Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. Senior Hamas Hani Abu Bakir is assassinated by IDF troops in Gaza. IDF soldiers, Palestinian gunmen engage in a protracted gunfight outside Morag settlement in Gaza; later, the IDF bulldozes at least 17 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Morag. Palestinians ambush, seriously injure a settler nr. Ramallah. A grenade explodes nr. Gush Katif settlement, causing no injuries. Israel approves the entry of 13,000 Palestinian laborers needed to help bring in the citrus, flower, other crop harvests. (LAW 12/14; HA, NYT, WP, WT 12/15; PCHR 12/18; MA 12/25 in WNC 12/27)
Late this evening, Arafat, Israeli FM Ben-Ami, Israeli chief negotiator Sher hold talks at Erez on resuming peace talks. (REU 12/14; HA, IsRN, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/15)