In the West Bank, Israeli settlers began constructing a settler road to Givat Allam on land belonging to residents of Khirbet Yanun. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians and stole sheep in...
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November 28, 2023
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February 16, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home of 1 Palestinian man accused of killing 1 Israeli settler in October 2022, blowing up the house in Hebron with explosives....
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November 11, 2022
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 4 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Hebron. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians harvesting olives near Hebron, causing injuries. Israeli forces...
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August 18, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during a raid in Tayasir, injuring 2 with live ammunition, 1 with a rubber-coated bullet, and other suffered tear-gas related...
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August 8, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian vehicles traveling near a checkpoint in Tayasir, causing damage to both. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Bayt Dajan...
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July 25, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers installed caravans and started building structures in an evacuated settlement outpost near Yatta. Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle traveling...
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December 11, 2010
Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Bureij r.c. fire artillery shells at 2 Palestinians who...
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June 15, 2009
In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm; conducts late-night patrols in Silat al-Harithiyya nr. Jenin, erecting a checkpoint and checking IDs and car...
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March 15, 2005
“In the framework of easing restrictions” on Palestinians, Israel rescinds expulsion orders against 4 Palestinians sent to Gaza several yrs. ago, allowing them to return to their homes in the West...
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February 6, 2004
IDF undercover units traveling in cars with Palestinian license plates raid Askar r.c., arrest 4 Palestinians. The IDF also begins (without forewarning) requiring special licenses for trucks...
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March 7, 2002
Israel's air, land, and sea assaults continue, leaving at least 16 Palestinians dead, more than 70 injured. The IDF enters Tulkarm r.c. and Nur al-Shams r.c., meeting fierce resistance. In Tulkarm...
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February 13, 1989
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces that 500 Israeli families are planning on moving into the Gaza Strip; plans call for increasing settler population from...
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December 12, 1983
SOCIAL/POLITICAL:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Denied building permits since 1948, refugees of Kadita village living in Anbara camp granted 35 dunums by Israeli Lands Administra- tion. In...
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers began constructing a settler road to Givat Allam on land belonging to residents of Khirbet Yanun. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians and stole sheep in Arab al-Milehat. Israeli forces also shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 children, during raids in Beitunia, Tayasir, and Kafr Ein. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 7 Palestinians during raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Arroub refugee camp, Beitunia, and Deir Abu Mash’al. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family home in Deir ‘Ammar of a Palestinian who was killed by Israeli forces on 8/3, damaging nearby homes and shooting and injuring 2. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bani Na’im, displacing 20. Israeli forces also notified residents of Husan, Wadi Fukin, and al-Jaba’ that it will seize 1,500 dunams (370 acres) of land to construct a settler-only road. In Gaza, Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians trying to reach their homes in northern Gaza. Israel claimed that several Israel soldiers had been injured in 2 separate attacks involving explosives and live ammunition. Hamas its fighters had responded to a “blatant breach of the ceasefire” by Israel. 300 Palestinians who were working in Israel before 10/7 were expelled to Gaza. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked Aita al-Shaab. (AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/28)
The Gaza Media Office did not update the casualty numbers, leaving the death toll from Israeli attacks at 15,000 as of 11/27, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 234 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 58 children. More than 3,174 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.8 million Palestinians, nearly 80% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 4 trucks carrying fuel and 4 carrying cooking oil entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israel prevented it from bringing fuel for ambulances into northern Gaza. 31 trucks carrying aid entered northern Gaza. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/28)
30 Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons, 15 women and 15 children, on the fifth day of the prisoner exchange. 12 captives held in Gaza were released to Israel, including 10 Israeli women and 2 Thai nationals. Hundreds of Palestinians cheered the release of the captives, and members of both Hamas and Islamic Jihad were present during the handover to the Red Cross. Israel added 46 Palestinian prisoners to the list of people it is willing to exchange for Hamas-held captives, including 20 Palestinian citizens of Israel who had been arrested after 10/7 on charges of incitement. The Hadash party condemned the Israeli decision, saying it could serve as a justification for the Israeli government to revoke their citizenship. Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar reportedly visited some of the Hamas-held captives on 10/8, telling them they would not be harmed. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said Israel had arrested 168 Palestinians in the West Bank, while it had released 150 as part of the prisoner exchange. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/28; HA 11/29)
The WHO warned that more people could die from disease than from the Israeli attacks if the health and sanitation systems in Gaza are not repaired. (AJ, REU 11/28)
Egyptian intelligence director Abbas Kamal, Mossad director David Barnea, CIA director William Burns, and Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani met in Doha, discussing extending the ceasefire and prisoner exchanges. Egyptian sources reported that Israel and Hamas had agreed to extend the ceasefire for an additional 2 days from 11/30. Haaretz reported that Israel is not willing to extend the ceasefire beyond 12/3. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT 11/28; HA 11/29)
PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour addressed the UN General Assembly, saying the Israeli government’s “priority is not security, it is the destruction of the Palestinian nation,” calling on the assembly to make Palestine a full member of the UN. (AJ 11/28)
PA health minister Mai al-Kaila and Egyptian health minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar met in Cairo to discuss aid to Gaza and treatment of wounded Palestinians in Egypt. (WAFA 11/28)
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant spoke with U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, discussing U.S. military assistance to Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the German newspaper Die Welt that Israel must “demilitarize” and “de-radicalize” Gaza, like Germany was after World War II. (HA 11/27; AJ, HA 11/28)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir wrote on X that stopping the war on Gaza would equal the dissolution of the government coalition. (AJ 11/28; NYT 11/29)
Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told UN secretary-general Antonio Gutterres that Israel should be tried in international courts for its war crimes in Gaza. (REU 11/28)
In what appeared to be a call for a permanent ceasefire, U.S. president Joe Biden tweeted, “Hamas unleashed a terrorist attack because they fear nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians living side by side in peace. To continue down the path of terror, violence, killing, and war is to give Hamas what they seek. We can’t do that.” (AJ 11/28; AJ, NYT 11/29)
U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, thanking him for “Qatar’s partnership and critical efforts to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said the U.S. had airlifted 54,000 pounds of humanitarian aid to Egypt for Gaza. U.S. officials said that the Biden administration had told Israel it had to avoid “significant further displacement” in its planned invasion of southern Gaza. (HA 11/27; AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/28; AX 11/29)
U.S. senator Peter Welch (D-VT) joined senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) in calling for a permanent ceasefire. 40 U.S. senators from both parties viewed a screening of an Israeli film about Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood at the U.S. Capitol. (AJ, HA 11/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home of 1 Palestinian man accused of killing 1 Israeli settler in October 2022, blowing up the house in Hebron with explosives. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 2 agricultural structures in al-Walaja. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Bireh, Ramallah, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Jenin, Deir Sharaf, Tayasir, Aida refugee camp, and Beit Kahil. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issued 6 demolition notices for homes in Isawiya. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/16; PCHR 2/23; UNOCHA 3/4)
White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the White House is “deeply dismayed by the Israeli announcement” from 10/12 to legalize settlement outposts and expand settlements. Jean-Pierre said the settlement activity “creates facts on the ground” that reduce the chances of a two-state solution. (MEE, TOI 2/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 4 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Hebron. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians harvesting olives near Hebron, causing injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring 1 minor with shrapnel from live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian man after forcing him out of his car in Hebron. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 Palestinians and 1 international activist with a baton round and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces confiscated 2 tractors and 1 car in Hamsa in the Jordan Valley. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jenin refugee camp and Tayasir. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/11; PCHR 11/17; UNOCHA 11/25)
The UN special political and decolonization committee approved draft resolution A/C.4/77/L.12/REV.1 requesting the International Court of Justice give its opinion on the legal status of the Israeli occupation of Palestine since 1967. The resolution will go to the UNGA for a vote. The draft resolution passed 98-17 with 52 countries abstaining. Notably, Ukraine voted for the draft resolution and the UK abstained. The U.S., Israel, Australia, Austria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Italy were among the countries to vote against. According to Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan, Israel lobbied “dozens of countries that we have persuaded not to support” the draft resolution. Israeli president Isaac Herzog also called PA president Mahmoud Abbas in an effort to pressure Abbas into retracting the proposal. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/11; HA, HA, MEE, MEMO 11/12; HA, HA, HA, WAFA 11/13; HA, HA, REU 11/15; HA 11/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during a raid in Tayasir, injuring 2 with live ammunition, 1 with a rubber-coated bullet, and other suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces raided a printing company in Hebron, seizing 19 printing machines and closing the company indefinitely. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and 1 water tank near Qiffin and 1 commercial structure in Ya‘bad. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Deir Abu Mash’al, Tubas, Qusra, and Beit Umar. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; PCHR 8/19)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the head of Egypt’s general intelligence service Abbas Kamel in Ramallah. The readout from the meeting said that the 2 discussed bilateral relations. However, it is likely that the 2 also discussed the Egyptian mediation efforts to create a long-term ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. Egyptian security officials met with Israeli security officials earlier in the day in Cairo and Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz met with Kamel prior to his visit to Ramallah. Palestinian factions in Gaza said they would resume protests at the Gaza fence on 8/21 if no progress had been made in easing the restrictions imposed on the Gaza blockade after the May assault on Gaza and if Qatari aid continued to be stalled. During their meeting, Kamel invited Prime Minister Bennett to Cairo to meet Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. (ALM, AP, HA, HA, WAFA 8/18; ALM, HA, MEMO, MEMO 8/19)
The Israeli high court of justice rejected a petition by the family of Ahmad Erekat, who was killed by Israeli forces on 6/23/2020, to have his remains handed over to his family. According to Adalah, Israel is holding the bodies of 81 people killed by Israeli forces since 2015. (HA, WAFA 8/18; MEE 8/19)
Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett was invited to meet U.S. president Joe Biden at the White House on 8/26. (AP, AX, MEE, MEMO, REU, REU 8/18; HA, MEMO 8/20)
53 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives called on U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken to take a more proactive role in ensuring that humanitarian aid is able to reach Gaza, as Israel continues to keep additional restrictions on the blockade placed during the Israeli assault on Gaza in May. The representatives were led by Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI). (HA, MEE 8/19; ALM, WAFA 8/20)
Japan announced that it would contribute $3.7 million to the UNRWA during a visit by Japanese foreign minister Toshimitsu Motegi in Ramallah. (WAFA 8/18)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian vehicles traveling near a checkpoint in Tayasir, causing damage to both. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Bayt Dajan, causing the man to be hospitalized. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet, 4 with tear gas canisters, and 50 with tear gas. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bayt Jala and Yatta, and 2 in the vicinity of Beit Fajjar. In Israel, Israeli prison forces raided a section of the Ktzi’ot prison, assaulting Palestinian prisoners. (WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEE, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/12)
Peace Now reported that the Israeli government is moving ahead with a plan to create a new settlement with 9,000 housing units at the Atarot airport between Jerusalem and Ramallah. The plans are set to be discussed on 12/6/2021. Peace Now called on the government to shelve the plans for the new settlement immediately. (TOI 8/2; PCN 8/8; AJ 8/17)
Israeli national security officials met with Egyptian security officials in Cairo to discuss the details for a long-term ceasefire with Hamas. (MEMO 8/9)
According to Haaretz, IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi met with IDF central command officials, asking them to take steps to reduce lethal shootings of Palestinians in the West Bank as the death toll of Palestinians in the West Bank since May had risen to 40 on 8/6. Haaretz called on Chief of Staff Kochavi in an editorial to dismiss head of IDF central command Tomer Yadai in response to the many killings. (HA, HA 8/10)
Bahrain’s undersecretary for political affairs Shaykh Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Khalifa met with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and foreign minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem, where he announced plans to start direct flights between the 2 countries. Foreign Minister Lapid also said he would be visiting Bahrain soon. The 2 countries formalized a normalization deal in September 2020. (HA 8/8; ALM 8/10)
A Saudi Arabian court handed sentences of up to 22 to years in prison to a large number of Palestinian and Jordanian residents of the country who were charged with being linked to unnamed terrorist organizations. A total of 69 Palestinians and Jordanians received either prison sentences or were acquitted. It was unclear how many of the 69 were acquitted; all were detained in March 2018. Among the Palestinians to receive prison sentences was Hamas representative to Saudi Arabia Mohammed al-Khodari, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Hamas condemned the rulings, calling the sentences “harsh and undeserved.” (AJ, MEMO, MEMO 8/9; ALM, MEMO 8/12)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers installed caravans and started building structures in an evacuated settlement outpost near Yatta. Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle traveling near Ya‘bad, injuring 1 and arresting 2; the 3 were allegedly trying to enter Israel for work. Israeli forces also seized cables and other equipment funded by Denmark to rehabilitate the power grid in the Simya area south of Hebron. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Hebron and Beit Fajjar, and 6 at checkpoints in and around Tayasir, Deir Balut, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukaber, displacing 2. Israeli forces also delivered orders that they would seize 2 tents used by protesters for an ongoing sit-in protest against evictions in Sheikh Jarrah. 1 Palestinian was arrested in Silwan. In Gaza, Israel halved the Gaza fishing zone, from 12 to 6 nautical miles at its largest width, prevented 25 fuel trucks from entering Gaza, and later conducted 1 drone strike in agricultural lands near Jabalia refugee camp and later 2 air strikes in the same area, causing damage to trees and crops. Israel cited incendiary balloons sent from Gaza to Israel as the reason for its attacks. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/25; ALM, FOX, JP, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 7/26; MEMO 7/27; PCHR 7/29)
Haaretz reported that Israel banned all Palestinian truck drivers with Israeli citizenship from delivering to Israeli military bases during the Israeli attacks on Gaza in May, dubbed Operation Guardian of the Walls. The Israeli military said that the drivers had refused to work during the operation, but that was refuted by the truck drivers themselves and sources in the Israeli military. (HA 7/25; HA 7/26)
The Israeli government said it would delay implementing an oil transportation deal with the UAE, citing environmental concerns. The oil transportation deal was made after the normalization deal between the 2 countries. (AJ 7/25; MEMO 7/26; ALM, JP 7/27)
2 Israeli airlines started commercial flights from Tel Aviv to Marrakesh and Casablanca in Morocco, the 1st direct flights between the 2 countries since they normalized relations in 2020. (AP, MEE, MEMO, REU 7/25)
Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Bureij r.c. fire artillery shells at 2 Palestinians who stray nr. the border fence, killing them; the IDF prevents the Palestinian Red Crescent Society fr. retrieving their bodies for 2 days. In 2 separate incidents, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in the fmr. Jewish settlement sites, wounding 1. IDF troops also fire at Palestinian farmers who stray nr. the border fence n. of Bayt Hanun, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tayasir village nr. Tubas. (JP 12/11; PCHR 12/16; OCHA 12/17)
In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm; conducts late-night patrols in Silat al-Harithiyya nr. Jenin, erecting a checkpoint and checking IDs and car registrations. The UN reports that the IDF has removed the physical infrastructure of an IDF checkpoint at the entrance to Jericho; soldiers remain posted at the site but have not been stopping Palestinian vehicles; the IDF has also opened 3 checkpoints nr. Jenin, Jericho, and Nablus (Tayasir, Ma’ale Ephraim, and Hamra, respectively) around the clock. Jewish settlers fr. Eli settlement nr. Nablus set fire to nearby Palestinian crop land; the IDF observes but refuses to stop the settlers or call firefighters. A Hamas mbr. dies in PA custody in Hebron, and Hamas accuses the PASF of torturing him; the 34-yr.-old man was arrested on charges of money laundering, illegal gun possession, and conspiracy to target PASF forces. (JTA, REU 6/15; OCHA, PCHR, WJW 6/18)
“In the framework of easing restrictions” on Palestinians, Israel rescinds expulsion orders against 4 Palestinians sent to Gaza several yrs. ago, allowing them to return to their homes in the West Bank. The IDF shoots, wounds a Palestinian who allegedly “rioted” at a roadblock nr. Qalqilya; raids Budrus nr. Ramallah, fires on stone-throwing youths, wounding 3; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Mughayyir nr. Ramallah, Tayasir nr. Jenin, Tulkarm; places cement blocks across the Bir Nabala–al-Ram road (a major commercial thoroughfare) and on the Dahiyat al-Barid–Qalandia road n. of Jerusalem. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim bar 10s of Palestinian farmers fr. accessing their lands in nearby Kafr Qadim. (VOI, VOP 3/15; JP, OCHA 3/16; PCHR 3/17; IMEMC 3/25)
IDF undercover units traveling in cars with Palestinian license plates raid Askar r.c., arrest 4 Palestinians. The IDF also begins (without forewarning) requiring special licenses for trucks crossing through al-Hamra checkpoint in the n. Jordan Valley, Tayasir checkpoint outside Jenin; fires on residential areas in Rafah, nr. Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron; orders the confiscation of 220 dunams of Dayr al-Balah land that the IDF has already bulldozed; begins construction of a new settler bypass road nr. Tulkarm. Palestinians fire 2 antitank rockets at an IDF convoy in Rafah, wounding 2 soldiers; fire 2 Qassam rockets, 1 causing heavy damage to a greenhouse in a Gaza settlement, 1 landing outside Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 2/8; PCHR 2/12)
Israel's air, land, and sea assaults continue, leaving at least 16 Palestinians dead, more than 70 injured. The IDF enters Tulkarm r.c. and Nur al-Shams r.c., meeting fierce resistance. In Tulkarm r.c., IDF fire kills 2 Palestinian ambulance workers, wounds 4 others, plus 10s of Palestinians. IDF soldiers halt an ambulance in Salem, abduct a wounded Palestinian. After a Hamas gunman sneaks into a Atzmona settlement in Gaza and opens fire, killing 5 Jewish settlers and wounding 23 before being shot dead, the IDF sends 10s of tanks and armored personnel carriers (APCs) into Aida, Bethlehem, Dahaysha, 2 neighboring villages, meeting little resistance; soldiers cut electricity, conduct house-to-house searches, occupy numerous homes and schools as observation and staging posts. F-16s bomb PA security offices in Bethlehem, destroying the Force 17 headquarters, a clinic. A PFLP suicide bomber detonates a device in Ariel settlement, lightly injuring 5 settlers; another Palestinian with a large bomb in a backpack is captured, disarmed in a Jerusalem cafe. A Palestinian gunman seriously wounds a Jewish settler nr. Nablus. IDF gunboats shell PA government buildings, political offices, intelligence headquarters, and a PSF compound in Gaza City, injuring 13 PSF officers and leaving only 2 of 25 buildings in the compound standing. The IDF also sends tanks into Jenin; shells PSF offices in Halhul, Hebron, Yatta; shells, destroys the PFLP headquarters in Bayt Hanun; invades the Jerusalem Chamber of Commerce, confiscating files related to Palestinian land, property ownership; demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Tayasir, Jenin; fire on a Palestinian school in Hawara. Some 150 Israeli intelligence officers, border police, troops seal off the Jabal Mukabir section of East Jerusalem, where they surround the home of human rights activist Khader Shkirat, briefly take him into custody, search his home. (AP, CNN, HP, LAW, NYT, WP 3/7; AFP 3/7 in WNC 3/8, 3/11; LAW, MM, NYT, WP 3/8; MA 3/8 in WNC 3/11; LAW 3/13, 3/20; MEI 3/22)
U.S. Pres. George W. Bush orders U.S. special envoy Anthony Zinni back to the region to attempt to secure an Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire. (AP 3/7; NYT, WP, WT 3/8; MM 3/11; AYM 3/12 in WNC 3/14; MEI 3/22)
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces that 500 Israeli families are planning on moving into the Gaza Strip; plans call for increasing settler population from 3,000 to 30,000 [FBIS 2/15].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Qabatiyyah a Palestinian is killed, 2 others wounded as unidentified object explodes; in Tayasir 2 Palestinian children are hurt in similar incident. In Rafah troops open fire, wounding 3 Palestinians. At least 8 Palestinians are shot, wounded during clashes in the W. Bank [FBIS 2/14].
SOCIAL/POLITICAL:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Denied building permits since 1948, refugees of Kadita village living in Anbara camp granted 35 dunums by Israeli Lands Administra- tion. In response to latest clashes with Arab residents in Upper Nazareth, Arab-Jewish committee formed in Jerusalem to combat increasing racism against Arabs. Law in the Service of Man (Ramallah) publishes reply to misinformation in US State Dep't. report on Israel's human rights record.
Arab World: US Sec. of State Shultz defends "strategic coorperation" with Israel during talks with HM Hassan II in Rabat. About 2,000 Lebanese and Palestinian former Ansar prisoners rearrested and interrogated by Israeli forces. Israeli military court in Nablus sentences 14 youths from Qabatyah to 2 to 3-year prison terms for stone-throwing.
MILITARY ACTION:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dhib Mahmoud Daba'ak killed instantly by Israeli patrol while ploughing field near Tayasir, NW of Nablus; body airlifted to Jaffa for autopsy and Israel Army spokesman announces man killed by stray bullet while riding horse into firing range. Israeli forces set up checkpoints at entrances to al-Najah National University, harassing students and faculty. Booby-trapped IDF grenade explodes on doorstep of Palestinian home in Husan village; 2 other bombs discovered in search of village.