The IDF conducts arrest raids in Hebron, targeting the tanzim; finds, disables a large roadside bomb nr. Khan Yunis. In retaliation, the IDF launches a raid on Khan Yunis late in the evening, killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 39, demolishing 6 Palestinian homes; 2 IDF soldiers are also wounded. The IDF also fires on an UNRWA primary school in Khan Yunis, leaving an 11-yr.-old Palestinian clinically dead. Nr. Erez crossing, a Jewish settler deliberately hits a Palestinian man with his car, leaving him in a coma, with serious head injuries. (HA, WP, WT 3/2; NYT 3/3; PCHR 3/6; MEI 3/7; PR 3/12; LAW 3/13)

The IDF continues its “preemptive operation” in Khan Yunis, blowing up a 7-story apartment building, firing on a hospital, wounding 8 Palestinians inside; Palestinians fight back with guns, grenades, causing no injuries; troops pull out in the morning. The IDF also fires on residential areas s. of Bethlehem, Rafah; demolishes 9 Palestinian homes in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem. The Israel Lands Admin. demolishes 17 Israeli Arab homes in Kafr Qasim. (AP, HA 3/2; HA, NYT 3/3; MM 3/4; PR 3/5; PCHR 3/6; MEI 3/7; LAW 3/13)

The IDF makes predawn raids on Bureij r.c., Nussayrat r.c., killing 8 Palestinians (mostly in Bureij), leaving at least 40 wounded, barring medical access, blowing up 3 Palestinian homes (causing a 4th to collapse, killing 1 pregnant woman inside, and seriously damaging a mosque), arresting Hamas Nussayrat head Muhammad Taha; 2 IDF soldiers are also wounded. The IDF also sends troops into the Old City of Nablus, occupying several houses and schools, forcibly evacuating students, conducting arrest raids, firing on stone throwers, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian (who may have been handcuffed); fires on stone throwers in Tulkarm; demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah. (NYT, PM, WP, WT 3/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/4; PR 3/5; PCHR 3/6; MEI 3/7; LAW 3/13)

The IDF raids an Internet café in Jenin in search of an Islamic Jihad mbr., fatally shooting 1 Palestinian bystander, wounding 6, arresting the wanted man, 6 others; fatally shoots a 75-yr.-old Palestinian farmer riding a donkey through a restricted area nr. Netzarim settlement; fatally shoots a mute Palestinian who had stopped to watch Palestinians throw stones at troops in Tulkarm; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Hebron, 1 in Rafah. Jewish settlers open fire on stone-throwing Palestinians in the West Bank, seriously injuring a 14-yr.-old Palestinian boy. The Israel Lands Admin. sprays toxic chemicals on 1,500 dunams of bedouin crop land belonging to the unrecognized village of Abda in the Negev. (ADL, MM 3/4; NYT, PM, WP, WT 3/5; PCHR 3/6; LAW 3/13)

The IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Nablus, 1 in Qalqilya, a mosque in Rafah r.c. that had been heavily damaged in earlier attacks; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Qalqilya (targeting Fatah), Ramallah (nabbing senior Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Abdallah Barghouti), Yamun; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. Late in the evening, the IDF launches a major raid into Jabaliya r.c., sending in 50 tanks and helicopters, firing several missiles, killing 3 Palestinians, wounding 11; fatally shoots Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad al-`Asas in an exchange of gunfire in Bethlehem, leaving 1 IDF soldier wounded. A Jerusalem court sentences Israeli Arab Murad Ajluni to life plus 20 yrs. for taking part in a 3/02 AMB shooting in Tel Aviv that left 3 Israelis dead. (HA 3/5; Interfax, VOI 3/5 in WNC 3/6; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/6; MA 3/6 in WNC 3/7; HA 3/7; LAW, PR 3/13; PCHR 3/13; JPI 3/14)

The IDF continues operations in Jabaliya r.c., demolishing 8 Palestinian homes, shelling an apartment building and attached store; as firemen fight the blaze and Palestinians gather at the scene, an IDF tank fires a shell, possibly containing flechettes, at the crowd, killing 8 Palestinians (including 1 firefighter, 3 children), wounding more than 60 (including 2 Reuters journalists; another 60 Palestinians are wounded in Jabaliya during the day); the IDF pulls out of the camp later in the morning. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian demonstrator in Nablus; fatally shoots a Palestinian during an arrest raid in Bethlehem; returns gunfire directed at an IDF patrol outside Hebron, killing a Palestinian shepherd tending her flock nearby; demolishes a Palestinian home outside Jenin; fires on residential areas of Nablus, al-Qarara. A 13th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 2/5/03. Late in the evening, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian allegedly attempting to infiltrate Hamra settlement; arrests Islamic Jihad Jenin head Muhammad Abu Rub. (AP, HA, MM, REU 3/6; MENA 3/6 in WNC 3/7; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/7; al-Quds 3/7 in WNC 3/10; PR 3/12; LAW, PCHR 3/13; MEI 3/21)

Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries.

Arafat nominates Abbas as his candidate for PM. Abbas says he would accept only if it is not merely a symbolic post. The PM’s duties have yet to be defined. (HA, MM, NYT 3/7; AYM, al-Quds 3/8 in WNC 3/10; PR 3/12; WJW 3/13)

The IDF carves out a 4 mi2 “security zone” in Gaza around Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, Jabaliya r.c. to prevent Palestinians fr. firing rockets, mortars into Israel; stations 100 military vehicles in the zone; razes 100 dunams of land; says troops will stay indefinitely. The IDF also fatally shoots 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who attempt to infiltrate Netzarim settlement; conducts house searches in Nablus, breaking through walls to move from house to house. (HA 3/7; NYT, WP, WT 3/8; WP 3/9; PR 3/12; LAW, PCHR, WJW 3/13)

At the UNSC, UN chief weapons inspector Hans Blix reports that Iraq is cooperating with inspectors, who have yet to find evidence of WMDs; estimates inspections could be completed within wks. U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell replies that Iraq clearly has not met the requirements for cooperation, disarmament set out in UNSC Res. 1441, saying, “There are some people who simply, in my judgment, don’t want to see the facts clearly.” The U.S., Britain submit a draft UNSC res. that would give Iraq until 3/17 to reveal all its WMDs or face retaliation. France, Germany, Russia argue for completing UN inspections, saying that lack of progress on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is much more of a threat to the region than Iraq. (WP 3/7; NYT, WP, WT 3/8; NYT 3/9; MM 3/10)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas political official Ibrahim Maqadama, the most senior Palestinian to be killed by Israel since the start of the intifada, firing missiles at his car as he drives in Gaza City, also killing his 3 bodyguards, injuring a 4th bodyguard and 2 bystanders. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian demonstrator in Bayt Lahia; shells residential areas of Jaba, killing 1 Palestinian; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Nablus; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Hebron, 1 in Dayr al-Balah, 1 nr. Kefar Darom, 1 in Qabatiyya. An Israeli dies of injuries received in the 3/5 Haifa bombing. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 3/6. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba forcibly evict a Palestinian family fr. their home in Dayr al-Mahawir, outside Hebron, and occupy the building. (VOI 3/8 in WNC 3/10; HA, NYT, WP, WT 3/9; PM, WT 3/10; PR 3/12; LAW, PCHR 3/13; MEI 3/21)

The Bush admin. announces that the U.S. will not release the road map until after the Iraq crisis is resolved. (NYT 3/9; PR 3/12; al-Quds 3/13 in WNC 3/14)

Israel vows to step up attacks on Hamas, saying “no terrorist chief, with the emphasis on Hamas, will be immune.” The IDF also fires on, shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes 2.5 dunams of land, 1 Palestinian home in Khan Yunis. A Palestinian shepherd dies when he triggers an explosive device in a field nr. Tulkarm. (HA, WT 3/10; LAW, PCHR 3/13)

The IDF pulls out of the n. Gaza “security zone” it reoccupied on 3/7, having bulldozed at least 314 dunams of land, demolished 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Lahia. The IDF fatally shoots 2 AMB mbrs. planting roadside bombs outside Kefar Darom settlement; shells residential areas of Hebron, killing 1 Palestinian, destroying his home; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Bayt Hanun, 1 in Jenin, 1 in al-Qarara; bulldozes 10 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayt Hanun. A Beit El military court sentences a Fatah mbr. to 4 consecutive life terms for planning a 3/21/02 suicide bombing in Jerusalem. (HA 3/10; VOI 3/10 in WNC 3/11; HA, MM, NYT 3/11; NYT, PR, WP 3/12; LAW, PCHR 3/13)

The Reston Connection (Reston, VA) reports that at a private function last wk. in Virginia, Rep. James Moran (D-VA) said, “If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq, we would not be doing this [i.e., planning for war]. The leaders of the Jewish community are influential enough that they could change the direction of where this is going, and I think they should.” Jewish orgs. condemn his comments as “reprehensible and anti-Semitic.” House minority leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) says Moran’s comments “have no place in the Democratic party.” (HA, WP 3/11; WJW 3/13; WP 3/15; MEI 3/21; WJW 4/10)

The IDF says that it plans to deport fr. Hebron to Gaza several relatives of Muhammad Qawasmi, the 3/5 Haifa suicide bomber, claiming they either knew of or assisted in planning the bombing. An Israeli wounded in the 3/5 attack dies of her injuries, bringing the toll to 17. The IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in al-Mughraqa, 3 in Rafah, 1 in Jenin, 1 in al-Qarara (killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 3 in the operation); fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Nablus (detaining a wheelchair-bound Palestinian); fires shells at an ambulance in Rafah, injuring the driver. The IDF also arrests senior PFLP leader and PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Adnan Jabir in Bethlehem, making him the 4th PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. arrested by the IDF; the others are Taysir Khalid (DFLP), `Abd al-Rahim Maluah (PFLP), and Raqad Salim (Arab Liberation Front). (HA 3/11; NYT 3/12; LAW, PCHR 3/13)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on Saida, imposes a curfew, orders all men ages 15 to 65 to turn themselves in for questioning, exchanges gunfire with Islamic Jihad mbrs., leaving 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. and 1 IDF soldier dead, 5 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier wounded; many Palestinians are still detained at the end of the day. The IDF arrests senior Fatah mbr. Mahmud Hasib as he leaves a mtg. with PA Interior M Hani al-Hassan in Ramallah, claims Hasib planned several shootings of Israelis. (HA 3/12; VOI 3/12 in WNC 3/13; LAW, NYT, PCHR, WP 3/13)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 armed Jewish settler guards in a friendly fire mishap, mistaking them for Palestinian gunmen; fatally shoots 6 wanted Hamas mbrs. in a raid on Tamun in what may be an assassination; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Saida; conducts predawn arrest raids in Azariyya, Nablus, Qabatiyya. The IDF arrests 2 Jewish settlers for seriously beating a Palestinian shepherd nr. Nablus; raids a house in a West Bank settlement, confiscating percussion and smoke grenades, flares, ammunition (including heavy machine gun bullets) stolen fr. the IDF. (HA, REU 3/13; VOI 3/13 in WNC 3/14; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/14; MA 3/14 in WNC 3/17; HA, NYT 3/15; PR 3/19; PCHR 3/20)

The IDF raids a building in Jenin r.c., killing local AMB cmdr. Yusif Masharqa, 4 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in what may be an assassination; fatally shoots a stone-throwing Palestinian in Azun; conducts arrest raids in Hebron, Rafah; fires on residential areas of Rafah; bulldozes 8 dunams of land in Khan Yunis. (HA, MM 3/14; HA, NYT 3/15; al-Quds 3/15 in WNC 3/17; PCHR 3/20)

After a wk. of outrage over his comments on Jewish political leverage (see 3/10), Rep. Moran gives up his House leadership post as mid-Atlantic regional whip for the ouse Democratic Caucus, apologizing for his “insensitive” remarks. The American Jewish Comm. says his resignation is “a step in the right direction.” (WP 3/15; WP 3/16; WJW 3/20)

Bush says he will not release the road map until the PA appoints a “credible” Palestinian PM in a “position of real authority.” (HA 3/14; XIN 3/14, MENA, al-Quds, XIN 3/15, JT, MA, SA 3/16 in WNC 3/17; al-Ra’i 3/15 in WNC 3/18; HA, NYT, WP, WT 3/15; NYT 3/16; MM 3/17; AYM 3/17 in WNC 3/19; MM 3/18; AYM 3/18 in WNC 3/20; PR 3/19; WJW 3/20; MEI 3/21; NYT 3/23) (see 3/8)

The IDF conducts overnight arrest raids in Hebron, Qalqilya; fires at, damages an ambulance in Khan Yunis. (HA 3/15; NYT 3/16; PCHR 3/20; MEI 3/21)

An IDF bulldozer crushes, kills American International Solidarity Movement (ISM) worker Rachel Corrie, part of a group blocking bulldozers fr. demolishing a Palestinian home in Rafah. The IDF also seals the West Bank, Gaza for Purim (3/17–19); fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, killing 1 Palestinian; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian standing in his doorway in Rafah; bulldozes 2 dunams of land, 12 olive trees in Dayr al-Balah; raids areas around Bethlehem, Salfit. (BBC, LAW 3/16; ITV, MA 3/16 in WNC 3/17; JP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/17; WT 3/18; PR 3/19; PCHR, WJW 3/20; MEI 3/21)

The IDF sends 30 tanks, troops into Nussayrat r.c. to capture wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Saafin, fatally shooting 7 Palestinians, including Saafin and a 4-yr.-old girl, and demolishing Saafin’s home. The IDF also fires on a funeral procession in Khan Yunis, killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 10s; fires on, seriously damages 2 ambulances in Jabaliya r.c.; raids Balata r.c. (arresting Fatah Palestinian Council mbr. Hussam Khadir on charges of “involvement in terrorism,” confiscating his computer), Bayt Lahia (ordering all men btwn. 15 and 40 to turn themselves in, detaining 100s, fatally shooting 4 Palestinians, including 2 naval police officers); conducts house-to-house searches in Jenin town. In Tulkarm, 2 Fatah mbrs. are killed, 3 injured in a mysterious explosion. (HA, MM 3/17; NYT, WP 3/18; MM 3/19; PCHR 3/20)

After wks. of negotiations with other UNSC mbrs, the U.S., Britain abandon efforts to pass a new UN res. on Iraq, determining it would certainly fail. In the evening, Bush makes an address stating that “Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict commencing at a time of our choosing,” and urging all foreign nationals, including inspectors and journalists, to leave Iraq immediately for their own safety. (AP 3/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/18; IDF Radio, ITV 3/18 in WNC 3/19)

Senior Hamas mbr. Ali Alan, an IDF soldier are killed in an exchange of gunfire nr. Bethlehem; a 2d IDF soldier is injured. The IDF fatally shoots senior Hamas mbr. Nasir Assida nr. Nablus in what may be an assassination. A 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/17. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Bethlehem; occupies a Palestinian home, bulldozes 12 dunams of land in Dayr al-Balah. (HA 3/18; NYT, WP 3/19; PCHR 3/20)

The Palestinian Council (PC) approves (69-0, with 1 abstention) a bill creating the position of PM. Arafat immediately issues a presidential decree officially nominating Abbas as PM. (HA 3/18; XIN 3/18 in WNC 3/19; MM, NYT, PR, WT 3/19; MENA, al-Quds 3/19 in WNC 3/20) (see Quarterly Update)

Israel extends the closure on the territories (imposed 3/17 for Purim) until 3/30. The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, al-Maghazi r.c., Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Israeli police arrest 3 Israeli Arabs fr. Acre on suspicion of joining Islamic Jihad, plotting attacks on Israelis. (AFP, JTA 3/19; HA, NYT, PCHR 3/20; PCHR 3/27; HA 4/3)

Just 90 mins. after the U.S. deadline passes for Hussein to leave Iraq, the U.S. makes a single strike on Baghdad, acting on intelligence of where Hussein, his top officials and sons could be found, assassinated. The strike marks the start of Operation Iraqi Freedom, but not the start of the “shock and awe” air campaign that the U.S. previously indicated would launch the war. Iraqi TV airs 2 videos of Hussein that suggest he was unharmed. (MM 3/19; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/20; MM 4/21)

As the U.S.’s 48-hr. deadline for Hussein to leave Iraq draws near, Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, fearing Israel will step up attacks and impose stiff closures and curfews as soon as war on Iraq begins, close schools and businesses, hoard provisions, stay inside. AMB gunmen ambush, fatally shoot a Jewish settler driving nr. Jenin.

Abbas accepts Arafat’s nomination as PM, is given 3 wks. to form a government. (HA, MM 3/19; AYM, Interfax 3/19 in WNC 3/20; HA, NYT, WP 3/20; AYM 3/25, al-Quds 3/27 in WNC 3/28)

The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian nr. Morag settlement; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Bethlehem, 1 in al-Zawayda; raids al-Quds Open University in Ramallah, detaining 300 students for ID checks, holding a number for questioning; conducts arrest raids in Nablus, Qalqilya (targeting Hamas). (HA 3/20; NYT 3/23; PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

After dark, U.S.-led coalition forces launch missile, helicopter strikes on Basra, Baghdad in the 1st sustained aerial assaults on Iraq. Coalition troops are also reportedly operating in w. Iraq to prevent Scud missile strikes on Israel. (AP, HA, MM, REU 3/20)

The IDF fires on Palestinians in Qalqilya who defy the 24-hr. curfew to attend Friday prayers, injuring 4; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bethlehem; bulldozes 64 dunams of land nr. Dayr al-Balah. (AFP, HA 3/21; al-Quds 3/22 in WNC 3/24; PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

Palestinians report that the IDF seems to have been imposing a system of “creeping curfews” over the past few days, placing 24-hr. curfews on an increasing number of areas, including Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Yabad. The IDF raids a home in Dayr al-Balah, causing a Palestinian to suffer a fatal heart attack; fires on Palestinians violating the curfew in Qalqilya to buy food, injuring 2; conducts arrest raids nr. Rafah; demolishes a cement factory in Gaza City; bulldozes 15 dunams of olive groves nr. Shuhada Junction. (PM 3/22; PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

The IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in al-Bireh, wounding 2; fires on, wounds a Palestinian nr. an IDF checkpoint nr. Khan Yunis for no apparent reason; fires on Palestinians at a roadblock outside Ramallah, injuring 2 children; conducts arrest raids in Dayr al-Balah, Rafah (arresting the 5 brothers of 2 wanted men who could not be found). Nr. Katzir, (HA 3/23; PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

The IDF fatally shoots a 14-yr.-old Palestinian stone thrower in Jenin, wounding a 2d boy; surrounds, seals Ramallah; raids, searches, seals an orphanage in Hebron run by an Islamic charity, confiscating documents, computers; conducts arrest raids, fires on residential areas of Jenin late in the evening. The IDF also removes an unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Hebron, evicting 10 settlers, demolishing 1 structure, removing 3 trailers. An IDF military court sentences 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. to life in prison for staging attacks that killed Israelis. (PM 3/24; HA, NYT, WT 3/25; NYT 3/26; PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

In an apparent assassination, IDF undercover units ambush, fire on a car in Bethlehem, fatally shooting 3 Hamas mbrs. (2 of them, Nadir Jarawish and Ala’ Ayad, targets), 1 10-yr.-old bystander, wounding 3 bystanders. The IDF also fatally shoots a stone-throwing 13-yr.-old Palestinian in Jenin; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, nabbing local tanzim leader Nidal Narnarya, 18 others; conducts house-to-house searches in Kubar. (HA 3/25; GS, NYT 3/26; NYT, PCHR 3/27; LAW 3/28)

The IDF demolishes 4 Palestinian homes, bulldozes agricultural land, fires on residential areas in Rafah, injuring 2 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids in Jenin; closes a Hamas-run charity office in Bani Na`im. (HA, PCHR 3/27; AYM 3/27 in WNC 3/28; LAW 3/28; PCHR 4/3)

After a wk.-long lull in violence accompanying the start of war on Iraq, Israeli-Palestinian violence picks up. The IDF raids Bayt Hanun, fires missiles at a PSF post, killing 2 PSF officers, wounding 3 bystanders; fires on, wounds a Palestinian woman tending a garden in Wadi al-Silqa; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; demolishes a Palestinian home outside Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Jenin r.c. (targeting Islamic Jihad). (AFP, HA 3/27; XIN 3/27 in WNC 3/28; LAW, MM, NYT 3/28; AYM 3/28 in WNC 3/31; PR 4/2; PCHR 4/3)

The IDF conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian), Tulkarm r.c. (fatally shooting a 2d Palestinian); bulldozes 20 dunams of land in, fires on residential areas of Rafah. Israel also reinforces its security presence in East Jerusalem, fearing demonstrations against the war in Iraq after Friday prayers; 30,000 protest in Gaza city, smaller rallies are held in West Bank towns, but nothing is reported in East Jerusalem; the IDF fires on demonstrators nr. Qalandia, wounding 2. (HA 3/28; PR 4/2; PCHR 4/3)

The IDF opens fire on a crowd of stone-throwing Palestinians in Askar r.c., killing 1 Palestinian child; harasses Palestinian fishermen fishing in a permitted zone off the Gaza coast. (NYT, WP 3/30; PCHR 4/3)

The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians nr. Bayt Hanun, 1 Palestinian who strays too close to Netzarim settlement. (MENA 3/30 in WNC 3/31; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/31; PR 4/2; PCHR 4/3; MEI 4/4)

The IDF fires on Palestinians nr. an elementary school in Hebron, wounding 3 Palestinian students (ages 10–13); conducts arrest raids, demolishes a Palestinian home and 3 cars in Amari r.c. The IDF arrests 3 Israeli Arabs fr. Jaljulya for running an Islamic Jihad explosives lab. A Haifa court sentences 2 Israeli Arabs to 9 consecutive life terms for aiding a suicide bomber in a 4/4/02 attack, sparking riots in the courtroom. (HA 3/31; MM, PCHR 4/3)