The Palestine Chronology

The IDF expands military operations in Gaza, making at least 7 air strikes on Hamas, ESF, and PA General Intelligence targets in Gaza, targeting 4 suspected arms caches and 3 other sites (including PA Interior Min. offices in Rafah), injuring 16 Palestinians, damaging at least 25 Palestinian homes; sending tanks and bulldozers into the Strip to level agricultural land e. of Bayt Hanun; directing heavy machine gun fire at a rocket launching site in n. Gaza; conducting arrest raids in Khuza’a nr. Khan Yunis. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops into Khan Yunis to conduct arrest raids and house searches. Palestinians fire 9 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, lightly wounding 2 Israelis. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, nr. Bethlehem, and in Hebron, Jericho, Jenin, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian vehicles in East Jerusalem. A Hamas mbr. is fatally shot by suspected Fatah mbrs. in Khan Yunis. (OCHA, WP 5/23; PCHR 5/24; OCHA 5/30)

Heavy clashes btwn. the Lebanese army, FI at Nahr al-Barid r.c. continue for a 3d day. In Tripoli, a lone FI suicide bomber, still hiding from the police crackdown on 5/20, detonates a device when police close in on his location, killing only himself. Later in the afternoon, the Lebanese army halts its shelling of Nahr al-Barid r.c. in response to a shaky, undeclared cease-fire by FI, prompting some 10,000 Palestinians to flee. Palestinians in ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. and Rashidiyya r.c. demonstrate against the army’s heavy shelling of Nahr al-Barid. (Independent, REU 5/22; DS, LBC, MENA, al-Sharq al-Awsat, al-Safir 5/22 in WNC 5/23; NYT, WP, WT 5/23)

After mos. of IDF operations in which an Islamic Jihad leader was assassinated on 3/10, another leader survived an attempted assassination on 7/10, and more than 300 cadres were arrested following the 2/25 suicide bombing carried out by a renegade Islamic Jihad mbr., an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber fr. al-Til outside Tulkarm detonates a device outside a mall in Netanya, killing 3 Israelis, wounding up to 48, marking the 1st suicide bombing since 2/25/05 (1st inside Israel since 11/1/04); Islamic Jihad at first denies, then confirms responsibility. Israel suspends all contacts with the PA regarding disengagement, seals the West Bank and Gaza, vows to respond harshly against the group. Abbas states, “We condemn this terrorist attack. It’s a crime against the Palestinian people. Those traitors are working against the Palestinian interest. . . . They did a stupid thing that they should be punished for,” though he notes Islamic Jihad’s denial. At almost the same time as the bombing, a stolen car breaks through the fence of Shavei Shomron settlement in the West Bank and explodes, injuring the driver but causing no other casualties; the IDF says the driver was an Islamic Jihad mbr. who had been working as an informant for Israel; he had been handcuffed to the wheel of the car and the bomb he was carrying was detonated by cell phone, suggesting an attempt to assassinate him for collaboration. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes built without permits in Issawiyya and Silwan, East Jerusalem, where Israel intends to construct a park; conducts house searches, detains Palestinians for interrogation in Bayt Fajjar nr. Bethlehem. Palestinians detonate aroadside bomb under an IDF jeep outside Netzer Hazani settlement in s. Gaza, injuring 2 soldiers. Masked Palestinian gunmen fire on senior PA Interior Min. Ibrahim Salama as he drives in Ramallah, force his car to stop, severely beat him; no group takes responsibility. (AP, BBC, HA, IMEMC, XIN 7/12; VOI, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/13; NYT, OCHA, PR, WP, WT, YA 7/13; HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JP, MA, XIN, YA 7/13 in WNC 7/14; PCHR 7/14; al-Safir 7/16 in WNC 7/17; PR 7/20; XIN 7/21)

The IDF fires shells at a group of Palestinians that enters a closed military zone nr. the Gaza-Egypt border, killing 4 Palestinians, arresting 2 (1 of whom later dies in an Israeli hospital); demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem; bulldozes several bedouin tents and shacks in Bir Nabala northwest of Jerusalem for construction of the separation wall; raids a PA Health Min. clinic in Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Rima, Burkin nr. Jenin, Qarawat Bani Zayd. The IDF detains and beats PA presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouthi and his bodyguards at a checkpoint into Jenin, preventing him fr. campaigning in the city; the IDF disputes the account, says Barghouthi refused to show ID, was never hit, was finally allowed to pass when he showed ID. Palestinians fire an antitank rocket into Gaza’s Nisanit settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, PM 12/8; VOI, VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; PCHR, WP 12/9; JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 12/9 in WNC 12/11; NYT 12/10; NYT 12/11; WP 12/12; PR 12/15)

Abbas, Qurai‘ meet with Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud, PM Omar Karami, parliamentary speaker Nabih Birri in Beirut, marking the 1st visit by the Palestinian leadership to Lebanon since Arafat withdrew to Tunis in 1982. Abbas, Qurai‘ visit Shatila r.c., Sidon, and Rashidiyya r.c. (a Fatah stronghold) where they are greeted by 1,000s of refugees, pledge to uphold the right of return. They do not visit nearby ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. (AFP, WT 12/8; VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; AP 12/9; al-Quds, VOP 12/9 in WNC 12/11; NYT 12/13; Daily Star, alNahar, al-Safir 12/13 in WNC 12/16; PR 12/15)

U.S. Pres. George W. Bush narrowly wins reelection. (MM 11/2; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/3; VOP 11/3 in WNC 11/5; MM 11/4; Globes, HA, JAZ, JP, JT, MA, MENA, YA 11/4 in WNC 11/6; al-Safir 11/4, al-Dustur, MNR, al-Ra’i 11/5, al-Dustur 11/6 in WNC 11/9; SA 11/6 in WNC 11/10; MM 11/5; HA 11/9; JPI 11/12)

The IDF blows up 3 Palestinian homes in and nr. Askar r.c. belonging to the family of the 11/1 suicide bomber, 2 senior PFLP mbrs.; raids a clinic in Nablus, searches ambulances, interrogates paramedics; conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 50 d., demolishes 2 poultry farms and several wells nr. Kefar Darom. AMB mbr. Fadi Qaffisha dies of injuries received in the IDF assassination of Mari on 11/1. Palestinians fire several mortars at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. A Jewish settler injures a 7-yr.-old Palestinian girl in a hit-andrun incident nr. Hawara south of Nablus. (PRCS 11/2; VOI 11/2 in WNC 11/4; NYT, WP 11/3; VOI 11/3 in WNC 11/5; PCHR, WJW 11/4)

A Jewish settler injured in the 7/16 bus ambush dies of her injuries, bringing the toll in that attack to 9. A previously unknown group called al-Nathir claims responsibility for the 7/17 Tel Aviv bombing, originally claimed by Islamic Jihad. The IDF bulldozes a Palestinian house, aviary nr. Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Hebron (including confiscating files fr. Hebron University student union offices), Jenin, villages around Khan Yunis, the al-Mawasi area, Nablus, Tal; fires on residential areas of Rafah. (NYT 7/19; LAW 7/18; LAW, PCHR 7/24)

The FMs of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia hold a 30-min. mtg. with Bush, White House chief of staff Andrew Card, Powell, Rice to discuss ways of keeping the peace process moving and to present a working paper (drafted with the PA, approved by Arab League FMs on 7/12). (WP 7/18; MENA 7/18 in WNC 7/22; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/19; QA 7/19, al-Safir 7/20 in WNC 7/22; AYM 7/21 in WNC 7/23; MM 7/25; MEI 7/26)

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)

In Bethlehem, the IDF fires on 3 Palestinians who attempt to leave the Church of the Nativity, killing 1 Palestinian, severely wounding 2 others; the dead, wounded are evacuated later in the day. The IDF continues arrest raids in Tulkarm, detaining at least 5 Hamas mbrs. In Rafah, 1 Palestinian is mortally wounded by IDF gunfire in her home. (B'Tselem press release 5/9; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/3)

Arafat emerges fr. his Ramallah office for the 1st time since 12/3/01, tours Ramallah to assess the damage. (HA 5/2; MENA 5/2, AKH 5/3 in WNC 5/6; NYT, WP, WT 5/3; WP 5/4; al-Nahar 5/4 in WNC 5/6; al-Quds 5/8 in WNC 5/9)

In Washington, the quartet (represented by Annan, Ivanov, Powell, Solana) announce plans to convene a FM-level "regional peace conference" in summer 2002 to secure a cease-fire and revive peace talks, rebuild the Palestinian security apparatus, boost humanitarian aid to and economic conditions of the Palestinians. (AP 5/2; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/3; Interfax 5/3 in WNC 5/6; MM 5/7; al-Safir 5/10 in WNC 5/13)

In Ramallah, IDF tanks flatten 10s of PA vehicles outside the PA compound, soldiers demolish the interiors of buildings inside. Israeli police arrest 2 Jewish settlers for planting a timer-controlled bomb in Maqassid Hospital in East Jerusalem, disable the device; say the pair may be behind the 3/5 bomb planted at a Palestinian school in East Jerusalem. (AYM 4/28 in WNC 4/29; NYT, WP 4/29; HA, Oznik News Service [Internet] 4/30; JP, HA 5/10; WP 5/11)

The Israeli cabinet accepts a proposal by Bush to allow Arafat to travel freely in exchange the PA transferring 4 wanted PFLP mbrs. fr. the Ramallah compound to British-U.S. security personnel, who will monitor their confinement in a PSF jail in Jericho until Israel, the PA decide how to handle them. Arafat also agrees. Bush invites Sharon to meet with him in the U.S. in a wk. (AFP, HA 4/28; NYT, WP, WT 4/29; MA, al-Quds, al-Safir 4/29 in WNC 4/30; MM 4/30; MEI 5/3) (see 4/25)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Jinin, shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah. (AFP 2/2 in WNC 2/4; LAW 2/6)

Syria rejects Israel's 1/30 appeal for a resumption of peace talks, saying that the offer is a "maneuver to pressure the Palestinians." (al-Safir 2/2 in WNC 2/4)

2 Israelis wounded in the 1/22 AMB attack die. In Nablus, 15,000 angry Palestinians attend the funeral of 3 of 4 Hamas mbrs. killed by the IDF on 1/22, demand revenge. Israel bars officials of the Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem fr. leaving Israel to attend the Vatican's Day of Prayer for Peace in Italy. (AP, MM 1/23; WP, WT 1/24)

The IDF announces the results of its investigation into the 12/30 death of 3 Palestinians, whose mutilated bodies were not turned over to the PA until 1/3, raising suspicions that the 3 had been tortured and autopsied without permission. The IDF admits that the tank shells fired at the teenagers were packed with flechettes (banned internationally) and that 1 body was then driven over by a tank. (PCHR 1/30) (see 1/3)

The U.S. steps up pressure on the PA: The White House blames continuing violence on the Palestinians, says cease-fire efforts were derailed by the "arms shipment received and paid for by the Palestinian Authority," and states that the "justifying of the targeting of innocents in return for land is an argument for terrorism." The State Dept. says there is no excuse for the PA "not taking effective steps to stop that terrorism." Powell phones Arafat to demand his full report on the Karine A affair. (AP 1/23; AP, NYT, WJW, WT 1/24; NYT, WP 1/25)

Hizballah fires mortars, rockets at 3 IDF posts in the occupied Shaba` Farms region of the Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responds by conducing air strikes against Hizballah targets in s. Lebanon. (MM, WP 1/24; al-Nahar 1/24 in WNC 1/25; MM 1/29, 1/30; al-Safir 2/7 in WNC 2/11)

AMB gunmen ambush, abduct, fatally shoot a Jewish settler nr. Bayt Sahur. Unidentified Palestinian gunmen fatally shoot a 2d Jewish settler, wound a 3d nr. Givat Ze'ev. Both settlers killed are U.S. passport holders. The IDF tightens blockades around Bethlehem, Ramallah; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya. Jewish settlers uproot an olive grove nr. Keddumim. The PSF arrests PFLP head Ahmad Saadat in Ramallah after luring him to a mtg. with PA West Bank intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi; the Israel claims the arrest was only meant to impress a visiting U.S. congressional delegation. In Bethlehem, Gaza City, and Ramallah, 100s of Palestinians gather to protest Saadat's arrest. Demonstrators outside Arafat's office in Ramallah denounce Tirawi as a collaborator. The PSF also shuts the Gaza City office of al-Risala, the NISP's newspaper. (AFP, BBC 1/15; AFP, JP, LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 1/16; HA, MM, NYT, WP 1/17; al-Quds 1/17 in WNC 1/18; al-Safir 1/18; al-Nahar 1/19 in WNC 1/22; MEI 1/25)

In light of increasing violence, the U.S. places Zinni's 3d trip to the region, set to begin on 1/18, on hold. (WT 1/16; MM 1/21)

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)

An Israeli official says that since Israeli-Palestinian violence has continued, the initial 7-day period of Powell's new cease-fire time line has not yet begun. Today, the IDF directs machine gun fire on residential areas of Silwad; bars Palestinians fr. exiting Qalqilya; begins bulldozing 100s of dunams of Palestinian land n. of Jerusalem for a new 300 m. settler bypass road; blocks/digs trenches across the Bayt Rima-Abud road, roads leading to Jinin fr. the south; sets up a new checkpoint outside Tulkarm. Jewish settlers attempt to set up a new settlement site nr. al-Jamla, n. of Jinin; continue leveling 200 dunams of land nr. Masha for a 70-unit expansion of Elkana settlement. (HP, PMC 6/30; WT 7/1; HP 7/2)

Arafat, Peres meet for a 2d time in Lisbon. (WT 7/1; MM 7/3; MENA 7/3 in WNC 7/6; MM 7/5)

Holding Syria responsible for the 6/29 Hizballah attack, Israeli warplanes fire missiles at a Syrian radar station nr. Baalbek, Lebanon, wounding 2 Syrian, 1 Lebanese soldier. The attacks sparks an exchange of rocket fire btwn. Hizballah, IDF forces in Shaba` Farms, causing no injuries. (AP, WT 7/1; MENA, RL 7/1 in WNC 7/2; MM, WP 7/2; IRNA, MENA 7/1, Interfax, SA 7/2 in WNC 7/3; al-Safir 7/4, SA 7/5 in WNC 7/7)

Palestinians fire up to 6 mortars, several grenades at an IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF fires a shell at a Palestinian vehicle in Khan Yunis, injuring 5 Palestinians. Around 1,000 Palestinian demonstrators clash with IDF soldiers at a checkpoint outside al-Bireh. Another serious clash is reported in Tulkarm. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur, Silat al-Dahir; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Salfit; places a closure on Bayt Furik; tightens the closure on Dayr Istya, Qalqilya; sets up new blockades, checkpoints around Azun, Nablus, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers raise 10s of trees in Dayr Balut, cut of running water to 6 Palestinian villages nr. Nablus. (AFP [Internet], HP 6/29; HP, NYT, WP 6/30)

Around 100 Israeli, international peace activists attempt to reach the Palestinian village of al-Khadir, nr. Bethlehem, where they have planned to set up a "peace camp" with local Palestinians to protest ongoing Israeli violence. The activists are halted outside the village by the IDF, which says the area is a closed military zone, although settlers passes unimpeded. When the activists set up a nonviolent roadblock to settler vehicles, Israeli police arrest the organizers, forces the others onto their busses and back to Tel Aviv. Inside al-Khadir, 150 Palestinian participants also demonstrate, but the IDF disperses them with gunfire, wounding 4, and imposes a curfew. (Gush Shalom press release 6/29)

On the sidelines of a conference in Lisbon, Arafat, Peres hold talks on maintaining the cease-fire. (RTP Internacional TV [Lisbon] 6/30 in WNC 7/2; AFP [Internet], NYT, WT 7/1; MM 7/2, 7/5)

Hizballah fires rockets at an IDF post in Shaba` Farms, injuring 2 soldiers. Israel sends warplanes into Lebanese air space 5-6 times. (Daily Star [Internet] 6/30; al-Safir 6/30 in WNC 7/2; WT 7/1: MM, WP, WT 7/2; al-Safir 7/4, SA 7/5 in WNC 7/7; MEI 7/13)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving a total of 6 Palestinians, 2 Israelis dead. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a nail bomb at a bus stop just inside Israel, nr. Qalqilya, killing 2 Israelis, wounding 4. Hamas, and a previously unknown group named the Popular Army Front Return Battalions claim responsibility. Israeli sappers disarm bombs in the Israeli cities of Petah Tikva, Netanya. This evening, after the Arab summit ends, Sharon orders air, land, sea strikes against Force 17 targets in Dayr al-Balah, Jabaliyya, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Ramallah, killing 3 Palestinians, injuring 62. Nr. Beitunia, a Palestinian woman is shot dead by IDF troops. In Rafah, a Palestinian boy is killed when he triggers unexploded IDF ordnance. The IDF reinforces its troop presence around Abu Sunayna in Hebron with 8 tanks, 15 troop carriers, numerous military jeeps and 3 new outposts; shells residential areas in Nablus; confiscates 28 dunams of Palestinian land in Beitunia to expand an IDF post; bulldozes Palestinian land in Mount Jarzim, Wadi Silqa. Israel issues demolition orders for 19 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem for construction of the "ring road" linking the Jewish settlements around Jerusalem; 658 dunams of Palestinian land is slated to be bulldozed for the project. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians and their property in Bayt Furik, Hebron, Silat Dahir. Settlers fr. Ma'ale Adumim, Kefar Atsion reportedly move into the Israeli controlled section of Hebron to reinforce settlers there. In Hebron, the PSF arrests a local Fatah mbr. for the 3/26 shooting that killed a settler baby. (BBC, CNN, HP, MM, REU 3/28; AFP, ATL 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; AFP, Interfax, MENA, al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; LAW, MM, WP 3/30; MA, MENA, al-Safir 3/30 in WNC 4/2; MM 4/3; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/15 in WNC 4/16; WP 4/23; al-Ahram [Internet] 4/26)

The Arab League summit closes. Arab states approve a $240 m. emergency aid for the PA over the next 6 mos. (MM 3/28; HJ 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP 3/29; JT 3/29 in WNC 3/30; HJ 3/29 in WNC 4/3; al-Ra'i 3/30, Star 3/31, JT 4/1 in WNC 4/2; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/10 in WNC 4/12)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify, especially around Khan Yunis, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. Sharon returns fr. his trip to the U.S., immediately goes into talks with his security cabinet. The IDF shells residential areas of Brazil, Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers bulldoze 2 olive groves nr. Elazar settlement. (AFP [Internet], HA, MM, WJW 3/22; WT 3/23)

Lebanon passes a law aimed at Palestinian refugees that forbids "anyone who does not have citizenship in a recognized state" from owning property. (al-Safir 3/23)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue to abate, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes nr. Dugit settlement; fires on an ambulance nr. Khan Yunis, preventing its passage to al-Shifa hospital; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas in Khan Yunis (damaging 4 Palestinian homes, cutting electricity), Rafah (damaging 6 Palestinian homes). (REU 1/4; WT 1/6; PCHR 1/12)

Israeli chief negotiator Sher arrives in Washington for mtgs. with the U.S. peace team on Arafat's reaction to Clinton's proposals. (MM, NYT, WP 1/4; MM, WP, WT 1/5; NYT, WP, WT 1/6)

In Cairo, Arafat briefs Mubarak, the Arab League on his mtgs. with Clinton. The Arab League endorses Arafat's conditional acceptance of the U.S. proposals. (MM 1/4; MENA, RMC 1/4 in WNC 1/5; AYM 1/4, SA, al-Safir 1/5 in WNC 1/8; MA [Internet], MM, NYT, WP 1/5; al-Ahram [Internet] 1/10; MEI 1/12)

Israel restricts Palestinians' access to Jerusalem for the 3d Friday in a row. Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify again, leaving 4 Palestinians dead, 250 injured. Main flash points are Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jinin, Qalqilya, Qarni checkpoint, Ramallah, Tulkarm. IDF troops outside Ramallah open fire on an ambulance, severely injuring the driver. In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes another 3 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Kefar Darom settlement. At least 3 roadside bombs explode nr. Bethlehem, injuring 1 Israeli border policeman. A synagog in Efrat is vandalized, presumably by Palestinians, though how they entered the Jewish settlement is unclear. (ADM, LAW, MM, PCHR 10/27; IDF Radio [Internet], Guardian [Internet], NYT, WT 10/28; AYM 10/31 in WNC 11/1)

Palestinian refugees in `Ayn al-Hilwa camp in Lebanon demonstrate against the weak Arab League statement issued on 10/22. In Nairobi, 1,000s of Kenyans march in solidarity with the Palestinians. In the U.S., similar rallies are held outside the New York Times offices in New York, as well as in Hartford, Sacramento. (Panafrican News Agency [Internet] 10/27; al-Safir 10/28 in WNC 10/31)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue for the 13th straight day, leaving 3 Palestinians dead, 185 injured. The most severe exchanges are outside Nablus, where a mosque is torched, allegedly by Jewish settlers, and Palestinians throw stones a funeral procession for a Jewish settler. IDF troops and helicopters escorting the funeral procession respond with gunfire, call in extra attack helicopters, tanks. The riot degenerates into a gunfight btwn. the PA police and IDF and armed Jewish settlers. The IDF also deploys attack helicopters against Palestinian gunmen nr. Bethlehem. In Hebron, 1 IDF soldier is shot, seriously wounded. Israeli border police prevent an ambulance fr. taking 4 seriously wounded Palestinians into Jordan for treatment. (ADM, LAW, REU 10/11; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/12; JT 10/12 in WNC 10/16; JT 11/9 in WNC 11/13)

International mediation efforts continue. UN Sec.-Gen. Annan extends his stay in Israel to meet again with Arafat, Barak. British FM Robin Cook, Russian FM Ivanov, the EU's Solana, Norwegian FM Thorbjoern Jagland also meet with Barak, Arafat. Solana then holds talks with Mubarak in Cairo, King Abdallah in Amman. Russian FM Ivanov goes to Damascus to meet with Syrian pres. Asad, FM Shara`. Mubarak phones Arafat, King Abdallah; receives calls fr. Annan, Turkish pres. Ahmet Necdet Sezer. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS, LPA, MENA 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MENA 10/11, ATL, LPA, al-Safir 10/12 in WNC 10/13; WP, WT 10/12)

Barak, Dep. DM Sneh present the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Comm. with a detailed "disengagement plan" to be implemented if Israel determines that the peace process has totally collapsed. (MM, YA 10/12)

In Ramallah, 1,000s of Palestinians take part in a candle-light vigil calling for a halt to the violence. In the U.S., rallies in solidarity with the Palestinians are held in Kalamazoo, New York. (ADM, LAW, REU 10/11)

Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and Gaza abates slightly but escalates again this evening, leaving at least 3 Palestinians dead. The most serious incident is in Nablus, where the IDF, implementing the Sharm agmts., turns over Joseph's Tomb to the PSF. Palestinians celebrating the IDF pullback overrun the PSF, destroy the tomb. In response, armed Jewish settlers roam areas around West Bank settlements, stoning and firing at Palestinian cars, killing 1 Palestinian. Inside Israel, Jews fr. Upper Nazareth rampage through Arab Nazareth throwing stones at Israeli Palestinians, sparking a riot; when Israeli Arabs start to fight back, Israeli riot police intervene, using tear gas and live ammunition, shooting dead 2 Israeli Arabs. In Tiberias, Jews vandalize a historic mosque. The IDF moves tanks into the West Bank to guard the Jewish settlement of Psagot, which has been the target of Palestinian sniping. At Rafah airport, Palestinians fire on a bus Israeli airport workers, injuring 8. Israel shuts the airport. (LAW 10/7; MENA, RL 10/7, al-Quds 10/8, AFP, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; ADM, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; AYM 10/9, MA 10/10, 10/11 in WNC 10/12; NYT 10/10; WJW 10/12; MEI 10/13; WJW 10/19; WP 10/28)

Barak calls up IDF reservists, sets an ultimatum of 48 hrs. for Palestinians to halt their assaults on IDF outposts, Jewish settlements or "we will regard this as a cessation by Arafat of the peace process, and we will order the army to use all means at its disposal." Barak also says he is considering forming a "unity government" with Likud MK Sharon. (AYM 10/7, al-Quds 10/9 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/9; Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/11; JP, MEI 10/13)

Nr. Shaba` Farms, IDF soldiers fire across the blue line into Lebanon at 100s of Palestinian refugees staging a protest, killing 2, wounding 15. In response, Hizballah guerrillas cross into Golan Heights, kidnap 3 IDF soldiers; fire rockets at the IDF's Shaba` outpost, injuring 6 soldiers. Barak reinforces the border area, sends Israeli warplanes and attack helicopters into Lebanon to strike Hizballah targets, injuring 4 Lebanese civilians. U.S.'s Albright phones Lebanese pres. Lahoud, Syrian pres. Asad to urge them to intercede with Hizballah to release the IDF soldiers. France, Germany, the Red Cross, Russia, the UN open channels with Hizballah, which demands Israel release at least 19 Lebanese political prisoners (kidnaped by the IDF in Lebanon, held without trial for as long as 20 yrs.) in exchange for the soldiers. (CNN [Internet] 10/7; RL 10/7, AYM 10/8, Interfax 10/9, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; Manar TV [Internet], MM, NYT, WT 10/9; al-Quds 10/9, DUS, al-Safir 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM, NYT, WP 10/10; NYT, WJW, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13; JP 10/27, 11/3)

After 6 days of debate, the UNSC passes (14 to 0, with the U.S. abstaining) a watered down resolution that condemns the "excessive use of force" against the Palestinians but does not mention Israel by name. U.S. Amb. Richard Holbrooke threatened to veto stronger language. (AP 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; CSM, WP 10/10; MEI 10/13)

In Amman, Jordanian police open fire on Palestinian refugees demonstrating for the closure of the Israeli emb., killing 1, arresting 97. Demonstrations condemning Israeli violence, U.S. support of Israel are held in Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, France, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen. In the U.S., rallies are held in Albuquerque, Dearborn, New York. (BBC, al-Jazeera TV [Internet] 10/7; AFP, ATL, MENA 10/7, JT 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Daily Star 10/12 in WNC 10/13; Gulf News [Internet], NYT 10/8; MM 10/11; AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

PA negotiators Dahlan, Erakat meet with Israeli negotiators Ben-Ami, Sher to discuss gaps on final status issues. (al-Quds 8/28 in WNC 8/30)

The PA Local Government Min. begins planning West Bank-Gaza municipal elections. (PA Ministry of Information press release 8/27)

Lebanon holds the 1st of 2 rounds of parliamentary elections, covering n. districts. In a surprise showing, candidates opposed to Pres. Emile Lahoud take 33 of 63 seats. (WT 8/27; NYT 8/28; MM, NYT 8/29; al-Safir 8/29 in WNC 8/31; MM, WP 8/30; MM 8/31; MEI 9/1)

In response to a request fr. Barak for White House assistance with his domestic political problems, Pres. Clinton agrees to be interviewed on Israeli TV. He praises Barak's courage during the talks, promises the U.S. will reward Israel with closer bilateral strategic relations for concluding an agmt. with the PA, voluntarily raises the prospect of moving the U.S. emb. fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (MM 7/28; NYT, WP, WT 7/29; DUS, XIN 7/29, IRNA, MENA, al-Quds 7/30 in WNC 7/31; WP 7/30; HJ, DUS, Le Monde 7/30, HJ, JT 7/31 in WNC 8/1; AYM 7/30, IRNA 8/1 in WNC 8/2; MM 7/31; MENA, al-Safir 8/2 in WNC 8/3; WJW 8/3; MENA 8/3 in WNC 8/4; IRNA 8/6, MA 8/3 in WNC 8/8; MM 8/11)

UN special envoy Larsen returns to the Middle East to resolve ongoing claims that Israel has been violating Lebanon's border; says that once Israel guarantees its troops will no longer make forays across the blue line, UNIFIL troops will deploy throughout s. Lebanon. (NYT 7/8; al-Safir 7/14 in WNC 7/18; IRNA 7/15 in WNC 7/19)

In Lausanne, an Israeli Mossad agent who plead guilty on 7/3 to charges of entering Switzerland illegally in 1/98 to spy on a suspected Hizballah supporter is given a 1-yr. suspended sentence and is allowed to return to Israel. (WT 7/8; YA [Internet] 7/10; JP 7/14)

Nr. Marja'uyun, IDF troops fire across the Israel-Lebanon border as 2 of some 200 people celebrating the IDF withdrawal, including 150 Jordan trade union reps., try to cross the border fence. A Lebanese, 3 Jordanians are wounded. (WP, WT 6/25; DUS, JT 6/25 in WNC 6/27; al-Safir 6/24, JT 6/26 in WNC 6/29; DUS 7/28, JT 7/3 in WNC 7/5)

In Beirut, UN Secy.-Gen. Annan asks Pres. Lahoud to recognize the UN verification of Israel's withdrawal and send troops to help UNIFIL patrols, promising that the UN will quickly clear up Israel's minor violations. (MM, WP 6/20; NYT 6/21, 6/22; al-Safir 6/21 in WNC 6/27; MM 6/23; Le Monde 6/24 in WNC 6/29; JP 6/30)

Israel frees 3 Palestinian prisoners that Barak decided to release on 6/14. Arafat describes the release as "an insult." (NYT 6/20; WJW 6/22; MEI 6/30)

YESHA settlers council organizes a rally of 40,000 Jewish settlers outside the Knesset, followed by a march to PM Barak's residence to protest any further transfers of land to PA control. The 40,000 figure includes 10,000 children bused in fr. their schools in the West Bank. (MM, NYT 6/20)

Jordan's new PM Abu Raghib forms a new 29-mbr. cabinet, including 9 Palestinians and 1 mbr. of the Muslim Brotherhood's (MB) Islamic Action front (IAF). The cabinet is heavy with technocrats and businessmen, emphasizing its economic reform agenda. (MM 6/20; MM, WT 6/21; MM 6/22; JT, SA 6/22 in WNC 6/27; MEI 6/30)

In retaliation for Israeli attacks on 5/3 that killed and injured a number of civilians, Hizballah fires rockets into n. Israel, killing 1 IDF solider; 28 civilians are lightly injured by flying glass. (MM, NYT, WP 5/5; Interfax, IRNA 5/5 in WNC 5/8; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/10; WJW 5/11)

In Beirut, UN special envoy Larsen holds talks with Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss regarding Israel's planned unilateral withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MEI, MM, WP 5/5; al-Safir 5/9 in WNC 5/15; MEI 5/19)

In Cairo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the PA hold a technical comm. mtg. on displaced persons. (AYM 5/6 in WNC 5/10)

The White House announces that Arafat, Barak will come to Washington separately to meet with Clinton on final status talks. Clinton-Barak talks will also address the Syrian track. (NYT, WT 4/9; XIN 4/9 in WNC 4/11)

Syrian FM Shara` arrives in Cairo with a message to Pres. Mubarak fr. Pres. Asad regarding Israel's proposed unilateral withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon; says publicly that Syria would welcome a withdrawal, even if unilateral. (MENA 4/8 in WNC 4/11; NYT 4/10; USIS Washington File [Internet] 4/12; WP 4/14; al-Musawwar 4/14 in WNC 4/17; AYM 4/18 in WNC 4/20)

In an editorial in the London-based daily al-Hayat, British journalist and Asad biographer Patrick Seale offers an independent proposal, which Israel interprets as floated by Syria, for a compromise solution to the Golan withdrawal issue. (MM 4/8; NYT 4/10; see also MM 4/7)

In the 1st major public event on the Palestinian refugee issue, 100s of activists, students, scholars fr. around the world attend a conference in Boston aimed at developing an international action plan to support Palestinians' right of return. 100s more are turned way due to limited space. Speakers are respected senior academics and political analysts, including Edward Said, Noam Chomsky. (BDL 4/19; al-Safir [Internet] 5/1)

The U.S. announces a "major gesture" to Iran, acknowledging (but not apologizing for) past meddling in Iran, including the 1953 CIA-backed coup that restored the monarchy; promising steps toward the return of assets frozen since the 1979 revolution; lifting a ban on imports of Iranian luxury goods; easing restrictions on Iranian academics and athletes visiting the U.S. Secy. of State Albright adds that the U.S. will also consider the upcoming trial 13 Iranian Jews as a "barometer of U.S.-Iran relations." (NYT, WP, WT 3/17; NYT, WP 3/18; IRNA 3/18, 3/19 in WNC 3/21; NYT 3/19; MM 3/20; AYM 3/21 in WNC 3/23; CSM, MM 3/24; NY 4/27) (see 2/2)

Lebanon grants asylum to 1 of 5 Japanese Red Army mbrs. who just completed prison terms for passport forgery. The other 4 mbrs. are deported to Jordan, which hands them over to Japanese officials for extradition to Tokyo, where they will stand trial for bombings they carried out there in the 1970s. When they hear the news, angry demonstrators rally outside Lebanese PM Salim al-Huss's home. Huss claims Lebanon did not have an agmt. with Jordan, Japan to send the 4 back to Tokyo. (NYT, WP 3/18; al-Safir 3/18 in WNC 3/21; NYT 3/19; MM 3/21; WP, WT 3/22; MEI 5/5) (see 7/31/97)

Hizballah attacks an IDF post in s. Lebanon killing 3 IDF soldiers, wounding 4. Barak does not order a severe response but vows that Israel will retaliate "at the place and the time of our choosing." He also says Syria must rein in Hizballah for talks to resume. (MM 1/31; RL 1/31 in WNC 2/1, 2/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/1; al-Safir 2/1 in WNC 2/2; MM 2/2; WJW 2/3; MEI 2/11)

On the 2d day of their joint economic comm. mtg. in Tehran, Iran, Lebanon sign 3 memoranda of understanding on expanding economic, trade, commercial relations; discuss possible joint industrial projects. (IRIB Television, IRNA 1/30 in WNC 1/31; IRIB Television 1/31 in WNC 2/1)

In Elat, Israel, the PA begin 10 days of intensive FAPS talks. (WT 1/30; AFP, AYM 1/30 in WNC 1/31; al-Quds 1/30 in WNC 2/1; NYT, WP, WT 1/31; MM 2/3)

At Pres. Clinton's recommendation, Barak goes to Cairo to discuss with Mubarak ways to speed the multitrack peace process. Mubarak briefs Barak on his recent mtgs. with Arafat, Asad, King Abdallah. (MENA 1/30 in WNC 1/31, 2/7; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/31; MM 2/1; WJW 2/3) (see 1/22)

In Davos, Secy. of State Albright meets separately with PA's Arafat, Jordan's King Abdallah, Egypt's FM Musa, Israel's Regional Cooperation M Peres for talks on the peace process. Peres also meets with Bahrain's crown prince Shaykh Salman Bin-Hamad al-Khalifa. (AFP 1/30 in WNC 1/31; MM, NYT 1/31; MM 2/1, 2/2)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a large roadside bomb, killing the SLA's 2d in command Col. `Aql Hashim. Israel considers the assassination a significant blow since Hashim was the only likely successor to SLA Cmdr. Antoine Lahd, who is expected to retire soon. The IDF makes a limited counterattack on Hizballah targets, killing 1 civilian. (RL 1/30 in WNC 1/31; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/31; MM 2/2; WJW 2/3; al-Safir 2/3 in WNC 2/4; MEI 2/11)