11 Palestinians killed.
Israel-Palestinian clashes escalate to the highest point
in 2 wks., leaving 10 Palestinians dead, some 400 wounded. Barak
vows to halt the peace process officially on 10/23 if the violence has not
ceased by the end of the 10/21+n22 Arab League mtg. Israel again
restricts Palestinian access to Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. The IDF
fire shells fr. helicopter gunships and tanks, bars ambulances fr. reaching the
injured, fires on at least 1 ambulance. The most severe clashes are around
Nablus, Ramallah. Nr. Ma'ale Amos settlement nr. Bethlehem, armed Jewish
settlers prevent Palestinian farmers fr. harvesting their crops. In Bayt
Sahur, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home. (ADM, MM, NYT 10/20;
HA [Internet], NYT, WP, WT 10/21; MEI 10/27)
IDF troops fatally shoot 1 man, possibly 2, attempting to
sneak across the blue line fr. Lebanon. (NYT, WT 10/22; MM 10/23; MEI
10/27)
Demonstrations in support of the Palestinians are reported in
Bahrain, Lebanon, Pakistan. In the U.S., similar
rallies are held in Chicago, Omaha, Memphis, Minneapolis, New York, San
Francisco. (Newsday [Internet] 10/21; Bahrain Freedom Movement press
release 10/25)
The UNGA passes (92-6, with 46 abstentions) a
resolution condemning Israel's "excessive use of force" against
Palestinians. (WT 10/20; NYT, WP, WT 10/21; ANSA 10/25 in WNC 10/30; ANSA 11/7
in WNC 11/9; Hurriyet 11/9 in WNC 11/13) (see Doc. A4)
8 Palestinians killed.
The IDF sends tanks, troops into areas A in Qalqilya and
Tulkarm, occupying a PSF office in Qalqilya, detaining 7
Palestinians, including 2 Force 17 mbrs. A senior IDF official
says it has no immediate plans to pull out of PA-controlled towns it has
reoccupied since 10/18. The IDF continues to direct shells, heavy machine
gun fire at areas in, around Bethlehem throughout the day, killing 8
Palestinians, including a altar boy outside the Church of the Nativity.
Churches in Jerusalem again demand Israel's withdrawal fr. Bethlehem.
(AP, LAW 10/20; WP, WT 10/21; JT 10/21 in WNC 10/22; NYT,
WP 10/22; AYM 10/22, MENA 10/23 in WNC 10/24; MM 10/23; PCHR 10/24)
The PA says it has arrested 20 PFLP mbrs. in connection with the
Ze'evi assassination.
The IDF redeploys fr. 2 Palestinian neighborhoods in Hebron; shells
residential areas of Khan Yunis; confiscates 2,600 dunams of Palestinian land in
Izbat Salman and Izbat Jilad for construction of the security fence; bulldozes
200 olive trees in Qalqilya for the security fence, 31 dunams of land in Dayr
al-Balah, 7 dunams in al-Mughraga in s. Gaza (also destroying 3 cars, partially
demolishing 2 Palestinian homes); raid the al-Sultan Cultural Center in
Hebron, arresting 1 employee, photocopying the center’s files; bars Palestinian
fire trucks fr. fighting a blaze nr. Askar r.c. The IDF clashes with some
1,000 Jewish settlers who refuse to evacuate Havat Gilad, leaving 8
soldiers injured; troops clear the area, dismantle trailers, but 100s of
settlers return after dark to reoccupy the site. (HA, MM, NYT, WT
10/21; MA 10/21 in WNC 10/22; LAW, PCHR 10/23)
Across the U.S., evangelical Christian churches observe a day of
prayer for Israel. (WP 10/21)
In Gaza, Palestinians
reportedly fire 2 antitank grenades at an IDF convoy nr. Netzarim,
several mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries.
10 Palestinians killed.
Over 15 hrs., Israeli warplanes and helicopters launch 5 strikes
against targets in Gaza, killing at least 10 Palestinians, wounding more
than 135: the 1st demolishes a Gaza City building allegedly housing a Hamas
missile factory, injuring 12 bystanders; the 2d hits a truck driving through
Gaza City, apparently transporting items salvaged fr. the site of the 1st
attack, assassinating Hamas mbrs. Iyad Hilu and Khalid Masri, killing
1 bystander, wounding at least 9; the 3d targets an alleged Hamas armory,
causing no casualties; the 4th targets 2 PFLP mbrs. who flee their car in
Nussayrat r.c., before the missile strikes, a 2d salvo hits rescuers and
onlookers who arrive on the scene, killing at least 7 bystanders,
wounding 103 (including 4 left brain dead, among them the 2 PFLP targets); the
5th restriking the building targeted in the 1st attack to “complete the attack,”
injuring another 12 bystanders. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 PFLP
mbrs. laying a roadside bomb nr. the Gaza-Israel border fence; demolishes 6
Palestinian homes in Rafah. (AFP, BBC, HA, MM 10/20; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT
10/21; ATL, ITAR-TASS, al-Quds, VOP 10/21 in WNC 10/23; HA, MM, NYT, PR
10/22; MM, NYT, PCHR 10/23; MEI 10/24; WP 10/25)
4 Palestinians killed.
The IDF shells residential areas of Rafah while Palestinians are going
to dawn prayers, killing 1 Palestinian; fatally shoots a 2d
Palestinian in Rafah who attempts to attack an IDF post; fires on
residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Nablus. In al-Hatab
nr. Nablus, 18 internationals escort Palestinian farmers who have
obtained IDF permits to harvest their olive groves; within minutes of starting
work, IDF soldiers order the group to leave the area, take the ID card of
1 Palestinian, attempt to arrest him; when the internationals intervene, the
soldiers beat several, throw 1 Swedish peace activist to the ground, put
a gun to his head, threaten to pull the trigger. Israel also reportedly
expels 2 Palestinian prisoners (1 fr. Bayt Rima, 1 fr. Nablus) to
Jordan; no explanation is given. A Jewish settler seriously injures 3
Palestinian girls (ages 13–15) in a hit-and-run incident nr. Hawara. A
Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/5. (International
Solidarity Movement press release, PRCS 10/20; JAZ, MA, VOP 10/20 in WNC 10/22;
PCHR 10/21; PR 10/27; PCHR 10/28)
1 Palestinian killed.
The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around
Jerusalem, in Hebron citing the Sukkoth holiday; continues arrest raids, house
searches in Hebron, as well as in Jaba' nr. Jenin; fires on stone-throwing
Palestinians along the Jerusalem–Bethlehem road nr. Kefar Etzion, killing 1
Palestinian. The IDF also ends escorts of Palestinian children in s.
Hebron, citing concerns that troops could be drawn into clashes with angry
Jewish settlers targeting Palestinians for retribution following the 10/16
drive-by shootings; the IDF began escorts about 1 yr. ago to protect the
children fr. repeated attacks by Jewish settlers fr. Ma'on. Jewish settlers
fr. Elon Moreh cut down 30 olive trees, burn another 200 in Salim in revenge for
the drive-by shootings on 10/16. (HA 10/20; HA, Independent 10/21; PCHR
10/27)
Abbas, Bush meet in Washington but do not announce any new
initiatives. In a pessimistic statement, Bush cautions that a Palestinian state
might not be established by the time he leaves office in 2009. (AFP, REU 10/20;
AFP, HA, JTA, NYT, WP, WT 10/21; WT 10/22; YA 10/23; JTA 10/24; DS 10/25)
1 Palestinian killed.
In Gaza, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Hanun, seals the town, demolishes a
workshop, a coffee shop before withdrawing; sends troops into Khan Yunis,
fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes, bulldozing 6 d.
agricultural land. A 15-yr.-old Palestinian is injured when he accidentally
detonates unexploded IDF ordnance nr. Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, the IDF
conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. On the last Friday of Ramadan,
Israel allows 180,000 West Bank Palestinians into Jerusalem to worship at
al-Aqsa Mosque. 100s of Palestinians denied entry scuffle with IDF soldiers and
border police nr. Bethlehem, who fire tear gas, stun grenades. (NYT, WP, WT
10/21; OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)
In an apparent assassination attempt in Gaza, suspected Fatah gunmen fire on
Haniyeh’s 10-car convoy, set fire to 1 PA security vehicle, causing no injuries. Fatah, Hamas
mbrs. exchange fire in Bayt Hanun, wounding 3 Palestinians. In Khan Yunis, a
Fatah mbr. is kidnapped, shot, wounded by unidentified gunmen.
2 Palestinians killed.
The IDF fires a surface-to-surface
missile at central Bayt Lahiya in an attempt to assassinate 3 Hamas
mbrs., missing them but injuring 3 bystanders, damaging 2 homes and a car. The Israeli
navy fires on 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in a boat off the Gaza coast, killing them. The IDF also withdraws troops from a strip of land
northeast of Bayt Lahiya occupied on 10/19. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah; raids and
searches homes, checks IDs of residents in Bayt Jala nr. Bethlehem. Jewish
settlers fr. Shavei Shomron nr. Nablus, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinians harvesting olives nearby. Jewish settlers fr. Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem beat a Palestinian passing by the settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei
Shomron steal a harvest of olives fr. a Palestinian farmer nr. Qalqilya. (WP, WT 10/21; OCHA 10/24; PCHR 10/25)
In Gaza City, mbrs. of a Fatah-affiliated clan fire on a car of Hamas mbrs., sparking clashes that leave 3 Palestinians dead (1 clan member, 2 bystanders), 35 wounded. In Rafah, ESF officers attempt to confiscate a vehicle fr. armed Islamic
Jihad mbrs., sparking an exchange of fire that leaves 1 Palestinian
bystander dead and 16 Palestinians (including bystanders) injured.
1 Palestinian killed.
The Israeli army arrested six Palestinians in Jenin and Nablus, Israeli and Palestinian security sources reported. They said that several IDF armoured vehicles and jeeps stormed the Askar refugee camp in Nablus and the Jenin camp, searching homes and arresting young Palestinians allegedly wanted for being involved in attacks against Israel. (Xinhua)
A Palestinian, Ahmad Al-Lahham who suffered from cancer and was supposed to receive urgent medical care, died after Israeli authorities refused to allow him to leave the Gaza Strip, medical sources said. Some 253 Palestinians have died due to a lack of treatment in the Gaza Strip, according to reports. (WAFA)
The village of Shufa, south of Tulkarm, had been without electricity for the seventh consecutive day when municipality generators, the only power source for the village, burnt out. Shufa had been denied a connection to the main electricity grid by Israeli authorities since 2001 despite the presence of all necessary towers and lines. (WAFA)
The head of Kufr Qaddoum village Council said over 100 armed settlers from nearby "Kadoumim" settlement attacked Palestinian farmers and British solidarity activists who were helping the farmers pick olives and destroyed their cars after preventing them from working in their fields. (DPA)
"All lines have been crossed in the olive groves this season," PA President Abbas said in comments published in the Palestinian daily Al-Ayyam. He blamed Israel for not protecting Palestinian farmers against settler attacks during the ongoing olive harvest. Mr. Abbas was quoted as saying that the situation had become "unbearable." He said that a continued failure by Israel to crack down on militant settlers was a show of bad faith at a time when the two sides were trying to reach a peace deal. (AP)
Israeli Defense Minister Barak told Army Radio that the army was making a major effort to protect Palestinian olive pickers and denounced those attacking farmers as "hooligans," but dismissed PA President Abbas' accusation of bad faith. Mr. Barak said that the military was doing its best, adding, "We are talking about hundreds of locations where there is an olive harvest and it is impossible to be at all the places at the same time" and "we understand the economic importance and the importance to the lifestyle, and the harassment by a group of hooligans in the area and those that come there must be condemned," he said. (AP)
An 18-year-old Palestinian woman, jailed in Israel after police accused her of intending to carry out a suicide bombing, would be released after paying a 10,000-shekel fine to Israeli authorities. Suzan Wasfi Ibrahim Al-Haj Saleh, a resident of Jenin refugee camp, had been arrested on 29 September 2008 in the northern Israeli city of Netanya after her family had tipped off police. (Ma'an News Agency)
Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak has drawn up a plan under which PA security forces will take control of several key West Bank cities during the coming year. Mr. Barak has presented the plan to US security coordinators for the region ─ Generals Keith Dayton and James Jones ─ as well as to Quartet Representative Tony Blair, senior defense officials said. On 22 October, IDF regional commanders and Civil Administration head Brig.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai would meet with their Palestinian counterparts to finalize details ahead of the planned deployment of 700 Palestinian policemen in Hebron. Following the deployment in Hebron, the Defense Ministry was also considering adopting the "Jenin model" in Nablus, Tulkarm and Qalqilya (AFP, The Jerusalem Post)
Israeli President Shimon Peres would meet Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak this week, Mr. Peres' office said. "Mr. Peres and Mr. Mubarak will meet on Thursday at Sharm el-Sheikh," said Ayelet Frish, Mr. Peres' spokesperson. (AFP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the Quartet might meet with Israel and the Palestinians in November. He added that it would be natural that the meeting took place in the region. (AP)
In Santiago, Chilean President Michelle Bachelet said following a visit by King Abdullah II of Jordan that Chile and Jordan shared a vision of "balance between the right the State of Israel has to exist within safe borders and the right of the Palestinians to a free and sovereign State." (AFP)
During an interview with the Ramallah-based Al-Ayyam paper, PA President Abbas said that since the Palestinian election law stated that presidential and legislative elections should be held simultaneously, he would stay on in his post until that happened. "Article 34 of the (election) law states that elections will be held simultaneously," Mr. Abbas told the paper. "Whatever is said other than this is illegal. We asked six Egyptian experts and they all said there should be simultaneous presidential and legislative elections." President Abbas said he was prepared to hold such elections, stressing, "I am ready for elections whenever there is an agreement on them and I will not be blackmailed by anyone." (DPA)