The Palestine Chronology

The IDF seals Saida and Allar nr. Tulkarm, imposes a curfew, fires on residential areas, conducts arrest raids and house searches; later conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, Baqa‘ al-Sharqiyya (targeting Islamic Jihad mbrs.), Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, al-Nazla and al-Til nr. Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba attack Palestinians nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, severely beating 2 Palestinian children ages 10 and 13. In Gaza, 2,500 unemployed Palestinians storm the PC building, throwing stones at police, breaking windows, demanding that the PA provide jobs and welfare services for the unemployed and poverty stricken. (VOP 3/12; NYT, WP 3/13; OCHA 3/16; PCHR 3/17; PR 3/30)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The IDF shells a Force 17 post nr. Netzarim settlement, killing 1 Force 17 mbr., wounding 3. Claiming retaliation, Hamas's Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades fires mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza today, causing no injuries. The IDF also bulldozes 3 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Kissufim settlement in Dayr al-Balah; begin work on a new settler bypass road to Talamon settlement nr. Ramallah, bulldozing Waqf land. Jewish settlers bulldoze an olive grove in Nazla. (WT 3/23; LAW 3/24)

In New York, Sharon warns UN Secy.-Gen Kofi Annan that sending a UN observer force to the West Bank, Gaza could escalate violence. Annan urges Israel to ease restrictions on Palestinians, halt settlement expansion. (MM 3/21; MM, WT 3/22; MM 3/27)

Bush ends the CIA's role as security mediator btwn. Israel and the PA, saying the sides should cooperate directly. (NYT, WP 3/22; HA 3/23; WJW 3/29) (see Peace Monitor)

The Mitchell Comm. begins a 5-day visit to Israel, the West Bank, Gaza to meet with Palestinian community representatives, Israeli intelligence analysts, doctors, peace negotiators, politicians, statisticians. (NYT, WJW, WT 3/22; WT 3/23; NYT 3/26; ATL 3/26 in WNC 3/27; MM 3/27)