The Palestine Chronology

Retaliating for the assassination of Islamic Jihad’s Abu Rub on 12/26, 2 Islamic Jihad gunmen infiltrate Otniel settlement nr. Hebron, fatally shooting 2 Jewish settlers, 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 9 (mostly soldiers), before being shot dead by the IDF; the IDF imposes a curfew on Hebron, surrounding area; angry Jewish settlers rampage through Palestinian areas of Hebron, attacking cars, houses. The IDF arrests an Israeli Jewish truck driver at Qarni checkpoint, attempting to smuggle weapons, ammunition into Gaza; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, setting fire to a farm, killing several sheep, chickens; conducts arrest raids in Askar r.c., Tubas. An IDF gunboat opens fire on Palestinian fishing vessels off the Gaza coast, severely damaging 3 boats. Up to 40,000 Hamas supporters attend a Hamas rally in Gaza City, marking the 15^th anniversary of the movement. (HA 12/27; HA, NYT, WP, WT 12/28; HA 12/30; LAW, PCHR 1/1)

The IDF reoccupies Bethlehem following Christmas celebrations, reimposes a 24-hr. curfew on residents; assassinates local AMB head Jamal Yahya in Tulkarm; assassinates Hamas mbr. Bassam Ashqar, ambushing his car in Ramallah, also killing a Palestinian bystander; raids Qabatiyya, assassinating local Islamic Jihad leader Yusif Abu Rub, demolishing his family house, arresting local Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades head Natzir Nazal, senior Hamas mbr. Talal al-Baz; sends undercover units into a hospital in Ramallah, fatally shooting wanted Palestinian Samir al-Shamali, who was working there as a guard, in what may be an assassination, sparking demonstrations, clashes with local residents that leave 1 Palestinian stone thrower dead; fatally shoots 2 Palestinians “approaching” Netzarim settlement; fires on demonstrators protesting the curfew in Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 20; raids a village n. of Ramallah, firing stun grenades, causing an elderly Palestinian to suffer a fatal heart attack; imposes a curfew on Beitunia, sends 30 tanks into the town; conducts house-to-house searches, arrest raids in Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. The PA accuses Israel of stepping up attacks on Palestinians in an effort to scuttle Fatah-Hamas talks in Cairo. The IDF also announces that it has begun building 300-yd.-wide buffer zones around several Jewish settlements in the West Bank (see Quarterly Update in JPS 126). Palestinians fire 2 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. This evening, Israeli DM Shaul Mofaz orders the IDF to step up pressure on militant groups in the territories. (HP, LAW, PCHR, PM 12/26; HA, NYT, WP, WT 12/27; AYM, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds 12/27, De Standaard 12/28 in WNC 12/31; NYT, WT 12/28; LAW, PCHR 1/1)

An 12-yr.-old Palestinian girl is killed by stray IDF gunfire on the way home fr. school in Rafah. A Palestinian attempts to infiltrate Morag settlement in Gaza, throws grenades at a IDF troops, injuring 1, before being shot dead. The IDF shoots, wounds a 3d Palestinian who ventures too close to Kefar Darom settlement; fires on a Palestinian vehicle driving nr. Dayr al-Balah, injuring the driver. A PSF officer is shot, wounded by an Islamic Jihad mbr. when he stops the Jihad mbrs. car nr. Bayt Hanun, suspecting it was heading to the border to shoot a mortar into Israel. (NYT, WT 12/22; LAW, PCHR 12/25)

Islamic Jihad gunmen fatally shoot a Jewish settler rabbi driving in Gaza. The IDF sends tanks into Dayr al-Balah in search of a wanted AMB mbr., fatally shoots 1 Palestinian during the raid; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah, 8 in nearby Wadi al-Silqa; blows up 1 Palestinian building in Nablus that the IDF claims was used as a bomb-making lab; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Jalbun, Tulkarm, al-Yamun. Israeli police find a package bomb in a mall in Netanya, in n. Israel. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 7/12/02. (AP 12/20; NYT, WP 12/21; WT 12/22; LAW, PCHR 12/25)

U.S. Pres. George W. Bush meets with Quartet reps. (EU, Russia, UN, U.S.) at the White House. The Quartet reaffirms its call for creation of a Palestinian state by 2005, completes “99.5%” of the revisions to the draft road map but the U.S. overrules calls by other mbrs. to finalize and endorse the road map. (CNN, MM 12/20; NYT, WP 12/21; AYM 12/22, 12/24 in WNC 12/31; MM 12/23; JP 12/29)

The IDF assassinates senior Palestinian Resistance Comm. (PRC) mbr. Mustafa Sabah, firing 5 missiles at his building in Gaza City; the IDF says Sabah is the inventor of the large roadside bombs used on 3 occasions to disable Merkava tanks. The IDF also fatally shoots Islamic Jihad mbrs. Sami Shawer, Ahmad Srour in an exchange of gunfire nr. Hebron; demolishes a Palestinian home in Dura; bulldozes 3 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis; shells residential areas of Tulkarm; fires on a PSF outpost in Khan Yunis, causing no injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya, Tulkarm. (NYT, WP, WT 12/5; LAW, PCHR 12/11)

The IDF opens fire on a Jenin market full of children on their way to school, fatally shooting an 18-yr.-old Palestinian, wounding 23; fires on a group of Palestinians throwing stones, Molotov cocktails at APCs patrolling central Tulkarm in search of wanted AMB mbrs., killing 1 Palestinian bystander, wounding 18; fires on Palestinians firing a mortar at Nisanit settlement (no damage), killing 1 Palestinian bystander, wounding 9; fatally shoots an armed Islamic Jihad mbr., dressed in an IDF uniform, attempting to infiltrate Netzarim settlement; searches, blows up a clearly marked UN World Food Program (WFP) warehouse in Gaza, containing 500 metric tons of food to feed 38,000 needy Palestinians for 1 mo.; bars a Palestinian heart-attack victim fr. fr. reaching a hospital in Azariyya, allowing him to die. In Hebron, the IDF announces that it plans to demolish 15 Palestinian homes to create a bypass road, protective wall linking Kiryat Arba settlement to the Cave of the Patriarchs/al-Ibrahimi Mosque (see 11/17); soldiers search several homes in the area to see if they are inhabited. (LAW, WFP press release 12/2; LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/3; al-Quds 12/3 in WNC 12/4; PR, USIS Washington File 12/4; MEI 12/6; AP 12/10; MEI 12/20)

YESHA settlers council chmn. Bentzi Liberman says that settlers are planning to set up new neighborhoods (15+n50 units each) in 14 settlements, expand construction in 10s of settlements in the run-up to 1/28/03 elections. The expansions will be funded by the Housing Min., a private developer. (MA 12/3 in WNC 12/4)

The IDF retakes Bethlehem, which had had only a small troop presence since the IDF turned the security of city over to the PSF on 8/19/02; imposes a curfew; surrounds the Church of the Nativity to prevent armed Palestinians fr. seeking refuge there; conducts arrest raids, detaining 20 Palestinians; blows up the house rented by the family of the 11/21 bomber; encircles nearby Dahaysha r.c.; occupies 15 buildings, including a hospital, orphanage, 2 houses, 6 police stations, the local PSF headquarters; occupies as many as 30 Palestinian homes in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, expelling the families; raids the home of Israeli UNRWA worker Allegra Pacheco, holding her at gunpoint for 2 hrs., arresting her husband. Senior Irish UNRWA official Iain Hook is fatally shot inside the UNRWA’s Jenin r.c. compound by an IDF soldier who mistook his cell phone for a grenade as an IDF operation unfolded nearby to capture wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Abdallah Wahash, who is arrested; an 11-yr.-old Palestinian throwing stones at the troops is also shot dead. The IDF also raids, shells residential areas of, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Qarara; bulldozes 8 dunams of land in al-Qarara, 28 dunams s. of Dayr al-Balah; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Satar al-Sharqiyya (targeting Hamas mbrs.), Tulkarm. A Hamas sniper fatally shoots an IDF soldier on patrol nr. Gush Katif settlement. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. the Rafah-Egypt border, injuring 2 IDF soldiers. Late this evening, 2 Islamic Jihad suicide bombers detonate their explosives-packed boat next to an Israeli naval patrol boat off the coast of Gaza, injuring 4 IDF soldiers. (HA, MM, NYT, PM, WP, WT 11/22; AFP 11/22 in WNC 11/25; AP, HA, NYT, WP, WT 11/23; NYT, WP 11/24; HA 11/25; NYT, WT 11/26; HA, LAW, PCHR 11/27; CSM, JP, WJW 11/28; HA 12/2; NYT 1/4)

Christian Coalition leaders end a wk. long solidarity visit to Israel, saying they will use their “fact-finding mission” to help galvanize support for Israel in the U.S. (WT 11/27)

A Palestinian suicide bomber fr. Bethlehem detonates a device on a bus in Jerusa-lem, killing 11 Israelis, wounding 48 (8 of them seriously). Hamas, Islamic Jihad both take responsibility, but family, friends of the bomber say he supported Islamic Jihad. Sharon convenes his security cabinet; does not invite fmr. PM and current FM Benjamin Netanyahu, who is challenging him for the PM candidacy in the upcoming Likud primaries on 11/28. Fearing that Sharon will stage a major retaliatory attack, the PSF evacuates its offices in Bethlehem. After the mtg., Sharon spokesman Raanan Gissin states that in light of U.S. military intentions against Iraq, “We are not going to allow any kind of escalation.” The IDF shells a PA military intelligence post nr. Netzarim settlement, killing 1 PA intelligence officer; makes a predawn raid on 3 villages nr. Khan Yunis in s. Gaza, demolishing the home of a senior DFLP mbr., firing on residential areas, wounding 4 Palestinians; bulldozes 39 dunams of Palestinian land e. of Dayr al-Balah, 11.5 dunams and several structures nr. Bayt Lahia. (HA, MM, NYT, WP 11/21; ATL, Interfax 11/21 in WNC 11/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/22; QA 11/22, MA 11/24 in WNC 11/25; LAW, PCHR 11/27)

In retlatiation for the IDF assasination of its military head Sawalha on 11/9, Islamic Jihad gunmen ambush a detail of IDF soldiers, border police, Jewish settler security officials nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, killing 4 IDF soldiers, 5 border police, 3 settler guards, injuring 15 soldiers, police, guards in what the IDF terms a “well planned ambush” that included positioning snipers on nearby hilltops; during the 3 hr. exchange of gunfire at least 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. are also killed. The IDF, Israeli government initially claim that all of those killed and injured were civilian worshipers en route fr. Sabbath prayers at the holy site; later admit that the group targetted was all military or paramilitary, that Islamic Jihad mbrs. allowed the group of Jewish worshipers to pass without incident mins. before the ambush. The attack comes barely 5 wks. after the Shin Bet warned (10/7) that tensions were high around the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, that a cell of 15+n20 Jewish settlers might be preparing an attack on Palestinians similar to the 1994 Baruch Goldstein shooting at the site; among those warning of a new Goldstein was IDF Hebron cmdr. Col. Dror Weinberg, killed in today’s attack. IDF undercover units assassinate senior Hamas mbr. Mahmud Obeid, arrest a 2d Hamas mbr. in Tulkarm; fire rockets at a workshop in Gaza City, destroying it; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Lahia; conduct arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah. During the 3d day of sweeps in Nablus, the IDF arrests another 14 suspected Hamas mbrs., fires on a group of stone-throwing youths, killing 1 Palestinian. (HA 11/15; HA, NYT, WP, WT 11/16; JP, NYT, WP 11/17; HA, PCHR 11/20; MEI 11/22; see also HA 10/7)

The IDF assasinates Islamic Jihad military leader Iyad Sawalha in a predawn raid of his home in Jenin. In retaliation, Islamic Jihad detonates a roadside bomb nr. an IDF convoy in Gaza, killing 1 IDF soldier (a bedouin tracker), wounding a 2d. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Dura, Nablus, al-Qarara; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus; bulldozes 19 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis. (JPI, LAW 11/9; GS, NYT, WP, WT 11/10; LAW, PCHR 11/13; B’Tselem press release 11/14)

The IDF clashes with Islamic Jihad gunmen in, shells residential areas of Nablus and Balata r.c., leaving 1 IDF soldier dead, 3 buildings afire; fires on stone-throwing youths, killing 2 Palestinian boys ages 10 and 12, injuring 25; confiscates video footage of clashes fr. a Reuters cameraman. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Hebron, Gaza City (killing 1 Palestinian); conducts arrest raids in of Beitunia, Burkin, Hebron (reportedly detaining 5 mbrs. of a cell that has staged roadside bombings in the area), Qabatya, Tulkarm, al-Yamun; fires tank shells at residential areas of Gaza, leaving 1 Palestinian woman clinically dead (the IDF claims it was responding to mortar fire). In Ramallah, the IDF surrounds, fires shells a building where it claims some of the wanted Palestinians who hid in Arafat's offices during the siege are located; demands their surrender. (HA 9/30; HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/1; LAW, MM, PCHR 10/2; PCHR 10/3; MEI 10/11)

Bush signs the FY 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which requires the admin. to identify Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Bush says that he interprets the wording on Jerusalem as a "sense of Congress," not as binding on U.S. policy. The bill also urges the pres. to impose sanctions on the Palestinians if they do not comply with signed agmts.; withholds $10 m. of $35 m. in economic aid to Lebanon for failing to assert its authority over Hizballah; provides an additional $300 m. in aid to Israel, including $100 m. for munitions; rejects equivalent aid for Egypt. (Israel says the other $200 m. is going to be used to cover shortfalls in the defense budget.) (HA, JP, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/1; MM, NYT, PR, WT 10/2; Gulf Times [Doha], MENA, al-Quds 10/2 in WNC 10/3; MM 10/3; al-Quds 10/3 in WNC 10/4; AYM, MENA 10/4 in WNC 10/7; PR 10/9; MEI 10/11)

Israeli border police manning a West Bank crossing intercept a car carrying a 1,300 lbs. fertilizer-gasoline bomb, with a cell phone rigged as a detonator; 2 Palestinians escape. No group claims responsibility, but the IDF suspects Islamic Jihad. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Nablus, Surif; raids a clinic in Bayt Lahia, halts an ambulance, detains and beats 1 paramedic; fires on residential areas of Rafah, on Palestinians waiting to cross a Dayr al-Balah + n. Khan Yunis checkpoint. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket in Gaza, luring a Merkava tank to the scene, then detonating a large roadside bomb under the tank, killing 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 2 (marking the 2d fatal roadside bombing of a tank; see 3/14/02); the popular resistance comms. (PRCs) take responsibility. Nr. Bayt Lahia, a Palestinian gunman ambushes an IDF patrol, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 1 before being shot dead. The IDF issues evacuation orders to 4 Palestinian families in Ras al-Amud, Silwan. (AP, MM 9/5; NYT, WP, WT 9/6; NYT 9/7; LAW, PCHR 9/11)

In response to the 2 Gaza attacks, Ben-Eliezer formally calls off implementation of Gaza First agmt. (WP 9/6)

The IDF exchanges gunfire with 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. nr. Gush Katif settlement, leaving the 2 Palestinians dead, 2 soldiers wounded; fires on residential areas of, conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm; reopens PLO Jerusalem affairs rep. Nusseibeh's offices at al-Quds University. Late in the evening, the IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades founder and head Shaykh Salah Shihada, no. 1 on Israel's most wanted list, sending an F-16 to fire a 1-ton guided missile at a building where he is staying in Gaza City, collapsing 3 buildings, heavily damaging 20 others, killing 14 Palestinian bystanders (including 9 children, 4 women), injuring 140. Palestinians across Gaza take to the streets to demonstrate against the assassination, which comes hrs. after the AMB, tanzim, Hamas, Islamic Jihad agreed to declare a unilateral cease-fire after wks. of intra-Palestinian talks. (HA, JP, MM, REU 7/22; AFP 7/22 in WNC 7/23; AP, B'Tselem press release, HA, MEZ, MM, NYT, PCHR, UN press release, WP, WT 7/23; ATL 7/23 in WNC 7/24; HA, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT, YA 7/24; ITAR-TASS, MENA al-Quds 7/24 in WNC 7/25; Gulf Times 7/24, AFP, JT, MA, al-Quds, SA, XIN 7/25 in WNC 7/26; HA, MM NYT, WJW, WP, WT 7/25; MEI 7/26; JT, al-Nahar 7/26 in WNC 7/29; MM 7/29, 7/30; JPI, MM 8/2; MA, SA 8/2 in WNC 8/5; MEI 8/16) (see 5/14/00)

2 Islamic Jihad suicide bombers stage a double bombing outside a cafe in Tel Aviv, killing 1 Israeli, 2 foreign workers, injuring 3. An 8th victim of the Emmanuel bus ambush on 7/16, a baby born prematurely to a Jewish settler injured in the attack, dies. The IDF tracks, engages in a 3 hr. gun battle with the 3 Palestinian gunmen involved in the ambush, leaving 2 Palestinians and 1 IDF officer dead, 3 IDF officers injured; 1 of the Palestinians escape again. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Silat al-Dahir, leaving 2 suspected AMB mbrs. dead; fatally shoots a Palestinian allegedly attempting to sneak into Israel nr. Qalqilya; arrests senior Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Muhammad Nashteh in Ramallah. In Amari r.c., 2 Palestinian children are killed, 11 are wounded when they trigger an unexploded IDF shell. In Ramallah, a mysterious explosion kills 2 Palestinians. The IDF F-16s bomb, destroy a foundry in Gaza that the IDF claims was a Hamas bomb-making facility. In Ramallah, PalNet Internet service, raided on 7/15, is restored. The IDF orders the confiscation of 60 dunams of Palestinian land btwn. Gaza City and Netzarim settlement for construction of a settlement bypass road. (LAW, PCHR 7/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/18; WP 7/19; PCHR 7/21; MEI 7/26; XIN 7/28 in WNC 7/29)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus in Jerusalem during morning rush hr., killing 18 Israeli Jews, 1 Israeli Arab, injuring 50. Late in the evening, as the IDF sends tanks troops into Jenin town and r.c. in response, imposing a curfew and firing on Palestinians who resist, the Israel cabinet convenes to discuss what further action to take. Afterward, Israel announces the launching of Operation Determined Path, under which "Israel will respond to acts of terror by capturing PA territory. . . . Additional acts of terror will lead to the taking of additional areas," which would be held indefinitely. During the day, the IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad student leader Yusif Bisharat in Hebron; raids the Nablus home of PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. and DFLP mbr. Taysir Khalid; shells residential areas of Gaza City, injuring 8; conducts arrest raids in villages around Jenin; bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom settlement. An elderly Palestinian dies of a heart attack when troops enter her Jenin home. An ailing Palestinian dies when the IDF bars his ambulance fr. crossing a checkpoint. Jewish settlers under the protection of IDF troops take over a building nr. the old city of Jerusalem. (AP, JP, LAW, MM 6/18; AFP, ATL, Interfax 6/18 in WNC 6/19; ATL 6/18, JT, al-Quds 6/19 in WNC 6/20; HP, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/19; WP 6/20; NYT 6/21; AYM 6/23 in WNC 6/26; MM 6/24, MEI 6/28; New Haven Register 7/3)

In light of the Jerusalem bombing, Bush postpones a speech outlining U.S. policy on the peace process, which he had planned to give today. (WP 6/19; NYT 6/20; AYM 6/20 in WNC 6/24)

Late in the evening, the IDF sends 10s of tanks, troops back into Amari r.c., Ramallah in a massive incursion to bulldoze buildings damaged in early attacks and conduct arrest raids, surround Arafat's headquarters, impose curfews, conduct house-to-house searches; 1 Palestinian is killed. The IDF also makes late-night arrest raids in Hebron, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. In Gaza City, the PSF arrests Islamic Jihad leader Shaykh Abdallah Shami for plotting the 6/5 bombing. (LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/10; MEI 6/14)

Arafat appoints a new "transitional" EA. Among the new mbrs. are Maj. Gen. `Abd al-Razzaq Yahya, named interior M to oversee security reforms, and respected IMF economist Salam Fayyad, named finance M to oversee economic reforms. (BBC 6/9; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/10; AFP, MENA, QA 6/10 in WNC 6/11; HA, JP, WP 6/11; MENA, SA 6/11 in WNC 6/12; PR 6/12; SA 6/13 in WNC 6/14; MEI 6/14; al-Nahar 6/16 in WNC 6/17; QA 6/18 in WNC 6/19)

Sharon arrives in Washington; meets with Pentagon, National Security Council officials. (WP 6/10)

The IDF sends troops, APCs into Bethlehem, reoccupying most of the city, directing shells and heavy machine gun fire at residential areas, demolishing the home of senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Shihada; troops still hold most of Bethlehem at nightfall. The IDF also fires tank shells, machine guns a Palestinian mother, daughter working their farm nr. the Gaza border with Israel, killing them; the IDF says they were in a prohibited area. Denied passage by the IDF, a Palestinian woman gives birth at a checkpoint; the baby dies. The IDF withdraws to the outskirts of Tulkarm r.c.; at least 9 more IDF soldiers have been injured in the operation since the fatal ambush on 5/24. The IDF imposes curfews on Palestinian villages along the Green Line nr. Qalqilya, Tulkarm. (AFP, NYT, WP, WT 5/26; WP 5/27; LAW 5/29; PCHR 5/30; MEI 5/31)

An "intense debate" is reportedly underway among U.S. Pres. George W. Bush and his senior advisers over whether to press for Arafat's removal. Arafat adviser Muhammad Rashid, in Washington for several days for a low-key meetings with U.S. officials at the CIA, Pentagon, State Dept. and with Jewish leaders, argues that Arafat is central to the peace process. (NYT 5/26)

The IDF openly assassinates wanted AMB Nablus cmdr. Mahmud Titi, firing rockets at him in Balata r.c., also killing 2 AMB mbrs, 1 Palestinian bystander, seriously damaging a nearby home. Hrs. later an AMB suicide bomber detonates a device in Rishon Letzion, killing 2 Israelis, injuring 25. Nr. Bethlehem, the IDF fires on a group of 20 Palestinian laborers attempting to circumvent a checkpoint, killing 1 Palestinian. In Jenin, Islamic Jihad mbr. Khalid Zakarni dies in a mysterious explosion; the IDF claims explosives he was carrying detonated prematurely, Palestinian sources say he was hit by an IDF tank shell. The IDF also bars a Palestinian woman needing kidney dialysis, a Palestinian man suffering a heart attack fr. crossing checkpoints to reach hospitals, allowing them to die; conducts house-to-house searches, directs heavy gunfire at residential areas in Salfit, detaining 100s of Palestinian men aged 15 to 50, arresting 13 PSF mbrs.; conducts arrest raids in Burkin (firing several shells at the home of a Hamas mbr.), Hebron, Husan, Nahalin, Tulkarm. In Gaza, the IDF shuts the main north and south road, claiming the action is in response to Palestinian mortar fire at Gaza settlements. The IDF also begins issuing magnetic cards to al-Mawasi residents; only residents with cards will be allow to cross through the al-Mawasi checkpoint. (MM 5/23; Interfax 5/23 in WNC 24; AP, JP, LAW 5/22; LAW, NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 5/23; PCHR 5/30)

Under an agmt. reached on 5/21, 12 of the 13 Palestinians deported to Cyprus are sent on to 3d countries (3 each to Italy, Spain; 2 each to Greece, Ireland; 1 each to Belgium, Portugal). They will be treated as refugees, given 1-yr. residency permits; if they leave their host country, they will not be allowed to return. The 13th, PA Bethlehem intelligence chief Abdallah Daoud, considered by Israel the "most dangerous" of the 13 men, will remain in Cyprus until a country can be found that will take him. (NYT, WP 5/22; CNA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; NYT, WP 5/23; MEI 5/31; CNA 8/6 in WNC 8/8)

The IDF completes pullout fr. Jenin r.c. and town, begins pullout fr. Nablus. A Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device at an IDF checkpoint in Gaza, lightly injuring 2 soldiers. The IDF fatally shoots a total of 7 Palestinians, including 2 reportedly attempting to infiltrate Netzarim settlement, 2 Palestinian children in Ramallah. In Bethlehem, the IDF arrests wanted Hamas mbr. Khalid Tafish. (AP, NYT, REU 4/19; NYT, WP, WT 4/20; WT 4/21)

Israel escalates its offensive against the Palestinians, conducting major attacks on Balata, Jenin r.c., Nablus, Ramallah; entering the villages of Qabatiyya, al-Til. At least 50 Palestinians, 5 IDF soldiers are reported killed during the day. In Gaza, 1 IDF soldier is killed, 4 are wounded in an exchange with Islamic Jihad gunmen reportedly attempting to infiltrate a Jewish settlement; 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. are also killed. In Bethlehem, the IDF blows up 9 cars in the farmers' market, collapsing the market's roof, causing a fire damaging several nearby shops. The IDF admits it has bulldozed houses in Jenin r.c. to find wanted Palestinians. In Ramallah, the IDF allows the PRCS to deliver food, water, medicine to Arafat and his men still under siege in the compound, which the IDF shells today, injuring 4. The IDF allows the PRCS to remove 1 injured Palestinian fr. the compound, but after IDF TV films the evacuation, soldiers seize the man fr. the ambulance, arrest him. (GS, PMC, PRCS press release, UPMRC 4/6; NYT, WP, WT 4/7; NYT 4/8)

Bush phones Sharon to say that Israel must begin its withdraw fr. Palestinian cities "without delay"; reiterates that Arafat has not earned his trust. Sharon says he will "expedite" his operation but does not guarantee it will be completed by the time Powell arrives. (NYT, WP, WT 4/7)

The IDF sends reinforcements into Tubas, where troops bombard a home, killing wanted Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades regional cmdr. Qays Udwan, 5 other Hamas mbrs. Heavy Israeli attacks are reported in Askar r.c., Jenin r.c., Nablus (where the IDF shells, destroys the eastern market area), Yatta. Around 25+n35 Palestinians (including as many as 8 collaborators) are reported killed today, including the 6 in Tubas, 12 in Nablus; 1 IDF soldier is killed in Jenin r.c. An IDF helicopter fires at the car of wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Ziyad Shuwayki in Hebron, missing him but injuring 11 bystanders. IDF troops search, vandalize the home of Nablus mayor Ghassan Shaka (who is not home), arrest his 2 sons. Troops also raid the Ramallah home of PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh, detain him while they search; fire on an diplomatic convoy evacuating EU nationals fr. Dahaysha, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF lifts the curfew in Ramallah for a few hrs. to allow Palestinians to buy food; Palestinians discover that the Amwaj, al-Nasr, Watan TV stations and the Ajyal, Angham, Love and Peace, Manara, al-Quds radio stations have been ransacked. The IDF says it is still holding around 900 of the 1,200 Palestinians it has detained since 3/29. Late tonight, the IDF releases 340 Palestinian detainees fr. Jenin r.c., Ramallah at the Qalandiyya checkpoint but does not allow them through the crossing to reach their homes; the UNRWA allows them to stay in its nearby school. In Gaza, 10,000 Palestinians attend a Hamas rally against Israel's actions. Israel bars Palestinian men under age 40 fr. attending prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. (BBC, HA 4/5; AFP, MENA 4/5 in WNC 4/8; Adalah press release, MSNBC, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; WP 4/8; PCHR 4/9; MEI 4/19; WP 4/24)

     In a TV interview, Bush says that Arafat "certainly hasn't earned" his trust, that "there are others in the regions who can lead," citing Crown Prince Abdallah, King Abdallah, Mubarak. (NYT 4/6; al-Ra'i 4/6 in WNC 4/8)

Before dawn, IDF tanks, troops take over Bayt Jala, Beitunia (surrounding the offices of PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub). The IDF shells buildings in the PA compound; later, restores electricity to Arafat's offices and allows the PRCS to bring Arafat and around 100 of his men food, bottled water, cell phone batteries. Most other areas of Ramallah remain without water, electricity. In Tel Aviv, an AMB suicide bomber detonates a device in a restaurant, injuring more than 30 Israelis. IDF soldiers fatally shoot 2 AMB mbrs. reportedly armed with explosives, trying to enter Israel. The IDF raids numerous buildings in Ramallah, in 1 instance wounding, then executing 5 PSF officers, raising the confirmed toll in Ramallah for the past 2 days to 12 Palestinians. The IDF detains 10s of Palestinians in Ramallah, including, DFLP dep. secy. gen. Qays Abu Layla, PSF dir. of operations Yunis Alass, Fatah Central Comm. mbr. Sakhir Habash, and around 12 paramedics and nurses, confiscating 3 ambulances; searches a Ramallah hospital for weapons, wounded fighters; orders all Palestinian men in al-Bireh, Ramallah age 15-45 to surrender; takes over al-Watan TV, airs pornographic material (reports confirmed by U.S. Consulate). In Tulkarm, the IDF assassinates senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Ahad Ajaj, his cousin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities search the home of Mufti Ikrima Sabri, detain him for questioning; arrest senior Fatah mbr. Salah Zhikiyya; fire on Palestinians protesting outside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring 5. More than 15,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Gaza City; other protests are held in Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur. (LAW, Mezan, REU 3/30; AFP, ANSA, ATL, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, MENA, XIN 3/30 in WNC 4/1; NYT, Observer, WP, WT 3/31; HA 4/2; MEI 4/5)

The UNSC approves (14-0, with Syria abstaining) Res. 1402, demanding that Israel withdraw fr. Ramallah, but (at U.S. insistence) without giving a deadline. In his 1st statement on Israel's new campaign, Bush says that the U.S. supports Israel's right to "defend itself," that Arafat "can do a lot more" to prevent attacks on Israelis. (MENA, XIN 3/30, JT, MENA 3/31 in WNC 4/1; HA, Independent, NYT, WP, WT 3/31; AN, AFP 3/31 in WNC 4/1; XIN 4/1 in WNC 4/2; AKH 4/1 in WNC 4/3; SA 4/1 in WNC 4/4; MEI 4/5)

A Hamas gunman infiltrates Elon Moreh settlement, kills 4 Jewish settlers. 1 Israeli injured in the 3/27 Netanya attack dies. The IDF closes main roads across Gaza, cutting the Strip into 3 sections. The PSF arrests senior Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. Arafat issues an urgent appeal for an unconditional cease-fire. Sharon convenes his cabinet to discuss the escalating Palestinian attacks. U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell phones Sharon to urge against exiling Arafat. The cabinet agrees to "totally isolate" Arafat, calls up 20,000 IDF reserves in preparation for a major assault. (HA 3/28; XIN 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 3/29; NYT 3/30; WT 4/1; MEI 4/5; WP 5/6)

The Arab summit unanimously adopts the Saudi initiative, pledges $480 m. aid to the Palestinians, urges against a U.S. attack on Iraq. (CNN 3/28; al-Quds, XIN 3/28 in WNC 3/29; HA, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; al-Majallah 3/30 in WNC 4/1; HA 4/4; MEI, MM 4/5)

The IDF sends additional tanks, troops into Bayt Jala and Bethlehem, fatally shooting at least 1 Palestinian. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 Palestinians in Gaza; a 4th Palestinian dies in a mysterious explosion in Anata; a 5th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/15. In Kefar Saba nr. Tel Aviv, an AMB mbr. with a handgun fires on a crowd, killing 1 Israeli, injuring 12 before being shot dead by police, bystanders. In French Hill settlement in East Jerusalem, an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device at a bus stop, lightly injuring 9 Jewish settlers. Jewish settlers ambush, stone a Palestinian car nr. Nablus, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian; attempt to raid Kafr Harith village but are blocked by IDF troops. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Bayt Awwa, Kharras, Shu`fat; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Dayr al-Balah; reopens the Rafah, Allenby Bridge crossings into Gaza, the West Bank; allows some Palestinian exports fr. Gaza through the Qarni checkpoint into Israel. (HP, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/18; LAW 3/20)

Zinni arranges low-level PA-Israeli security mtgs. (JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/18; AYM 3/22 in WNC 3/25)

The IDF sends 20 tanks into Nablus, declares a curfew, and retakes Joseph's Tomb, a Jewish shrine abandoned by Israel during the 1st mo. of the al-Aqsa intifada. At midday, as schools are letting out, the IDF F-16s, helicopters strike a PSF compound in Gaza city, injuring at least 40 Palestinians. After the bombing, 100s of Palestinians race to the jail inside the PSF compound, demanding the release of prisoners, fearing the jail would be hit next. PSF officers fire in the air to disperse the crowd and quickly begin transferring prisoners to detention elsewhere, but several prisoners escape or are freed in the melee. Later, some 300 Palestinians storm the PSF jail in Hebron, freeing 16 Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. Israel says the Gaza strikes are part of a "rolling response" to the "new level of threat" presented by Hamas's use of 1 or 2 Qassam-2 rockets on 2/10. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/3. (MM, WT 2/11; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/12; JT 2/12 in WNC 2/13; QA 2/12 in WNC 2/14; LAW, PCHR 2/13)

During a mtg. with his top aides, Arafat, furious over the storming of the PSF jail in Hebron today, demands to know why PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub's men had permitted the prisoners' release. According to reports confirmed by unnamed PA officials, Arafat then drew a gun on Rajub, accused him of trying to replace him. Aides separated the pair, defusing the situation. (QA, al-Quds 2/13 in WNC 2/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/14; MENA 2/14 in WNC 2/15; MM 2/15)

In Jerusalem, a group of Palestinian teenagers fatally stabs an Israeli woman. Israeli police shoot at, captured 4 of the teenagers, 1 of whom dies at the scene. Police say the 14-yr.-old boy dropped dead of no apparent cause; witnesses say he was beaten, perhaps shot by soldiers. In n. Israel, a car mysteriously explodes killing 2 Palestinians; the IDF claims they were Islamic Jihad mbrs. en route to stage a car bombing. The IDF again fires tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets at demonstrators nr. Arafat's Ramallah headquarters, injuring 6; conducts arrest raids in Birzeit and in Tamun, where troops detain 7, wound 10 with live ammunition, occupy 12 Palestinian homes as IDF outposts, uproot 150 olive trees. The PA again calls for adherence to Arafat's cease-fire. At a pro-Hamas rally in Jabaliya attended more than 10,000 Palestinians, Hamas spokesman Rantisi vows more suicide attacks against Israel, says that anyone who seeks to stop the intifada "wants to tear us apart." The NIHC organizes a separate protest march fr. Shati` to the PC building in Gaza City, denouncing the U.S.'s biased policy, calling on Arab states to take a strong, unified stand on the Palestinian situation. (AYM 2/8 in WNC 2/11; NYT, WP, WT 2/9; LAW, PCHR 2/13; MA 2/15 in WNC 2/19)

An Israeli bus driver coming fr. Ma'ale Adumim stops at an Israeli checkpoint into Jerusalem, warns border police of a suspicious passenger on board. Israeli border police scuffle with and detain a Palestinian passenger wearing an explosive device, which is defused by bomb experts. Later, a Hamas gunman dressed as an IDF soldier infiltrates a home in the West Bank settlement of Hamra, fatally shoots 2 Jewish settlers, 1 IDF soldier, wounds 4 settlers before being shot dead by soldiers. In response, IDF F-16s bomb 2 prisons in Nablus, injuring 11 Palestinians. During the strikes, wardens release 25 Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners (including 2 of Israel's most wanted, Islamic Jihad mbrs. Mahmud Tawalba, Ali Safuri) for their safety but keep 103 suspected collaborators in custody. The IDF also captures a vegetable truck on Jenin-Nablus road loaded with 8 Qassam-2 missiles and a launcher; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian who threw a hand grenade at an IDF post on the Rafah border; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina and Shu`fat; arrests 3 Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast, confiscates their boats. The IDF also raids, confiscates the files of, and closes the East Jerusalem offices of 2 NGOs that represent Palestinian interests: the Arab Studies Society's Land Research Center, the Welfare Association's Multisectoral and Technical Offices. (AP, LAW 2/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/7; NYT, WP, WT 2/8; NYT 2/9; MA 2/10 in WNC 2/11; MA 2/11 in WNC 2/12; PCHR 2/13; HA 2/17)

In a report to Congress, CIA Dir. George Tenet identifies several "terrorist groups"--including Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP--that have no ties to al-Qa`ida but could be future U.S. targets because they have "displayed anti-U.S. sentiments" and have threatened U.S. interests overseas. (WP 2/10)

An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device on a street in Tel Aviv, wounding at least 18 Israelis, 3 of them critically. 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In Gaza, the IDF reports that Hamas fired locally made Qassam-1 rockets at Erez crossing, causing no injuries. In retaliation, the IDF launches F-16 air strikes on PA security targets in Gaza City and Tulkarm, injuring at least 7 Palestinians. The IDF also shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 600 m² of Palestinian land in Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Nablus. In Ramallah, 1,000s of Palestinians rally in support of Arafat. The IDF pulls out of Tira neighborhood in Ramallah, which it reoccupied on 1/17. (AP 1/25; NYT, WP, WT 1/26; JT [Internet] 1/27; PCHR 1/30)

56 officers, soldiers in the IDF combat reserves publish a petition in Ha'Aretz publicly refusing to "fight beyond the Green Line for the purpose of occupying, deporting, destroying, blockading, killing, starving, and humiliating an entire people." (HA 1/25; HA 1/28; WP 1/29; WT 1/30; BBC, MM, WJW 1/31; MA 2/1 in WNC 2/4; NYT 2/2; MM 2/4; MM, NYT 2/5; MEI 2/8)

Senior White House, State Dept., CIA, Pentagon officials meet again to discuss the possibility of severing ties with Arafat, the PA/PLO. Bush, his advisers decide to increase public criticism of Arafat and to "redouble" efforts to get Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia to put pressure on Arafat. (AP, HA, MM, WP 1/25; WP, WT 1/26; al-Quds 1/26, DUS 1/27 in WNC 1/28; MM 1/28; AKH 1/28 in WNC 1/29; HA 1/29; MA, al-Quds 2/1 in WNC 2/4)

The Israeli navy arrests 4 Palestinian fishermen angling in the permitted area off the Gaza coast. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya; confiscates 149 dunams of Bayt Sahur land for a settler bypass road. The PSF continues to arrest Hamas, Islamic Jihad cadres in Gaza, including the owner of a workshop in Shati` that made homemade mortars. (AYM 1/13 in WNC 1/14; LAW, PCHR 1/16)