The Palestine Chronology

The IDF pulls back to the outskirts of Jenin, ending its 2-wk.-old Operation Vanguard (see 10/25); bulldozes 8 Palestinian homes in Rafah; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, al-Rabwat al-Gharbiyya, Rafah, Tal al-Sultan; bulldozes 7 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis. Just inside Israel nr. Hadera, an IDF patrol halts a suspicious Palestinian vehicle; the 2 occupants, apparently en route to stage a suicide bombing, detonate an explosive device in the car, killing themselves. In the same area late in the evening, an AMB gunman sneaks into a kibbutz in n. Israel, fires on residents, killing 5 Israelis before escaping. (GS, MEZ, MM, PM, NYT, WP, WT 11/11; Interfax 11/11 in WNC 11/12; MM, WP 11/12; LAW, PCHR 11/13)

The IDF makes an incursion into Rafah r.c., demolishing 3 Palestinian homes, directing shells and heavy machine gun fire at residential areas, killing 2 Palestinian teenagers, injuring 12 others (ages 14+n72); holds an amublance transporting an ill child at an army checkpoint for 90 mins. (the child eventually reaches the hospital); bulldozes 66 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis. additional land nr. the Egyptian border with Rafah. 4 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem plead guilty to direct involvement in a series of bombings in the city, including the 7/31/02 Hebrew University attack. (LAW, PCHR, PR, WP, WT 11/6; PRCS press release 11/10)

After failing to bring the right-wing National Uniton+nYisrael Beitunia faction into his coalition, Sharon dissolves the Knesset, calls early elections for 2/03. (HA, MM 11/5; al-Quds 11/5 in WNC 11/8; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/6; MEI 11/8; MA 11/8 in WNC 11/12; MM 11/9; JPI 11/15)

IDF commandos ambush, assassinate wanted PA intelligence officer Ayid Mansur outside his home in Nablus. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. the new security wall in Zita; raids a makeshift PSF jail in Tulkarm, arresting 6 PSF officers, 12 prisoners (the PSF officers, 9 prisoners are later released); conducts arrest raids, searches houses, blows up 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanun; fires on residential areas, bulldozes 1 Palestinian home and part of a mosque in Brazil r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house-to-house searches, fires on residential areas in Askar r.c.; raids Qalandia r.c., detaining 50 Palestinians; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia, Gaza City, Rafah; bulldozes 17.5 dunams of Palestinian land s. of Khan Yunis. Some 40 prominent Israelis outraged by recent Jewish settler attacks on Palestinian olive pickers travel to the West Bank to participate in a Palestinian olive harvest. (GS, LAW, PCHR 10/30; PCHR, PR 11/6; MEI 11/8)

DM and Labor party head Ben-Eliezer resigns fr. the government hrs. before Sharon’s FY 2003 budget passes (67-45) in the Knesset, with all 25 Labor party MKs voting against. Afterward, the 5 other Labor Ms, including FM Shimon Peres, resign. (HA, MM 10/30; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/31; JT 10/31 in WNC 11/1; al-Quds 11/2, MENA 11/3 in WNC 11/5; AYM 11/2 in WNC 11/8; JPI, MEI 11/8)

The IDF continues operations in Jenin, arresting 10s of Palestinians; fires live ammunition at stone-throwing Palestinians in Brazil r.c., killing a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy; directs tank, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah late in the evening, seriously injuring 3 Palestinians, demolishing 1 Palestinian home; occupies an apartment block in Hebron as an IDF post. AMB mbrs. kidnap, shoot 2 Palestinian women fr. Nablus thought to be collaborators with Israel; 1 woman dies, the other is injured. (WP, WT 10/27; LAW, PCHR 10/30)

The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah r.c., killing 6 Palestinians (including 2 women, 2 teenagers, a 9-yr.-old girl) and wounding 50; the IDF says it was responding to Palestinian gunfire on an IDF bulldozer working build an observation tower with an overview of the camp, causing no injuries. The IDF also bulldozes 2.5 dunams of Palestinian land and an irrigation system nr. Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Tal; shells, destroys a closed Palestinian summer resort nr. Aley Sinai settlement. The IDF removes Jewish settlers, trailers fr. Havat Gilad; late in the evening, some 300 Jewish settlers retake the site. Settlers voluntarily leave a 2d enclave, allowing the IDF to dismantle it, bringing to 22 the number of enclaves removed in recent days. Jewish settlers assault Palestinians, Israeli peace activists attempting to harvest olives nr. Yasuf village; the IDF presses settlers to leave the area, allow harvesting to continue. Jewish setters nr. Hebron confiscate 90 dunams of Palestinian land. A PA security court sentences 1 Palestinian, a fmr. Hamas mbr., to death for collaborating with Israel. (REU 10/17; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/18; AFP, al-Quds 10/18 in WNC 10/21; WP 10/19; LAW, PCHR 10/23; MEI 10/25; JPI 11/8)

A fmr. U.S. defense official corroborates rumors that Israeli special forces recently conducted a covert reconnaissance mission in w. Iraq to determine Iraq's capacity to strike Israel with Scud missiles. Military analyst and fmr. Pentagon official Anthony Cordesman says that Baghdad is estimated to have only 12+n25 Scuds; by comparison, during the 1991 Gulf War, Iraq fired 39 Scuds at Israel alone. (WP 10/18) (see 9/29)

IDF helicopters fire 2 missiles 2 cars in Gaza City in its 4th attempt to assassinate most-wanted Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Muhammad Dayif; 2 Hamas mbrs. are killed, Dayif escapes with moderate wounds, some 30 bystanders (including 15 children) are injured. The IDF intercepts an explosives-packed Palestinian car at al-Ram checkpoint nr. Tulkarm, allegedly en route to stage a car bombing in Jerusalem. In Kefar Labid nr. Tulkarm, IDF commandos conduct an arrest raid, prompting an exchange of gunfire that leaves senior Hamas mbr. Nashat Abu Jabara, 1 IDF officer dead; then demolish Abu Jabara's home. The IDF also arbitrarily imposes a curfew in Hebron then fires tear gas, rubber bullets at Palestinians in Hebron's market, killing a Palestinian infant; fatally shoots another Palestinian Gaza; demolishes 1 Palestinian home, bulldozes more than 60 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Hanun; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Qabatya; bulldozes 20 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Lahia; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. Palestinian gunmen fire on a settler vehicle nr. Hebron, injuring 4 Jewish setters. Jewish settlers dedicate the new HaGefen neighborhood of 1,150 housing units in Beitar Ilit; the new enclave of Migron nr. Psagot, comprising 30 families. (AP, CNN, HA 9/26; HA, LAW, MM, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 9/27; NYT 9/28; MM 9/30; QA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; LAW, PCHR, PR 10/2; PCHR 10/3; MEI 10/11)

In Jenin r.c., 3 IDF soldiers, 5 Palestinians are wounded in an exchange of gunfire. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire, shells at residential areas of Jenin r.c. (wounding with live ammunition 3 Palestinian children who broke curfew), Khan Yunis; fires rubber-coated steel bullets stone throwers in Amari r.c., wounding 2. In Tulkarm, the AMB fatally shoots a Palestinian woman who allegedly collaborated with Israel in the 1/14/02 assassination of AMB leader Ra'id Karmi; the woman is the niece of the woman killed by the AMB on 8/24. (HA, JTA 8/30; NYT, WT 8/31; WP 9/1; NYT 9/2; LAW, PCHR 9/4)

Israeli Labor and Social Welfare M Shlomo Benizri (Shas) convenes the Israel Council for Demography, which has been inactive for 5 yrs., to draw up "guidelines on how to formulate a policy that will preserve Israel's Jewish character." The main topics discussed are the "need to encourage [Jewish] families to have more children," the "problem of foreign workers in Israel." The council has 37 mbrs. including public figures, lawyers, scientists, physicians. (HA 8/30; HA, MM 9/9)

The IDF soldiers stationed in Netzer Hazani settlement direct shells, machine gun fire at nearby residential areas of al-Qarara, fatally shooting a 9-yr.-old Palestinian girl. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 7/15. The body of a bound, fatally shot Israeli businessman is found in a Tulkarm industrial zone. The IDF bulldozes Palestinian agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah, Rafah; demolishes the home of local Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Muhammad Abu Tabikh in Jenin; blows up a home in al-Brazil, damaging 7 nearby houses; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm. (MM 8/1; NYT 8/2; LAW, PCHR 8/7)

In Washington, King Abdallah holds talks with Bush on the peace process, dangers of striking Iraq. Abdallah urges Bush to outline specific steps, time line for moving the peace process forward. Bush says that he's still committed to the creation of a Palestinian state in 3 yrs. but he does not think any new steps by Israel are necessary at the moment. (JT 8/1 in WNC 8/2; NYT, WP, WT 8/2; DUS 8/2 in WNC 8/7)

The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Lahia (injuring a 14-yr.-old boy), Khan Yunis (injuring 2 9-yr.-old boys), Rafah (injuring a 4-yr.-old girl). 100s of Nablus residents defy the IDF curfew for a 2d day; the IDF does not intervene. Late this evening, a Palestinian infiltrates Itamar settlement, stabs and lightly wounds 2 Jewish settlers before being shot dead by IDF troops. A Palestinian run over by a Jewish settler on 7/21 dies of his injuries. (NYT, WT 7/30; LAW, PCHR, WP 7/31)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Birzeit (searching Birzeit University dorms, arresting 10s of students), Dayr al-Balah (fatally shooting 2 Palestinians, including a 13-yr.-old boy), Khan Yunis; fatally shoots a 3d Palestinian nr. Qalqilya; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Jenin, Rafah. A Palestinian photographer dies of injuries received on 7/11. The Armenian Patriarchate reports that the IDF has confiscated church land, buildings along the Green Line nr. Aida r.c. for Israel's new buffer zone. 32 international humanitarian agencies operating in the territories declare that it has become increasingly difficult over the past 2 mos. for them to work effectively given Israel's "unprecedented military restrictions on humanitarian access to the civilian populations." (AFP, al-Quds 7/12 in WNC 7/16; NYT, WP 7/13; LAW, PCHR 7/17; Arminfo [Yerevan] 7/18 in WNC 7/19; Interfax 8/1 in WNC 8/2)

The IDF directs tank fire at Palestinian youths violating the curfew in Nablus and throwing stones at soldiers, killing a 17-yr.-old Palestinian, injuring an 11- and a 13-yr.-old; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 86 dunams of crop land nr. Qarni crossing, Shuhada Junction. In Gaza, AMB gunmen fire on an IDF patrol nr. the Rafah border, killing 1 IDF soldier. A Palestinian heart attack victim dies in an ambulance detained at an IDF checkpoint for over an hr. (LAW, PCHR 7/10; NYT, UPMRC, WP 7/11)

Fmr. Christian Coalition leader Gary Bauer and Rabbi Daniel Lapin, head of the ultraconservative Jewish-Christian group Toward Tradition, announce the formation of the American Alliance of Jews and Christians (AAJC), which they will co-chair. AAJC aims to "unite Christians in support of Israel and work with American Jews and Christians on behalf of traditional values." Among the mbrs. of the AAJC board are Rev. Jerry Falwell, Rev. Pat Robertson. A similar Christian right lobbying group, Stand for Israel, cofounded by fmr. Christian Coalition exec. dir. Ralph Reed and IFCJ head Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein, is doing a $400,000 media campaign targeting major newspapers, conservative radio talk shows. (Toward Tradition press release 7/10; MEI 7/26) (see 7/9)

The IDF directs live fire at Palestinians crossing into Ramallah at Surda checkpoint just after a curfew had been reimposed without warning, seriously injuring an 18-yr.-old Palestinian girl; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, destroying the 1 Palestinian home; direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. (LAW 7/8; PCHR 7/10)

Sharon authorizes Peres to reopen high-level meetings (suspended in 3/02) with senior PA officials, excluding Arafat, but bars him fr. discussing political issues. Peres meets with new PA Finance M Fayyad, new Interior M Yahya. (MM, NYT, WP 7/9; XIN 7/9 in WNC 7/10; WT 7/10; SA 7/10 in WNC 7/11; WJW 7/11; AYM 7/12 in WNC 7/16; AFP 7/20, XIN 7/21 in WNC 7/22; HA, NYT, WP 7/21; JP, MM, WT 7/22; WT 7/23)

Bush says that Israel is justified in occupying the West Bank until "security improves." (NYT 7/9; WJW 7/11)

The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 10s of dunams of land n. of Khan Yunis, 500 olive trees nr. Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids in Qibya, Ramallah (raiding the civil service building), Sanirya. The IDF also confiscates 3 garbage trucks, 2 bulldozers fr. the al-Ram municipality. In Gaza, 1,000s of Palestinian attend a Fatah-organized march against Bush's stand against Arafat. Also in Gaza, Hamas mbrs. demanding the execution of a collaborator held by the PSF attack, throw pipe bombs at a PA police station; the PSF returns fire, injuring 23. (PR 7/3; NYT, WP 7/4; HA 7/14; MA 7/23 in WNC 7/25)

The IDF calls up another 3,000 reservists; shells a building in Tulkarm r.c., killing 1 PSF officer (children nearby reportedly were stoning the tank); imposes 24-hr. curfews on Abu Dis, Anabta, Araqa, Bayt Jibrin r.c., Bayt Wazzan, al-Funduq, Hashimiyya, Kafr Rumman, Yamun, Zawata; conducts arrest raids and house-to-house searches in Jenin town and surrounding villages, fatally shooting a 2d Palestinian in Yamun; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at the al-Mawasi checkpoint and residential areas in Dahaysha r.c., Khan Yunis; fire live ammunition, rubber bullets at Palestinians approaching al-Bireh, Jawal, Surda checkpoints into Ramallah; bulldozes nearly 100 dunams of agricultural land n. of Bayt Lahia. The PA places Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin under house arrest, arrests 11 Hamas mbrs. in Gaza. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received on 6/15; a Palestinian boy dies of injuries received on 6/21. (HP 6/23; NYT, WP, WT 6/24; RMC 6/24 in WNC 6/25; NYT 6/25; QA 6/25 in WNC 6/26; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27)

The IDF reoccupies Beitunia, Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c.; expands bases there and in Jenin, Qalqilya; conducts raids into Halhul, Tulkarm town and r.c.; raids Shaykh Ajlin, bulldozing Palestinian land, firing on Palestinians working the fields, killing a Palestinian boy; fires on residential areas of Birzeit. The IDF issues a limited call-up of reservists, bars Palestinian workers fr. entering Jewish settlements. In Jenin town, IDF troops evacuate and vandalize a hospital admin. building, throwing a grenade in the foyer, blowing up a safe, spraying the building with heavy machine gun fire, breaking doors, destroying $13,600 of equipment; fire on, seriously damage 2 fire trucks. The IDF reportedly has transferred more than 600 Jenin r.c. residents to Salim detention center for questioning; some 150 are released today, sent to Romani village, are told to stay there for 2-4 wks. Late this evening, a PFLP gunman, retaliating for the arrest of PFLP 2d-in-command Malluh on 6/11, attacks a home in Itamar settlement, killing 4 Jewish settlers and 1 settlement guard, wounding 2 settlers and 2 border policemen before being shot dead. A pregnant Palestinian woman is fatally hit by stray IDF gunfire in her home in Qalqilya. In Gaza, 1,500 unemployed Palestinians who have been cut off fr. their jobs in Israel since 9/00 hold a "March of Hunger," protesting Israeli closures, lack of support fr. the PA. (AFP, AP, HA, LAW, WP, WT 6/20; MA 6/20 in WNC 6/21; XIN 6/20 in WNC 6/24; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/21; PRCS press release 6/24; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27)

In Jerusalem, Sharon, Israeli pres. Moshe Katsav address a "Transfer Now" conference hosted by the right-wing Moledet party. (Peace Now press release 6/20; MA 6/21 in WNC 6/24)

Before dawn, the IDF sends troops back into Aida r.c., Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Dahaysha r.c. in the largest incursion since Israeli PM Ariel Sharon declared the end of the 1st stage Operation Defensive Shield on 4/21, conducting house-to-house searches; occupying the UNRWA school in Dahaysha r.c.; arresting 10s of Palestinians, including wanted Fatah mbr. Ahmad Mughrabi, blowing up his home; declaring the area a closed military zone, barring entry to journalists; occupying Bethlehem Radio 2000 offices, seriously damaging, confiscating equipment; directing shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas, seriously damaging several homes. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Umm al-Sharayit; withdraws to the outskirts of Tulkarm, but maintains a curfew; tightens controls on Palestinian movement across the West Bank. In the evening, a AMB suicide bomber (a cousin of AMB Nablus cmdr. Titi, assassinated on 5/22) detonates a device in cafe in Petah Tikva, killing 2 Israelis, injuring 37. A bomb is found, neutralized in French Hill settlement. (HP, LAW, NYT 5/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/28; ITAR-TASS 5/28 in WNC 5/29; LAW 5/29; MEI 5/31)

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 continues to surround all major Palestinian population centers in the West Bank, barring travel btwn. towns and villages except through heavily guarded checkpoints. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian is killed by IDF tank fire. The IDF demolishes at least 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. Palestinians reportedly fire mortars at IDF targets in Gaza, causing no damage. Palestinians across Gaza take part in rallies commemorating the anniversary of the Nakba. (XIN 5/15 in WNC 5/16; PCHR, WT 5/16)

In his Nakba day address to the PC, Arafat accepts responsibility for mistakes made by the PA; calls for broad reforms, new elections, national unity. (HA 5/15; AFP, XIN 5/15 in WNC 5/16; MENA 5/15, al-Safir 5/16 in WNC 5/17; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/16; al-Quds 5/16, Interfax 5/17 in WNC 5/20)

The IDF eases the closure on Jenin r.c. during the day, begins a comprehensive withdrawal to the outskirts of the camp and town by evening. The IDF makes a brief incursion into Qalqilya; lifts the curfew on Bethlehem for 4 hrs.; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, killing 2 Palestinians; captures wanted senior Hamas mbr. Husam Ataf Ali Badran in a raid nr. Nablus, also killing 3 Palestinians. A newborn Palestinian baby dies when barred by the IDF fr. reaching a hospital. (AFP, AP, CNN, HA, MM 4/18; HA, JP [Internet], MEI, NYT, REU, UPMRC, WP, WT 4/19; REU 4/22; MM 4/23; JP [Internet] 4/24; MM 4/30; MEI 5/3)

Israel broadens its offensive, reoccupying Qalqilya, cutting of electricity, water; directing shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas; occupying tall buildings as sniper, outlook posts. In Ramallah, the IDF moves building-to-building, rounding up 10s of Palestinian men age 15-45 who have not surrendered, killing at least 9 Palestinians; raids, vandalizes, confiscates files of al-Haq human rights organization, among others; occupies 1 Ramallah hospital, attempts to search a 2d but is blocked by medical workers; declares Ramallah a closed military zone, warning journalists that their press credentials will be revoked if they are found in the city, their bureaus will be fined $15,000 if they "harbor" Palestinians in their offices. The IDF allows 34 foreign peace activists to meet with Arafat in the compound. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in a restaurant in Haifa, killing 15 Israelis, some of them Israeli Arabs. Hrs. later, a 2d Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in Efrat settlement, wounding 4 Jewish settlers. Sharon convenes his inner cabinet, which agrees to intensify military operations further. In Hebron, 1,000 Palestinians march to protest Israel's actions. (CNN, GA, Reporters without Borders press release 3/31; IRNA, MA, MENA 3/31 in WNC 4/1; AP, HA, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 4/1; MM 4/2; MEI 4/5)

In Netanya, in n. Israel, a Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device in a hotel restaurant were Israelis are holding Passover dinner, killing at least 19 Israelis, wounding around 100. The PA denounces the bombing, sends PSF branches a list of senior Hamas activists it wants arrested. The IDF shells Palestinian residential areas of Hebron; enters, directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Brazil. (AP, CNN, HA, PCHR 3/27; MM, NYT, PMC, WP, WT 3/28; ITAR-TASS 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MA 3/31 in WNC 4/1; JP, MEI 4/5)

The Arab summit opens in Beirut. Crown Prince Abdallah presents his 2/17 initiative for consideration. (HA, MM 3/27; AFP, MENA, QA, RMC, SA, XIN 3/27 in WNC 3/28; AKH 3/27, QA, al-Quds 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/28; HA 4/4; MEI 4/5)

The IDF begins withdrawing fr. Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Jenin. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Netzarim; makes incursions and directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in and around Dayr al-Balah, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Umar, al-Jadida; directs heavy machine gun fire at Aida camp. Hamas fires 2 Qassam missiles at Ashkelon, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolish a Palestinian bus station. (HP 3/18; Mezan, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/19; LAW 3/20)

Zinni convinces Israel, the PA to resume trilateral security comm. mtgs. (HA, HP 3/18; XIN 3/18 in WNC 3/19; MM, NYT, WP 3/19; QA, XIN 3/19 in WNC 3/20; MEI 3/22)

Israeli-Palestinian violence is down sharply. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian taxi driver in Hebron, where Palestinian residents are under curfew; kills 3 Palestinians in Gaza. A Jewish settler shoots, wounds a Palestinian girl in Hebron. The IDF directs heavy machine gun fire on Palestinian residential areas of Hebron; conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin. In Nablus, Palestinians kill 2 collaborators. (WT 3/17; LAW 3/20)

In Barcelona, EU FMs adopt a declaration calling for a "viable and independent" Palestine living in peaceful coexistence with an Israeli state, strongly condemning Israel's excessive use of force, stating that the PA "bears the full responsibility for fighting terrorism," supporting the Saudi initiative. (MM 3/18; MEI 3/22)

Just before Zinni arrives, Israel begins pulling back gradually fr. Ramallah. The U.S., PA say that is not enough, with the State Dept. publicly stating, "We want to see a full withdrawal" fr. area A, including all Palestinian towns, refugee camps. During the day, at least 5 Palestinians are killed in Ramallah, 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/5; 2 explosions nr. Tulkarm kill 6 Palestinians (including senior AMB mbr. Mutasim Makhluf) in what are thought to be assassinations; 2 Palestinian collaborators are killed by Fatah Hawks mbrs. in Bethlehem. In an incident similar to that on 2/14, Palestinian assailants detonate a powerful roadside bomb in Gaza, destroying a Merkava tank, killing 3 IDF soldiers, wounding 2; the AMB, PFLP each claim responsibility. In al-Bireh and nr. Ramallah, Palestinians fire RPGs at 2 tanks, damaging them. Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo settlement, causing no damage. In retaliation, the IDF sends tanks into the heart of Bethlehem, firing repeatedly at a Catholic maternity hospital and orphanage, which houses 16 patients and 50 children ages 5 and younger, causing damage but no injuries. IDF shelling, heavy machine gun fire are also reported in `Ayn Arik, Beitunia, al-Irsal, al-Tira, Umm al-Sharayit. The IDF demolishes 15 Palestinian homes in al-Mighraqa village in Gaza; makes arrest raids into onto al-Naqura, Shu`fat. Jewish settlers fr. Ma'ale Mikhmas, guarded by IDF soldiers, attack and drive off several bedouin families camping nr. the settlement. (AFP 3/13, MA, QA, XIN 3/14 in WNC 3/15; HP, LAW, MM 3/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/15; Die Presse [Vienna] 3/15, al-Quds 3/16 in WNC 3/18; LAW 3/20; MEI 3/22)

Zinni meets with local reps. of the quartet--an ad hoc diplomatic formation of the EU, Russia, UN, U.S. employed at times when presenting a united international front may more effectively press Israel and the PA to take a desired course of action. He then meets with Sharon. (XIN 3/14 in WNC 3/15; MM, NYT, WT 3/15; MEI 3/22)

In another escalation, Israel sends as many as 20,000 troops, 150 tanks and APCs into Amari, Ramallah. Palestinians fight back with guns, hand grenades, rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), lightly injuring 2 IDF soldiers. The IDF orders all Palestinian men age 15+n45 to surrender, but few comply. The PA which previously instructed PSF officers to comply, orders all Palestinians to ignore the order. IDF troops direct heavy machine gun fire at City Inn hotel, where foreign journalists are based to cover the fighting, hitting an ABC camera at least 7 times, including one shot through the lens; soldiers claimed there were gunmen in the hotel despite journalists' denials. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) suspends operations in Ramallah, citing numerous attacks on medical workers by the IDF, even in cases where PRCS movements were coordinated with the IDF in advance. The IDF bulldozes Ramallah's main water line; tanks crush cars. At least 30 Palestinians are killed during the day, including at least 2 shot by IDF snipers inside their Ramallah homes for no apparent reason, a PA naval policeman killed when the IDF shells his Dayr al-Balah post, 4 killed in Khan Yunis when the IDF shells a metal workshop thought to be a mortar factory, 1 fatally shot and allowed to bleed to death in Hebron. In Ramallah, the AMB kills 1 Palestinian collaborator. Outside Shlomi in n. Israel, 2 gunmen open fire, killing 5 Israeli civilians, 1 IDF soldier before being shot dead; the IDF believes the gunmen may be Hizballah mbrs. who infiltrated fr. Lebanon. A Jewish settler is fatally shot in the West Bank. The IDF says that since 2/28, it has confiscated 10s of light weapons, some rockets and mortars; destroyed at least 12 bomb-making workshops; detained more that 2,500 Palestinians. (MM, PRCS press release, REU 3/12; HA, MM, NYT, Palestine Report, WP, WT 3/13; LAW 3/20; MEI 3/22)

The UNSC passes (14-0, with Syria abstaining) Res. 1397, for the 1st time explicitly endorsing the creation "two states, Israel and Palestine," living side by side in secure and recognized borders. (MENA 3/12, AFP, XIN 3/13 in WNC 3/14; AP, NYT, WP, WT 3/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; AN, JT, MENA, SA 3/14 in WNC 3/15; DUS 3/14, MENA 3/15, JT 3/17 in WNC 3/18; MM 3/15; MM 3/21; MEI 3/22; al-Majallah 3/24 in WNC 3/29)

In response to the 2 suicide attacks on 3/9, the IDF destroys Arafat's Gaza City headquarters, firing 30 missiles at the compound fr. the air, sea. IDF sends 50 tanks, APCs into Qalqilya; continues operations in Dahaysha (demolishing at least 4 Palestinian houses); directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Beitunia, Hebron, Jabaliya, Jalazone, Khan Yunis, Tal al-Sultan; blows up the house of senior AMB mbr. Yahya Dahamsa in Artas, demolishes 2 other homes in Dayr al-Balah; bulldozes agricultural land in Bayt Hanun; masses troops around refugee camps nr. Ramallah. In Ashdod, a Palestinian opens fire, wounding 1 Israeli before being captured. Another Palestinian gunman fatally shoots an IDF soldier outside Netzarim settlement, is shot dead by a settlement guard. At least 6 Palestinians are killed during the day: The brother of a senior Fatah leader is killed when IDF helicopters fire a missile at his car in what is thought to be a botched assassination attempt. The IDF fires on a car nr. Sur al-Bahir, killing 2 Palestinians allegedly en route to stage a bombing in Jerusalem; fatally shoots an 11-yr.-old Palestinian boy at an IDF checkpoint nr. Ramallah, 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus. Late this evening, the IDF shells Bethlehem, Dahaysha. (HP, LAW, NYT, PMC, REU, WP 3/10; AFP 3/10 in WNC 3/11; NYT, WP, WT 3/11; LAW 3/13)

Israeli-Palestinian violence continues to escalate, leaving 1 Israeli civilian, 1 Jewish settler, at least 6 Palestinians dead. A package bomb planted by a Jewish vigilante group called Revenge of the Innocent Babes (in reference to the 3/2 Beit Israel attack) explodes on a playground at a Palestinian school in East Jerusalem, injuring 2 teachers, 24 children. In response to the 3/4 AMB attack in Tel Aviv, IDF F-16s rocket Palestinian targets across Gaza and in Bethlehem, Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm; helicopters fire a missile at a car in Ramallah, killing 3 Palestinians, including 2 wanted AMB members, Muhannad Abu Halawa and Fawzi Murrar. The IDF also makes incursions into Palestinian areas nr. Bayt Lahia, Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, Tamun; direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bethlehem, al-Khadir, Qalqilya; demolishes greenhouses in Issawiyya. Nr. Gush Etzion settlement, Palestinian gunmen fire on a Jewish settler vehicle, killing 1 settler. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a devices on a bus in Afula, Israel, killing 1 Israeli. Palestinians also launch 2 Qassam-2s fr. Gaza into Israel, for the 1st time hitting an apartment building in Sederot, injuring 2 children. Jewish settlers attack a PSF post in Qalqilya, stone a Palestinian car nr. Ramallah. (HP, MM 3/5; XIN 3/5 in WNC 3/6; LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, PMC, WP, WT 3/6; MA 3/6 in WNC 3/7; AYM 3/7 in WNC 3/8; MEI 3/8; JP 3/15)

     Sharon convenes his inner cabinet, then his full cabinet to discuss how to respond to the 3/4 Tel Aviv attack. Participants reportedly debate launching massive "mopping-up" operations in refugee camps, incursions into a list of villages in areas A and B, escalating attacks on Ramallah (including removing Arafat). The cabinet gives the IDF "free rein to further intensify military pressure on the PA, especially in Ramallah," bars all Palestinian vehicular traffic in the West Bank. (MM 3/5; NYT, PMC, WP, WT 3/6) quote in PMC 3/6

In an apparent assassination attempt aimed at Hamas political leader Hussein Abu Kuwayk, the IDF fires rockets at a truck driving in Ramallah, killing Abu Kuwayk's wife and 3 children, plus 2 Palestinian bystanders. The IDF reenters Jenin r.c., sparking heavy street fighting that leaves at least 9 Palestinians dead, including a doctor killed when his ambulance is hit by an IDF tank shell, also wounding 5 paramedics. The IDF also remains in Balata; temporarily invades Rafah refugee camp, killing 3 Palestinians, bulldozing several Palestinian homes; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya; shells, destroys the PSF headquarters in Bethlehem; fires shells fr. gunboats at the PA headquarters in Gaza City but misses; directs heavy machine gun fire at Tamun. Late this evening in Tel Aviv, an AMB gunman (a Balata resident) kills 3 Israelis, wounds 31 before being shot dead by a restaurant patron. (AP, JP [Internet], NYT, WP, WT 3/4; HA, HP, NYT, WP, WT 3/5; LAW, MM, PCHR 3/6; MM, WT 3/7; AYM 3/7 in WNC 3/8; MEI 3/8; JP 3/15; MEI 3/22)

Sharon tells journalists, "If the Palestinians are not being beaten, there will be no negotiations. The aim [of Israel's recent attacks on the Palestinians] is to increase the number of losses on the other side. Only after they have been battered will we be able to conduct talks." Sharon also reaffirms his plans to create buffer zones. (JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP 3/5; al-Quds 3/5 in WNC 3/6; MM 3/6; MENA 3/6 in WNC 3/7; Economist 3/7; MEI 3/8, 3/22)

In a predawn operation, the IDF sends troops into Jenin r.c. and town, meeting stiff resistance; continues its attack on Balata continues, reportedly occupying the home of local Fatah military cmdr. Musa Talalka. Troops also direct heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Hanun. In total, 1 IDF soldier, at least 9 Palestinians (including a senior Hamas mbr. Khalid Jamal Nazam) are killed during the day. Israel still does not capture any wanted Palestinians, recovers few arms. Some 5,000 Palestinians demonstrate at an IDF roadblock nr. al-Bireh; soldiers fire tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets, wounding 10s. (BDL, GS, HA, HP, MM, WP 3/1; AFP 3/1 in WNC 3/4; NYT, WP, WT 3/2; HA, WP 3/3; LAW 3/6)

In the morning, the IDF sends troops, tanks into Balata (an AMB stronghold); surrounds and attacks Jenin r.c. without entering it. The massive two-pronged operation, called Colorful Journey, meets strong resistance, touching off fierce gun battles that continue into the night, leaving 1 IDF soldier and at least 11 Palestinians dead (4 in Balata, including Balata AMB leader Kayid Abu Mustafa; 7 in Jenin, including 6 PSF officers), wounding over 150 Palestinians (over 100 in Balata, 40 in Jenin). Troops bar ambulances fr. entering the camps to aide the wounded. In the afternoon, the IDF declares a brief cease-fire, ordering unarmed residents to leave Balata, but few do--most fearing permanent exile. The IDF cuts electricity and water to the camp; evicts, demolishes several Palestinian homes at the edge of the camp; conducts house-to-house searches, breaking through walls to move fr. building to building, demolishing at least 5 homes, damaging 100; occupies a UN-operated boys school. Israel says the operation is designed to arrest Palestinians wanted for "terrorist attacks," but none are arrested during the day. As the day progresses, violence spreads to other West Bank towns, especially in the Bayt Jala-Gilo area. The IDF also sends tanks to surround Tulkarm; tightens closures on Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Qalqilya, Ramallah, as well as access to Jerusalem; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; occupies a PSF post in Tamun; directs heavy machine gun fire at Aida r.c., Bayt Jala, Bethlehem; bulldozes Palestinian land in Azariyya for construction of a settler bypass road. The PA suspends trilateral security comm. talks. (AP, HP, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP 2/28; BDL, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/1; AFP 3/1, AYM 3/2, XIN 3/3 in WNC 3/4; WP, WT 3/2; LAW 3/6; MEI 3/8)