The IDF launches Operation Days of Penitence, sending 3 brigades (ca. 2,000 troops) with 100 tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs), armored bulldozers to cordon off the n. Gaza Strip, killing 8 Palestinians (including at least 3 Hamas mbrs., 3 other armed Palestinians, 2 bystanders), wounding 17 in clashes during the day (some casualties, according to hospital workers, were hit by internationally banned flechettes); 2 Palestinians (including 1 militant) die of injuries received in n. Gaza on 9/29, 9/30; the IDF also drops a bomb on a factory in Jabaliya r.c. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian, captures 7 attempting to cross the Israel-Gaza border nr. the Erez crossing; the AMB, Hamas say the 8 (who are wearing PA police uniforms, carrying 88 lbs of explosives) are their mbrs. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Rafah; fires missiles at a workshop in Gaza City, causing serious damage, no injuries. (HA 10/1; JAZ, VOI, VOP 10/1 in WNC 10/5; HA, NYT, WP 10/2; PCHR 10/7)

Armed Palestinians build sand berms to block streets, lay booby-traps along roads in Jabaliya, wounding 2 IDF soldiers with a roadside bomb. In Sakhnin, Israel, 3,000 Israeli Palestinians hold a demonstration to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the 10/00 riots, during which 18 Israeli Palestinians died (13 killed by Israeli police, 5 by Israeli civilians).

The IDF expands Operation Days of Penitence, using some 200 tanks and APCs to seize control of a 3.5 mi2 of costal territory in n. Gaza. In Jabaliya r.c., IDF missile strikes kill 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. and 2 Hamas mbrs., wound 4 bystanders; gunfire kills at least 3 Palestinians (possibly Islamic Jihad mbrs.); demolitions of Palestinian homes continue; the IDF uses loudspeakers to urge 10s of Palestinians to evacuate their homes. The IDF fatally shoots another 4 Palestinians trying to infiltrate Israel fr. n. Gaza. A Palestinian militant dies of injuries sustained in Jabaliya on 10/1. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinians in central Gaza protesting against Days of Penitence; shells residential areas of Rafah, killing a 62-yr.-old Palestinian; evacuates, demolishes 4 Palestinian homes in Rafah, shooting and seriously wounding a Palestinian woman (6-mos. pregnant) in the process; fires on several residential areas of Khan Yunis, bulldozing 14 d., damaging an elementary school and forcing students to evacuate; conducts arrest raids in al-Qarara. In the West Bank, the IDF imposes a 1-day curfew on Palestinian areas of Hebron, fires on stone-throwing youths; conducts arrest raids at Hebron University and in Abu Nujaym and Artas nr. Bethlehem, Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, Silwad, Tulkarm, Tura nr. Jenin. A 4-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received on 7/30/04. (HA, NYT, XIN 10/2; AFP, JAZ, VOI, VOP 10/2, VOI 10/3 in WNC 10/5; NYT, WP, WT 10/3; PCHR 10/7)

Days of Penitence continues in n. Gaza with the IDF killing 10 Palestinians (including 7 armed Palestinians, 2–6 of them Islamic Jihad mbrs.; 3 civilians, including 1 deaf mute, 1 child inside an UNRWA school); demolishing a kindergarten, 2 factories, at least 7 Palestinian homes in Jabaliya r.c.; firing toward reporters covering events in Jabaliya. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/1. The IDF also assassinates senior Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades mbrs. Mahdi Mushtaha (reportedly one of the developers of the Qassam missile), Khalid al-`Amriti in a missile strike on their car as they drive in Gaza City, injuring 4 bystanders; attempts to assassinate 2 wanted Hamas mbrs. in an air strike on Gaza City, wounding them, 1 bystander; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber bullets, tear gas at a group of Palestinians, Israelis, internationals protesting the separation wall nr. Bayt Awa nr. Hebron, wounding 1 Dane, at least 14 Palestinians; reimposes a ban on Palestinians entering the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron (see 9/26); conducts arrest raids in and around Hebron, and in Bayt Laqia, Dahaysha r.c., Tulkarm. A Jewish settler seriously injures a 42-yr.-old Palestinian woman in a hit-and-run nr. Hebron. A Palestinian wounded in Salfit 2 wks. ago dies of her injuries. (NYT, WP 10/3; JAZ, VOI, VOP 10/3 in WNC 10/5; NYT, WP 10/4; JP, VOI 10/4 in WNC 10/6; PR 10/6; PCHR 10/7)

Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries.

In continuing operations in n. Gaza, the IDF kills 5 Palestinians (including at least 2 civilians, one of them a 15-yr.-old girl) in shelling and gunfire in Jabaliya. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF fires warning shots at a group of Palestinians in Khan Yunis, killing a 4-yr.-old Palestinian; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah. In the West Bank, 2 wanted Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are killed, a 3d wanted Palestinian and 4 bystanders are injured in an exchange of fire during an IDF arrest raid on Ramallah; the IDF says the soldier was killed by friendly fire. The IDF bulldozes a grove of 120 olive trees nr. Tulkarm, large areas of agricultural land in Surif for construction of the separation wall; imposes a curfew on Palestinians in Hebron to allow Jewish settlers to hold Sukkoth parades, during which settlers throw bottles, stones at Palestinian homes; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm. A 70-yr.-old Palestinian dies fr. injuries she received in Nablus on 7/22/04. (MM, NYT, WP 10/4; AFP, IDF Radio, VOI, YA 10/4 in WNC 10/6; HA, NYT, PRCS, WP 10/5; PCHR 10/7; JPI 10/15)

In retaliation to IDF Gaza incursion, Palestinians fire an antitank missile at an IDF patrol in n. Gaza, wounding 2 troops; fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, lightly injuring 1 Israeli.

The IDF assassinates Islamic Jihad’s military leader Bashir al-Dabash, his bodyguard Ahmad al-Arayir, firing 2 missiles at their car as they drive in Gaza City, also wounding 3 bystanders. In n. Gaza, the IDF fires a missile at a group of AMB mbrs. allegedly preparing an attack on IDF forces in Jabaliya r.c., killing 2 AMB mbrs., wounding 3; shells residential areas of Bayt Lahiya, hitting 3 homes, killing 3 Palestinians (2 may be Islamic Jihad mbrs. targeted for assassination), wounding at least 11 (including 9 children ages 7 mos.–13 yrs.). A Palestinian militant dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/4. In s. Gaza, an IDF platoon leader wounds, then executes a 13-yr.-old Palestinian girl identified by soldiers under his command as a "nonthreat". The IDF also shells residential areas, conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 9 Palestinian homes and 52 d. in Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas of al-Qarara. In the West Bank, the IDF kills an AMB mbr. in an overnight exchange of gunfire in Hebron; seals, imposes a curfew on, fires on residential areas of, conducts arrest raids and house searches in Qabatya; lifts the 10/3 ban on Palestinians entering the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron. The IDF announces that it has recently arrested 13 UN employees whom it plans to indict for “suspected links to terrorism”; says it has recently arrested a 24-yr.-old tanzim mbr. fr. Silwad for the Wadi al-Haramiyya shooting in 3/3/02 in which a gunman killed 7 IDF soldiers and 3 Jewish settlers using an antique rifle. (HA, PM 10/5; PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/5 in WNC 10/7; NYT, PR, WT 10/6; VOI 10/6 in WNC 10/8; PCHR 10/7; NYT 10/10; VOI 10/10 in WNC 10/12; NYT 10/12; MM 10/13; al-Quds 10/13 in WNC 10/19; MM, WP 10/14; WP 11/28)

In n. Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinian bystanders during the day; Palestinian observers estimate that the IDF has demolished 60 Palestinian homes, bulldozed 100 d. of agricultural land in n. Gaza since Operation Days of Penitence began on 9/28. In s. Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 3 Hamas mbrs. attempting to infiltrate Kefar Darom settlement; the gunfire sets off explosives the Hamas mbrs. are carrying, killing a Thai laborer at the settlement. The IDF also bulldozes 25 d. in Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids in Saida nr. Tulkarm, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront troops, killing a 16-yr.-old Palestinian. (NYT, PCHR, WP 10/7; WP 10/8; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

The IDF fires a missile at 2 Palestinian boys (ages 12 and 15) playing with pipes and sticks in a street Jabaliya r.c., killing them; says video footage fr. drones in the area appeared to show militants preparing to launch a rocket. Also in n. Gaza, the IDF fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, seriously wounding a 12-yr.-old child in her home; demolishes 1 Palestinian home north of Bayt Hanun. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in an IDF attack on Jabaliya on 9/30; a 16-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/1; a 22-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received in Bayt Hanun on 10/3. The IDF also fires on 2 Palestinians who approach the Israeli border fence nr. the Sufa crossing into Israel in s. Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian while the other escapes; fires on residential areas, demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Rafah; shells residential areas, bulldozes 86 d. nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF moves troops into Balata r.c. and Tulkarm, fires on residential areas, then fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops; halts a Palestinian school bus at a Hebron checkpoint, detains 3 students; conducts arrest raids, house searches in `Arub r.c., Jenin r.c., and in villages around Nablus, Tulkarm; bulldozes 60 d. southwest of Hebron for construction of the separation wall. The UNRWA delivers food, water to half of the 600 Palestinian families (ca. 3,300 individuals) who have been trapped in their homes east of Jabaliya r.c., unable to leave and without electricity or water since Days of Penitence began on 9/29. (United Nations Information Service 10/7; PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/7 in WNC 10/11; MEZ, WP 10/8; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

In Egypt, a huge truck bomb explodes at the Hilton hotel in Taba, 2 smaller bombs explode at hotels further south along the Red Sea in Nuwayba and Ras al-Shaytan in what appear to be al-Qa`ida attacks targeting Israelis vacationing for the Sukkoth holidays; 34 people are killed (including at least 13 Israelis, 9 Egyptians, 2 Italians, 1 Russian), some 150 are wounded. (BBC, HA, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; ITAR-TASS, MA, MENA, MM, VOI, VOP 10/8, MENA, al-Quds 10/9, VOI 10/10 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/9; NYT 10/10; al-Ra’i 10/10, AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/14; LBC 10/10, MM 10/11; VOP 10/11 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/12; MM, NYT, PR 10/13; JP, WJW 10/14; MM 10/15, 10/18, 10/19; WT 10/20; MEI 10/22; WP 10/26)

Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets at Sederot, 2 antitank missiles at IDF troops in Rafah, causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF shells Jabaliya r.c., killing 1 Palestinian bystander; shells Palestinians leaving a Bayt Lahiya mosque after evening prayers, killing 2 Palestinian teenagers, wounding 2; fires on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, killing a 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl outside her home; demolishes a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanun, sparking an exchange of gunfire that leaves 2 AMB mbrs. dead. In central Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots a mentally disabled Palestinian who approaches a closed military zone nr. the Kissufim crossing; bulldozes 3 Palestinian homes, 5 d. in Dayr al-Balah. In s. Gaza, the IDF shells residential areas of Rafah. (HA, MEZ 10/8; AFP, VOI 10/8, VOI, VOP 10/9 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP 10/9; PCHR 10/14)

Palestinian gunmen fire on a greenhouse in a Jewish settlement, killing a Palestinian laborer.

In ongoing clashes in n. Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots wanted Hamas senior cmdr. `Abd al-Rauf Nabhan in Jabaliya in what may be an assassination; shells the Bayt Lahiya home of 1 of the Palestinians who carried out the 3/14/04 Ashdod port bombings, killing 2 family mbrs., wounding 6; shells residential areas of Bayt Hanun, Jabaliya. In s. Gaza, the IDF fires on a PA roadblock outside Khan Yunis, killing 2 PA security officers (1 an AMB mbr., 1 an Abu Rish Brigades mbr.), sends heavy equipment, troops into Rafah, orders residents to leave their homes, demolishes 14 Palestinian homes completely; later fires on residential areas of Rafah, seriously wounding a man asleep in his home; fires on stone-throwing youths in Khan Yunis, damaging a nearby hospital building and ambulance. In the West Bank, the IDF fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c. Masked Jewish settlers attack, beat, lightly injure an Italian peace activist escorting Palestinian children home fr. school in Hebron. (VOI, VOP 10/9 in WNC 10/12; WP 10/10; PCHR 10/14)

In n. Gaza, the IDF conducts an air strike on a warehouse in Jabaliya r.c., destroying it and 3 adjacent Palestinian homes, killing a Palestinian bystander; shells a group of Palestinians in Jabaliya, killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 1; fires missiles into Bayt Hanun (killing 1 Palestinian), Bayt Lahiya (injuring 3). A Palestinian dies of injuries he received in Jabaliya on 10/1. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF raids Dayr al-Balah, fatally shooting 1 armed Palestinian, wounding 7 bystanders, bulldozing 40 d.; shells, directs heavy machine gun fire residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding a student in his classroom, causing significant damage to (but no serious injuries in) the al-Nasser Hospital maternity ward, a home, a mosque. In the West Bank, the IDF arrests 3 armed Jewish settlers fr. Tapuach for setting fire to a Palestinian olive grove, firing guns in the air, attacking Palestinians who arrive to put out the blaze, lightly injuring several Palestinians. A Jewish settler attacks an Orthodox Armenian religious procession in Jerusalem’s Old City, spitting in the face of Deputy Arch Bishop Nurhan, tearing off his cap and cross (breaking the 17th century relic), making religious insults. (VOI, VOP 10/10 in WNC 10/12; AFP 10/10, VOP 10/11 in WNC 10/13; HA, MEZ 10/11; HA 10/12; PR 10/13; PCHR, WT 10/14; NYT 10/19)

In n. Gaza, the IDF shells residential areas of Jabaliya; expands its incursion into Bayt Lahiya, killing 1 armed Palestinian in an air strike, directing heavy machine gun fire at residential areas, occupying several Palestinian homes. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IDF makes a 3d attempt (see 8/26) to assassinate Islamic Jihad military cmdr. Muhammad Khalil, firing a missile at his home in Rafah, wounding 4 bystanders; exchanges gunfire with armed Palestinians in Dayr al-Balah, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on residential areas in Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home, conducts arrest raids, fires on stone-throwing youths in Nablus. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attack Palestinians harvesting their olive groves in Asira, shooting and wounding 1 Palestinian, scuffling with others until the IDF separates the sides. (HA, MEZ, XIN 10/11; VOI, VOP 10/11 in WNC 10/13; NYT 10/12; PR 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

The IDF further expands Operation Days of Penitence into Bayt Lahiya, sending in another 45 tanks, 20 armored bulldozers to level 30 d.; shells Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya from land and sea, killing 1 Hamas mbr. and wounding 2 in the Bayt Lahiya cemetery; directs heavy machine gunfire at residential areas of Jabaliya. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, seriously injuring a 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl in an UNRWA classroom. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Jalbun nr. Jenin, 1 in Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus and surrounding camps, and in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah. Unidentified assailants attempt to assassinate the PA’s Gaza public security head Musa Arafat, remote detonating a car bomb outside his Gaza City office; no one is injured. Unidentified gunmen break into the Fatah headquarters in al-Bureij r.c., fatally shoot senior Fatah figure Muhammad Issa; Fatah, Hamas mbrs. take to the streets to in protest. (HA 10/12; AFP, VOI, VOP 10/12 in WNC 10/14; MEZ, NYT, PR, WP, WT 10/13; al-Quds 10/13 in WNC 10/19; NYT, PCHR, WP 10/14; JPI, MEI 10/22; PR 10/27)

In n. Gaza, the IDF conducts air strikes against 2 groups of armed Palestinians, killing 2 AMB mbrs., 1 Hamas mbr.; fires a missile at 2 Palestinian civilians distributing food aid in Jabaliya, killing them both. 2 Palestinian militants die of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/9. The IDF also fatally shoots a 16-yr.-old Palestinian, seriously wounds another playing soccer in a field in Rafah (soldiers claim they thought they were planting a bomb); fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; arrests Hamas’s Hebron military cmdr. Imad Qawasmi on charges of plotting the 8/31 Beersheba bus bombings; blows up a Palestinian home in Hebron. The 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl wounded inside an UNRWA classroom on 10/12 dies. (MEZ 10/13; VOI, VOP 10/13 in WNC 10/15; HA, MM, NYT, PCHR,WP 10/14; VOI 10/14 in WNC 10/16; PCHR 10/21)

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

The IDF pulls tanks out of Bayt Lahiya, marking the 1st de-escalation of Operation Days of Penitence; makes an air strike on Jabaliya r.c., killing 2 Hamas mbrs. allegedly planting a bomb, before withdrawing late in the evening. In Rafah, the IDF conducts an air strike, killing 2 Hamas mbrs., a 70-yr.-old Palestinian bystander; bulldozes 30 Palestinian homes. The IDF also bulldozes a Palestinian home in Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Jenin r.c., Nablus, Yamun. Jewish settlers fr. Suissa nr. Hebron prevent Palestinian olive pickers fr. reaching their groves. (JT 10/14; VOI 10/14 in WNC 10/16; NYT, WP 10/15; ITAR-TASS 10/15 in WNC 10/19; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21)

The PA opens an embassy in Belarus. (Interfax, VOP 10/14 in WNC 10/16; PR 10/20)

Ramadan begins; the IDF restricts access to Jerusalem for Friday prayers. The IDF shells Jabaliya r.c. fr. the surrounding hills to the east; carries out an air strike on the camp, killing 1 Hamas mbr., 2 AMB mbrs; fatally shoots a 65-yr.-old Palestinian woman eating dinner in her Jabaliya home. In the evening, the IDF withdraws troops to the periphery of most n. Gaza population centers, formally ending Operation Days of Penitence. The UN estimates that during the 17-day operation, the IDF killed 114 Palestinians, demolished as many as 95 Palestinian homes, leveled more than 1,000 d.; Palestinian Center for Human Rights puts the figures at 112 Palestinians killed, 87 houses demolished, 839 d. leveled. The IDF says that soldiers killed a number of AMB, Hamas, Islamic Jihad military cmdrs. and destroyed a number of factories and workshops where Qassams could be made, that Palestinians fired 14 Qassam rockets fr. the area during the 17-day period. Palestinians fire 2 Qassams at Sederot today, causing no damage. Late in the evening, the IDF bulldozes another 3 Palestinian homes, 2 stores in Bayt Hanun. The IDF also shells residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Nablus; arrests 2 Jewish settlers who attack Palestinians harvesting olives outside Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo nr. Ramallah attack Palestinians harvesting olives in neighboring al-Mughayyir; IDF soldiers observe but do not intervene. (BBC 10/15; IDF Radio, VOI, VOP 10/15 in WNC 10/19; NYT, WP, WT 10/16; HA, NYT 10/17; B’Tselem press release 10/18; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21; MEI 10/22)

The IDF completes its withdrawal fr. built up areas of n. Gaza in the morning; announces new restrictions barring buses fr. crossing the Qalandia checkpoint unless they obtain special permits; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths in Balata r.c., wounding 7; sends tanks, armored bulldozers into Rafah allegedly to search for smugglers’ tunnels; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bir al-Basha nr. Jenin; declares areas around Hebron a closed military zone, preventing Palestinian olive pickers fr. reaching their groves. 2 Palestinians die of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/6, 10/15. (VOI 10/16 in WNC 10/19; HA, WP 10/17; HA, HJ, JP, MA 10/17 in WNC 10/19; PCHR 10/21)

Palestinians fire 7 mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing some damage, no injuries.

The IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c.; bulldozes 7 Palestinian homes in Brazil r.c. and Rafah. Jewish settlers fr. Bnei Hefetz nr. Hebron uproot 10s of Palestinian olive trees in neighboring Khirbet al-Bawayb. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Ein settlement nr. Bethlehem armed with machine guns raid an olive production facility in nearby Jaba village, cart away large amounts of olives. A Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier in Rafah. Unidentified gunmen fire on the home of Tulkarm mayor Mahmud Jallad, causing light damage but no injuries. (PRCS 10/17; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21)

The IDF fatally shoots 5 Palestinians in incidents across the Gaza Strip: 2 are killed attempting to cross the border fence into Israel, 2 are killed while allegedly planting a roadside bomb, 1 is fatally shot nr. a Jewish settlement. The IDF also shells residential areas of Khan Yunis, seriously injuring a 3-yr.-old and 6-yr.-old in their beds; fires on residential areas, stone-throwing Palestinians in Balata r.c., Bayt Furik; arrests 70 Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Bayt Jala; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Dura, al-Khadir, Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, Silwad, Tulkarm. A Palestinian dies of injuries received a wk. earlier in Rafah. (REU 10/18; VOP 10/18 in WNC 10/20; BBC, WP 10/19; JAZ, VOI 10/19 in WNC 10/21; PR 10/20; PCHR 10/21)

At midday in Gaza City, PA preventive security officers, PA military intelligence officers exchange gunfire, toss grenades at each other, leaving 1 preventive security officer seriously injured, 3 others lightly injured; later in the day, the same group exchanges fire again, leaving 2 people injured; Fatah, PA officials meet later to contain the crisis, the reasons for which are unknown.

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Hamas mbrs. planting a roadside bomb nr. the security fence of a Jewish settlement in n. Gaza; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts predawn arrest raids in `Azun, Burkin nr. Jenin, Dahaysha r.c., Dura, Hebron, Jenin r.c., Tulkarm. A Palestinian wounded in the IDF’s 10/11 attempted assassination of Khalil dies of his injuries. (BBC, HA, XIN 10/19; VOP 10/19 in WNC 10/21; PR 10/20; QA 10/20 in WNC 10/23; PCHR 10/21)

The Jenin AMB takes responsibility for the fatal shooting of an IDF soldier sitting inside his tent at an IDF base outside nearby Mevo Dotan settlement. Palestinians fire 4 mortars at Morag, causing no damage or injuries. AMB mbrs. in Jenin temporarily take over the local Palestinian Council (PC) and PA tax offices, demanding pay raises, pensions for the children Palestinians killed during the intifada; after several hrs., they agree to leave, but the offices remain locked.

A team of Egyptian doctors visits Arafat, who has been suffering severe flulike symptoms since 10/12, in his Ramallah compound, sparking rumors that he is serious ill. The doctors conclude that he is suffering from an intestinal virus and gallstones. Arafat suffered a similar bout of gallstones in 2003. (WT 10/19)

The IDF shells residential areas of Rafah while Palestinians are going to dawn prayers, killing 1 Palestinian; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian in Rafah who attempts to attack an IDF post; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Nablus. In al-Hatab nr. Nablus, 18 internationals escort Palestinian farmers who have obtained IDF permits to harvest their olive groves; within minutes of starting work, IDF soldiers order the group to leave the area, take the ID card of 1 Palestinian, attempt to arrest him; when the internationals intervene, the soldiers beat several, throw 1 Swedish peace activist to the ground, put a gun to his head, threaten to pull the trigger. Israel also reportedly expels 2 Palestinian prisoners (1 fr. Bayt Rima, 1 fr. Nablus) to Jordan; no explanation is given. A Jewish settler seriously injures 3 Palestinian girls (ages 13–15) in a hit-and-run incident nr. Hawara. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/5. (International Solidarity Movement press release, PRCS 10/20; JAZ, MA, VOP 10/20 in WNC 10/22; PCHR 10/21; PR 10/27; PCHR 10/28)

During the day in Gaza, the IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades 2d in command `Adnan al-Gul (a founding mbr. of Hamas whom Israel considers responsible for the development of Qassam rockets and whom it has tried to assassinate on at least 4 previous occasions), firing 2 missiles at him as he leaves a building in Gaza City, also killing senior field cmdr. Imad Abbas, wounding 4 bystanders; attempts to assassinate PRC military cmdr. `Abd al-Rahman Qarmut, firing a missile at his home in Jabaliya r.c., wounding him and his child; fatally shoots 2 armed Palestinians (1 AMB, 1 Islamic Jihad) who attempt to infiltrate Israel nr. the Nahal Oz crossing outside Gaza City; conducts 2 raids into Rafah, shelling residential areas, demolishing 7 Palestinian homes, bulldozing 9 d. In Hebron, the IDF raids 2 mosques during evening prayers, interrogates and checks IDs worshipers; raids a university, checks students' IDs; raids, occupies a Palestinian home. In Qalqilya, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes. Jewish settlers attempt to steal olives fr. a grove in al-Mughayyir; Palestinians confront and scuffle with them; 1 settler opens fire, injuring 1 Palestinian; the IDF intervenes, detains the gunman. (VOI, VOP 10/21 in WNC 10/23; BBC, NYT, WP, WT 10/22; AFP, VOP 10/22, HJ, VOI 10/23 in WNC 10/26; PR 10/17; PCHR 10/28)

In Rafah, an IDF soldier investigating a smugglers’ tunnel is killed by an explosion, possibly fr. a booby trap; Hamas claims responsibility. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at Sederot, a mortar at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. Islamic Jihad mbrs. stop the car of PA military intelligence officer Hajij al-Sirhi in central Gaza, seize the car and 2 rifles; Sirhi reportedly impounded the car fr. Islamic Jihad mbrs. several mos. earlier.

The IDF fires on a funeral procession in Khan Yunis, assassinating wanted Hamas mbr. Awad Yasir (whom Israel claims has been responsible for recent mortar fire on Gush Katif), wounding 1; reinforces troops around East Jerusalem; bulldozes 22 d. of greenhouses, agricultural land in Rafah; sends troops into Bayt Furik, fires on Palestinian homes and stone-throwing youths who confront the troops; sends bulldozers into Bayt Hanun to level 20 d. belonging to al-Azhar University, 10s of d. belonging to local Palestinians; conducts rare arrest raids in Jericho. A Palestinian woman dies of injuries received on 10/4. (WP 10/22; VOI, YA 10/22 in WNC 10/26; WP, WT 10/23; PR 10/27; PCHR 10/28; PR 11/3)

In response to Israel’s 10/21 assassination of Hamas’s Gul, Hamas fires 2 mortars, a Qassam rocket at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; 10,000s Palestinians take part in Gul's funeral in Gaza City. Hamas mbrs. execute a suspected Palestinian collaborator, dumping his body in Gaza City. Gaza municipal employees begin a strike to protest the PA's inability to pay the remainder of their 10/4 salaries.

The IDF fires a missile fr. a drone at a group of wanted Palestinians in Khan Yunis, killing Islamic Jihad mbrs. and brothers Omar and Ziad Abu Mustafa, wounding at least 3 in an apparent assassination; fires on a funeral procession in Khan Yunis, wounding 2 teenagers; sends troops into Balata r.c., fires on residential areas, then fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding a 10-yr.-old Palestinian bystander; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem. (JAZ, NYT, WP, WT, XIN 10/24; PR 10/27; PCHR 10/28)

Arafat, who continues to suffer the flu and complain of stomach pain, is visited by a 2d team of Tunisian doctors who perform an endoscopy, a biopsy, and blood tests that come back negative for cancer. The doctors second the Egyptian team’s 10/19 diagnosis. (MENA, VOI 10/23 in WNC 10/26; CNN 10/24; JAZ, VOP 10/25 in WNC 10/27; MM 10/26; JAZ, MENA, VOP 10/26 in WNC 10/28; BBC, HA 10/28)

During the day, the IDF fires on the funeral procession for the Abu Mustafa brothers killed late on 10/23, wounding a 15-yr.-old Palestinian; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Anata, Askar r.c., al-Bureij, Hebron, Yatta. Late in the evening, the IDF launches a massive raid on Khan Yunis, citing some 30 mortar attacks on nearby Jewish settlements since the 10/21 Gul assassination; fires missiles fr. pilotless drones at 2 groups of Palestinians, killing 2 PA policemen, wounding 6; conducts several air strikes, killing 5 armed Palestinians and 1 unarmed Palestinian, wounding 5 armed Palestinians and 4 bystanders; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes. Jewish settlers in Hebron vandalize a Palestinian elementary school nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs. (VOI, VOP 10/24, 10/25 in WNC 10/26; NYT, PRCS, WP 10/25; PCHR 10/28)

A car bomb explodes nr. an IDF jeep in Nablus, causing damage but no injuries; no group claims responsibility.

The IDF continues operations in Khan Yunis, shelling, firing on, and conducting air strikes on residential areas, killing at least 11 Palestinians (1 PA security officer, 3 armed Palestinians, 7 civilians, including an 11-yr.-old boy) wounding at least 70, demolishing at least 26 Palestinian homes; 2 IDF soldiers are also wounded by a rocket-propelled grenade. The IDF arrests Tulkarm dep. Hamas cmdr. Ahmad Awad; sends troops into Bayt Furik, fires on residential areas, then fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding a 13-yr.-old Palestinian; sends troops into Shaykh Ajlin, demolishes 1 Palestinian home, bulldozes 4 d., conducts arrest raids; bulldozes 20 d. surrounding Gaza's Dugit settlement; conducts arrest raids, house searches, sets fire to 2 workshops in Hebron; fires on residential areas of Yamun. Jewish settlers occupy a vacant Palestinian home in the Rachel’s Tomb complex in Bethlehem that they claim to have purchased 2 yrs. ago; local Palestinians deny this. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai settlement nr. Hebron occupy a vacant Palestinian home (residents had been forced to leave because of repeated settler attacks). (BBC, MM, PM, PRCS 10/25; VOI, VOP 10/25 in WNC 10/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/26; PCHR 10/28; PR 11/3)

Palestinian female prisoners in Israel's Tel Monde prison begin a hunger strike to protest their living conditions, frequent strip searches.

The IDF withdraws fr. Khan Yunis in the morning but shells residential areas in late in the evening, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on residential areas and agricultural lands nr. Rafah, killing a Palestinian farmer working in his field; demolishes a Palestinian home in Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches in `Azun, Dayr Ghassana, Hebron, Yamun. Late in the evening, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Hanun, shells residential areas, begins bulldozing wide tracts of land. A Jewish settler fr. Yitzhar shoots a Palestinian shepherd in nearby Ourif village nr. Nablus; other settlers bar an ambulance fr. reaching the scene, allowing the man to bleed to death. (HA, MM, PRCS 10/26; VOI, VOP 10/26 in WNC 10/28; PR, PRCS 10/27; PCHR 10/28)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Jenin town and r.c., closes off all access roads leading to the city, conducts arrest raids and house searches, fires on residential areas; withdraws fr. Bayt Hanun, having leveled 100 d. of citrus groves since 10/26, 1 Palestinian home, 5 wells. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo attack, chase off a group of Palestinians harvesting olives in nearby al-Mughayyir village. Israeli sources confirm that the West Jerusalem municipality has completed plans for construction of a new 280-unit Jewish settlement quarter in Abu Dis in East Jerusalem following completion of the separation wall through Abu Dis. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/2 during the IDF attack on n. Gaza. (HJ, al-Quds, VOI, VOP 10/27 in WNC 10/29; PCHR, PRCS 10/28; PRCS 10/30; PR 11/3; PCHR 11/4)

An Israeli court rules that Palestinian residents of Jerusalem have the right to register any child under age 12 without having to apply for family reunification even if 1 parent holds a West Bank ID. Previously, the Israeli Interior Min. asserted that any such children not registered by age 1 would have to apply for family reunification. (PR 11/3)

Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. In Gaza, scores of Palestinians protest increasing crime, kidnappings, violence in Gaza and demand security, legal reforms.

Arafat collapses in his Ramallah headquarters and deteriorates dramatically during the day, reportedly lapsing in and out of consciousness. His personal doctor is summoned fr. Amman, a medical team fr. Egypt, and his wife fr. Paris, raising speculation that he is nearing death. (AP, BBC, CNN, HA, REU 10/27; JAZ, JP, LBC, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, YA 10/27 in WNC 10/29; AP, BBC, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 10/28; PR, WT 11/3; MEI 11/5)

IDF undercover units assassinate senior AMB mbr. Ibrahim Issa in Qalqilya. The IDF continues operations in Jenin town and r.c., firing on stone-throwing youths, searching homes. Late in the evening, IDF troops in Jenin r.c. shoot, critically wound a Palestinian teenager for no apparent reason, bar his transportation to a hospital, and take him into custody, where he dies. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, fatally shooting a 7-yr.-old Palestinian girl walking to school; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Rafah; fire on stone-throwing youths in Nablus; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes, bulldozes 15 d. nr. Rafah, leaving 131 people homeless; conducts arrest raids, house searches in `Ayn Bayt al-Ma' r.c., Dahaysha r.c., al-Khadir. Jewish settlers fr. Pdu'el harvest olives on nearby Palestinian land to which Palestinian farmers have been barred access by the IDF; Jewish settlers fr. Otniel harvest, damage Palestinian olive trees nr. Yatta; Jewish settlers fr. Avi Gayel outpost attack Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Qawawis nr. Yatta. The IDF also halts construction of a Palestinian apartment building nr. a settler bypass road outside Bayt Sahur, claiming the apartment complex (which has been under construction with Israeli permits since 1994, is home to 250 residents) is not within the Bayt Sahur municipal boundaries and is therefore illegal. (JTA 10/28; VOI, VOP, YA 10/28, VOI 10/29 in WNC 10/30; PRCS 10/30; WP 10/29; PM 11/1; PCHR 11/4)

Palestinians fire mortars at Morag, wounding 5 Jewish settlers.

Arafat’s condition stabilizes overnight, but he remains critically ill. Doctors, speculating that he may have a potentially fatal blood disorder, order his transport to Paris for further tests. (BBC, HA, MM 10/28; ATL, HA, JAZ, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/28 in WNC 10/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/29; PR 11/3)

The IDF continues operations in Jenin for a 3d day, firing on stone-throwing youths, conducting arrest raids and house searches; demolishes 7 Palestinian homes in Rafah; confiscates 308 d. of Palestinian land in Shufa nr. Tulkarm for military purposes; bulldozes 31 d., 3 wells nr. Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in `Ayn Bayt al-Ma', al-`Aza, al-Khadir. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Shvut Rachel chase Palestinian olive harvesters away fr. their groves; the IDF intervenes, allowing Palestinians to continue the harvest. (HA, PM 10/29; VOI 10/29 in WNC 10/30; PRCS 10/30; PCHR 11/4)

Arafat arrives at a military hospital in Paris. Before leaving Ramallah, he authorizes Abbas, who is secy. gen. of the PLO Exec. Comm. and the dep. secy. of the Fatah Central Comm., to assume responsibility for day-to-day affairs of the PLO and Fatah in the territories. (Technically, Faruq Qaddumi, as secy. of the Fatah Central Comm., automatically becomes Fatah chmn. in Arafat's absence, but since he based in Tunis, Abbas, as dep. secy., assumes his duties in the territories.) (BBC, HA, MM, WT 10/29; AFP, HJ, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, al-Quds, PSCT, VOI, VOP 10/29 in WNC 10/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/30; MM 11/1; WJW 11/4; MEI 11/5)

In ongoing operations in Jenin, the IDF fires on stone-throwing children outside a school, killing a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 3 boys ages 14–17; conducts house searches, arrest raids. The IDF also further restricts Palestinian movement around Nablus, Tulkarm; demolishes 13 Palestinian homes in Rafah. (PRCS 10/30; NYT 10/31; PM 11/1; PCHR 11/4)

The IDF continues operations in Jenin, fatally shooting a wanted Palestinian in an exchange of fire during an arrest raid, firing on stone-throwing Palestinian youths. The IDF closes the Rafah crossing to Egypt; fires on residential and agricultural areas nr. Netzarim, seriously wounding a 52-yr.-old farmer in his field; bulldozes 15 d., shells residential areas nr. Rafah; bulldozes 4 d. outside Einav settlement nr. Tulkarm; raids 20 homes, a mosque during evening prayers in Hebron, holds those in the mosque for 3 hrs. of interrogation; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dura. In Hebron, 2 Palestinians are killed in a mysterious explosion. (PRCS 10/31; WT 11/2; PCHR 11/4)

The AMB distributes leaflets across the territories warning the Palestinian leadership not to give up armed struggle or compromise on Palestinian national rights now that Arafat is in Paris for treatment.