IDF troops on the Gaza border fires on a group of Palestinians in the fmr. Nisanit settlement area nr. the border fence nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF sends an undercover unit in a car with Palestinian license plates into Tulkarm r.c., fires on a group of Palestinians wounding 4 (an AMB mbr., an Islamic Jihad mbr., 2 bystanders ages 10 and 16), then fires 5 shots at 1 of the wounded, AMB mbr. Jasr Zughayb, assassinating him; fatally shoots 2 AMB mbrs. in an exchange of fire in Nablus, also demolishing the home in which they were staying; fatally shoots a 17-yr.-old Palestinian who attempts to cut through the separation fence nr. Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Abu Dis; raids the Modern College building in Beitunia nr. Ramallah, firing on PSF officers dispatched to the scene responding to reports of suspicious activity, killing 2 PSF officers. (MM 2/1; NYT, WP, WT 2/2; WP 2/3; Middle East Newsline 2/5; MM 2/6; OCHA 2/7; PCHR 2/8; NYT 2/23; JTA 3/4)

In Gaza, a combined group of Hamas, ESF mbrs. acting on rumors of Fatah of smuggling weapons halt, demand to inspect a 4-truck convoy escorted by Abbas’s presidential guard that entered Gaza fr. Israel through the Kerem Shalom crossing, sparking an exchange of gunfire that leaves at least 5 Palestinians dead (including 4 presidential guardsmen, 1 female bystander), 34 wounded (including 14 bystanders); the shipment of supplies (widely believed to be arms and ammunition though in separate statements, Fatah says it is food and medical supplies, equipment and tents, generators and spare parts) fr. the UAE reportedly was organized by Gaza strongman Dahlan, with the knowledge of the U.S. and Israel, and was intended for guard units loyal to him; the contents of the trucks cannot be confirmed, as they are seized during the clash (it is unclear by whom). The convoy incident precipitates Fatah-Hamas gunfights across the Strip that kill at least 3 Palestinians, wound at least another 50, and end a 3-day truce. In the most serious incidents: PA Presidential Guard units storm the Islamic University campus, clash with ESF mbrs. guarding the campus (leaving 22 wounded), claim to seize a large weapons cache and to detain 7 Iranian “explosives experts”; Hamas denies the presence of any Iranians in Gaza, Fatah does not give any proof of the arrests, Israel and the U.S. say they cannot corroborate the story; suspected Fatah gunmen fire on Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. Other Fatah-Hamas clashes are reported in Bayt Hanun, Bureij r.c., Gaza City, Jabaliya r.c., Khan Yunis, Rafah. In Gaza City, 5,000 Palestinians attend a rally organized by the National and Islamic Higher Comm. for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC) calling for a cessation to intra-Palestinian violence. Abbas issues a presidential decree taking over 18 acres of Palestinian land nr. the Qarni crossing for construction of a presidential guard training base, to be funded by Western donors; the UN will provide training; a 16-acre presidential guard base and intelligence services training college is also being built in Jericho.

IDF surrounds a mosque in Bayt Kahil during noon prayers, searches and questions worshipers as they leave; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Itamar settlement shoot, wound a 15-yr.-old Palestinian shepherd outside Nablus. (MM 2/2; NYT, WP 2/3; MM 2/6; OCHA 2/7; PCHR 2/8)

The worst Fatah-Hamas fighting in Gaza to date leaves a total of 18 Palestinians dead (including 2 children ages 5 and 7, 6 presidential guardsmen; including 12 in Gaza City, 3 in Jabaliya r.c., 1 in Abasan, 1 in Bayt Lahiya), more than 220 injured, with factions exchanging mortar, RPG fire; setting fire to and ransacking rival meeting halls, security compounds (including the n. Gaza headquarters of the PA Military Intelligence, PSF, General Intelligence, as well as a Force 17 barracks, ESF offices, and barracks for the Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades). In the most serious incidents; the Fatah dominated presidential guard attempts to overrun the Hamas-controlled PA Interior Min. offices in Gaza City, exchanging fire with the ESF there, as well as torching parts of Islamic University (a Hamas stronghold); Hamas mbrs. later attack several buildings at Fatah-dominated al-Quds University and destroying the Palestinian Labor Voice radio station in Jabaliya; and Fatah mbrs. raid a mosque in Abasan, firing on worshipers, killing 1, wounding 8, kidnapping 6. A Palestinian woman wounded in the ESF–Presidential Guard exchange on 2/1 dies. Egyptian mediators resident in Gaza broker talks with Hamas, Fatah officials, who order their mbrs. in the afternoon to begin observing a cease-fire, but exchanges continue late into the evening. (As Egyptian officials leave the talks, their convoy comes under fire, causing no injuries.) In Rafah, 300 Palestinians march calling for a halt to intra-Palestinian violence. In the West Bank, unidentified gunmen fire on the home of mayor of Qalqilya, causing no injuries.

IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalandia; raids municipal offices in Bir Nabala n. of Jerusalem, confiscating the land register, computers, financial records, seals, checkbooks. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during an IDF raid on Bayt Lahiya on 11/21. (NYT, WP 2/4; MM, NYT 2/5; OCHA 2/7; PCHR 2/8)

In Gaza, scattered Fatah-Hamas skirmishes continue throughout the day (including in Bayt Lahiya, Gaza City), leaving at least 2 Palestinians dead, 10 wounded. Fatah, Hamas officials meet for a 2d day and order their mbrs. once again to observe a truce, withdraw forces fr. the streets, dismantle impromptu checkpoints, but there is no sign of a return to barracks by nightfall. Fatah accuses Hamas of kidnapping around 40 of its mbrs. in recent days, including the nephew of Fatah strongman Dahlan,abducted today in Khan Yunis.

IDF troops on the Gaza border shoot, wound 2 Palestinians hunting birds nr. the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin, nr. Bethlehem, and in al-Bireh, Tulkarm; sets up a checkpoint inside Hebron, checking cars and IDs. (MM, NYT, WP 2/5; OCHA 2/7; PCHR 2/8)

In Gaza, Hamas mbrs. attack Fatah bases with mortar, RPG fire. PA General Intelligence officers fire on the convoy of a PA Interior Min. official in Gaza City, wounding 2 bodyguards. In the West Bank, suspected Fatah mbrs. set fire to the bookshop of a prominent Hamas mbr. Throughout the day, Fatah, Hamas officials work to impose a cease-fire. In the evening, both sides exchange hostages, gunmen withdraw, joint Fatah-Hamas patrols monitor the streets. Two mbrs. of Abbas’s presidential guard die of injuries received in clashes with Hamas mbrs. in Gaza City on 2/2.

The IDF sends a bulldozer, 3 tanks 300 m. into Gaza northeast of Bayt Lahiya to level land, withdraws the troops later in the day. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, nr. Hebron and Tulkarm, and in Beitunia (arresting a PA Military Intelligence officer), Bethlehem, Kafr Qalil. (OCHA 2/7; PCHR 2/8)

A PA General Intelligence officer, a Hamas mbr. die of injuries received earlier in intra-Palestinian clashes in Jabaliya r.c.

The IDF allows departures through Rafah crossing for the 1st time since 1/8, causing a near riot among the 10,000–12,000 Palestinians gathered in the exit area, forcing the EU monitors to close the crossing late in the morning. Palestinians later fire on Rafah crossing in an attempt to force it to reopen, wounding 1 Palestinian bystander. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in ‘Azun, clashing with stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops; conduct arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, nr. Qalqilya, and in Hebron, Tulkarm town and r.c. Israeli authorities begin excavation work 50 yds. fr. the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount with the stated purpose of replacing a centuries-old walkway damaged in a snowstorm in 2004, denies archeological digging is underway though it admits that, by law, any artifacts must be salvaged before work can begin; Waqf officials protest the work; Hamas organizes peaceful demonstrations in Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Jabaliya r.c., Khan Yunis, Nussayrat r.c., Rafah against the construction. (IFM, MM, NYT, OCHA 2/7; MM, PCHR 2/8; PLONAD 2/9)

Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries.

In Gaza City, Dahlan’s bodyguards kill 1 ESF mbr.,wound3ina drive-by shooting. In Khan Yunis, ESF mbrs. release Dahlan’s nephew, kidnapped on 2/3, after severely beating him. ESF, Fatah mbrs. exchange fire in Khan Yunis, wounding 1 bystander. ESF mbrs. break into a Force 17 base in Bayt Hanun, temporarily detain 4 Force 17 mbrs. In Gaza City, 2,000 PA employees rally to call for a halt to intra- Palestinian violence.

IDF troops on the Gaza border n. of Sufa crossing fire heavy machine guns into Gaza at a group of Palestinians preparing to launch rockets, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, in Abu Dis, and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm. (OCHA 2/14; PCHR 2/15

Fatah mbrs. loyal to Dahlan manning a checkpoint in Gaza City fire on the car of PA Culture Min. dir. gen. ‘Izz al-Din al-Masri (Change and Reform) when his driver refuses to stop for inspection; no injuries are reported. In Bethlehem, unidentified assailants set fire to 2 cars, a shop owned by prominent Hamas mbrs. An 8-yr.-old Palestinian boy dies of injuries received during clashes btwn. the ESF, presidential guard on 2/1 in Bureij r.c.

IDF troops on the n. Gaza Border nr. Bayt Lahiya shoot, wound a Palestinian collecting scrap metal nr. the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units in a car with Palestinian license plates into Baqa al-Sharqiyya nr. Tulkarm to ambush, arrest 2 wanted Palestinians; surrounds, photographs a municipal building in ‘Azun; fire live ammunition, tear gas, percussion grenades at 10s of Palestinians holding a peaceful demonstration in Hebron against Israel’s construction work at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, wounding 2 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Tulkarm; bulldozes 400 m2 of Palestinian land nr. the entrance to ‘Azun for construction of an observation tower; confiscates 400 m2 of Palestinian land in Hebron for another observation tower. (MM 2/8; OCHA 2/14; PCHR 2/15)

Islamic Jihad fires 6 rockets fr. Gaza toward the IDF post at the Sufa crossing, causing no damage or injuries, prompting the IDF to shut the crossing. In Nussayrat r.c., a Palestinian is injured when an explosive device he is preparing explodes prematurely.

In Nussayrat r.c., 500 Palestinian children organized by an NGO demonstrate against the ongoing intra-Palestinian violence and for a national unity government. Some 400 Palestinian women, children attend a similarly rally organized by Islamic Jihad, the PFLP in Dayr al-Balah. The NIHC organizes a peaceful demonstration in Rafah against Israel’s construction at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount.

On the 3d day of talks brokered by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia in Mecca, Abbas, Hamas head Khalid Mishal sign an agmt. charging Haniyeh to form a national unity government within 5 wks., calling an immediate intra-Palestinian cease-fire. (MM 2/8; MM, NYT, UNIS, WP, WT 2/9; Daily Star, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/10; MM 2/12)

Following Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque, some 200 Israeli riot police raid the mosque compound, clash with stone-throwing Palestinian worshipers protesting over Israel’s excavation work nr. the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount (see 2/6); riots spread to other areas of the Old City, leaving at least 30 Palestinians requiring hospitalization, 15 policemen injured; some 3,000 Israeli police had been stationed around the mosque in anticipation of violence. UNESCO calls on Israel to “suspend any action [at the site] that could endanger the spirit of mutual respect.” In the West Bank, the IDF fires live ammunition, tear gas, percussion grenades to disperse a 10s of Palestinians in Hebron peacefully protesting Israel’s construction at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount; also fires on stone-throwing Palestinians holding a similar demonstration outside ‘Arub r.c., seriously wounding 1 Palestinian; sends troops into ‘Azun, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 2 Palestinians. (NYT 2/9; NYT, WP, WT 2/10; MM 2/12; OCHA 2/14; PCHR 2/15)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Dayr al-Balah fire on a Palestinian shepherd who strays nr. the border fence, wounding him. In the West Bank, the IDF halts a Palestinian school bus nr. Bethlehem, arrests 15 schoolchildren and detains them at detention facilities at Gush Etzion (no cause is reported); forces Palestinian stores in the Hebron market to close; sends troops into ‘Azun for a 2d day, firing on stone-throwing Palestinian youths, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, in Hebron, and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm. Sporadic Palestinian demonstrations against Israel’s construction at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount occur in Jerusalem, the West Bank; no injuries are reported. (NYT, WP, WT 2/11; MM 2/12; OCHA 2/14; PCHR 2/15)

IDF troops on the central Gaza border nr. Dayr al-Balah fire on Palestinian shepherds who stray nr. the border fence, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF releases 15 Palestinian schoolchildren detained outside Bethlehem on 2/10; fire on Palestinians holding a peaceful march nr. Hebron to protest Israel’s construction at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, wounding 2. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba under IDF escort plant on nearby Palestinian land, apparently with the intention of eventually annex the area to the settlement. A Jewish settler fires on Palestinian children throwing stones at his car nr. Hebron, wounding 1 Palestinian bystander. (OCHA 2/14; PCHR 2/15)

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Dahaysha r.c. in a car with Palestinian license plates to arrest a wanted Palestinian teenager; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm, nr. Tulkarm, and in and around Hebron, Nablus. Israel’s mayor of Jerusalem Uri Lupolianski suspends for review construction work at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, though Palestinians hold small protests, throw stones at the IDF during the day in and around East Jerusalem, Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron and Ginat Shomron nr. Qalqilya prevent Palestinians from working their land nearby. Under IDF escort, Jewish settlers fr. Halamish nr. Ramallah uproot 50 olive trees in the Palestinian village of Dayr Nizam. In Gaza City, 200 family mbrs. of Palestinians held in Israeli jails demonstrate outside the PC headquarters, demanding that the PA do more to free their relatives. (MM 2/12; MM, NYT, WT 2/13; OCHA 2/14; PCHR 2/15)

The AMB fires 4 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries.

In Khan Yunis, unidentified assailants kidnap, quickly release unharmed fmr. PA atty. gen. Khalid al-Qidra.A Fatah mbr. injured during 1/29 ESF-Fatah clashes in Jabaliya r.c. dies.

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border shoot, wound a Palestinian farmer who strays nr. the border fence n. of Bayt Lahiya. The Israeli navy fires on the Gaza beach nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 11 bedouin homes nr. 3 Jewish settlements southwest of Jenin; bulldozes 38 d. of Palestinian olive, almond trees nr. Nablus; raids the offices of the al-Ihsan Charitable Society in Hebron, confiscating files, computer discs; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and in Nur al-Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm, Tulkarm r.c. (Jerusalem Post 2/13; OCHA 2/14; PCHR 2/15; OCHA 2/21)

AMB mbrs. fire an RPG at an IDF observation post on the Gaza border e. of Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF directs heavy machine gun fire in return, killing 1 AMB mbr.

The PA fires 470 mbrs of the security forces (at least 150 fr. the Presidential Guard; the remainder fr. Force 17, Military Intelligence, the PSF) for “mutinous behavior” Today, 10s of fired security officers stage a sit-in outside the PC offices in Gaza to demand that the PA rescind their dismissals.

In the West Bank, the IDF bulldozes 7 bedouin homes (displacing 75 bedouin), 5 other structures in Hathalin nr. Alasfir settlement southeast of Hebron; fires on 10s of Palestinians nr. Nablus demonstrating against Israel’s construction at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and in ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’, Nablus, Qabatya; patrols, fires on shops in Kafr Dik nr. Salfit, also firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, causing only light injuries. Also in Hebron, 20 Jewish settlers occupy a vacant Palestinian building, but are evacuated by the IDF after sundown. (AP 2/14; PCHR 2/15; OCHA 2/21; PCHR 2/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 12 Palestinian homes, several sheep pens nr. Hebron; patrols in Marda nr. Salfit, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the soldiers, causing no casualties; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Marda nr. Salfit, Tulkarm and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Maskiyot settlement in the n. Jordan Valley steal 6 sheep fr. a Palestinian shepherd. (OCHA 2/21; PCHR 2/22)

Israel and the Palestinians both stated they were observing a cease-fire in Gaza that went into effect on 11/26/06, though near-daily cross-border incidents occurred. Israel’s siege of Gaza, in place since Hamas took control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) on 3/28/06, remained, as did heavy restrictions on Palestinian movement in the West Bank. Today, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops on the n. Gaza border fire on several Palestinians collecting scrap metal nr. the border fence n. of Bayt Lahiya, wounding a 12-yrold boy. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aida refugee camp (r.c.) nr. Bethlehem, Azun nr. Qalqilya, Qalandia r.c. (exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, leaving 2 IDF soldiers wounded), Tulkarm and nr. Hebron, Jenin; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in and nr. Hebron demonstrating against Israel’s new construction at the Haram al- Sharif/Temple Mount (see 2/6/06); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at 10s of Palestinians, as well as Israeli and international activists, taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in, injuring 8. Jewish settlers fr. Tel Rumeida in Hebron occupy a Palestinian home next to the settlement; the IDF evicts the settlers but declares the area a closed military zone, barring the Palestinian family fr. returning. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba in Hebron vandalize Palestinian homes, shops; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (OCHA 2/21; PCHR 2/22)

A Fatah mbr. dies of injuries received in recent clashes in Jabaliya with members of the PA Interior Min.’s predominantly Hamas Executive Support Force (ESF). PA health sector employees in the West Bank begin an open-ended strike to protest the PA’s failure to pay their salaries.

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., firing on residential areas, causing no injuries. Jewish settler children fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron chase, beat several Palestinian children; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Jewish settlers fr. Susia nr. Hebron vandalize several Palestinian homes, beat a 65-yr.-old Palestinian. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar uproot 170 Palestinian olive trees nr. Nablus. (OCHA 2/21; PCHR 2/22)

The family of a Fatah mbr. who died in Jabaliya on 2/16 sets fire to the home of Change and Reform Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. Yusif al-Sharafi, exchanges fire with ESF mbrs., destroying 2 homes but causing no injuries.

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts patrols in Tulkarm, fires tear gas at Palestinian students outside a school; raids shops in Qalqilya, forcing them to close; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and in Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c. (OCHA 2/21; PCHR 2/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into al-Walaja nr. Bethlehem and al-Zababda nr. Jenin, searching homes, confiscating cell phones, arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts additional arrest raids, house searches in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, Qabatya nr. Jenin and nr. Hebron, Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino settlement in Hebron vandalize Palestinian property, beat several Palestinians, seriously injuring a 6-yr.-old Palestinian boy. (OCHA 2/21; PCHR 2/22)

The IDF sends bulldozers into Gaza e. of Dayr al-Balah to level 150 m of Palestinian land along the border. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Qalqilya and in Jenin r.c., Qabatya. (NYT, OCHA, WP 2/21; PCHR, WT 2/22)

Unidentified assailants kidnap, quickly release unharmed 3 American women taking photographs outside Balata r.c. nr. Nablus. Egyptian border guards in Rafah arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross fr. Gaza into Egypt through a smugglers’ tunnel carrying an explosive belt; steps up border patrols in response.

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jenin r.c., where they assassinate Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Abu Obeid, an alleged bomb maker; also sends undercover units into Bayt Jala to arrest a wanted Palestinian; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem and Tulkarm, nr. Hebron, and in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, Jenin town and r.c.; demolishes a Palestinian home northwest of Jerusalem. In Gaza, a Palestinian farmer is killed when he accidentally detonates unexploded IDF ordnance. (IFM 2/21; PCHR, WP 2/22; OCHA 2/28; PCHR 3/1)

Palestinians fire at least 1 rocket fr. Gaza toward Israel that lands inside Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 6 Palestinians. Egyptian security forces conduct raids in Egyptian Rafah, detaining 2 Palestinians connected to the Palestinian arrested on 2/20, charging them with plotting suicide bombings; Egyptian authorities say they have arrested 23 Palestinians and Egyptians in the n. Sinai in recent days. In Gaza City, unidentified assailants detonate an explosive device outside the home of a PA police officer, causing damage but no injuries.

IDF soldiers on the Gaza border fire on Palestinian farmers who stray nr. the border fence e. of Gaza City, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qabatya, Qalqilya, Tulkarm and nr. Jenin; demolishes a poultry farm (killing 1,000 birds), a sheep pen nr. Hebron. (OCHA 2/28; PCHR 3/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a communal water cistern nr. Hebron; conducts patrols in Dura nr. Hebron (randomly checking Palestinian IDs), Tulkarm town and r.c. (firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops); conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c. and nr. Jenin. On the 2d anniversary of the 1st weekly nonviolent protests in Bil‘in against the separation wall, 10s of Palestinians and Israeli and international activists demonstrate; the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades to disperse them, beating some, injuring 13 (including a CNN cameraman). (WP 2/24; NYT 2/25; OCHA 2/28; PCHR 3/1)

Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In ongoing raids in Egypt (see 2/21), Egyptian security forces discover 1 ton of explosives (mostly TNT recovered from land mines) hidden nr. the border with Gaza that they believe was intended to be smuggled into the Strip; say that they have now arrested 57 Egyptians and Palestinians believed to be part of a network planning bombings in the Sinai targeting Israeli tourists, but also including 3 Palestinians who allegedly confess to being mbrs. of Islamic Jihad and to plotting to carry out suicide attacks in Israel.

The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. Dayr al- Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF confiscates 199 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of Palestinian land w. of Jenin nr. Yabad to expand Road 585; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., Nablus, Qabatya, Qalqilya and nr. Hebron, Jenin. (OCHA 2/28; PCHR 3/1)

In Gaza, unidentified assailants detonate an explosive device outside the apartment of senior PA security officer Col. Sulayman Khadir, wounding 4 bystanders, causing extensive damage.

In the West Bank, the IDF makes an overnight raid on Nablus, reportedly uncovering an Islamic Jihad pipe bomb factory in the Old City, exchanging fire with Islamic Jihad mbrs., causing no reported injuries. Troops withdraw and then reenter Nablus before dawn, this time declaring the start of Operation Hot Winter— the largest military operation in the West Bank since 7/06 and the largest in Nablus in 3 yrs.—sealing the city, imposing a curfew, taking over TV and radio stations, conducting house-to-house searches, barring access to 2 hospitals, reportedly uncovering a 2d bomb-making factory and finding a LAU hand-held guided missile and launcher (either stolen from the IDF or purchased on the Israeli black market); 2 IDF soldiers, 6 Palestinians are wounded in exchanges of fire; an Associated Press photographer films IDF soldiers forcing a Palestinian man to act as a human shield, leading troops into Palestinian homes—a violation of international and Israeli law. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Avigail nr. Hebron uproot 30 Palestinian olive trees. In Israel, Israeli police raid 2 companies in Ramat Gan that do business with companies in Gaza, arresting several employees on suspicion of funneling money to Hamas, Islamic Jihad. (AP, HA, NYT, WP, WT 2/25; AP, HA, NYT, WP 2/26; OCHA 2/28; AP, PCHR 3/1; WP 3/3)

Nr. Hebron, suspected Palestinian assailants fatally stab a Jewish settler.

Overnight in Khan Yunis, 5 Palestinians are killed, more than 40 wounded in a family feud with factional overtones, raising concerns that intra-Palestinian fighting, which has tapered off since Fatah and Hamas reached a national unity agmt. in Mecca on 2/8, might resume: The fighting begins when mbrs. of the Khawareh clan, relatives of a Fatah mbr. killed in factional fighting on 1/07, fatally shoot Hamas mbr. Muhammad Ali Ghalban, whom they blame for his death, sparking exchanges that leave 2 Khawareh relatives, 2 bystanders dead. On the Rafah border, 1 Palestinian is killed, 6 are injured when a smugglers’ tunnel they are digging collapses. Palestinian workers at Qarni crossing strike for the day, forcing the crossing to close. Unidentified gunmen in Bureij r.c. fire on an ESF post, causing no injuries.

The IDF continues operations in Nablus, clashing with Palestinian gunmen, leaving 1 unarmed Palestinian dead, 8 wounded. During operations, a curfew remains in place, with the IDF bulldozing and damaging several Palestinian homes and shops to widen access to the Old City for IDF vehicles, raiding and searching homes, rounding up 10s of Palestinians for interrogation, continuing to occupy Palestinian TV and radio stations, broadcasting the names of 7 wanted mbrs. of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) for whom they are searching, reportedly uncovering another 2 bombmaking labs. The IDF also demolishes 6 Palestinian homes nr. Tulkarm, 3 bedouin shacks nr. Azariyya; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Israeli authorities report that 2 Palestinian teenagers have been arrested and have confessed to the stabbing death of a settler on 2/25. A Palestinian wounded in the family feud in Khan Yunis on 2/25 dies. (NYT, WP 2/27; OCHA 2/28; PCHR 3/1)

The IDF withdraws fr. Nablus, officially suspending (but not ending) Operation Hot Winter, which has left 1 Palestinian dead, 5 wanted men (and 10s of other Palestinians) arrested. The IDF also detains an Italian film crew in Hebron making a documentary on Palestinian children in the city; conducts arrest raids in and around Hebron, in Jenin, and nr. Bethlehem, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Rafah fire on farmers who stray nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast nr. Rafah, forcing them to return to shore, causing no damage or injuries. (NYT, OCHA, WP 2/28; HA, PCHR 3/1)

Islamic Jihad mbrs. fire 6 rockets fr. al-Qarara nr. Khan Yunis toward the IDF post at the Kissufim crossing; 2 rockets land inside Gaza, damaging 2 Palestinian homes, killing some sheep; no damage is reported at Kissufim.

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jenin to ambush, assassinate 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. (West Bank military cmdr. Ashraf Saadi, senior Saraya al-Quds mbr. Mahmud Abu Naa’sa,lower ranking mbr. Ala’ Baryaki). The IDF also sends troops back into Nablus, reviving Operation Hot Winter, reimposing a curfew, reoccupying TV and radio stations, announcing the names of 7 wanted Palestinians being sought; 1 IDF soldier is wounded by a bomb; the IDF reportedly uses an 11-yr.old Palestinian girl and a 15-yr.-old Palestinian boy as human shields when searching Palestinian homes. The IDF demolishes 2 apartment buildings under construction in al-Tur nr. Jerusalem; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm r.c., nr. Jenin and Salfit; uproots some 500 Palestinian olive, almond trees nr. Bethlehem for construction of the separation wall, replanting some nearby. Jewish settlers nr. Shema nr. Hebron stone a 70-yr.-old Palestinian farmer grazing his flock nr. the settlement. (HA, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/1; OCHA 3/7; PCHR 3/8; WT 3/10)

In response to the Jenin assassinations, Islamic Jihad fires 5 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Separately, Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza toward Israel, but both fall inside Gaza nr. Bayt Hanun.

In Gaza, Fatah mbrs. manning a flying checkpoint nr. Shati’ r.c. bar an ESF vehicle from passing, sparking an exchange of fire that leaves 1 Fatah mbr. wounded. In Gaza City, a bomb explodes outside the offices of the Fatah-affiliated al-Fursan al-Arab Association, causing no injuries; no group takes responsibility.