The Palestine Chronology

Before dawn, the IDF launches a major incursion (90 tanks, bulldozers, helicopter cover) into Gaza City and Bayt Lahia, killing 9 Palestinians (including wanted local AMB leader Muhammad Kishku, senior Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Yasin Nassar in what may be assassinations), wounding 24, blowing up 1 Palestinian home, 13 metal workshops. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb underneath 1 of the 20 tanks entering Gaza City, disabling it, injuring 2 IDF soldiers (see 9/5). Israel says the incursions are the start of a major campaign in the Gaza Strip targeting Hamas, though troops withdraw fr. Gaza City by the end of the day. The IDF also fires live ammunition at stone-throwing children in Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis, wounding 8 and 2 respectively; fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian protesters defying the curfew in Hebron; conduct arrest raids in al-Ram. Israeli police place Fatah secy. in Jerusalem Salah al-Zuhaykha under house arrest for allegedly arranging protests under orders fr. Arafat. (AP, HA, MEZ, MM, PCHR, WP, WT 9/24; AFP 9/24 in WNC 9/25; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR, PR, WP 9/25; al-Quds 9/25 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/27, 10/11)

After 2 days of debate, the UN Security Council (UNSC) passes (14-0, with the U.S. abstaining) Res. 1435 on the siege in Ramallah, which expresses grave concern over the Palestinians' humanitarian plight and reoccupation of Palestinian cities, "demands" Israel's immediate halt attacks on the PA headquarters. The IDF says its operations will continue "until their objectives are met." (HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/24; ATL, MENA 9/24 in WNC 9/25; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; al-Quds, XIN 9/25 in WNC 9/26; DUS 9/25 in WNC 10/1; AP, HA, MM, NYT, WJW, WT 9/26; JT 10/7 in WNC 10/8; MEI 10/11)

Palestinian gunmen open fire on a Jewish settler vehicle near Aley Zahav near Qalqilya, killing 1 Jewish settler rabbi, wounding 1; then open fire on ambulance workers who arrive on the scene, causing no additional injuries; AMB, Popular Army Front and Return Battalions take responsibility, with the latter reportedly issuing a "hit list" of Israeli officials, including Sharon. The IDF sends tanks, APCs into Gaza City, demolishing a PSF post and 2 buildings, firing tank shells and heavy machine guns at residential areas; raids the home of, detains Arafat refugee affairs adviser `Abd al-Fattah Ghanem; raids homes in Khan Yunis, destroying property, bulldozing 6 dunams of land, vandalizing a children's summer camp; conducts arrest raids in Aida r.c., Bethlehem, Qalqilya (arresting local Fatah secy. Ahmad Shuraym), Tal. Israeli police arrest another Jewish settler on charges of selling ammunition to the Palestinians (see 7/16). (MM, NYT, WT 7/25; MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/26; LAW, PCHR 7/31; WJW 8/1)