custody; the PA claims he committed suicide. The IDF bulldozes land in Rafah, demolishing 4 Palestinian homes, at least 9 stores. Israeli authorities also demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem. (LAW, MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

In Jerusalem, nearly 100,000 Israelis demonstrate in favor of increased military attacks on the Palestinians, equating Arafat to Bin Laden, calling for the removal of Arafat and the PA. (NYT, WP 10/23; MM 10/24; JP 11/9)

Hizballah fires rockets at IDF positions in Shaba` Farms. Israeli warplanes, artillery strike Hizballah positions in response. No injuries are reported. The U.S. warns Hizballah, Israel against escalating tensions. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; SAF 10/23 in WNC 10/24; SAF 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM, WJW 10/25)

The IDF reinforces positions inside Bethlehem, where IDF shelling kills 3 Palestinians nr. a hospital; a 4th Palestinian is fatally shot while harvesting olive outside Jinin; a 5th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Other IDF shells land within 50 yds. of the Church of the Nativity, injuring 2 Palestinians. The IDF also fires on a UN ambulance in Bethlehem, seriously injuring the driver; rockets a power station in Tulkarm; occupies 2 Palestinian homes in Qalqilya, 1 in Khan Yunis; reinforces positions in Ramallah and al-Bireh, destroying a Force 17 office. Sharon says the PA must meet 3 conditions for a return to talks: a complete halt to "terrorism and incitement," the arrests of "terrorists" and the disbanding of their organizations, the extradition of those involved in the Ze'evi assassination. The PA outlaws the armed wing of the PFLP, detains another 13 PFLP mbrs. (AP 10/21; MENA 10/21 in WNC 10/22; AP, LAW, NYT, PMC, WT 10/22; MM 10/23; SA 10/23 in WNC 10/24; PCHR 10/24; HA 10/27)

The Labor party threatens to quit the governing coalition if Sharon expands the reoccupation of PA-controlled territories. (AFP 10/21; MM, WP, WT 10/22)

The IDF sends tanks, troops into areas A in Qalqilya and Tulkarm, occupying a PSF office in Qalqilya, detaining 7 Palestinians, including 2 Force 17 mbrs. A senior IDF official says it has no immediate plans to pull out of PA-controlled towns it has reoccupied since 10/18. The IDF continues to direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at areas in, around Bethlehem throughout the day, killing 8 Palestinians, including a altar boy outside the Church of the Nativity. Churches in Jerusalem again demand Israel's withdrawal fr. Bethlehem. The PA says it has arrested 20 PFLP mbrs. in connection with the Ze'evi assassination. (AP, LAW 10/20; WP, WT 10/21; JT 10/21 in WNC 10/22; NYT, WP 10/22; AYM 10/22, MENA 10/23 in WNC 10/24; MM 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

In response to the mortar attack on Gilo on 10/18, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bethlehem, Bayt Jala; occupies 10 Palestinian buildings in Bethlehem (including 2 hotels to house troops), several in Bayt Jala. The incursions spark clashes, which leave 3 Palestinians dead and at least 16 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier injured. In Ramallah, 2 Palestinians are killed by IDF shelling; a 6th Palestinian is killed in Gaza. IDF tanks completely surround Bayt Sahur, Nablus, Qalqilya. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Hanina, Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Qarni crossing. Churches in Jerusalem issue a statement calling on Israel to pull back, deescalate tensions, especially in Bethlehem. (BBC, HP, MM, REU 10/19; AP, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

Israel cuts off all contact with the PA; gives Shin Bet, the IDF the "green light" to step up assassinations. Some MKs say Sharon should banish Arafat fr. the West Bank, Gaza. The PA arrests 3 PFLP leaders, but says it has not identified Ze'evi's assassins, will not extradite them to Israel once it does. Israel says if the killers are not extradited, it will treat the PA as a sponsor of terrorism. (The State Dept. refuses to back Israel's extradition demand.) Sharon declares that "Arafat has 7 days to impose absolute quiet in the territories. If not, we will go to war against him. As far as I'm concerned, the era of Arafat is over." (HP, MM 10/18; MENA, XIN 10/18 in WNC 10/19; NYT, WP, WT 10/19; MM 10/23)

The IDF reoccupies areas A in Jinin, Nablus, and Ramallah, sending in tanks and troops, shelling buildings, killing 3 Palestinians. In Bethlehem, 3 Palestinians, including Fatah tanzim leader Atif Ubayyat, 1 of Israel's most wanted, are killed when an explosion destroys their car. The deaths, which Palestinians claim were an assassination, spark a serious gun battle around the city; Palestinians in Bayt Jala also fire a mortar at Gilo for the 1st time in 2 mos., causing no damage. Palestinian gunmen fire on a group of Jewish settlers hiking in the Jordan Valley, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 2. (HP, MM, PMC 10/18; AP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 10/19; WP 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

In its largest military operation since the start of the al-Aqsa intifada (in terms of area, size of the force involved), Israel sends IDF infantry, tanks, armored bulldozers, and helicopters to occupy the PA-controlled sector of Hebron, leaving 6 Palestinians dead, wounding at least 40, demolishing 3 homes, occupying 15 houses and 1 school. The IDF also send tanks into areas A outside Netzarim to demolish 2 Palestinian homes; occupies 2 Palestinian houses in Kafr Dik, al-Khadir as military posts; bulldozes a PSF post nr. al-Sudaniyya; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Hanun (destroying 8 Palestinian homes), Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Azun, Dayr al-Ghasun, Kafr Dik; bar farmers nr. Bethlehem fr. harvesting their lands. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians harvesting olives outside Nablus, vandalize nearby Palestinian homes. A Palestinian sniper fatally shoots a Jewish settler nr. the Green Line nr. Tulkarm. The PC calls an emergency mtg., reiterates the call on Palestinians to adhere to the cease-fire. (AFP, AP, HP, LAW, MM 10/5; AFP 10/5 in WNC 10/9; HP, NYT, WP, WT 10/6; al-Quds 10/6 in WNC 10/9; MEI 10/12; LAW 10/13)

The White House rebukes Sharon for his harsh statements of 10/4 saying they are "unacceptable"; urges Israel to resume peace talks and to refrain fr. invading PA-controlled areas, demolishing houses, conducting assassinations. (AP, MM 10/5; NYT, WP, WT 10/6; MM 10/8)

A Palestinian gunman dressed in an IDF paratrooper uniform opens fire at the Afula bus station inside Israel, killing 3 Israelis, wounding 7 before being fatally shot by police. In Hebron, the IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian, wounds 3 others; shells residential areas of the PA-controlled section of the city. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, al-Qarara (where soldiers occupy a residential building as an outpost). In Bethlehem, a mysterious explosion seriously injuries senior Fatah mbr. Rami Kamel. (HA, IGPO 10/4; HP, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MEI 10/12; LAW 10/13)

Angered by continued U.S. pressure on Israel to exercise restraint toward the Palestinians while Washington builds its coalition against Bin Laden, Sharon accuses the U.S. of sacrificing Israel to "appease the Arabs" the way Britain sacrificed Czechoslovakia to Hitler in 1938. The Israeli cabinet authorizes the IDF to "take all necessary measures" to defend Israeli citizens. (BBC 10/4; AFP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MA, NYT 10/6; JT, al-Quds 10/7, AKH 10/8 in WNC 10/9; MM 10/8; AN 10/10 in WNC 10/11; MM 10/11; MA 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/12; MM 10/25; ITAR-TASS 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

The IDF kills a total of 6 Palestinians, wounds more than 100 (at least 50% with live ammunition) in confronting demonstrations across the West Bank, Gaza marking the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. (In Nablus alone, 10,000 Palestinians rally.) A 7th Palestinian dies in a mysterious explosion. The worst fighting is in Hebron (where the IDF shells residential areas, killing 2; and Palestinians fire on 2 vehicles, lightly injuring 2 Jewish settlers), Qarni crossing, Rafah (where an IDF tank reportedly fires into a crowd, killing 3 Palestinians). In Rafah, some 150 Palestinians clash with PSF officers attempting to disperse demonstrators, vandalize 3 empty PSF offices. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Salfit. Jewish settlers destroy 100 dunams of Palestinian crop land, several greenhouses nr. Mihula. (HP, MM 9/28; HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; Le Monde 9/29 in WNC 10/2; HP, WP, WT 9/30; al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM 10/1; IRNA 10/3 in WNC 10/4; HA 10/21)

Despite increasing violence, Israel, the PA reconvene the trilateral security comm. for the 1st time since 7/25. Arafat issues another statement calling on Palestinian to adhere to the cease-fire. (AFP, MM 9/28; HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; MM 10/1)

In response to Islamic Jihad gunfire in the Jordan Valley that leaves a Jewish settler dead, Peres sides with Sharon against holding a mtg. with Arafat. Fatah tanzim leaders, a senior mbr. of the Fatah-linked AMB state that, despite Arafat's recent calls, they will continue to view the IDF and settlers in the West Bank and Gaza as legitimate targets. Palestinians fire 1 mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. Israel's new 18 mi. buffer zone along the Green Line n. of Jerusalem goes into effect. The IDF bulldozes 20 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Oranit settlement; declares the Hebron market a closed military zone; begins work on a new settlement bypass road to Kefar Darom, damaging agricultural land, water networks belonging to Dayr al-Balah residents; conduct arrest raids in villages around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Salfit; confiscates 1 Palestinian home in Harmala for use as an IDF outpost; reinforces the closure on Jinin. (HP, Los Angeles Times [Internet], MM 9/24; CNN, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; al-Quds 9/25 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)

The U.S. freezing assets of 27 individuals, organizations with reported links to Bin Laden; threatening to freeze U.S. assets of foreign financial institutions that do not follow suit. Affiliates of Hizballah, Palestinian opposition groups are not included. (NYT, WP, WT 9/25)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 4 Palestinians dead. The IDF declare a curfew, reinforces its positions in Bayt Jala, saying forces will remain in the town indefinitely--marking Israel's 1st reoccupation of West Bank area A. State Dept. spokesman Richard Boucher warns Israel that it is inflaming the conflict, urges Syria to keep a rein on Hizballah. Among the buildings taken over by the IDF are 5 Palestinian homes and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America's orphanage, where troops turn the upper floors into a firing base for heavy machine guns. Residents of the occupied homes, orphanage are confined to a single room of their homes; the Lutheran bishop accuses the IDF of using the 45 children in the home as human shields. Troops also level a number of Palestinian houses; skirmish with Palestinians at Aida refugee camp, nr. Bayt Jala. Fighting around Bayt Jala and Gilo intensifies throughout the day, leaving 1 Palestinian dead, at least 6 injured. Palestinians fire 6 mortars at Gilo, causing damage but no injuries, marking the 1st sustained mortar attack in the West Bank. The IDF also sends undercover units into Hebron to capture PSF Hebron cmdr. Abdallah Salim; sends forces into Rafah refugee camp to demolish another 14 homes, wounding 12 Palestinians; sends troops into Dayr al-Balah camp, touching off gun battles; bulldozes part of a school, 50 olive trees in Abu Najim; shells residential areas of Dayr Samit, Dura, Kharsa; conducts arrests raids in Jalbun; seals a main north+nsouth Gaza road. (AP, BDL, HA, LAW, MM, REU 8/28; XIN 8/28 in WNC 8/29; BDL, NYT, WP, WT 8/29; PMC, WJW 8/30; MEI, WT 8/31; JP 9/7)

In Ramallah, 10,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of PFLP leader Mustafa. In refugee camps in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, 1,000s of Palestinian refugees protest Mustafa's assassination. In Amman, 100s of demonstrators call for the Israeli amb. to be expelled. Outside the Israeli DMin. in Tel Aviv, 100s of Israelis demonstrate against the IDF incursion into Bayt Jala, Bethlehem. (AP, GS, JP 8/28)

The IDF assassinates Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader Abu Ali Mustafa (Mustafa Zibri), the most prominent Palestinian leader targeted to date, firing missiles at his office in al-Bireh. (22 U.S. citizens also live in the building where Mustafa worked; 3 are lightly injured in the attack.) In response, 1,000s of Palestinians take to the streets in Bethlehem, Gaza City, Jinin, Nablus, Tulkarm to protest. The U.S. criticizes Israel for "inflaming an already volatile situation and making it much harder to restore calm"; says Israel must also take economic, security steps to alleviate pressure on the Palestinians. Also in response to the Mustafa killing, Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo settlement; the IDF then sends tanks into neighboring Bayt Jala (area A). The IDF also sends tanks, bulldozers into Rafah in response to Palestinian gunfire; destroys 3 Palestinian houses, sparking a fierce gun battle. Palestinians ambush a settler vehicle nr. Nablus, kill 1 Jewish settler. (AP, CNN 8/27; AFP, Interfax, MENA 8/27 in WNC 8/28; BDL, LAW, MM, NYT, REU, WT 8/28; MA, XIN 8/28 in WNC 8/29; MM 8/29; AYM 8/28, ATL, IRNA, JT 8/29 in WNC 8/30; al-Ra'i 8/29, MENA, al-Quds, SA 8/30 in WNC 8/31; PMC 8/30; MEI, MM 8/31; AYM 8/31 in WNC 9/10; HA 9/1; JP 9/7; MEI 9/14)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian apartment building under construction in Bayt Hanina, East Jerusalem, destroying 8 empty apartments, a kindergarten, and 6 stores; shells residential areas of Beitunia, Bethlehem, Rafah; bulldozes land along the Egyptian border nr. Rafah, in al-Arub; places a closure on al-Jalma village on the Green Line nr. Jenin; reinforces the closures on Jenin, Qalqilya; flies low-level F-16 sorties over Gaza. The Temporary International Presence in Hebron withdraws its forces fr. the Jewish enclave of the city because of ongoing attacks on their vehicles by Jewish settlers. Jewish settlers also place new caravans on Palestinian property in nr. Yatta in the Hebron district. IDF soldiers occupy 2 Palestinian houses in the Hebron area, 3 nr. Netzarim Junction as observation points; bulldoze Palestinian land in al-Dura, west of Hebron. (HP 8/20; WT 8/21; LAW 8/22; HA 8/26)

German FM Joschka Fischer, in the region on a 3-day visit aimed at securing a cease-fire, discusses with Israeli FM Peres the idea of a phased truce, which would "eventually" be followed by implementation of the Mitchell Comm. recommendations. The U.S. welcomes Germany's involvement. (HP 8/20; MENA 8/20 in WNC 8/21; NYT, WT 8/21; NYT, WT 8/22; AYM 8/22 in WNC 8/24)

The IDF says it averted a major bombing in Haifa, arresting 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. The IDF also enters Brazil camp to demolish at least 1 house and fires on residents with live ammunition, injuring 10; shells, briefly enters Khan Yunis, exchange gunfire with Palestinians, leaving 1 Palestinian dead; tightens the closures on Bethlehem, Qalqilya (cutting phone lines to the town), Ramallah. Palestinians throw 2 hand grenades at an IDF post nr. Jinin, causing no damage. (HP 8/17; NYT, WT 8/18; AP, HP, WT 8/19; LAW 8/22)

An Egyptian delegation led by Osama Baz, senior adviser to Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak, holds its 4th and last day of mtgs. with U.S. officials, including Secy. of State Colin Powell, National Security Adviser (NSA) Condoleeza Rice. Baz says the sides exchanged ideas on "certain arrangements" for enabling implementation of the Mitchell Comm. recommendations but would not discuss details until they had studied each other's proposals. (United Press International 8/17; MENA 8/27, MENA, al-Quds 8/18, MENA 8/19 in WNC 8/20; NYT, WP 8/18; WP 8/19; al-Quds 8/19, MENA 8/20 in WNC 8/21; HA 8/21; MM 8/22; al-Musawwar 8/24 in WNC 8/27)

Several hrs. after entering Jinin on 8/13, the IDF withdraws. Significant exchanges of gunfire btwn. Bayt Jala and neighboring Gilo settlement prompt the IDF to reinforce positions around Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, Bethlehem during the day, raising speculation that a 2d Jinin-style operation is planned. The IDF does not move into these towns but does direct heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Jala; occupy 3 buildings outside Bayt Jala; enter, impose curfews on 3 nearby villages in area C. Israeli DM Ben-Eliezer says he suspended an incursion after the PA began to restrain gunmen in Bayt Jala. Israel announces it will allow 459 trucks carrying food and fuel to enter Gaza. Overnight, the IDF shells residential areas of Hebron. (CNN, NYT, REU, WT 8/14; AP, HA, IGPO, HP, MEZ, NYT, REU 8/15; NYT, WT 8/16; al-Quds 8/16)