The IDF stages a major predawn raid on Gaza City, sending in 30 tanks plus helicopter gunships to capture senior Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades cmdr. Yusuf Abu Hin, killing Abu Hin, his 2 brothers, 10 other Palestinians (including a 2-yr.-old, 2 13-yr.-olds), wounding more than 60, demolishing some 20 Palestinian homes; 9 IDF soldiers are also injured. Israel’s Gaza cmdr. calls the operation “very successful,” blames the Abu Hin brothers’ failure to surrender for the high death toll. The IDF also fatally shoots 2 Palestinians in Yatta, including senior AMB mbr. Khalid Makhamra, in what may be an assassination; fires on residential areas of al-Brazil, Rafah; fires on stone-throwing youths in Bayt Furik, injuring 10; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Furik, 1 in Bayt Sira. A Tel Aviv court convicts a Nablus tanzim mbr. on 14 counts of murder, conspiracy for organizing 3 fatal attacks on Israelis in 1/02. International aid workers in Gaza report that since the 4/30 bombing, the IDF has required them to undergo long (up to 7 hrs.) interviews regarding their activities before entering or leaving the Strip (see 4/26). (BBC, HA, MM 5/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/2; PR 5/7; PCHR 5/8; AIDA 5/12)

An IDF tank opens fire on a British news crew filming IDF demolitions of 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah, killing British journalist James Miller. The IDF also bulldozes 77 dunams of land in Khuza; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Bayt Furik and Qalandia, wounding a total of 10; conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis. Britain arrests 3 women, 2 men for involvement in the 4/29 Tel Aviv suicide bombing. (AFP 5/2; NYT, PCHR, PM, WP, WT 5/3; PR 5/7; HA, PCHR 5/8)

Bush announces that combat operations in Iraq have ended; does not officially declare an end to the war, which under the Third Geneva Convention would require the U.S. to release POWs. (NYT 5/2)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Jenin; conducts arrest raids in Nablus; blows up 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah. Britain arrests a 6th man in connection with the 4/29 Tel Aviv bombing. Israel says it will step up deportations of ISM mbrs. after learning that the 4/29 bombers attended a memorial service for ISM activist Corrie, killed by the IDF on 3/16; ISM said the 2 men never sought to join the group. (AFP 5/3; NYT 5/4; HA 5/5; PCHR 5/8)

The IDF opens fire on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., fatally shooting a 14-yr-old Palestinian in the head; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 1 in Hebron; storms an elementary school nr. Tulkarm, critically wounding 1 student; shells, fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, hitting a hospital and a school, injuring 3 students in their classrooms; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem. The IDF delays the evacuation of 10 unauthorized settlement outposts, citing anger and anxiety among the settlers. (VOI 5/4 in WNC 5/5; HA, NYT, WT 5/5; PCHR 5/8)

Labor leader Amram Mitzna resigns, citing “intrigue and interference” fr. other party leaders, the party losses in the 1/03 elections. Labor cannot immediately agree on a replacement, further debilitating the already weak party. (HA, NYT, WP, WT 5/5; MM 5/6, 5/7, 5/8)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Hebron; raids 2 medical clinics in Nablus and Ramallah, destroying computers, vandalizing the offices, stealing equipment, arresting 1 doctor, 1 administrator, 2 paramedics; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; bars several international aid workers fr. entering Gaza, without giving a reason (see 5/1); arrests an East Jerusalem Palestinian for driving a suicide bomber to West Jerusalem to stage an attack in 2002. (HA, Union of Palestinian Medical Relief Committees 5/5; NYT 5/6; SA 5/3, MA 5/4 in WNC 5/5; VOI 5/6 in WNC 5/7; NYT 5/7; PCHR 5/8; AIDA 5/12)

The IDF arrests 2 Palestinian fishermen who stray into a closed military zone off the coast of Gaza, blows up their boat “as a precautionary measure”; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis. An Israeli court upholds an IDF order to demolish 120 newly built Palestinian homes in Bayt Sahur; the Palestinian Christian group Arab Orthodox Housing Project, which constructed the houses, appeals to the Israeli High Court. (ICHAD, JP 5/6; PCHR 5/8)

Bush names career diplomat Paul Bremer as presidential envoy to Iraq to serve as civilian administrator of Iraq, with seniority over Garner. Bush made the change to elicit more financial assistance fr. countries that had been withholding support out of discomfort over the “military hue” of U.S. reconstruction efforts. Since retiring fr. government in 1989, Bremer has worked with Henry Kissinger’s consulting firm. (NYT, WP, WT 5/7)

The IDF fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, fatally shooting an 18-mo.-old Palestinian child playing outside his home; fatally shoots a Hamas mbr. scouting, according to Hamas, a n. Gaza Jewish settlement for an attack; fatally shoots a mentally disabled Palestinian nr. Khan Yunis when he allegedly fails to obey orders to stop when approaching an IDF roadblock. Wanted senior Hamas mbr. Amin Manzalawi is killed in a mysterious explosion in Zawata; Hamas claims the IDF assassinated him. An IDF vehicle hits a civilian car in Tulkarm, killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 2. A group of 20 armed Jewish settlers attack 10 Palestinian farmers, 2 Israeli and 5 international peace activists plowing a field nr. Eli settlement; IDF soldiers intervene, tell Palestinians and internationals to leave. Jewish settlers break ground for 72 new housing units in Beit El. (HA, ISM press release 5/7; NYT, PCHR 5/8; PR 5/14; PCHR 5/15)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas mbr. Iyad al-Bik, whom Israel claims is tied to al-Qa`ida, firing 3 missiles at his car as he drives through Gaza City, causing no other injuries. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian riding a donkey nr. Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., injuring 5; bulldozes 30 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis; raids the Ramallah central bus station, arresting a wanted Hamas mbr.; conducts additional arrest raids in Tulkarm, nearby refugee camps. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/3/03; another Palestinian dies of injuries received in 4/29/03. (BBC, HA, JP 5/8; HA, NYT, WP 5/9; AYM 5/9 in WNC 5/12; PCHR 5/15)

U.S. officials say that the 11/02 ruling by a secretive 3-judge federal appeals panel interpreting the 2001 Patriot Act as permitting the use of classified wiretaps and intelligence reports fr. foreign security agencies against terrorism suspects has allowed the FBI to intensify greatly its decades old investigations of alleged U.S. supporters of Hamas, Hizballah. Investigations reportedly have been focusing on U.S. mosques. (WP 5/8)

The IDF demolishes 10 Palestinian homes, bulldozes 4 dunams of land and large trees in Dayr al-Balah, nr. the Kefar Darom site of the 5/8 suicide attack on an IDF tank; bulldozes 49 dunams of land e. of Bayt Hanun, 15 dunams s. of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Hebron, Yanun. The IDF also raids the ISM offices in Bayt Sahur, surrounding the building with 22 vehicles, detaining 3 ISM mbrs. (2 foreign, 1 Palestinian), confiscating computers and other equipment. Israel says that information that 2 British suicide bombers attended a memorial service for ISM mbr. Corrie before staging their 4/29 attack raises concerns that “terrorists” could enter Israel posing as ISM volunteers. Israel announces that henceforth all foreign nationals entering Gaza must sign a waiver exempting Israel from any responsibility should they be killed or injured, promising that they will not disrupt military activities. (AFP, HA 5/9; VOI 5/9 in WNC 5/12; HA, NYT, WT 5/10; PCHR 5/15) (see 5/3)

The IDF imposes a tight curfew on Hebron; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Khan Yunis, 1 in Bayt Hanun; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 25 dunams of land in Khuza, 20 dunams e. of Bayt Hanun; arrests another 3 ISM volunteers in Tulkarm; bars 6 foreign aid workers fr. entering Gaza, without giving a reason (see 5/5). (GS, HA 5/10; AFP, Arab News 5/11; AIDA 5/12; PCHR 5/15)

Powell arrives in Israel for mtgs. aimed at starting implementation of the road map with Abbas (who has accepted the plan), Sharon (who has not); meets with FM Shalom, who reiterates Israel’s position that Abbas must dismantle militant groups before Israel would take steps to implement the road map. (HA 5/10; XIN 5/10 in WNC 5/12; HA, NYT, WP, WT 5/11; MEI 5/16)

The IDF places its tightest seal on the Gaza Strip since the al-Aqsa intifada began, barring everyone except diplomats and aid workers fr. entering or exiting (though 9 international aid workers are denied entry for no reason; see 5/10), requiring journalists to apply for entry and to coordinate their trips with the IDF. International medical relief organization Médecins du Monde permanently ends its operations in Gaza, saying IDF measures make it impossible to continue work; numerous other international aid groups suspend Gaza operations. The IDF demolishes at least 3 Palestinian homes in Rafah, also bulldozing 40 dunams of land; conducts arrest raids in Jenin. (XIN 5/11; AIDA, HA, MM, NYT 5/12; AYM 5/13 in WNC 5/15; PR 5/14; PCHR 5/15)

Sharon presents Powell with a plan for a series of limited measures to ease restrictions on Palestinians, releases 63 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture. Powell asks Israel to accept the road map, but Sharon refuses. Powell then meets with Abbas and PC speaker Ahmad Qurai`, presses the PA to disarm Palestinian militant groups. Abbas says he will start with dialogue, not force; criticizes Sharon’s proposed gestures as mostly symbolic. (MENA, VOI 5/11 in WNC 5/12; SA 5/11, JP, QA 5/12 in WNC 5/13; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/12; AFP 5/13; AYM 5/12 in WNC 5/15; MM, PR 5/14; MEI 5/16)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 AMB mbrs. laying a roadside bomb nr. the Rafah border; fatally shoots a Palestinian farmer tilling a field nr. Khan Yunis; raids a hospital in Nablus, closing it for 3 hrs., but leaving without arresting anyone; conducts arrest raids in Nablus (targeting the tanzim), Qalqilya (targeting the PFLP). A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. Jewish settlers set up a tent at the site of the fatal 5/5 shooting of a Jewish settler on the Nablus–Ramallah road, vowing to erect a permanent settlement at the location. Israel releases another 35 Palestinian prisoners—significantly less than the 120 Israel had said it would release today. (HA 5/12; NYT, WP 5/13; PCHR 5/15)

Late in the evening, on the eve of Powell’s arrival in Saudi Arabia, suicide bombers in Riyadh simultaneously detonate 3 car bombs outside residential compounds for foreigners and 1 outside a Saudi-U.S.-owned business, killing 34 persons (including 8 Americans, 5 Saudis), wounding around 200 (including at least 40 Americans), many seriously. Most of the bombers appear to be Saudi, but no group takes responsibility; the U.S., Saudi Arabia suspect al-Qa`ida. (BBC, NYT, WP, WT 5/13; NYT, REU, WP, WT 5/14; NYT, WP 5 /15)

Powell meets briefly with Quartet reps. in Jerusalem before meeting with Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak in Cairo, King Abdallah of Jordan in Amman to rally Arab support for a PA crackdown on Palestinian militant groups. Powell says that it makes “no difference” whether or not Israel has declared acceptance of the road map; the important thing is for both sides to begin implementation. (HA, NYT, WP 5/12; MENA 5/12 in WNC 5/13; HA, WP, WT 5/13)

IDF undercover units arrest 2 senior Hamas mbrs. in a raid on Ramallah. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home in Qalqilya; occupies a Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah; blows up a carpentry shop in Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya. The body of the missing 4/29 British bomber washes up on shore nr. Tel Aviv; he apparently drowned. (AFP, BBC, HA, JP, MM 5/13; AFP, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/14; NYT, PCHR 5/15; MM 5/16; HA 5/18, 5/19)

In a predawn raid on Umm al-Fahm, Israeli police arrest 15 Israeli Arabs, all leading mbrs. of the Islamic Movement (which has 2 seats in the Knesset) on charges of laundering millions of dollars for Hamas in the guise of raising money for charitable orgs.; police say they do not have proof that the Islamic Movement funded acts of terrorism. (HA, JP, MM 5/13; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/14)

IDF undercover units raid Nablus, sparking numerous demonstrations and exchanges of gunfire, in which wanted AMB mbr. Taysir Shihab is fatally shot, 20 Palestinians (mostly stone-throwing youths) are injured. The IDF also bars Norwegian special envoy to the Middle East Jakken Bioern Lian entry to Gaza for a scheduled mtg. with PA officials (see 5/11); issues an order expelling a Palestinian fr. the al-Mawasi area, where he resides, for 6 mos.; shells a PSF post nr. Netzarim settlement, killing 3 PSF officers, wounding 2; makes arrest raids in Jenin, sparking clashes that leave a 12-yr.-old Palestinian dead; conducts additional arrest raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes more than 86 dunams e. of Bayt Hanun. Jewish settlers evacuate 7 mobile homes fr. an unauthorized outpost nr. Shilo. (AFP, HA, PCHR, REU 5/14; HA, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/15)

Israel allows Islamic Movement northern branch head Shaykh Ra’ed Salah, 1 of the 15 arrested on 5/13, out of custody for several hrs. to attend the funeral of his father in Umm al-Fahm, which turns into a massive Israeli Arab rally against Israeli government discrimination. (HA 5/15)

The IDF launches a major predawn raid on Bayt Hanun, sending 70 tanks and armored vehicles into the area, firing on residential areas, killing 5 Palestinians (including a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy who is allowed to bleed to death over 3 hrs., as the IDF bars access to medical workers), wounding 20, demolishing at least 4 Palestinian homes, bulldozing 100s of orange trees, conducting house-to-house searches; says troops plan to stay in the town for several days. The IDF also surrounds the adjacent town of Bayt Lahia, Jabaliya r.c. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, WT 5/15; MENA 5/15 in WNC 5/16; HA, MM, NYT, WP 5/16)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continues operations in Bayt Hanun (see 5/15), where a roadside bomb explodes nr. an IDF tank, lightly injuring 1 soldier; fatally shoots a mentally disabled Palestinian nr. Nablus who refuses orders to halt; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Nablus, 1 in Rafah. (see Quarterly Update in JPS 126). (HA 5/16; PMC, WT 5/17; HA 5/19; LAW, PCHR 5/22)

The IDF continues operations in Bayt Hanun, fatally shooting an Islamic Jihad mbr., wounding 24, bulldozing land, firing on residential areas; demolishes 7 Palestinian homes in Rafah refugee camp (r.c.), 2 in al-Mughraqa; bulldozes 120 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of Palestinian agricultural land in Khan Yunis. The IDF also fires flares e. of Khan Yunis, staring a fire in a wheat field; bars Palestinian firefighters fr. reaching the area, allowing 32 dunams to burn. In Hebron, Jewish settlers beat a pregnant Palestinian, causing her to suffer a miscarriage; set fire to a Palestinian home. (NYT, WP 5/18; MM 5/19; PR 5/21; LAW, PCHR 5/22; NYT 5/30)

Despite the Hebron bombing, new Palestinian Authority (PA) PM Mahmud Abbas, Israeli PM Ariel Sharon meet in Jerusalem regarding the road map, marking their 1st meeting and the 1st senior-level PA-Israeli talks since 9/26/00. Sharon says he cannot accept the road map but offers to redeploy the IDF from 1 (unnamed) West Bank Palestinian city and fr. n. Gaza in exchange for a commitment to crack down on militant groups. (NYT, WP, WT 5/18; MM 5/19; AYM 5/20 in WNC 5/23; NYT, PR 5/21; HA 5/23; al-Musawwar 5/23 in WNC 5/27; HA 5/28; MEI 5/30)

The IDF expels Mahmud al-Safuri, brother of detained Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Haj `Ali al-Safuri, fr. Jenin to Gaza for 2 yrs. for allegedly aiding his brother in staging attacks; this is the first such forced transfer since 9/4/02 . The IDF also seals the West Bank, places closures on most villages, cities; continues operations in Bayt Hanun, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, demolishing 3 Palestinian homes, bulldozing more land, tightening the closure; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian in Khan Yunis; chases, fires on a group of laborers on their way to work in Israel, causing 1 Palestinian to suffer a fatal heart attack; bulldozes 120 dunams of land in Abasan; demolishes 10 Palestinian homes in Rafah r.c.. Sharon convenes a cabinet mtg. to discuss responses, overrules calls to expel PA head Yasir Arafat. (WT 5/18; ITAR-TASS 5/18 in WNC 5/19; HA, MM, NYT, WP 5/19; MM, PCHR 5/20; HA, MM, PR 5/21; LAW, PCHR 5/22; HA 5/23; al-Haq 5/24; NYT 6/13)

In light of the Jerusalem bombing, Sharon postpones plans to leave for Washington today to meet with Pres. George W. Bush regarding implementation of the road map; convenes his security cabinet to discuss retaliation. (NYT, WP, WT 5/19; VOI 5/20 in WNC 5/21)

The IDF fatally shoots a 13-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Jabaliya r.c.; continues bulldozing land in Bayt Hanun (nearly 800 dunams have been razed since 5/15); demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Hebron, 1 in central Gaza; fires on a high school in Bayt Furik, wounding 1 student; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. Israeli police arrest 8 East Jerusalem Palestinians for membership in Hamas and plotting to hijack a bus, kidnap an IDF soldier. (HA, MM 5/19; Interfax, MENA, VOI 5/19 in WNC 5/20; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/20; HP 5/21; QA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; LAW, PCHR 5/22; MEI, NYT 5/30)

The IDF pulls some troops out of Bayt Hanun, where it has demolished 14 Palestinian homes since 5/16; The IDF also tightens the closure, curfews on Hebron; reinforces troops around Qalqilya, closing the only entrance to the city; issues a confiscation order for 1,700 dunams of land in Nahalin and Husan, w. of Bethlehem, for construction of a new settler bypass road; confiscates a 3-story building, conducts arrest raids in Nahalin; arrests senior PA intelligence official Ahmad Barqawi in Ramallah on suspicion of having himself carried out several attacks on Israelis; delays transportation of a Palestinian heart attack victim to a Jenin hospital, allowing him to die; halts at a road block, beats 2 photojournalists in Bethlehem; demolishes 15 Palestinian homes in Rafah, 2 in Nablus; fires on residential areas of Tal al-Sultan. The IDF also raids the Hebron offices of the international peace group Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT), checks passports and visas of all CPT volunteers, photographs several mbrs.; tells mbrs. they may not go near any Jewish settlement, may not operate in the PA-controlled H1 area of the city, must limit operations in Israeli-controlled H2 (where CPT offices are located), may not return to H2 if they leave. (CPT press release, HA, HP, MM 5/20; HP, WP, WT 5/21; VOI 5/21 in WNC 5/22; HA, LAW, PCHR 5/22; PR 5/28; MEI 5/30)

Bush phones Abbas, then Sharon to tell them that he is still committed to the road map, invites the leaders to send envoys to Washington to discuss implementation. (HA 5/20; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/21)

The IDF sends troops, bulldozers back into Bayt Hanun, digging trenches across several main roads; opens fire on stone-throwing youths in Qarawat Bani Zaid, killing 2 Palestinians; imposes a curfew on Bayt Furik, raids a mosque, confiscating computers; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Dayr al-Balah, 1 in Nablus; conducts arrest raids in Askar r.c., Hebron, Jenin, Tubas. Israel also demolishes 2 bedouin homes in the unrecognized village of Wadi al-Na`im. (HA, HP 5/21; HA, LAW, NYT, PCHR, WT 5/22; MEI 5/30)

In Washington, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice, Asst. Secy. of State for Near East Affairs William Burns hold separate mtgs. with Sharon chief of staff Dov Weisglass, PA Finance M Salam al-Fayyad to try to reach an agmt. on actions to reduce tensions and start talks. (HA, NYT 5/22; al-Quds 5/23 in WNC 5/27; HA 5/24)

The IDF reports that in the past 24 hrs., it arrested 1,300 Palestinians for being inside Israel illegally, deported all but 19 to the occupied territories. Today, the IDF opens fire on stone-throwing youths in Yamun, killing a 15-yr.-old Palestinian, wounding 6 others ages 9–14; raids the only emergency medical clinic in the Old City of Nablus, vandalizing the building, destroying medicine; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, injuring 7 children on their way to school; conducts arrest raids in Hebron (targeting Hamas), Silat al-Haratiyya, Silat al-Dahir, Tamun, Tubas, Yabad; digs trenches alongside roads in Araba, Yabad, bulldozes land in Khan Yunis, Rafah. The IDF seizes a boat off the northern coast manned by a Hizballah mbr. and 7 arms smugglers, carrying explosives detonators. Israel claims that the boat was bound for Egypt, the Hizballah mbr. intended to infiltrate Gaza from there, carrying arms ordered by Arafat; Arafat and Hizballah deny this. The Israeli Housing Min. issues tenders for construction of 502 new housing units in Ma’ale Adumim settlement. Israel announces plans to banish 2 West Bank Hamas mbrs. being held in administrative detention to Gaza for 2 yrs., citing “security reasons.” (HA, HP, UPMRC 5/22; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; JP 5/23 in WNC 5/27; PR 5/28; LAW, PCHR, WJW 5/29)

Abbas opens talks with Hamas, Islamic Jihad leaders on a cease-fire. The groups say they would agree to halt attacks inside Israel if Israel stopped targeting militants. (HA 5/22; HA, WP, WT 5/23; JP, SA 5/23 in WNC 5/27)

The IDF fatally shoots a mentally disabled Palestinian in Bureij r.c.; shoots, wounds, captures a wanted tanzim mbr. in Tulkarm; demolishes a Palestinian home in Tubas; conducts arrest raids in Jenin. (HA, MM 5/23; al-Haq, WP 5/24; PR 5/28; LAW, PCHR 5/29)

In a carefully coordinated process, U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell, Rice release a statement saying that Israel has explained its “significant concerns” regarding the road map and that the U.S. will take those concerns into consideration during implementation. Sharon says Israel “is prepared to accept the steps set out in the road map.” (HA, NYT, WP 5/23; MENA 5/23, DUS, QA, al-Quds 5/24, JT, MA 5/25, AYM, SA 5/26 in WNC 5/27; HA, NYT, WP, WT 5/24; al-Quds 5/25 in WNC 5/28; MEI 5/30)

The IDF launches a major operation on Tulkarm city and refugee camp (r.c.), sending in 10s of tanks before dawn, imposing a closure, conducting house-to-house searches, arresting 3 International Solidarity Movement (ISM) activists, 2 AMB mbrs. The IDF also fatally shoots an armed Palestinian attempting to sneak into Israel nr. Bayt Hanun; places curfews on Bayt Rima and Dayr Ghassana, begins demolishing caves there; bulldozes 5 Palestinian homes, 56 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c. Citing “security reasons,” Israel announces plans to banish to Gaza indefinitely 3 West Bank Fatah mbrs. being held in administrative detention. (HA 5/24; WT 5/25; HP 5/26; PR 5/28; LAW, PCHR 5/29)

The IDF continues operations in Bayt Hanun (demolishing 2 factories), Tulkarm r.c. and town; demolishes 1 Palestinian home outside Gaza City, 1 in Hebron; bulldozes 25 dunams nr. Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in al-Khadir. Palestinians report that since 5/22, the IDF has bulldozed 232 dunams of land s. of Gaza City, btwn. al-Mintar crossing and Shuhada Junction. (HP 5/26; LAW, PCHR 5/29)

After 6 hrs. of debate, Sharon’s cabinet narrowly approves (12-7, with 4 abstentions) “the steps set out in the road map,” but attaches 14 reservations as conditions. (JT, MA 5/25, Arab News, AYM, QA 5/26 in WNC 5/27; NYT, WP, WT 5/26; AYM 5/26, QA 5/27 in WNC 5/28; HA, MM 5/27; SARR 5/27, THWR, TSHR 5/28 in WNC 7/1; MM, PR 5/28; al-Quds 5/28 in WNC 5/30; Syria Times 5/28 in WNC 7/2; WJW 5/29; MEI 5/30; THWR, TSHR 5/31 in WNC 7/10; JPI 6/6)

The IDF redeploys forces fr. Tulkarm, ending a 2-day operation; fires on stone-throwers in Bayt Furik (injuring 5), Qarawat Bani Zayd (killing an 11-yr.-old Palestinian); fires on 2 Palestinian teenagers who attempt to sneak across the Gaza border into Israel to look for work, killing 1, capturing the other; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Dayr al-Balah, 2 in Hebron, 1 in Bayt Hanina; bulldozes 34 dunams in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Khan Yunis, Tamun, Tubas. (HP 5/26; YA 5/26 in WNC 5/27; HA, NYT, WT 5/27; LAW, PCHR 5/29; HA 6/14)

The IDF conducts a predawn raid on Jenin, placing the town under curfew, prompting an exchange of gunfire in which 1 IDF soldier is wounded; fires on a Swiss envoy’s diplomatic vehicle at Erez crossing for no apparent reason, causing damage but no injuries (Switzerland files a formal protest.); fires on stone-throwing youths in Tulkarm, killing 1 Palestinian; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Bayt Furik, 1 outside Hebron, 1 in al-Til; confiscates 7 dunams of land in Habla, nr. Qalqilya; fires on residential areas of Bayt Furik, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm r.c.; conducts arrest raids in Abu Dis, Balata r.c., Bethlehem, Kafr Dan, Qalqilya, Tubas, Yamun; tightens roadblocks around Ramallah. In Hebron, 5 Palestinian children are injured when they trigger unexploded munitions while playing. Extremist right-wing Jewish settlers affiliated with the “hilltop youth” and the outlawed Kach movement announce plans to launch a “personal incitement campaign” against Sharon in light of his approval of the road map. (HA 5/27; AFP 5/27 in WNC 5/28; NYT, WT 5/28; MA 5/28 in WNC 5/29; LAW, PCHR 5/29)

The IDF bulldozes 14 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis, 2 dunams nr. a PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) post in Hebron, some citrus groves outside Gaza City; conducts arrest raids in Beitunia, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, al-Khadir, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm; fires on residential areas of Beitunia, Ramallah, Tulkarm town and r.c.; demolishes 4 Palestinian homes s. of Rafah, 1 in Bayt Furik, 1 in Tal. While driving in Ramallah, Force 17 officer Mahmud Zayid is fatally shot, possibly in an internal Palestinian dispute; the PA says it has no proof he was deliberately shot by the IDF, though he may have been hit by crossfire. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 5/27. (HA, HP 5/28; YA 5/28 in WNC 5/29; HA, LAW, PCHR 5/29)

The IDF conducts overnight raids in Khan Yunis and Rafah areas, fatally shooting Hamas mbr. Muhammad al-Qidra in al-Qarara in an apparent assassination; continues major arrest raids in Jenin, rounding up all men ages 15 to 40 for questioning; assassinates a wanted tanzim mbr., demolishes a Palestinian home; demolishes 8 Palestinian homes in Rafah r.c., 1 in Khan Yunis. A Reuters photographer is shot, wounded in the leg apparently by Palestinian gunfire while covering a clash in Nablus. (PCHR 5/29; VOI 5/29 in WNC 6/2; AFP, HA, WP, WT 5/30; PCHR 6/5)

Israel’s Jerusalem Municipality submits plans to the Interior Min. for construction of a new Jewish settlement on a hill on the East Jerusalem border with the West Bank, nr. Abu Dis. The settlement, to be called Qidmat Tziyon, would have 230 housing units built by several Jewish donors, primarily American-Jewish millionaire Irvin Moscowitz, who has been involved in numerous other settlement projects. (MA 5/29 in WNC 5/30)

In his 2d mtg. with Abbas, Sharon agrees to make several gestures easing restrictions on Palestinians. The PA says those steps would mark a “genuine effort” by Israel to improve the lives of Palestinians, but would not take the place of ending the occupation. (HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/30; SA 5/30 in WNC 6/2; al-Quds 6/1 in WNC 6/4; WT 6/2; MA 6/2 in WNC 6/3) (see Quarterly Update)

The IDF pulls out of Jenin, demolishing 1 Palestinian home; fatally shoots a Palestinian attempting to enter Israel fr. s. Gaza; conducts arrest raids in Bethlehem, Ramallah. In Rafah, the IDF blows up a Palestinian home, severely damaging 3 others; bulldozes 3 dunams of land; fires on residential areas. (HA 5/30;YA 5/30 in WNC 5/30; HA 5/31; PCHR 6/5)

The IDF fires on 2 Palestinians outside Jenin, killing 1; demolishes a Palestinian home outside Khan Yunis; bulldozes 46 dunams of land s. of Gaza City, 6 dunams in Khan Yunis, 6 dunams in Rafah. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 5/29. (AP, HA 5/31; PCHR 6/5)