The IDF fatally shoots 4 Palestinians nr. Hebron; the IDF initially claims it ambushed armed "terrorists" attempting to infiltrate Kiryat Arba settlement, later admits the men were unarmed and shot 2 mi. fr. any settlement. Israeli pres. Moshe Katsav orders an investigation into the spate of IDF attacks on unarmed Palestinian civilians since 8/28. The IDF also shells a fuel station, electricity generator in Rafah, cutting electricity to parts of the city; fires on residential areas of Jenin; conducts arrest raids in Anza (nr. Jenin), al-Farah r.c. A 5th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 8/24. (MM, NYT, PM, WP 9/2; LAW, PCHR 9/4; HA, MEI 9/13)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who throws a grenade at an IDF checkpoint in Gaza, lightly injuring 1 soldier; sends tanks into Jenin, firing on the central market, wounding 1 Swedish journalist; conducts arrest raids in, around Jenin r.c.; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Zayf, s. of Hebron, leaving 50 Palestinians, including 26 children, homeless; opens a road nr. Netzarim, closed a wk. ago, to Palestinian traffic. (LAW, PR 9/3; LAW, PCHR 9/4)

Bush appoints the fmr. president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington and past chair of Israel Bonds as chmn. of the board of trustees of the Woodrow Wilson International Center. (WJW 9/12)

IDF tanks fire shells at 2 Palestinians “moving suspiciously” near Brakha settlement, killing them. The IDF raids a Palestinian radio station in Nablus, confiscating all equipment; demolishes a Palestinian house in Rafah without warning, while its residents are sleeping (6 are injured before they manage to flee); fires on residential areas of Ramallah; raids, demolishes an Islamic charitable society orphanage in Bayt Awla nr. Hebron that houses 300 children under 12. Jewish settlers seize a Palestinian house in East Jerusalem, nr. Jabal Mukabir, claiming they own the structure, which will be the basis of a new enclave. (JTA 9/3; LAW, PCHR, Radio Tariq al-Mahabbeh [Ramallah], WP 9/4; MEI 9/13)

The Israeli High Court rules that the government can banish to Gaza the West Bank relatives of Palestinians accused of staging attacks on Israelis only in "extreme cases" where "that person, by his own deeds, constitutes a danger to the security of the state." The ruling argues that such forced transfer constitutes "assigned residence" under Articles 41+n43 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, is therefore legal under international law. The court thus upholds an 8/12 military court order to expel to Gaza for 2 yrs. the brother, sister of senior AMB mbr. Ali Ajuri (assassinated 8/6/02) for allegedly aiding in the staging of the 7/17/02 Tel Aviv bombing; overrules an order to expel another Palestinian for lending a car, food to his brother, Naseer Assida, without knowing he was (allegedly) plotting the 7/16/02 ambush of a settler bus; Assida has not been captured. (HA, JP, MM 9/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/4; MM, WJW 9/5)

The IDF transfers Intisar and Kifal Ajuri to Gaza (see 9/3), giving them each around $215, a change of clothes, a bottle of water and leaving them in a field, in a dangerous area nr. Netzarim settlement. The IDF fires on residential areas, bulldozes 2 dunams of agricultural land in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in al-Yamun; fires on Palestinian residential areas of Hebron. (HA, LAW, PCHR 9/4; WP, WT 9/5; MEI 9/13)

As a counterbalance to its "Victims of Terror" Web site honoring Israelis killed in Palestinian attacks, CNN launches a "Palestinian Fatalities" site with 10 pictures of Palestinian civilians killed since 8/29; all but 1 photo shows burial ceremonies, mass demonstrations, crowds around destroyed buildings or cars, whereas the "Victims of Terror" site has 100s of portraits of each Israeli. (PMWATCH press release 9/4)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Nablus, Surif; raids a clinic in Bayt Lahia, halts an ambulance, detains and beats 1 paramedic; fires on residential areas of Rafah, on Palestinians waiting to cross a Dayr al-Balah+nKhan Yunis checkpoint. The IDF issues evacuation orders to 4 Palestinian families in Ras al-Amud, Silwan. (AP, MM 9/5; NYT, WP, WT 9/6; NYT 9/7; LAW, PCHR 9/11)

In response to the 2 Gaza attacks, Ben-Eliezer formally calls off implementation of Gaza First agmt. (WP 9/6)

Before dawn, IDF helicopters rocket, destroy a Khan Yunis foundry believed to be a bomb-making factory. The IDF raids Jenin town, fatally shooting 2 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Lahia. (NYT, WP 9/6; NYT, WP, WT 9/7; LAW, PCHR 9/11)

An IDF investigation finds that soldiers acted appropriately in 3 recent attacks that killed 12 Palestinians: the 8/28 shelling of a bedouin family, the 8/31 Daraghma assassination, the shooting of 4 Palestinian laborers on 9/1. The IDF says soldiers adhered properly to open-fire regulations, but refuses to explain the regulations. (NYT, WP 9/7; MEI 9/13) (see 9/1)

Before dawn, the IDF sends up to 40 armored personnel carriers (APCs) into Dayr al-Balah, taking over the PSF headquarters; conducting house searches; arresting 4 Palestinians (including local Islamic Jihad leader Mahir Bashir); demolishing 1 Palestinian home, 1 workshop and damaging 9 adjacent houses; bulldozing 46 dunams of olive, date palm groves. The IDF fires live ammunition at some 200 Palestinian students in Jenin who defy the curfew to throw stones at soldiers, wounding 4; fires rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian stone throwers at the entrance to Amari r.c., injuring 3; fires tear gas, rubber bullets at stone-throwing Palestinian youths violating the curfew in Ramallah; searches homes in al-Wafa nr. Dugit settlement; shells residential areas of Rafah. (NYT, WT 9/7; WP, WT 9/8; LAW, PCHR 9/11)

The IDF shells a car nr. Rafah, killing 2 unarmed Palestinians; fires live ammunition at a mentally handicapped Palestinian woman who disobeys orders to stop at a Khan Yunis+nRafah checkpoint, wounding her; bulldozes more than 100 dunams of olive groves nr. al-Maghazi r.c. in Gaza; conducts house searches, arrests in Nablus; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers vandalize several vehicles, attack several Palestinian houses in Hebron. (WP 9/9; LAW, PCHR 9/11; MEI, PCHR 9/13)

Before dawn, 60 IDF tanks encircle and raid Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Nussayrat r.c. in Gaza, demolishing 2 workshops, a Palestinian home belonging to a suspected militant. The IDF also bulldozes more than 100 dunams of agricultural land in al-Fukhari nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Asira Shamaliyya. Israeli police announces that 3 wks. ago, they arrested 3 alleged Hamas mbrs. fr. East Jerusalem on charges of planning to poison food at a Jerusalem café. (WP 9/9; LAW, PCHR 9/11; MEI 9/13)

Israel's Interior M Yishai strips the citizenship of Israeli Arab Nihad Abu Kishak, accused of aiding a suicide bomber and membership in Hamas, the 1st time such a measure has been taken against an Israeli accused of a security offense. (HA 9/9; NYT 9/10; LAW, MM 9/11; MEI 9/13; PR 9/18)

In Ramallah, Arafat opens the 1^st full session of the Palestinian Council (PC) since 5/15/02 with an address restating the PA's recognition of Israel, commitment to the peace process, condemnation of suicide bombings, opposition to "all types of terrorism, whether it is state terror or individual terror." (Gazan PC mbrs. attend by video link after Sharon bars 12 fr. traveling to Ramallah for "security reasons," citing their "involvement in terror.") Israel dismisses the statement, saying he did not specifically condemn suicide bombings for harming civilians, did not call for a complete halt to violence. The U.S. says the speech is weak, "we've seen remarks like that before," the Palestinians deserve a better leadership. (AP, HA, MM, WP, WT 9/9; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/10; AYM, al-Quds 9/10 in WNC 9/11; AP, MM 9/11; MEI 9/13; JT 9/13 in WNC 9/16; MEI 9/27; Globe and Mail 11/12)

The IDF raids Beitunia, imposes a curfew, fires on and raids the local PA General Intelligence office, killing wanted Palestinian Mahmud Harfush, wounding 2 General Intelligence officers; conducts arrest raids in Dahariyya, Nablus; fires on Palestinian stone throwers in Yatta nr. Hebron, injuring 11; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Jenin. (LAW, PCHR 9/11; PCHR 9/18)

The PC opens debate on approving the new Executive Authority (EA or cabinet) appointed by Arafat in 6/02; the vote of confidence is not held for lack of time. Many PC mbrs. argue that they should reject the EA to underline the need for substantive change of PA policy and style and because several of EA mbrs. have been cited for corruption. (HA, MM, WT 9/10; NYT, WT 9/11)

The IDF makes a major incursion into Bayt Hanun, raiding houses, mosques, civilian institutions; damaging service networks, agricultural land, houses; detaining several Palestinians. The IDF conducts house-to-house searches in, shells residential areas of al-Maghazi r.c., demolishing 2 Palestinian homes, detaining 6 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/11)

PC mbrs. continue highly critical debate on the new EA. Just before the vote of confidence is held, Arafat announces that he has accepted the EA's resignation. (HA, JP, MM, NYT, WP 9/12; al-Quds 9/12, AN 9/13, QA 9/14 in WNC 9/16; MM, WT 9/13; Le Monde 9/14 in WNC 9/19; PR 9/18; JPI 9/20; MEI 9/27; CSM 10/1)

The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes nr. Gaza City, damaging 8 others; halts an ambulance nr. Nablus, taking a relative of the patient into custody; fires tear gas at PRCS property, ambulances, paramedics in Nablus, Tulkarm. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 9/10. An Israeli court indicts 4 East Jerusalem Palestinians for murder for their alleged role in the 7/31/02 Hebrew University bombing. A Palestinian indicted in civilian court on terrorism charges on 7/30 is convicted, sentenced to 22 yrs. Israel announces that 6 wks. ago it arrested 10 bedouin IDF soldiers fr. the Galilee on charges of spying for Hizballah. (JTA 9/12; HA, WP 9/13; LAW, PCHR 9/18; PCHR 9/20; HA 10/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/24; MM 10/29)

In a speech to the opening session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) a day after the 1st anniversary of the al-Qa`ida attacks on the U.S., Bush warns the UN to take action quickly to force Iraq to "unconditionally accept" inspection, disarmament of its chemical and biological weapons and nuclear research facilities, intimating that the U.S. will take action unilaterally if the UN does not. Bush also reiterates his support for the creation of "an independent and democratic Palestine living side by side with Israel in peace and security," adding that "Palestinians deserve a government that serves their interests and listens to their voices." (NYT, Jerusalem Times, WP, WT 9/12; HA, MM 9/13; AYM 9/13, MENA, al-Quds 9/14, MENA 9/15 in WNC 9/16; NYT 9/14; JT, WP 9/15; MM 9/17; MEI 9/27)

The American Jewish Comm., Israel 21c (a Silicon Valley+nbased group supported by executives of high-tech companies) launch an ad campaign to run on cable TV news stations in 100 U.S. cities promoting Israel's side in its conflict with the Palestinians, portraying Israel as the only democratic country and country sharing American values in the Middle East. (JTA 9/17; AP 9/18; WJW 9/19, 9/26)

Before dawn, the IDF raids Brazil r.c. and Rafah, conducting house-to-house searches, raiding and destroying equipment in local Fatah offices, bulldozing 8 Palestinian homes, 6 suspected weapons factories, damaging 17 houses and 3 factories, sparking an exchange of gunfire with Palestinians, killing 1 AMB mbr., wounding 6 Palestinians. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Tubas. A mysterious explosion destroys a house in Gaza, killing 3 Palestinians (including wanted Fatah mbr. Iyad Sharif), injuring 4; the IDF claims a bomb Sharif was preparing exploded prematurely. (AP, HA, PM, WP, WT 9/13; NYT, WP, WT 9/14; PCHR 9/17, 9/18)

The IDF sends tanks into Jenin, fires on residential areas; bulldozes 23 dunams of agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom settlement; conducts an arrest raid in Bir al-Basha nr. Jenin. (LAW, PCHR 9/18)

The IDF occupies 3 apartments in a Palestinian building in Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Jenin, Tulkarm; bulldozes 4 small olive groves nr. Kefar Darom settlement. (PCHR 9/18)

The IDF fatally shoots an Egyptian man visiting Gaza at a checkpoint nr. Gush Katif settlement; the IDF claims he threw grenades at soldiers, Palestinians say he was a passenger in a taxi. The IDF bulldozes another 20 dunams of agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom (see 9/14, 9/15); fires tank shells at an ambulance nr. Nablus, damaging the vehicle. (HA, WP 9/17; PCHR 9/18; PCHR 9/20)

In Nablus, 9 schools hold classes in violation of the ongoing curfew; the IDF blocks 3 other schools fr. opening. In Yatta, a nail bomb explodes in the courtyard of an elementary school while classes are in session, lightly injuring 8 Palestinian children; a 2d bomb is found, defused by the IDF; the IDF believes Jewish settlers staged the attack. In Tulkarm, a 14-yr.-old Palestinian is killed in a mysterious explosion; the IDF claims he was making a bomb. The IDF demolishes 9 Palestinian foundries in Khan Yunis allegedly used to manufacture mortars; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis, Nablus; fires on a group of Palestinian children in Askar r.c., wounding 3 teenagers. (HA, REU 9/17; AP, JP, LAW, NYT, PCHR, PM, PR, WP, WT 9/18; AYM 9/20 in WNC 9/23)

The Quartet (the European Union [EU], Russia, UN, U.S.), reps. of Israel and the PA meet in New York on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly opening session. The EU presents the Quartet with a draft “road map” for creation of a Palestinian state with provisional borders in 2003 and full Palestinian statehood by 6/05, the plausible target date mentioned by Bush in his 6/24/02 speech. (REU 9/17; MM, PR, WT 9/18; WJW 9/19; AYM, al-Quds 9/19 in WNC 9/20; AYM 9/20 in WNC 9/23; JT 9/24 in WNC 9/24; MEI 9/27)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian at a roadblock, claiming he attempted to run over soldiers; conducts house-to-house searches in Rafah, bulldozing 1 Palestinian home, firing on a UN delegation touring earlier damage; bulldozes 2 Palestinian homes in Abu Dis, belonging to the families of suicide bombers; demolishes 34 residential units in a General Union of Palestinian Workers housing project in `Ayn Sinya nr. Ramallah; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, barring an ambulance fr. retrieving at least 1 injured Palestinian; bulldozes, paves over 5 dunams of agricultural land nr. Khan Yunis for a new settler bypass road. (AP, JTA, LAW, PCHR, REU 9/18; HA, NYT, WP, WT 9/19; QA 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM 9/20; NYT 9/21; MM 9/24; PCHR, PR 9/25; MEI 9/27; WT 10/26)

After Tel Aviv bomb, Sharon convenes his cabinet, which unanimously decides to launch Operation Matter of Time to "isolate” Arafat, calls for the immediate extradition of around 20 wanted Palestinians (including Force 17 head Mahmud Damara, PA General Intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi) allegedly among the 200 Palestinians hiding in Arafat's offices (8 surrender in the evening). The IDF immediately reimposes 24-hr. curfews on all West Bank areas except Hebron; sends tanks into Ramallah to surround Arafat's offices (1 tank fatally shoots a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy 6 times; troops shoot, wound 2 Arafat bodyguards in the PA headquarters compound); fires on "Palestinian schoolchildren challenging the army's attempt to impose a curfew" in Amari r.c., killing a 11-yr.-old Palestinian; shells residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Hanun (where an IDF tank runs over a roadside bomb, injuring 2 soldiers), Jenin r.c. (blowing up 1 Palestinian home), Nablus, Qalqilya, the Tulkarm area; bulldozes 19 dunams of agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom settlement. Jewish settlers open fire on a Palestinian taxi nr. Tulkarm, seriously injuring the driver. (AP, HA, JTA, LAW, MM, PM 9/19; ATL, ITAR-TASS 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/20; Interfax, MA, Radio Monte Carlo 9/20 in WNC 9/23; MEZ, NYT 9/21; AYM 9/23 in WNC 9/25; LAW, PCHR, PR 9/25; MA 9/25 in WNC 9/26; WJW 9/26; MEI 9/27)

In Ramallah, the IDF blows up 6 buildings (including the 4-story PA Interior Min.) in the PA compound in Ramallah, destroys 11 caravans that temporarily house PSF offices, leaving the building in which Arafat is taking shelter the only structure in the compound still intact; digs a trench around the Arafat's building and fires on, demolishes staircases inside to keep him confined to 1 floor; another 20 Palestinians surrender to the IDF, but Israel says none of them are among the wanted Palestinians; an IDF sniper fatally shoots a PSF officer nr. the compound. The IDF makes a predawn raid on an area of Gaza City, fatally shooting 2 Palestinians, blowing up 6 metal workshops, damaging 2 nearby workshops, 5 stores, and 10s of houses. In response, Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in Gaza, injuring 1 IDF soldier, 1 border policeman. The IDF also raids Rafah, firing live ammunition and tanks shells at residential areas, killing 2 Palestinian boys; closes PLO Jerusalem affairs adviser Sari Nusseibeh's offices in Jerusalem as well as offices of a Palestinian sports team union and the Jerusalem Society of Culture and Art, confiscating computers; conducts arrest raids in Burqa. A Scottish teenager injured in the 9/19 Tel Aviv bombing dies of his injuries, bringing that toll to 6. (HA, NYT, PM, WP 9/20; AFP, MENA 9/20, QA 9/21 in WNC 9/23; MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 9/21; LAW, PCHR, PR 9/25; MM 9/26; MEI 9/27)

In Ramallah, the IDF continues demolition work at the PA compound, setting fire to storehouses, bulldozing the Ramallah governate building; says it now seeks the extradition of 50 Palestinians inside Arafat's offices; warns those inside the remaining building to evacuate or risk being harmed when the IDF blows it up, prompting 1,000s of Palestinians to take to the street in protest, despite the curfew. The IDF fires stun grenades, live ammunition at the crowds, killing 2 Palestinians (including a journalist with Voice of Palestine). (After al-Jazeera TV broadcasts news of the spontaneous Ramallah demonstrations, 1,000s of Palestinians violate the curfews Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm and rally in Gaza to protest; the IDF kills 1 Palestinian protester in Nablus, a 2d Palestinian in Tulkarm and demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Qabatya, Qalqilya.) None of the Palestinians in the Ramallah compound evacuates, the IDF does not blow up the building; unnamed Israeli officials suggest the threat was "psychological combat" aimed at making living conditions so unbearable for Arafat that he seeks refuge abroad. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in al-Fara' r.c., Jenin, Rafah; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; fires on an ambulance in Nablus, damaging it, wounding 1 Palestinian bystander. (PM 9/21; MENA 9/21, ITAR-TASS, XIN 9/22 in WNC 9/23; NYT, PM, WP, WT 9/22; HA 9/23; al-Quds 9/23 in WNC 9/24; MM 9/24; LAW, PCHR, PR 9/25; MEI, MM 9/27; PRCS press release 9/27)

Under pressure fr. the U.S., Israel halts demolitions in the PA's Ramallah compound, though soldiers maintain the siege and raise an Israeli flag atop the remaining building where Arafat and his men are holed up. 1,000s of Palestinians defy curfews across the West Bank to protest for a 2d day, demonstrations also continue in Gaza. In Balata r.c., the IDF fires on a group of Palestinian, international protesters killing a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy. The IDF also bulldozes 9 dunams of land nr. Kefar Darom settlement. In Tel Aviv, 200 Israeli peace activists protest IDF actions in Ramallah. (GS, PM 9/22; ATL, MENA, RFI 9/22, JT 9/23 in WNC 9/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/23; LAW, PCHR 9/25; MEI 9/27)

The IDF bars the transportation of an ailing Palestinian infant to a hospital in Hebron, allowing her to die; fires live ammunition at stone-throwing Palestinian youths in Khan Yunis, wounding 2; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bayt Wazzan; conducts arrest raids in Beitunia, Burqa. (HA 9/23; AFP, al-Quds 9/23 in WNC 9/24; MM, NYT, WP 9/24; LAW, PCHR 9/25; PRCS press release 9/27)

Before dawn, the IDF launches a major incursion (90 tanks, bulldozers, helicopter cover) into Gaza City and Bayt Lahia, killing 9 Palestinians (including wanted local AMB leader Muhammad Kishku, senior Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Yasin Nassar in what may be assassinations), wounding 24, blowing up 1 Palestinian home, 13 metal workshops. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb underneath 1 of the 20 tanks entering Gaza City, disabling it, injuring 2 IDF soldiers (see 9/5). Israel says the incursions are the start of a major campaign in the Gaza Strip targeting Hamas, though troops withdraw fr. Gaza City by the end of the day. The IDF also fires live ammunition at stone-throwing children in Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis, wounding 8 and 2 respectively; fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian protesters defying the curfew in Hebron; conducts arrest raids in al-Ram. Israeli police place Fatah secy. in Jerusalem Salah al-Zuhaykha under house arrest for allegedly arranging protests under orders fr. Arafat. (AP, HA, MEZ, MM, PCHR, WP, WT 9/24; AFP 9/24 in WNC 9/25; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR, PR, WP 9/25; al-Quds 9/25 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/27, 10/11)

After 2 days of debate, the UN Security Council (UNSC) passes (14-0, with the U.S. abstaining) Res. 1435 on the siege in Ramallah, which expresses grave concern over the Palestinians' humanitarian plight and reoccupation of Palestinian cities, "demands" Israel's immediate halt of attacks on the PA headquarters. The IDF says its operations will continue "until their objectives are met." (HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/24; ATL, MENA 9/24 in WNC 9/25; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; al-Quds, XIN 9/25 in WNC 9/26; DUS 9/25 in WNC 10/1; AP, HA, MM, NYT, WJW, WT 9/26; JT 10/7 in WNC 10/8; MEI 10/11)

The IDF demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Dura; bulldozes 3 homes and farm land nr. Netzarim settlement in Gaza; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths nr. Bayt Hanun and Kefar Darom, wounding 13; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian in his Jenin home; raids a UNRWA hospital in Qalqilya, assaulting several staff mbrs. Jewish settlers announce the completion of 14 permanent housing units in Rehalim nr. Nablus. (HA, LAW, PCHR 9/25; al-Quds 9/25 in WNC 9/26; CNN, HA, LAW, NYT 9/26; UN press release 10/1; LAW, PCHR 10/2)

IDF helicopters fire 2 missiles at 2 cars in Gaza City in its 4th attempt to assassinate most-wanted Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Muhammad Dayif; 2 Hamas mbrs. are killed, Dayif escapes with moderate wounds, some 30 bystanders (including 15 children) are injured. In Kefar Labid nr. Tulkarm, IDF commandos conduct an arrest raid, prompting an exchange of gunfire that leaves senior Hamas mbr. Nashat Abu Jabara, 1 IDF officer dead; then demolish Abu Jabara's home. The IDF also arbitrarily imposes a curfew in Hebron then fires tear gas, rubber bullets at Palestinians in Hebron's market, killing a Palestinian infant; fatally shoots another Palestinian in Gaza; demolishes 1 Palestinian home, bulldozes more than 60 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Hanun; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Qabatya; bulldozes 20 dunams of agricultural land nr. Bayt Lahia; directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis. Jewish settlers dedicate the new HaGefen neighborhood of 1,150 housing units in Beitar Ilit; the new enclave of Migron nr. Psagot, comprising 30 families. (AP, CNN, HA 9/26; HA, LAW, MM, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 9/27; NYT 9/28; MM 9/30; QA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; LAW, PCHR, PR 10/2; PCHR 10/3; MEI 10/11)

The IDF fatally shoots wanted Palestinian Muhammad Yaghmur in nr. Hebron in an apparent assassination; shells residential areas of, conducts arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah, Jenin. The IDF fires tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing youths in Khan Yunis (seriously injuring a Palestinian boy), Ramallah. Israeli police arrest 3 Israeli Arabs in Ramla on suspicion of plotting an attack for Hamas; bar Palestinians under age 40 fr. attending Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. (NYT, WP 9/28; LAW, PCHR, PR 10/2; HA 10/7)

U.S. Amb. to Israel Daniel Kurtzer delivers a personal message fr. Bush to Sharon, asking the PM to quickly end the IDF siege on Arafat's Ramallah offices, noting that Israel's continued defiance of the 9/24 UNSC res. is hurting U.S. efforts to build a coalition against Iraq; Secy. of State Colin Powell, National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice follow up with phone calls. Sharon sends his bureau chief Dov Weisglass to Washington for low-key mtgs. with Powell, Rice. (HA 9/27; WP 9/28; WT 9/29; NYT 9/30; MM 10/2; MEI 10/11)

In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian youth protesting at Shuhada Junction; fires on residential areas in Rafah, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 22; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, injuring 7; fires on youths protesting in Bayt Lahia, injuring 10; detains, questions, destroys the camera of a Palestine TV cameraman. (NYT, WT 9/29; LAW, PCHR 10/2; PCHR 10/3)

Israel ends the siege on Arafat's compound in Ramallah, allowing Arafat, all those inside with him to leave; troops remain in Ramallah however. A Palestinian heart attack victim dies at an IDF checkpoint nr. Khan Yunis when troops deny his passage to a hospital for several hrs. The IDF also fires tear gas into an education center for children and the mentally disabled in Shu`fat r.c., injuring 150 children; demolishes 4 Palestinian houses nr. Netzarim settlement; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian children nr. Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis, injuring 4. (AFP, JT 9/29, Interfax, MENA, QA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/30; CSM 10/1; LAW, PCHR 10/2; MEI 10/11; WP 11/8)

The Jerusalem Report, citing Britain’s respected Jane’s Foreign Report, claims that IDF special forces are currently operating inside western Iraq, with the knowledge of the U.S., to locate missile launchers that could be used against Israel. (JP 9/29)

The IDF clashes with Islamic Jihad gunmen in, shells residential areas of Nablus and Balata r.c., leaving 1 IDF soldier dead, 3 buildings afire; fires on stone-throwing youths, killing 2 Palestinian boys ages 10 and 12, injuring 25; confiscates video footage of clashes fr. a Reuters cameraman. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Hebron, Gaza City (killing 1 Palestinian); conducts arrest raids in of Beitunia, Burkin, Hebron (reportedly detaining 5 mbrs. of a cell that has staged roadside bombings in the area), Qabatya, Tulkarm, al-Yamun; fires tank shells at residential areas of Gaza, leaving 1 Palestinian woman clinically dead (the IDF claims it was responding to mortar fire). In Ramallah, the IDF surrounds, fires shells a building where it claims some of the wanted Palestinians who hid in Arafat's offices during the siege are located; demands their surrender. (HA 9/30; HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/1; LAW, MM, PCHR 10/2; PCHR 10/3; MEI 10/11)

Bush signs the FY 2003 Foreign Relations Authorization Act, which requires the admin. to identify Jerusalem as Israel's capital. Bush says that he interprets the wording on Jerusalem as a "sense of Congress," not as binding on U.S. policy. The bill also urges the pres. to impose sanctions on the Palestinians if they do not comply with signed agmts.; withholds $10 m. of $35 m. in economic aid to Lebanon for failing to assert its authority over Hizballah; provides an additional $300 m. in aid to Israel, including $100 m. for munitions; rejects equivalent aid for Egypt. (Israel says the other $200 m. is going to be used to cover shortfalls in the defense budget.) (HA, JP, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/1; MM, NYT, PR, WT 10/2; Gulf Times [Doha], MENA, al-Quds 10/2 in WNC 10/3; MM 10/3; al-Quds 10/3 in WNC 10/4; AYM, MENA 10/4 in WNC 10/7; PR 10/9; MEI 10/11)