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September 2001
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13
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5
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3
2
8
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5
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65 palestinians killed by israeli action this month
13 israelis killed by palestinian action this month
Israel uses 9/11 as a pretext for increased repression against palestinians
In Durban, 6,000 international NGOs close 5 days of meetings on preventing racism. Their closing statement calls Israel a "racist, apartheid state," calls on Israel to end its "systematic perpetration of racist crimes," including segregation, separation, dispossession, restricted land access. Israel steps up destruction of the PA security apparatus.
Israel uses the 9/11 as a pretext for increasing repression further, killing scores and leveling PSF posts during invasion of Jenin. Only strong pressure from the US makes Israel restrain for a week after mid-August. Its necessary for the US not to let Israel provoke the arab states with its aggression, because the US is planning its invasion of Afghanistan. But at the end of the month, demonstrations marking the 1st anniversary of the 2nd Intifada puts Israel back on the killing path. So far, this month is the bloodiest this year.
Israeli actions |
Negotiations |
Palestinian actions |
Every
is one palestinian killed by israeli action |
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Every
is one israeli killed by palestinian action |
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In Gaza, top PA intelligence official, Col. Taysir Khattab, is killed
when a remote-controlled bomb in his car explodes--an apparent Israeli
assassination; his bodyguard is seriously injured. A bomb in a taxi in Tulkarm
kills 1 Palestinian woman, injures 4; no one claims responsibility. The
woman reportedly is the wife senior tanzim leader Ahmad Tabuk, who
is currently held in a PA jail. (LAW 9/1; AP, NYT, WP, WT 9/2; AKH 9/3,
al-Quds 9/5, SA 9/6 in WNC 9/7)
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In Durban, 6,000 international NGOs close 5 days of mtgs. on
preventing racism, held on the sidelines of the WCAR. Their closing
statement calls Israel a "racist, apartheid state," calls on Israel to
end its "systematic perpetration of racist crimes," including segregation,
separation, dispossession, restricted land access. (SAPA 9/1, 9/2 in WNC 9/4; WP
9/3; MM 9/5; MM 9/5; AKH 9/5 in WNC 9/7; LAW 9/6)
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IDF troops fatally shoot 2 Palestinian gunmen during a 6-hr.
battle in PA-controlled Hebron. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian
home in Khan Yunis; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential
areas of Beitunia, Khan Yunis, Silat al-Tahir; seals Jinin. (AP, WP 9/2; PMC, WT
9/3)
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Severe Israel-Palestinian clashes take place in Hebron, leaving 2
Palestinians dead, 22 injured; 2 IDF soldiers are injured by a small
bomb. In response, the IDF rockets, destroys a PSF office
in nearby Dura, injuring 3 Palestinians. (MM 9/3; LAW, MM, NYT 9/4; HA 9/7)
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As debate on the text of the WCAR final statement continues, Israel,
the U.S. withdraw their delegations, saying the conference has been
"hijacked" by the Arab states and converted into a forum for extremist
diatribes against Israel. (MM 9/3; SAPA 9/3 in WNC 9/4; MM, NYT, WP, WT
9/4; AFP, MENA 9/4 in WNC 9/5; MM 9/5; AP, WJW 9/6) (see Peace Monitor)
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The PFLP detonates 4 bombs
(2 in West Jerusalem, 2 in the settlements of Gilo, French Hill) lightly
injuring 5. |
4 SEPTEMBER
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A Palestinian suicide bomber dressed as a Hasidic Jew detonates a
device in Jerusalem, killing only himself, wounding 15 Israelis, 1
seriously. No group takes responsibility. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/5; WJW 9/6)
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5 SEPTEMBER
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After Palestinians fire mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza,
causing no damage, the IDF shells a Force 17 office in Bayt Hanun,
injuring 1 Palestinian. (WT 9/6)
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The IDF makes a failed attempt to assassinate senior Fatah
tanzim mbr. Ra'id Karmi, firing missiles at his car as he, 3 tanzim
mbrs. drive through Tulkarm; Karmi (wanted for kidnapping, killing 2 Israelis in
Tulkarm on 1/23) is injured, 2 tanzim mbrs. are killed, 1
Palestinian bystander is seriously wounded. In response, other tanzim
mbrs. fire on an IDF patrol nr. Tulkarm, killing 1 soldier,
wounding 1. In Hebron, a group of Jewish settler children (ages 5+n12)
hit, throw stones at 2 foreign aid workers; the IDF refuses to
apprehend the children. (Christian Peace Team press release 9/6; LAW 9/6; HA,
HP, WP 9/7; LAW 9/20)
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Peres announces that he, Arafat plan to hold the 1st of 3 mtgs. on
implementing a cease-fire next wk., but that the exact time and location have
not been agreed. (AFP, REU 9/7)
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7 SEPTEMBER
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Sharon confirms reports that the Israeli cabinet secretly approved
a plan in 6/01 to create a buffer zone along the Green Line. Though he
claims implementation has been postponed indefinitely, today the IDF
seals an entrance to Shu`fat; digs ditches across roads along the Green
Line, northwest of Jerusalem; reinforces roadblocks leading into Jerusalem. The
IDF also enters Khan Yunis, directs shells and heavy machine gun fire at
residential areas; directs heavy machine gun fire on residential areas of
al-Arub, al-Qarara; shells, demolishes a cable factory in Gaza City. (HA, HP, MM
9/7; HP, NYT, WP 9/8; AYM 9/8 in WNC 9/12; AYM 9/10 in WNC 9/13; LAW 9/20)
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8 SEPTEMBER
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In an apparent assassination attempt on senior Fatah official Muhammad
Mansur, the IDF fires rockets into the Fatah headquarters in a
residential area of Ramallah, causing no injuries. Mansur left the building just
before the attack. Nr. Rafah, an explosion in a building known to be used by
tanzim mbrs. leaves, 1 tanzim mbr. dead, 1 injured; the
tanzim accuses Israel of carrying out an assassination. Israel admits
to the attempt on Mansur, but denies staging the Rafah incident. The IDF
directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Hanun,
al-Bireh, Dura, Nablus, Rafah; closes roads around Khan Yunis, the al-Mawasi
area; occupies a Palestinian home in al-Khadir; raids, shuts a secondary
school in Baqa` al-Sharqiyya; conducts arrest sweeps in Burqa, Jinin, al-Khadir,
Tulkarm, Yabid. Armed Jewish settlers fire on Palestinian shops in
Hebron, causing serious damage but no injuries; IDF soldiers do not
intervene. (HP 9/8; WP, WT 9/9)
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The WCAR closes after agreeing on a final statement that expresses
concern over the "plight of the Palestinian people under foreign occupation,"
endorses the right of Israelis and Palestinians to live in secure
and independent states, recognizes the right of refugees to return to "freely
return to their homes." Israel says it is "satisfied" with the text. (Globe
and Mail, HP 9/8; NYT, WP, WT 9/9; MENA, al-Quds, SAPA 9/9 in WNC
9/10; WT 9/10; JP, MEI 9/14) (see Peace Monitor)
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9 SEPTEMBER
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Israel blames the PA for the suicide bomb in Nahariya, saying the bomber crossed into
Jinin to get explosives fr. Hamas, and the PA ignored requests to arrest
him. In retaliation, the IDF attacks 5 PA security and political
offices in al-Bireh, Jericho, Jinin, Nablus, and Ramallah, injuring 5
Palestinians. 1 Palestinian is killed in
clashes with the IDF in Gaza. Israel also arrests PA Jerusalem
affairs adviser Ziad Abu Ziad; expels him fr. the city, claiming he had
entered without a permit. This evening, Sharon meets with his security
cabinet, which votes to step up attacks on Palestinian targets. (HA 9/9; AFP
9/9 in WNC 9/10; JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/10; NYT 9/11; WJW 9/13; MEI
9/14; JP 9/24: MEI 9/28)
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An Israeli Arab suicide bomber detonates a device at a train station
in the n. Israeli town of Nahariya, killing 3 Israeli Jews, injuring 63,
most lightly. In the Jordan Valley, Islamic Jihad mbrs. ambush a
Jewish settler minibus, killing 2 Jewish settlers. Another
Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb next to a bus in Bayt Lid,
killing only himself, injuring 3 Israelis. |
10 SEPTEMBER
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At least 60 IDF tanks take up positions outside Jinin, shell
residential areas, killing 1 PSF officer and wounding 4 in what
Palestinians fear is the 1st stage of a major retaliation for the 9/9 Nahariya
bombing. The IDF also enters PA-controlled areas of Gaza City; shells
residential areas of Rafah; reinforces positions outside Nablus, Tulkarm;
conducts arrest raids in al-Arub, Bayt Qad. Jewish settlers place
caravans on a new site east of Kefar Darom; dig trenches, topple electricity
poles in the Palestinian section of Hebron. Overnight tonight, the IDF
seals the PA intelligence and security offices in Azariyya, a DFLP
office in Abu Dis. (HP 9/10; BBC, MM, NYT 9/11; MEI 9/14; LAW 9/20; MEI 9/28)
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Powell phones Peres twice to press Israel to move ahead with
cease-fire talks with Arafat. Israel, the PA discuss the
issue throughout the day, agreeing that Arafat and Peres could meet as early as
9/11 but differing over the venue. Talks are suspend around midnight without
agreement. (AFP, HP, MM 9/10; AFP, AN, MA, MENA 9/10, MENA 9/11 in WNC 9/12; NYT
9/12, 9/13)
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Hopes for an Arafat-Peres mtg. fade as Israel steps up its attack on
Jinin. Before dawn, IDF tanks encircle the town, cut electricity, shell
residential areas of Jinin and a nearby refugee camp, killing 2 Palestinians.
A 3d Palestinian is fatally shot when the IDF opens fire on a taxi
in Gaza. The IDF also shells areas of Gaza City, hitting 2 factories, a
PSF office. Israel's Jerusalem Municipality demolishes 3 Palestinian
homes in Bayt Hanina, issues demolition orders for another 5 houses. (AP,
BBC, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 9/11; MEZ, NYT, WP 9/12; LAW 9/20; MEI 9/28)
In the U.S., as many as 20 hijackers commandeer 4 commercial
jets bound from east coast airports to California. Minutes apart, 2 planes hit
the World Trade Center (WTC) in New York City, destroying the twin towers
and killing 1,000s of people. Within an hr., the 3d plane hits the
Pentagon in Washington, killing up to 200 people, and the 4th plane crashes
in w. Pennsylvania, killing all aboard. Bush vows retaliation, saying,
"We will make no distinction between those who committed these acts and those
who harbored them." Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-UT), a mbr. of the Senate
intelligence comm. claims that the U.S. intercepted reports by associates of
Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden saying they had hit 2 targets; another
intelligence official says, however, that the information was not so definitive.
Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, the
PA, Hamas, Afghanistan's ruling Taliban immediately condemn
the attacks. (ATL, MENA 9/11 in WNC 9/12; JT 9/11, DUS, ITAR-TASS, JT, QA,
al-Quds, al-Ra'i 9/12 in WNC 9/13; HP, MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 9/12; AFP,
HA, WJW 9/13; WP 9/15; MENA 9/16 in WNC 9/17; JP 9/21; JP, MEI 9/28)
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Palestinian snipers fatally shoot 2 IDF soldiers
nr. Tulkarm. |
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Using the 9/11 pretext, Israel sends 22 tanks into Jinin and nearby Arraba and Tamun. Tanks shell
targets while F-15s, F-16s drop bombs, killing 8 Palestinians,
wounding 50, leveling the PSF headquarters and 2 Force 17 office
in Jinin, 2 PSF offices in Arraba and Tamun. Among the dead are 3 suspected
Islamic Jihad mbrs. who barricade themselves in a building in Arraba during
an IDF arrest sweep, are killed when the IDF shells the building. IDF
soldiers also open fire on 2 taxis nr. Gaza's al-Mahatin Junction, killing 2
Palestinians, injuring 8; arrest Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. Ahmad
Zagayr (Fatah) in his Jerusalem office, take him to the Russian Compound
prison; direct heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of al-Khadir, Khan
Yunis; bulldoze Palestinian land for a new settler bypass road to Gush Katif;
reinforces troops around Nablus; conduct arrest raids in Arraba, Hizma. (HP, MEZ, MM
9/12; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/13; MENA 9/13 in WNC 9/14; al-Quds 9/13, SA
9/14, al-Majallah 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WP 9/14; PMC 9/15; MEI 9/28)
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A Jewish settler is killed by a Palestinian sniper nr. Qalqilya. |
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IDF continues shelling, bulldozing residential areas in and around Jinin,
killing 3 Palestinians, wounding 21. A 4th suspected Islamic Jihad
mbr. wounded in Arraba on 9/12 dies of his injuries. The IDF sends forces into Jericho to attack PSF posts;
shells, destroys 1 Palestinian home. Troops pull out of areas A in
Jericho, Jinin by midafternoon. In Ramallah, 1 Palestinian is shot dead
by IDF troops who say he refused to stop at a checkpoint. A group of
Jewish settlers, angry over the shooting death of a settler on 9/12, destroy
and vandalize Palestinian cars, property, greenhouses in Qalqilya. (HP 9/12; AP,
GS, WP 9/13; WP, WT 9/14; AYM 9/15 in WNC 9/25; MEI 9/28; LAW 9/29)
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A Palestinian
suicide bomber detonates a device nr. an IDF tank in Jinin, killing only
himself. |
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Meanwhile, 3 Palestinians are killed by IDF fire in Gaza.
Israeli authorities detain Mufti of Jerusalem Shaykh Ikrima Sabri
following Friday prayers for several hrs. of questioning regarding his recent
visit to Beirut. (HP, WP, WT 9/15; WP 9/16; WT 9/17; al-Quds 9/18 in WNC 9/19; WJW 9/20;
LAW 9/29)
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Asst. Secy. of State for Near East Affairs William Burns official meets
with 15 Arab envoys, including the PLO rep., and tell them they must
either declare their nations "mbrs. of an international coalition against
terrorism or risk being isolated." Later, Arab envoys meet at the home of
Saudi Arabian amb. Prince Bandar Bin Sultan to discuss U.S. plans.
Egyptian amb. Nabil Fahmy warns the admin. to focus on finding and punishing
those responsible for the 9/11 attacks and not to broaden the effort to include
other geopolitical goals. (NYT 9/15; MM, WP 9/17; SA 9/17 in WNC 9/19)
Sharon rejects direct appeals by Bush, Powell to hold peace
talks with the PA, which would facilitate U.S. efforts to form a
coalition to strike at Bin Laden. Instead, he cancels tentative plans to
hold an Arafat-Peres mtg. on 9/16, saying it would be "inappropriate" in light
of the 9/11 U.S. attacks; tells Bush that Israel opposes the U.S. bringing the
PA, Syria into its antiterrorism coalition. (AFP 9/14; AP, HP,
NYT, WP 9/15; JP [Internet], WT 9/16; XIN 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WJW 9/27; JP, MEI
9/28)
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In Gaza's Nussayrat refugee camp, 100s of Palestinians
protest against the U.S.'s threat to attack Afghanistan, fearing the
U.S.'s "international campaign against terrorism" will be campaign against
Muslims; undercover PSF officers confiscate reporters' film. Some
40,000 Israeli Arabs in Umm al-Fahm Israel hold a similar rally, denouncing
the killing of American civilians but also condemning U.S. support for Israel. |
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Israel initiates land, sea, air strikes against PA targets in the
West Bank and Gaza, leaving 3 Palestinians dead and destroying the PA
intelligence headquarters in Gaza City, the naval headquarters in Nussayrat, a
PA police station in Rafah. Israel claims the action is in response to mortar
attacks staged fr. those areas. IDF troops
guarding Har Homa settlement direct shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt
Sahur, injuring at least 8 Palestinians. Troops continue to bombard the town as
Red Crescent medical workers attempt to reach the wounded, killing a
Palestinian paramedic, destroying 3 ambulances. The IDF also arrests
PC vice chmn. Bishara Daoud on his way to Jerusalem to participate in the
coronation of the new Greek Orthodox patriarch, detain him for interrogation.
(AP, HP, WP 9/15; LAW, PMC, WP, WT 9/16; NYT 9/20; LAW 9/29)
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In East Jerusalem, DFLP gunmen ambush a
Jewish settler vehicle, killing 1 settler, wounding 1. |
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Bush prepares the U.S. for a long, sustained "war on terrorism."
Admin. officials say they are considering lifting the 25-yr.-old ban on U.S.
involvement in foreign assassinations, loosening restrictions on FBI
surveillance and detention of foreigners. Iran, Hizballah spiritual
leader Shaykh Fadlallah denounce the 9/11 attacks. (NYT, WP, WT 9/17; WP
9/18; MM 10/4)
The IDF announces that it is establishing an 18-mi.-long "closed
military area," or buffer zone, along the Green Line btwn. Jinin and
Tulkarm (see Peace Monitor). In response to the 9/15 DFLP shooting, the IDF
sends tanks into Bayt Hanun, al-Qarara, and Ramallah, shelling residential areas
while helicopters fire missiles; 2 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier
are killed, 26 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are wounded before Israeli forces
withdraws fr. areas A 4 hrs. later. In al-Qarara, the IDF confiscates 200
dunams of Palestinian land for a new settler bypass road to Gush Katif (see
9/12), confiscates a Palestinian home as an military post. The IDF
also conducts an arrest sweep in Ramallah. (AFP, LAW, WP, WT 9/16; HP, NYT, PMC,
WP, WT 9/17; NYT, WP, WT 9/18)
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Arafat says he is ready to hold talks with Israel "any time, any place,"
but Sharon says he will only allow cease-fire talks to resume after 48
hrs. without a Palestinian attack. Sharon reiterates Israeli support for
the U.S. effort to build a coalition but is "not prepared to pay the
price" if it involves concessions to the PA. Arafat publicly
reiterates his call on Palestinians to adhere to a cease-fire. (al-Quds
9/16, XIN 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM 9/17; NYT, WT 9/18; AFP 9/18 in WNC 9/19; NYT
9/19; ATL 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM 9/20; AYM 9/22 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)
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The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of
Bayt Hanun, Dayr al-Balah, Hebron, Jinin, Rafah, and Ramallah, killing 1
Palestinian, damaging several homes. 2 Palestinians die of injuries
received earlier. Palestinians reportedly throw hand grenades at an
IDF post on the Rafah border, causing no injuries. Late this evening, IDF
troops evacuate 118 bedouin fr. their tents and cave dwellings in the
Hebron Hills. (AP, HP 9/17; NYT, WT 9/18; GS 9/23; LAW 9/29)
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18 SEPTEMBER
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Israeli-Palestinian clashes taper of dramatically, but incidents
are still reported. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr.
Nablus; demolishes equipment, buildings in the Gaza port; fires on 6 Palestinian
schools in Hebron, injuring 11 students, parents. (MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 9/19;
ATL, Interfax 9/19 in WNC 9/20; WJW 9/20; SA 9/20 in WNC 9/26; Jerusalem
Times, WP 9/21; MEI 9/28; LAW 9/29)
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Under extreme pressure fr. the U.S., Israel agrees to pull
tanks, troops out of and away fr. PA-controlled areas (including Jinin), halt
assassinations. Arafat orders the PSF to use "maximum
self-restraint," hold their fire even if attacked; threatens opposition groups
with harsh reprisals if they stage any attacks inside Israel. Sharon
still demands 48 hrs. of complete quiet before he will authorize Peres-Arafat
talks. |
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A Force 17 mbr. is shot dead in Hebron.
A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (AP 9/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/20; WP 9/21; NYT, WT
9/23; HP 9/24; LAW 9/29)
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The Israeli-Palestinian temporary cease-fire generally holds, though
scattered violence is reported. Despite personal appeals by Arafat
envoys, Hamas and Islamic Jihad say that they will continue to
target Israeli occupation forces (i.e., troops, settlers) in the territories,
though they will halt attacks inside Israel as long as Israel continues to
suspend its assassination policy. |
Palestinian gunmen
fire on the Jewish enclave in Hebron; in response the IDF shells a
residential neighborhood in the Palestinian section of the city, injuring 9.
Palestinians throw 6 hand-made grenades at an IDF post on the Rafah
border causing no injuries; the IDF fires on residential areas of Rafah
in response. A roadside bomb explodes outside Oranit settlement, injuring 2
settlement security guards. |
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Though Israeli-Palestinian clashes drop off significantly, sporadic violence
continues. Armed Jewish settlers block roads in
the area to Palestinian cars. The IDF fires on a taxi in Gaza,
killing 1 Palestinian. A 2d Palestinian is found dead in the
Jordan Valley. The IDF shells residential areas of Gaza City;
bulldozes agricultural land nr. Oranit settlement. (AP 9/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT
9/21; HP 9/24; WT 9/25; MA 9/25 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)
Bush vows to attack Afghanistan unless the Taliban
immediately turns over Bin Laden, all other "terrorists" in the country,
destroys Bin Laden training camps, allows U.S. inspections. He warns Americans
to expect a long campaign against a network that he estimates involves 1,000s of
people in more than 60 countries. He vows the fight will be waged overtly and
through covert operations and will not cease "until every terrorist group of
global reach has been found, stopped, and defeated." (CNN 9/20; NYT, WP, WT
9/21)
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Sharon, Arafat meet with their cabinets to discuss the temporary
cease-fire. Peres, PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat, PC
speaker Ahmad Qurai` meet to discuss an Peres-Arafat mtg.; draft a joint
statement that the pair could release. Powell phones Sharon twice
to press for cease-fire talks. Sharon says the 48-hr. quiet period has not
begun, therefore there will not be an Arafat-Peres mtg. until at least 9/23. (AP
9/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/21; HP 9/24; WT 9/25; MA 9/25 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)
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Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbrs. fire on a vehicle outside
Tekoa settlement, killing 1 Jewish settler, wounding 1. The PSF
arrests 2 suspects in the attack. In Gaza, Palestinians throw 5 grenades at a Rafah border
post, lightly injuring 5 IDF soldiers; shoot, wound another settlement
security guard. |
21 SEPTEMBER
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Israeli-Palestinian violence declines further. Arafat specifically
orders Fatah mbrs. not to use arms. The IDF reports that
Palestinians fired 3 mortars at a Gaza settlement, causing no damage, and
threw grenades at an IDF post, causing no injuries. The IDF shells
residential areas of Hebron. (NYT, WP 9/22; HP 9/24)
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22 SEPTEMBER
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The IDF shells residential areas of Hebron; directs heavy machine gun
fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, al-Dawha. (HP 9/24)
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IDF troops in Qalandia fire tear gas at Palestinians attempting to sneak
around their checkpoint on foot; 1 Palestinian dies of complications fr.
inhaling the tear gas. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received
earlier. The IDF directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential
areas of Dayr al-Balah, Hebron, Khan Yunis, Salfit, Ziwata; razes agricultural
land in the Hebron area; conducts arrest raids in Batayr. The PSF
temporarily detains 5 Palestinians for instigating clashes with the IDF nr.
Rafah on 9/20. (HP, PMC, REU 9/24)
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Although the IDF says today has been the quietest day since the
al-Aqsa intifada began a yr. ago, Sharon again blocks plans for an
Arafat-Peres mtg., saying the PA has not provided 48 hrs. of
"absolute quiet" and again calling Arafat a "terrorist" on the level of
Bin Laden. Peres threatens to "disappear on vacation" if Sharon does not allow
the mtg., whereas right-wing MKs threaten to leave the governing coalition if
Sharon allows it. Peres boycotts today's cabinet mtg.; holds preparatory talks
for an Arafat mtg. with PA officials. Powell phones Sharon again
to urge him to allow the mtg. (HA, JP [Internet], REU 9/23; HP, MM, NYT, WP, WT
9/24; al-Quds 9/24 in WNC 9/26; NYT 9/25; MEI 9/28; WJW 10/4)
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24 SEPTEMBER
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In response to Islamic Jihad gunfire in the Jordan Valley that leaves
a Jewish settler dead, Peres sides with Sharon against
holding a mtg. with Arafat. Israel's new 18
mi. buffer zone along the Green Line n. of Jerusalem goes into effect.
The IDF bulldozes 20 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Oranit settlement;
declares the Hebron market a closed military zone; begins work on a new
settlement bypass road to Kefar Darom, damaging agricultural land, water
networks belonging to Dayr al-Balah residents; conduct arrest raids in villages
around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Salfit; confiscates 1 Palestinian home in
Harmala for use as an IDF outpost; reinforces the closure on Jinin. (HP, Los
Angeles Times [Internet], MM 9/24; CNN, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; al-Quds
9/25 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)
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Fatah tanzim leaders, a
senior mbr. of the Fatah-linked AMB state that, despite Arafat's
recent calls, they will continue to view the IDF and settlers in
the West Bank and Gaza as legitimate targets. Palestinians fire 1 mortar
at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. |
25 SEPTEMBER
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The IDF forcibly moves 16 bedouin fr. Hebron Hills into area A;
opens fire on a Palestinian vehicle nr. Yatta, wounding 4 Palestinians. (AFP,
AP, GS, HA, MM, PMC 9/25; Radio Monte Carlo 9/25 in WNC 9/26; HA, MM, NYT, WP,
WT 9/26; DUS, QA, SAF 9/26 in WNC 9/27; WJW 9/27; SAF 9/27 in WNC 9/28;
al-Quds 9/30, al-Majd 10/8 in WNC 10/9) (see Peace Monitor)
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Arafat, en route to Damascus for talks with Syrian pres. Bashar
al-Asad, receives word that the visit has been postponed. Shortly
thereafter, Peres announces that he will meet with Arafat on 9/26.
Although Israeli-Palestinian violence increases today, Sharon does
not cancel the mtg. Acceding to Israeli demands to curb incitement, Arafat
closes a photo and art exhibit on the uprising in Nablus that features a mock-up
of the Jerusalem pizzeria bombed on 8/9. |
Palestinians fire 2 mortars in
Gaza, 1 landing inside the Strip, the other inside Israel, neither causing
damage. |
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In response to Gaza border bomb, the IDF
shells residential areas of Rafah throughout the day, damaging homes; sends
tanks and bulldozers into Rafah in an overnight operation in which soldiers
demolish 14 Palestinian homes, killing 3 Palestinians, wounding
31. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinian demonstrators nr. Gaza
airport, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 9; shells residential areas of
Hebron, Khan Yunis. This evening, as it does annually, Israel seals the West
Bank and Gaza for Yom Kippur; the closure is to be lifted on 9/28. (AFP,
BBC, HA 9/26; AFP, HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/27; AFP, MM 9/28; MEI 10/12)
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Arafat, Peres meet at Gaza airport; issue a joint statement (see
9/20) restarting phased implementation of the Tenet cease-fire plan as the 1st
step toward implementation of the Mitchell recommendations for resuming
negotiations. A comm. led by Peres, PC speaker Qurai` is to oversee
implementation. Arafat, Peres plan to meet in 1 wk. to assess progress.
Israel also demands that the PA immediately arrest 108 wanted
Palestinians. (AP, HA, JP [Internet], MM, WP 9/26; ATL, Interfax, ITAR-TASS,
al-Quds, XIN 9/26 in WNC 9/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/27; QA, al-Quds
9/27, MA 9/28, al-Quds 9/29, MA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; NYT 9/28; NYT 10/2; JP
10/5; MEI 10/12) (see Peace Monitor for details)
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A large bomb explodes at an IDF post on the
Gaza-Egypt border, lightly injuring 3 soldiers. A PA court
sentences 3 Palestinians to death for collaborating with Israel. |
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In light of the IDF's overnight assault on Rafah, the U.S.
calls on Israel to halt demolitions of Palestinian homes, incursions into
PA controled areas. Meanwhile, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians
in Rafah. (HA 9/27; AFP, HP, MM, NYT, WP 9/28)
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PSF Gaza head Muhammad Dahlan says the PSF will not conduct
preventive arrests of suspected Palestinian militants without hard evidence, as
Israel demanded on 9/26. |
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The IDF kills a total of 6 Palestinians, wounds more than 100
(at least 50% with live ammunition) in confronting demonstrations across the
West Bank, Gaza marking the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. (In Nablus
alone, 10,000 Palestinians rally.) A 7th Palestinian dies in a mysterious
explosion. The worst fighting is in Hebron (where the IDF shells
residential areas, killing 2; and Palestinians fire on 2 vehicles,
lightly injuring 2 Jewish settlers), Qarni crossing, Rafah (where an
IDF tank reportedly fires into a crowd, killing 3 Palestinians). In Rafah,
some 150 Palestinians clash with PSF officers attempting to
disperse demonstrators, vandalize 3 empty PSF offices. The IDF also
conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Salfit. Jewish settlers destroy 100
dunams of Palestinian crop land, several greenhouses nr. Mihula. (HP, MM 9/28;
HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; Le Monde 9/29 in WNC 10/2; HP, WP, WT 9/30;
al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM 10/1; IRNA 10/3 in WNC 10/4; HA 10/21)
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Despite increasing violence, Israel, the PA reconvene the
trilateral security comm. for the 1st time since 7/25. Arafat issues
another statement calling on Palestinian to adhere to the cease-fire. (AFP, MM
9/28; HP, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; MM 10/1)
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Demonstrations across the
West Bank, Gaza marking the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. (In Nablus
alone, 10,000 Palestinians rally.) |
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Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza continue demonstrations to mark
the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. The IDF clashes with
protesters, killing 3 Palestinians, wounding more than 100. A 4th
Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The main hot spots are
Hebron, Qarni crossing, Rafah. The IDF directs shell, heavy machine gun fire at residential
areas of al-Bireh, Brazil camp, Hebron, Khan Yunis, Yibna; sets fire to a
Palestinian orchard nr. a bypass road outside Nablus; conducts arrest raids in
Nablus, Ramallah. Jewish settlers install a tower, water reserve,
electricity hook-up to a new settlement enclave btwn. Suisa, Ma'on settlements.
(HP 9/29; NYT, WP, WT 9/30; al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/9; MM, WT 10/1;
Independent, NYT 10/2; WJW 10/4; LAW 10/10)
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Israel, the PA each complain that the other has not undertaken the
steps required in the initial 48 hr. stage of the Tenet plan. Sharon
meets with his inner cabinet, which agrees to allow Peres to
continue truce talks with PA officials, but says it will resume "initiated
actions" in 48 hrs. if violence continues. (HP 9/29; NYT, WP, WT 9/30;
al-Quds 9/30 in WNC 10/9; MM, WT 10/1; Independent, NYT 10/2; WJW
10/4; LAW 10/10)
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Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza continue demonstrations to mark
the 1st anniversary of the al-Aqsa intifada. Inside Israel, 1,000s of Israeli Arabs
hold rallies in Arraba, Haifa, Jit, Kafr Manda, Kafr Qana, Nazareth, Sakhnin,
Umm al-Fahm; demonstrations in Nazareth, Umm al-Fahm turn violent with
protesters clashing with police, vandalizing stores, but no injuries are
reported. |
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The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians. The PSF uses tear
gas to disperse Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza. Late this evening, the IDF
sends troops into Khan Yunis, responding to reports (denied by the PA) that
mortars were fired fr. the camp toward Netzarim. (HP, LAW, MM, WT 10/1; LAW
10/10)
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Peres meets with PA Local Government M Erakat, PC speaker
Qurai` in Tel Aviv to discuss the cease-fire implementation. Each side
accuses the other of failing to fulfill agmts. PA, Israeli regional cmdrs. for
Jericho, Qalqilya, Tulkarm also meet on security cooperation. (MENA 9/30 in WNC
10/1; JP [Internet] 10/1)
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Abbreviations
IDF
Israeli Defense Forces
PA Palestinian Authority
Chronology Source Abbreviations
ADM (Addameer--Prisoners Support and Human Rights Association, Ramallah)
AFP (Agence France-Presse, Paris)
AIC (Alternative Information Center, Jerusalem)
AP (Associated Press, Internet)
ATL (Anatolia, Ankara)
AYM (al-Ayyam, Ramallah)
BDL (BADIL Resource Center, Bethlehem)
DUS (al-Dustur, Amman)
FAV (Free Arab Voice, Internet)
HA (Ha'Aretz, Tel Aviv)
HJ (al-Hayat al-Jadida, Ramallah)
HP (Hear Palestine, Washington)
HUR (Hurriyet, Istanbul)
IRNA (Islamic Republic News Agency, Tehran)
IsRN (Israel Radio News, Internet)
JP (Jerusalem Post International Edition, Jerusalem)
JT (Jordan Times, Amman)
LAW (Palestinian Society for the Protection of Human Rights and the Environment, Jerusalem)
MA (Ma'ariv, Tel Aviv)
MEI (Middle East International, London)
MENA (Middle East News Agency, Cairo)
MENL (Middle East Newsline, Internet)
MEZ (al-Mezan Center for Human Rights, Jabaliyya)
MM (Mideast Mirror, London)
NYT (New York Times, New York)
PCHR (Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Gaza)
PR (Palestine Report, Jerusalem)
QA (al-Quds al-Arabi, London)
REU (Reuters, Internet)
RL (Radio Lebanon, Beirut)
RMC (Radio Monte Carlo, Paris)
SA (al-Sharq al-Awsat, London)
UPI (United Press International, Internet)
WJW (Washington Jewish Week, Rockville, MD)
WNC (World News Connection [Internet], Washington)
WP (Washington Post, Washington)
WT (Washington Times, Washington)
XIN (Xinhua+nNew China News Agency, Beijing)
YA (Yedi'ot Aharonot, Tel Aviv)
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