The IDF continues operations in Khan Yunis, shelling residential areas, wounding 8 Palestinians; shells residential areas of Jabaliya r.c., killing a 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl. The IDF further tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement in Hebron (see 12/31); imposes a 2-day curfew on Husan. The IDF also raids Tulkarm r.c., occupies the roofs of several houses, shoots and wounds a Palestinian resistance mbr. in what may be an assassination; the wounded man escapes; the IDF raids a medical center, the local hospital in an unsuccessful search for him. (PR 1/5; PCHR 1/6)

The IDF pulls out of Khan Yunis, suspending Operation Violet Iron, leaving a total of 14 Palestinian homes demolished, 21 severely damaged. Overnight, the IDF launches a 1-day incursion, Operation Autumn Wind, into n. Gaza to surround Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, Jabaliya r.c. in response to Palestinian rocket (7 total over the past 3 days) and mortar fire that wounded 1 Israeli civilian in the Erez industrial zone, lightly wounded 1 Israeli in Sederot; exchanges fire with armed Palestinians; shoots and seriously wounds a Palestinian cameraman covering clashes in Bayt Hanun, evacuates him to Israel. The IDF also bulldozes 15 d. of land in Dayr al-Balah; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bani Na`im, Dura, Nablus and nearby Burqa, Tulkarm r.c., Tura al-Gharbiyya nr. Jenin. (PCHR, PM 1/2; VOI 1/2 in WNC 1/4; NYT 1/3; PR 1/5; PCHR 1/6)

In Hebron, AMB mbrs. ambush, fatally shoot an Israeli security guard fr. Kiryat Arba settlement.

The IDF fires on residential areas of Nablus, Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Beitunia, Beita nr. Nablus, Dura, al-Majd nr. Hebron; raids the Nabih Salih campaign headquarters of an unidentified candidate in the 1/9 elections, confiscating election placards, documents. In Bayt Lahiya, a Hamas mbr. dies either when a rocket he is preparing explodes prematurely (according to the IDF) or when he is hit by an IDF tank shell (according to Palestinians). Jewish settlers clash with IDF soldiers who remove 2 structures at an unauthorized West Bank settlement outpost of Mitzpe Yitzhar; 1 soldier is wounded, 15 settlers are arrested; 1 soldier is arrested for encouraging his colleagues to refuse to evacuate the site (he is court-martialed and ordered jailed for 28 days on 1/4). (VOI, VOP 1/3 in WNC 1/5; NYT, WP, WT 1/4; VOI 1/4 in WNC 1/6; WT 1/5; HA, PCHR 1/6)

The IDF fires tank shells at Palestinians harvesting strawberry fields outside Bayt Lahiya, killing 7 Palestinian children (ages 10–17) wounding at least 2 adults, 5 children; fires on Palestinians working agricultural land southeast of Gaza City, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 5; fires on residential areas of Brazil r.c., Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and in Bethlehem, al-Fawwar r.c., Silwad, `Anin nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, Rafah. (FT, IMEMC 1/4; VOI, VOP 1/4 in WNC 1/6; MM, NYT, PM, PR 1/5; IDF Radio, al-Quds, VOI, YA 1/5 in WNC 1/7; PCHR 1/6; MEI 1/7)

Hamas fires 2 Qassam rockets fr. Khan Yunis at nearby settlements and fr. n. Gaza at Sederot, injuring 2 Israelis.

The IDF fires on residential areas of Rafah; shells residential areas of Bayt Hanun; conducts arrest raids nr. Bayt Lahiya. (MM, PR, REU 1/5; IMEMC, NYT, PCHR, WT 1/6; PCHR 1/13)

Hamas fires a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza at the IDF's Nahal Oz base inside Israel, wounding 12 IDF soldiers. 2 AMB mbrs. attempt to raid an IDF post at the Bayt Hanun crossing in n. Gaza, are shot dead. A Palestinian fires grenade, a rifle at IDF soldiers at the Erez checkpoint, causing damage but no injuries before being shot dead.

The IDF conducts arrest raids, searches in and around Hebron, targeting 6 Islamic charities, a development organization, and local Palestinian Prisoners' Society offices, detaining 65 heads and board members of the institutions as well as local Islamic leaders and imams; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in Dura, Ithna, Salfit, Surif, Tulkarm; issues military orders confiscating 89 d. of land in al-Jib, 72 d. in Biddu, and 100s of d. fr. Bayt Duqqu and Bayt Ijza for construction of the separation wall northwest of Jerusalem. A 6-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Hebron is hit by an IDF jeep; soldiers take him to a hospital in Kiryat Arba settlement, but he is pronounced dead. (IMEMC 1/6; VOP 1/6 in WNC 1/11; OCHA, PR 1/12; PCHR 1/13)

A Hamas mbr. infiltrates Ganei Tal settlement nr. Khan Yunis, fires at settlement guards (causing no injuries), is killed by return fire. Hamas fires 3 mortars, 3 Qassam rockets at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians (at least 1 is unarmed—a mentally handicapped man who strays into a closed military zone) in separate incidents outside Jewish settlements in Gaza. (HA 1/7; VOI, VOP 1/7 in WNC 1/11; NYT, WP 1/8; NYT 1/9; OCHA 1/12; PCHR 1/13)

An AMB gunman ambushes, fatally shoots 1 IDF soldier, wounds 3 nr. Nablus; the IDF conducts arrest raids in the area in response. Hamas fires 6 mortars, 1 Qassam rocket at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; Islamic Jihad fires 3 rockets at Nisanit settlement in n. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF announces that in preparation for PA elections on 1/9, it has moved forces out of Palestinian population centers, suspended incursions into Palestinian areas, eased some restrictions on Palestinian for 72 hrs., removed 14 roadblocks in the West Bank, allowed Palestinian officials to bring ballot boxes into 8 villages under curfew. The vast majority of checkpoints and roadblocks remain, however, and election officials have compensated by installing extra polling places so that Palestinians do not have to cross IDF barriers. The IDF fatally shoots a uniformed, unarmed, 61-yr.-old PSF officer waiting for a ride at al-Mahatin checkpoint nr. Khan Yunis; fires on residential areas of Rafah. A 17-yr.-old Palestinian girl dies of injuries received in Khan Yunis on 12/28/04. (XIN 1/8; VOI, VOP 1/8, El Pais [Madrid] 1/9 in WNC 1/11; NYT 1/9; OCHA, PR 1/12; PCHR 1/13)

Palestinian gunmen detain 2 journalists fr. Spain's El Pais, releases them unharmed an hr. later, without explanation.

The IDF confiscates 352 d. in northwest Jerusalem for construction of the separation wall; fires nr. a Palestinian polling station in Khan Yunis; obstructs Palestinian movement in al-Mawasi; fires on 3 Palestinians attempting to infiltrate Gaza fr. Egypt, wounding and detaining all 3. (JAZ 1/9; VOI 1/10 in WNC 1/12; OCHA 1/19)

Palestinians fire 3 Qassam rockets at the western Negev, causing no damage or injuries.

After a robust campaign period, PA presidential elections are held. Abbas wins with 62% of the vote. Hamas, Islamic Jihad do not participate. (HA, NYT, WP 1/9; HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, MENA, Palestinian Broadcasting Corporation TV, PSCT, al-Quds, al-Ra'i, VOI, VOP, XIN, YA 1/9 in WNC 1/11; JAZ 1/9, AFP, AP, ATL, HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JAZ, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, XIN, YA 1/10 in WNC 1/12; HA, MM, National Democratic Institute press release, NYT, WP, WT 1/10; VOP 1/10, AYM, HJ, JP 1/12 in WNC 1/15; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/11; VOP 1/11 in WNC 1/13; PR 1/12; HJ 1/12 in WNC 1/14; MEI 1/21)

The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., causing a 65-yr.-old Palestinian woman to suffer a fatal heart attack; fires on a taxi nr. Erez crossing carrying 2 international aid workers, seriously injuring the driver; shoots, wounds a Palestinian working in a field nr. Jabaliya. (PCHR 1/13)

After the Knesset approves (58–56, with 6 abstentions) the formation of a Likud–Labor–United Torah Judaism coalition, the new Israeli government is sworn in. 13 Likud mbrs. vote against the coalition or abstain. (HA 1/10; NYT, WP 1/11; PR 1/12; MEI 1/21)

The Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Islamic Jihad claim joint responsibility for firing a rocket-propelled grenade at an IDF jeep nr. Netzarim, causing no damage or injuries. Hamas fires 3 mortars at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF sends troops into Tulkarm, confiscates several car motors fr. a local business, clashes with armed Palestinians who arrive on the scene, killing 1 Palestinian resistance mbr., wounding 1 armed Palestinian and 1 bystander; fires missiles at Gaza City, strafes the residential areas with machine gun fire; for no apparent reason fires on Palestinians waiting to cross Abu Huli and al-Mahatin checkpoints, causing no injuries; makes an incursion into Tubas nr. Jenin, fires on Palestinian youths who throw stones at troops; bulldozes Palestinian land around Gaza's Erez crossing; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Asira and nearby Nablus, Balata r.c., Gaza City, Kafr Qadim nr. Qalqilya; bulldozes the Nabi Samuel road (the only entrance to villages located to the northwest of Jerusalem), transforms it into a car park and temporary housing for guards escorting workers constructing the separation wall in the area. The IDF bars Palestinians with Jerusalem IDs fr. crossing the Qalandia checkpoint into Ramallah without acquiring a new special permit; says they must also cross on foot, may not use vehicles. An Israeli dies of injuries received in a 1/2 Gaza mortar attack.(JTA, Reuters 1/11; NYT, WP 1/12; PCHR 1/13; PR 1/20; MEI 1/21)

Hamas fires mortars, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) fires rockets into s. Gaza Jewish settlements, causing no damage or injuries; unidentified Palestinians fire 1 rocket into Israel fr. s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. 2 Palestinian gunmen fire on Israeli police officers searching for stolen cars nr. Tulkarm, wounding 1 before being shot dead.

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Hamas mbrs. in an exchange of fire during an arrest raid in Qarawat Bani Zayd, later demolishing the Palestinian home in which they hid; fires on residential areas of Rafah, Tarqumiyya nr. Hebron; occupies the property of a Palestinian company in Dayr al-Balah, converting the corporate campus into a military camp; conducts arrest raids in al-Mawasi in s. Gaza, Qalqilya, Tubas. (VOI, VOP 1/12 in WNC 1/14; NYT, PCHR, WP 1/13; OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; MEI 1/21)

An Israeli court imposes light sentences on 5 Israeli Palestinian leaders of the Islamic Movement, including movement founder Shaykh Raed Salah, who were arrested on 5/13/03 and accused of funneling $10 m. to Hamas, having contacts with Iranian agents. The 5 admitted to "security offenses"; the other charges were dropped. (NYT 1/13)

2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. ambush a Jewish settler vehicle outside Gaza's Morag settlement, detonate 2 bombs killing 1 Jewish settler, fire on IDF soldiers who arrive on the scene, wounding 3, before being shot dead by the IDF.

During the day, the IDF makes a major raid into Bureij r.c., conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 41 d. of land, fires on residential areas (killing a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy), fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops (wounding 2), sparking clashes with Palestinian militants (killing a wanted PRC mbr.). The IDF also fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian driving his pregnant neighbor to the Bayt Lahiya hospital when the car inadvertently enters an area where IDF arrest raids are under way, also injuring the woman's husband; fires on residential areas of Tarqumiyya, Yatta; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron (arresting local Islamic Jihad leader Khalil Mahsin), Ithna, Qalqilya, Taqu`a, Tarqumiyya, Tulkarm, Yatta; issues military orders confiscating 363 d. of agricultural land in 5 villages northwest of Jerusalem, begins bulldozing 400 d. in Ithna w. of Hebron for construction of the separation wall. (AFP 1/13; JAZ, JP, VOI, VOP 1/13 in WNC 1/15; BBC, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 1/14; MM 1/17; OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; MEI 1/21; AYM 1/23 in WNC 1/24; PCHR 1/27; MEI 2/4)

Late this evening, in response to assassinations in recent days, the AMB, Hamas, the PRCs stage a joint attack on the Qarni crossing, killing 4 Israeli civilian workers at the crossing and 2 Israeli Palestinian truck drivers waiting to cross, wounding 10 people (4 of them Israelis, others not identified)—in the attack, 3 armed men, 1 fr. each group, detonate a truck bomb on the Palestinian side of the crossing, blowing open a gate to the Israeli side, then open fire with automatic weapons and toss grenades, while other mbrs. at a distance reportedly fire mortars and automatic weapons at the crossing; the 3 Palestinians initiating the attack are shot dead by the IDF. In response, IDF helicopter gunships fire rockets at Dayr al-Balah, the suspected home of the bombers, destroying a medical center run by a charity with links to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, wounding 1 Palestinian; IDF tanks also fire on targets in s. Gaza. Unknown gunmen fire shots at the Gaza City offices of the Islamic Salvation Party's al-Risala newspaper; editors believe the paper was targeted for its critical reporting on the 1/9 PA elections, which stressed the PA's decision to extend polling hours, the PA's skewed reporting of voter turnout figures.

The IDF seals the Gaza Strip following the 1/13 Qarni attack; fatally shoots an unarmed Palestinian in Khan Yunis; conducts helicopter strikes on an Islamic charity in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm. A Palestinian dies fr. injuries received during the IDF's Operation Days of Penitence in Bayt Lahiya in 10/04. (HA 1/14; OCHA 1/19; PCHR 1/27)

Israel suspends all contact with the PA, saying it is not moving quickly enough to stop Palestinian violence; says it will not reopen contacts until the PA carries out a complete investigation into the 1/13 Qarni attack, arrests the perpetrators, takes "real steps to stop terrorism.” (HA 1/14; NYT, WP, WT 1/15; JAZ, VOI, YA 1/15 in WNC 1/20; MM 1/17; PR 1/20; MEI 1/21, 2/4)

The IDF makes a predawn raid on the al-Zaytun neighborhood of Gaza City launching Operation Eastern Step (billed by the IDF as pinpoint operations against Palestinians launching mortars and rockets fr. the area), shelling residential areas, raiding and occupying buildings as observation posts, bulldozing Palestinian land, sparking clashes, killing 5 Palestinians (2 resistance mbrs., 3 civilians), wounding 10. The IDF also fires on a group of children playing near what they mistakenly believe to be an unoccupied IDF post on the Rafah-Egypt border, other Palestinians race to extract the children and also come under fire, leaving 1 Palestinian adult and a child dead, 6 Palestinians wounded; fires missiles fr. a helicopter, destroying a workshop, severely damaging a home in Bayt Lahiya; fires on residential areas of Rafah; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes in Khan Yunis; bulldozes 40 d. in Shaykh Ajlin; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dayr al-Hatab nr. Nablus, Dura, Issawiyya, Jericho, Yatta. (XIN 1/15; JP, VOI, VOP 1/15 in WNC 1/20; HA, NYT, WT 1/16; PCHR 1/18; OCHA 1/19)

Abbas is sworn in as PA pres.; reappoints Qurai` as PM, calls on him to form a government; calls for immediate talks with Israel, recommends going beyond the road map to include parallel talks on final status issues. Israel replies that there is "no necessity to find an alternative to the road map." Abbas also vows to hold legislative elections on 7/17. (AFP 1/15; JAZ, PSCT, VOP 1/15 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/16; PCHR 1/27)

In retaliation to IDF Gaza attack, Hamas fires 6 mortars at Gaza's Netzarim settlement (injuring a 7-yr.-old Jewish settler, lightly injuring another child), Sederot (killing 1 Israeli, lightly injuring 2).

Sharon orders the IDF to intensify operations against Palestinian militants and to act "without restrictions, I emphasize, without restrictions" to halt "terrorism," stating that Abbas is "not lifting a finger" to stop attacks on Israelis. The IDF withdraws fr. Gaza City (having bulldozed a total of 80 d., wounding at least 13 Palestinians since 1/15) but continues targeted operations in the outskirts of the city; shells Khan Yunis, damaging 1 Palestinian home, then firing on the family when they emerge to check the damage, killing a Palestinian mother and son, wounding the father, saying soldiers fired on suspicious "figures gathering information about IDF troops" in the area; separately fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, hitting Nasser Hospital; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Abasan nr. Khan Yunis, Hebron, Husan, Ithna, Saida. (AFP, HA, JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 1/16, MENA 1/17 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/17; JTA 1/18; HA, OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

Overnight, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who allegedly attempted to attack an IDF patrol in central Gaza. During the day, the IDF halts Operation Eastern Step outside Gaza City; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Walaja nr. Bethlehem, begins bulldozing land for a new road; fires on residential areas of Jenin town and r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala, Bayt Lahiya, Jericho, Tulkarm r.c. and town. (HA, MM 1/17; VOI, VOP 1/17, JTA, NYT, WT 1/18; VOI, VOP 1/18 in WNC 1/20; OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

The PRCs fire 2 Nasir 3 rockets fr. n. Gaza toward Sederot, 1 lands inside Gaza, the other inside Israel; neither causes damage or injuries. Hamas fires 3 mortars at Nisanit, 1 mortar at Aley Sinai, causing no damage or injuries.

After holding emergency sessions with the PA national security council and cabinet, Abbas orders the PA security forces to make "maximum efforts" to stop Palestinian attacks on Israelis, to investigate the 1/13 Qarni attack. PA Negotiation Affairs M Saeb Erakat says that security forces in Gaza would "create security zones and road blocks" to prevent rocket and mortar fire. Israel says the steps are "a small but positive sign." (VOP 1/17 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/18; PR 1/20)

The IDF makes a late-night incursion into Nablus, arrests 13 Hamas mbrs., destroys 2 Palestinian homes; fires on residential areas nr. the n. Gaza border and in Dayr al-Balah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Gaza City, nr. Ramallah. An Israeli teenager injured in a Qassam attack on 1/15 dies. (JAZ, VOI,. XIN 1/18, MA, VOI 1/19 in WNC 1/20; AP, HA, MM, NYT 1/19; WP 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device nr. an IDF base nr. Gush Katif Junction in s. Gaza, killing 1 Shin Bet officer, wounding 7 IDF soldiers. IDF soldiers angry over the bombing fire on Palestinians waiting to cross the nearby Abu Huli and al-Mahatin checkpoints, wounding 2, denying them medical treatment, only allowing them to leave the area to seek treatment after 2 hrs. Islamic Jihad fires 2 rockets at Netzarim settlements and detonates a roadside bomb by an IDF patrol in Bayt Hanun, causing no damage or injuries. The PRCs fire 2 rockets at Netzarim, causing no damage or injuries.

Abbas arrives in Gaza for several days of consultations, meets with faction leaders, security heads there. Abbas meets with Hamas leaders to urge them to halt attacks on Israeli targets. (JAZ 1/18 in WNC 1/20; MM, NYT, UPI, WT 1/19; PR 1/20)

The IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians allegedly planting a roadside bomb in n. Gaza; demolishes a 3-story Palestinian building, severely damages 7 Palestinian homes and 10 shops in Nablus; fires live ammunition, tear gas on a group of Palestinians who approach the closed Abu Huli checkpoint holding white flags and seeking special permission to pass, leaving 3 Palestinians seriously wounded; fires on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Rafah; finds a smugglers' tunnel in Rafah; conducts arrest raids nr. Tulkarm. An ailing Palestinian stranded on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing dies, reportedly bringing to 6 the number of Palestinians who have died at the crossing since it was sealed by Israel on 12/12. (AP, UPI, XIN 1/19; VOI, VOP 1/19 in WNC 1/20; NYT, PR 1/20; VOP 1/20 in WNC 1/21; PCHR 1/27)

Sharon convenes his security cabinet to discuss possible military action in Gaza, approves plans for a “large-scale invasion” of northern Gaza if Abbas does not bring Palestinian violence under control quickly. In light of Abbas's efforts, the security cabinet unanimously agrees to allow Israel to resume security contacts with the PA. Israeli, PA security officials immediately meet to discuss Abbas's plan to deploy security forces along the Gaza-Israel border. (AP 1/19; VOI 1/19 in WNC 1/20; HA 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/20)

Hamas mbrs. fire on an IDF patrol near the n. Gaza border, wounding 3 soldiers. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries; detonate a roadside bomb underneath an IDF bulldozer, causing damage but no injuries.

Abbas meets with his Gaza security cmdrs. and advisers, orders PA security forces to deploy along the Gaza borders within 2 days to prevent rocket fire into Israel. (A PA security official speaking on condition of anonymity expresses concern that the security force may not have enough manpower to take adequate action.) Abbas also meets with Islamic Jihad leaders, who agree to continue discussions on a cease-fire. (AP, JTA, UPI 1/19; JAZ, Jordan Times, MENA, al-Quds, VOP 1/19 in WNC 1/20; FT, NYT, PR, WP, WT 1/20; VOI 1/20 in WNC 1/21; see also JTA 1/14)

The IDF reopens the Rafah crossing (closed on 12/12) to Palestinians entering Gaza as a gesture to Abbas for taking steps on security; fatally shoots a 14-yr.-old Palestinian carrying a toy gun in Tubas; fires on 3 Palestinian children walking nr. a Rafah mosque, killing a 2d 14-yr.-old Palestinian; cuts down an olive grove nr Salfit for road construction; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayt `Awwa, Bani Na`im, Bayt Hanun, Sammu`a nr. Hebron. (JTA 1/20; VOI 1/20 in WNC 1/21; MM, NYT, WP 1/21; OCHA 1/26; PCHR 1/27)

Hamas fires an antitank missile at an IDF bulldozer in Bayt Hanun, injuring 3 IDF soldiers. DFLP mbrs. fire a missile at an IDF jeep nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries.

Some 1,000 PA security forces begin to set up roadblocks, conduct patrols, halt and search Palestinian vehicles along the n. Gaza border; another 2,000 security forces plan to spread out across the entire Gaza border with Israel in the coming days. The IDF shoots, wounds a Palestinian who strays too close to the separation wall w. of Jenin. A Palestinian dies of injuries received nr. Jenin on 12/29. (BBC, MM, PM, WP, WT 1/21; JAZ 1/21 in WNC 1/22; NYT, WP, WT 1/22; OCHA 1/26; PCHR 1/27)

Palestinians throw 3 explosive devices at an IDF patrol in Nablus, causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian near the separation wall in Qalqilya; clashes with Palestinians in Salim nr. Nablus, leaving 1 Palestinian wounded; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh, Saida. A Jewish settler fr. Hebron seriously injures a 4-yr.-old Palestinian in a hit-and-run. (VOI 1/23 in WNC 1/24; OCHA 1/26; PCHR 1/27)

The AMB, DFLP, PFLP say they are ready to halt violence if the IDF halts military operations; Israel says it is considering the idea, with Sharon advisers Zalman Shoval and Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland saying "if there will be quiet on the Palestinian side, then there will be quiet on our side." (VOI, VOP 1/22, VOP 1/23 in WNC 1/24; NYT, WP 1/23; MM 1/24)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus and in Bethlehem, Jenin, Ramallah. A Jewish settler on a tractor chases 2 Palestinian shepherds off their land nr. Nablus, runs over and kills 2 sheep. (VOI 1/23 in WNC 1/24; PRCS 1/24; OCHA 1/26; PCHR 1/27)

Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol in Balata r.c., causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF reports that Palestinian violence has diminished significantly in recent days, with no mortar fire since 1/19, no Qassam fire in more than a wk. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who approaches Qarni crossing; sends troops into Askar r.c., fires on residential areas, then fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding 2 boys (ages 10 and 12); imposes a 24-hr. curfew on Saida (in place until at least 2/2); conducts arrest raids, house searches in `Abud nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Sa'ir nr. Hebron, Silat al-Dahir nr. Jenin, Tulkarm. Israeli police arrest a 19-yr.-old Palestinian girl who attempts to stab an Israeli policeman outside al-Aqsa Mosque. Several Jewish settlers in Hebron throw stones at local Palestinians, vandalize several Palestinian homes. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 12/27/04. (VOI 1/24 in WNC 1/25; JAZ, WP, WT 1/25; OCHA 1/26; PCHR 1/27; VOP 1/30 in WNC 1/31; PR 2/2)

In a move apparently targeting PA corruption, PA security forces begin bulldozing wooden waterfront structures housing unlicensed shops along the beach in Gaza City; the shops sprang up after the Oslo agmt. and are rumored to be "protected by prominent personalities with influence inside the PA."

Palestinian militant groups agree to an informal 1-mo. truce while Abbas appeals to Israel to stop targeting their mbrs. If Israel agrees, the groups say they are prepared to enter a formal cease-fire agmt. (VOI 1/24 in WNC 1/24; WP, WT 1/25)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian nr. the Gaza border; sends troops into Silat al-Harithiyya, fires on houses, then fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding 1; fires on a car crossing the Abu Huli checkpoint in Gaza, wounding 3 Palestinians; begins leveling a 180-d. stretch of land s. of Hebron for construction of the separation wall; bars Palestinian shepherds fr. grazing their flocks in an area immediately n. of Ma'on settlement nr. Hebron; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin, in Silwad and Ramallah. Nr. Ramallah, 2 Palestinian boys (ages 11, 13) are injured when they accidentally detonate a piece of unexploded IDF ordnance. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Hebron on 12/27/04. (JTA 1/25; VOP 1/25 in WNC 1/25; OCHA 1/26; PCHR 1/27; OCHA 2/2)

The IDF revives its psychological warfare unit after 5 yrs. of suspended activity, allotting 70 positions for officers, soldiers to conduct propaganda, psychological warfare, disinformation in the occupied territories. (HA 1/25; JAZ 1/26)

The IDF shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, killing a 3-yr.-old Palestinian girl outside her home; assassinates Hamas mbr. Mahir Abu Sunayna, firing on his car as he drives in Qalqilya, wounding and arresting 2 AMB mbrs. riding with him, wounding a 15-yr.-old bystander; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Nr. Khan Yunis; 100 Jewish settlers protesting the deployment of PA security forces clash with PA officers, IDF soldiers, and Israeli police; slash PA and IDF jeep tires; 5 settlers are arrested. (JAZ 1/26; PCHR, WP, WT 1/27; OCHA, PR 2/2; PCHR 2/3)

Sharon adviser Dov Weisglass, PA Negotiation Affairs M Saeb Erakat, Abbas security adviser Muhammad Dahlan hold the 1st high-level public political talks since Israel suspended contacts on 1/13 to begin planning for an Abbas-Sharon mtg. (BBC 1/26; HA, NYT, WP, WT, XIN 1/27; NYT 1/29; al-Ra'i, VOP 1/30 in WNC 1/31; PR 2/2)

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

The IDF fatally shoots a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays onto a settlers-only bypass road nr. Gaza's Netzarim settlement; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and in `Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus, Husan, al-Mawasi. A Palestinian farmer working his land nr. Jenin is killed when he accidentally detonates an unexploded piece of IDF ordnance. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries caused by unexploded IDF ordnance on 1/25/05. (IMEMC 1/27; NYT 1/28; PR 2/2; PCHR 2/3)

Israeli atty. gen. Mazuz rules that the Jewish National Fund, which owns 10,000s of acres of land in Israel, may not restrict land sales to Jews, must also allow Arabs and non-Jews to buy property. (HA 1/27; NYT 1/28; HA 1/31; Forward 2/4)

After the PA security forces complete their deployment in Gaza, the IDF announces that, in light of ongoing PA cooperation, it has issued orders to stop all "offensive operations" in Gaza, to scale back operations in the West Bank, and to remove an unspecified number of roadblocks in the West Bank to ease Palestinian movement, saying it will only conduct assassinations if there is immediate threat of an attack and only with the "explicit authorization" of IDF Chief of Staff Moshe Ya'alon. Meanwhile, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone nr. Kissufim crossing; fires on Palestinians conducting a nonviolent march protesting construction of the separation wall, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids, house searches in `Ayn Bayt al-Ma’, Yatta. An 11-yr.-old Palestinian boy injured when he accidentally triggered unexploded IDF ordnance on 1/25 dies. (MM 1/28; MA, VOI, VOP 1/28 in WNC 1/29; NYT, WP 1/29; VOP 1/29 in WNC 1/30; OCHA 2/2; PCHR 2/3)

Palestinians fire 4 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement in al-Khadir; conducts arrest raids in al-Masharqa nr. Hebron. 2 Palestinians die of injuries received on 1/28/05 and 12/22/04 in Khan Yunis. (WT 1/30; PCHR 2/3)

Fatah, Hamas mbrs. clash in al-Maghazi, leaving 23 Palestinians wounded; the National and Islamic Higher Comm. for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC) sets up a commission of inquiry.

The IDF fatally shoots a 60-yr.-old Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone nr. the Rafah-Egypt border; issues notices to residents of al-Jib northwest of Jerusalem that 2,362 d. of their land is slated for confiscation for construction of the separation wall; bulldozes at least 50 d. of agricultural land s. of Hebron (on top of at least 90 d. bulldozed in the previous wk.) apparently to turn the land over for Jewish settlers' use; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Mawasi. Jewish settlers fr. Suissa settlement nr. Hebron uproot 300 Palestinian olive trees in neighboring al-Mu`in. (VOI 1/30 in WNC 1/31; NYT 1/31; PCHR 2/3)

An 11-yr.-old Palestinian girl is fatally shot in a Rafah school yard. Palestinians say the gunfire came fr. an IDF post outside a nearby Jewish settlement, but the IDF denies this, claming that the girl was hit by gunfire fr. local Palestinians who were celebrating their return fr. the Hajj; residents say no such celebrations were taking place. The IDF bulldozes at least 800 d. of agricultural land outside Yatta, apparently to turn the land over for Jewish settlers' use; begins bulldozing Palestinian land in al-Ram northwest of Jerusalem on a settler bypass road. (VOI 1/31 in WNC 2/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/1; PR 2/2; PCHR 2/3)

In retaliation to Rafah killing, Hamas fires 6 mortars, 6 Qassam rockets at Jewish settlements in Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. Islamic Jihad fires 3 rockets at Netzarim, causing no damage or injuries.