Islamic Jihad senior military cmdr. Khalid Dadu, 9 times the target of failed IDF assassination attempts, is killed in Gaza City when he opens the door of his bombrigged car; Israel, which has evacuated its troops fr. Gaza in 9/05, denies responsibility; Palestinian collaborators are suspected; Islamic Jihad vows retaliation. IDF undercover units, driving a car with Palestinian plates, enter Anza nr. Jenin, raid a store, arrest a wanted Palestinian. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, searches in Bani Na‘im and in and around Jenin, Nablus. Israeli police arrest 2 Change and Reform PC mbrs.,a 3d Hamas mbr. touring al-Makassid hospital in East Jerusalem for “conducting illegal political activities.”. (HA, IMEMC 3/1; AFP, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/2; PCHR 3/9)

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warns that stocks of basic goods (including flour, sugar, cooking oil) in Gaza could run out within days unless Israel reopens the Qarni crossing (closed from 1/15–2/5, then closed again on 2/21); says shortages are so severe that aid programs are being affected (e.g., the World Food Program, which delivers flour to around 146,000 Gazans, has used up its 2 mo. supply buffer and is currently on hold). Meanwhile, costs of basic goods in Gaza are up by 25% due to shortages. Israel claims the closing is in response to an “enhanced terrorist threat” and concerns over avian flu, is not punishment for Hamas’s 1/06 election victory. (REU 3/1; AFP 3/2; NYT 3/6; WP 3/16)

AMB gunmen fatally shoot 1 Jewish settler,wound a 2nd at a West Bank gas station nr. Migdalim settlement nr. Nablus.

Mofaz orders Qarni crossing to remain closed despite warnings by international agencies (see 3/1) that some food supplies are dwindling in Gaza. The IDF conducts 4 air strikes on the n. Gaza no-go zone, damaging several roads, cutting electricity to parts of Bayt Hanun; begins construction of a new 20-mi segment of the separation wall s. of Hebron that will isolate 3,000 Palestinians and 80,000 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of Palestinian land; tightens restrictions on Palestinian travel around Tulkarm; demolishes a Palestinian home nr. East Jerusalem; conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., Balata r.c., Tulkarm (firing on residential areas). (AFP, HA, IMEMC 3/2; NYT 3/3; NYT 3/4; PCHR 3/9)

In retaliation for the 3/1 assassination of Islamic Jihad mbr. Dadu, the AMB, PRCs fire 10 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinian gunmen occupy the PC building in Gaza, fire weapons, demand to speak to the newly elected Hamas leadership to demand the reinstatement of some PA employees who were laid off 2 wks. ago. A Palestinian stabs, wounds an Israeli truck driver at the Atarot industrial zone in n. Jerusalem.

The PA says it will be 2 wks. late in paying civil servants their 2/06 salaries because of Israel’s decision to cut off VAT transfers and the time it will take to secure additional funds. (REU 3/2)

The IDF fires a missile fr. an F-16 at a car carrying Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Bayt Lahiya, missing them in an apparent failed assassination attempt; conducts 2 more air strikes on the n. Gaza no-go zone, damaging a road; fatally shoots a 15-yr.-old Palestinian during a raid on ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c.; patrols in, fires on residential areas of Tubas nr. Jenin; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm (targeting the AMB, Islamic Jihad). Jewish settlers severely beat 2 Palestinians nr. Tubas. (AFP, IMEMC 3/3; NYT 3/4; PCHR 3/9)

In Nazareth, 3 Israeli Jews (a father, mother, and daughter), distraught after social workers took custody of their other children, set off firecrackers and small gas canisters inside the Church of the Annunciation during mass, sparking panic inside the church but no injuries. Worshipers restrain and beat the Israelis, take them outside, where other residents hearing of the incident converge and riot, leaving 13 injured, before police finally are able to intervene and control the situation. (HA 3/3; HA, NYT, WP, YA 3/4; HA 3/5)

Palestinians fire 4 rockets into Israel, and the IDF responds with artillery fire on the n. Gaza no-go zone, causing no damage or injuries in either case.

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus; sends troops into Hebron to conduct ID checks. 10s of Jewish settlers march through Hebron under IDF escort, calling for the killing or expulsion of Palestinians, vandalizing some homes, beating up several reporters trying to film the incident. Several Jewish settlers fr. Tal Rumayda in Hebron severely beat an 11-yr.old Palestinian boy; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 3/9, 3/16)

The IDF sends troops into al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Nablus, fires on stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, wounding 2; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Azza r.c. and nr. Jenin, Ramallah. (REU 3/5; PCHR 3/9)

Some 30 armed AMB mbrs. who have been absorbed into the PA security forces briefly occupy a PA government building in Gaza, demanding that their salaries be paid (see 3/2).

The IDF fires missiles at a car driving in Gaza’s Bureij r.c., assassinating Islamic Jihad mbrs. Ashraf Shalluf and Munir Sukkar, also killing 3 bystanders (ages 11, 14, and 17), wounding 12 bystanders; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm and in ‘Aqqaba, nearby Tubas (firing on residential areas and stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops), Nablus (firing on stone-throwing youths, wounding 1 bystander). (AFP, AP 3/6; HA, IMEMC, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/7; PCHR 3/9)

In central Gaza, 2 Palestinians are killed when explosives they are handling detonate prematurely. Outside the Gaza PC building, where the new PC is holding its 1st session, 15 Fatah gunmen fire in the air, demanding Fatah PC mbrs. not take part in a Hamas-led government, threatening to kill any Fatah PC mbr. who agrees to join.

The IDF shells the n. Gaza no-go zone, causing no injuries; arrests Change and Reform PC mbr. Ahmad Atwan on his way to attend a mtg. with several PC mbrs., PA officials in East Jerusalem; demolishes a Palestinian home nr. East Jerusalem; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Hebron; sends troops into Jenin to conduct ID checks. (JP 3/8; PCHR 3/9)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Askar r.c., nr. Hebron, and in and around Tulkarm. Jewish settlers severely beat 2 Palestinians in Hebron. (IMEMC, PCHR 3/9, 3/16)

Under international pressure (see 3/1), Israel partially reopens the Qarni crossing for the import of medicine, sugar, flour, cooking oil, other staples into Gaza. The IDF shells the n. Gaza no-go zone, hitting an apartment building in Bayt Hanun, injuring 3 Palestinians; tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in Balata r.c., Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Suissa uproot 50 Palestinian olive trees in Hebron. (IMEMC, XIN 3/9; XIN 3/10; OCHA 3/15; PCHR, WP 3/16)

AMB, Islamic Jihad fire 4 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries.

The IDF conducts patrols in Tulkarm town and r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Nablus, Qalandia, Ramallah; issues military orders confiscating 210 d. of Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem for construction of the separation wall. (XIN 3/10; PCHR 3/16)

The IDF seals crossings into the West Bank and Gaza through 3/15 for the Purim holidays; tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement btwn. Hebron and Bethlehem; shells the n. Gaza no-go zone in response to Palestinians firing a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; bars PC secy. Mahmud al-Ramahi (Change and Reform) fr. traveling to Jordan to attend a conference on the role of parliament mbrs. in democratic government; raids al-Shayukh nr. Hebron, searching homes, forcing 10s of stores to close, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops (injuring 6); conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm and in Hebron (severely beating 2 Palestinians) and nearby Yatta (occupying 4 homes as observation posts); bans the call to prayer fr. the Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Ein nr. Hebron uproot 10s of grape vines, demolish fences surrounding Palestinian agricultural land (IMEMC 3/11; YA 3/12; PCHR 3/16)

The IDF reopens the Qarni crossing (closed 3/11); further tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement around Tulkarm (see 3/9); conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aida r.c., Jenin, Qabatya. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Ein uproot 200 d. of Palestinian olive trees nr. Hebron. (YA 3/12; PCHR 3/16)

Palestinians fire 3 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging 2 greenhouses but causing no injuries.

Israel acknowledges that it has begun work on a new police headquarters, road network, and “other facilities” in Jerusalem’s E-1 development area, marking the 1st step in the largest settlement construction project since 1967 to create “Jewish demographic continuity between Jerusalem and Ma’ale Adumim” settlement; the project will include 3,550 housing units, 6 hotels, a park. Israel’s Internal Security M Gideon Ezra says the U.S. did not object to beginning construction. IDF undercover units, traveling in a car with Palestinian license plates, enter Jenin, call in 10 IDF vehicles for backup, raid and occupy several homes, arresting 2 wanted Palestinians. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, in and around Hebron, and in Jenin town and r.c., al-Khadir, Nablus; begins construction of a new settler bypass road on Palestinian land in Hebron to link Abraham Avino and Ramat Yishai settlements. Jewish settlers fr. Suissa attack Palestinians, their farm animals and vandalize Palestinian homes in nearby Yatta. (IMEMC, JAZ, YA 3/14; MM, PCHR 3/16)

Early in the morning, the British and U.S. monitors guarding 6 political prisoners in the PA’s Jericho jail pull out of the city, citing security concerns. Within 20 minutes, the IDF encircles and imposes a curfew on Jericho, sends 80 tanks and armored vehicles, backed by helicopters, into the city, launching Operation Bring the Goods Home to take custody of the 6 prisoners (including PFLP head Ahmad Saadat). IDF troops surround the jail, order the 280 prisoners and PA guards to surrender, begin demolishing the jail and attached PA barracks, clashing with some prisoners, guards, and local Palestinians. (Although the U.S., Britain deny coordinating with Israel, Israeli DM Shaul Mofaz says Israel knew of the monitors pending departure and had been plotting the attack for 1 wk.). After 12 hrs., the remaining prisoners, including the 6 targeted men, surrender. At least 1 PA prison guard and 1 Palestinian prisoner are killed, more than 50 guards and prisoners are wounded, 10s of local Palestinians are injured. The IDF closes the Qarni crossing; bars a pregnant Palestinian woman fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a Ramallah hospital, forcing her to give birth at the checkpoint; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Hebron and Qalqilya, and in ‘Aida r.c., Jenin town and r.c., Qabatya; begins work on a new segment of the separation wall nr. Dahiyat al-Barid n. of Jerusalem. Israel releases jailed Change and Reform PC mbr. Omar ‘Abd al-Raziq on bail; he was detained 3 mos. ago on charges of belonging to and handling money for Hamas. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba hold Purim parades through Palestinian areas of Hebron under IDF escort, vandalizing Palestinian property and beating 2 Palestinian children (ages 11, 13). (AP, BBC, HA, IMEMC, JAZ, MM, PCHR, REU, XIN 3/14; HA, IMEMC, JAZ, MM, NYT, WP, WT, YA 3/15; DS, MM, NYT, PCHR 3/16; MA, Middle East News Agency, MM, VOP 3/18 in WNC 3/19; AP 3/20; MM 3/21, 3/23; HA 4/26; NYT 4/27)

In response to the IDF raid on Jericho, Palestinian gunmen across Gaza and the West Bank (reportedly PFLP and AMB mbrs.) raid hotels, news outlets, and foreign offices, kidnapping at least 9 foreigners, vandalizing foreign-owned offices. Most foreigners kidnapped are quickly released. PA police fire on PFLP mbrs. breaking into the French Cultural Center in Gaza, killing 1 PFLP mbr., wounding 9. Some 15,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Gaza City. As a result of the violence, the UN suspends operations in Gaza; the EU withdraws observers from the Rafah crossing, forcing it to close.

An IDF drone fires on 4 PRC mbrs. launching rockets nr. Rafah towards the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel; all 4 are wounded; the rockets cause no damage or injuries. The IDF extends the seal on the West Bank and Gaza (imposed on 3/11) through 3/19; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian, wounds 3 who stray close to the separation wall west of Ramallah; patrols in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., in and around Hebron, and nr. Bethlehem (also raiding the offices of the Women’s Purity Association, destroying furniture, computers), Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fire on, toss hand grenades at a group of Palestinians in Awarta nr. Nablus, wounding 3. Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza observe a general strike to protest the IDF’s 3/14 raid on Jericho; those protesting in Ramallah clash with IDF soldiers who fatally shoot 1 Palestinian. (AFP, JAZ, MM 3/15; IMEMC, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/16; PCHR 3/23)

4 PRC mbrs. launches rockets nr. Rafah towards the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel; all 4 are wounded; the rockets cause no damage or injuries. Palestinian gunmen release the last 4 foreigners kidnapped on 3/14. Palestinians fire rockets fr. n. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries.

An IDF soldier is killed during an arrest raid in Jenin targeting Islamic Jihad and the Fatah tanzim. The IDF imposes a curfew on Hawara nr. Nablus; conducts arrest raids in al-Arub r.c., Jenin town and r.c. (occupying several homes as observation posts), al-Til nr. Tulkarm (destroying 3 cars). Israeli police break up a Palestinian conference in Jerusalem on the elections and the future of the city, seal the venue, arrest several speakers and participants, including PC mbrs., on charges of conducting illegal political activity. Palestinians in Gaza report that due to Israel’s ongoing closure of the Qarni commercial crossing, all bakeries in the Strip have closed for lack of flour. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai nr. Hebron bar Palestinian farmers fr. working their land nearby, cut down several grape vines. (AFP, IMEMC, MM 3/16; PCHR 3/23)

IDF undercover units raid Yamun nr. Jenin (driving 2 cars with Palestinian license plates, followed by 2 bulldozers, and with an IDF helicopter escort) and besiege a Palestinian home; fire on a bystander’s car driving nr. the area, killing an 8-yr.-old Palestinian girl, wounding her uncle with a bullet to the head; fire on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 2 (including an 11-yr.-old boy); finally raid the home, arrest 5 Palestinians, bulldoze part of the house and an entire neighboring house. The IDF also sends troops into Tubas, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Qalqilya. (DS, IMEMC, WT 3/18; HA, NYT 3/19; PCHR 3/23)

The IDF arrests 3 Change and Reform PC mbrs. outside Jerusalem on their way to visit al-Quds University in Azariyya; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus (occupying 1 Palestinian home as an observation post); patrols in Tulkarm. Late in the evening, in response to Palestinian rocket and mortar fire fr. Gaza into Israel that causes no damage or injuries, the IDF makes air strikes on a water network in Khan Yunis (cutting off water to 6,500 Palestinians), open areas nr. Abasan, a water and an electrical network n. of Rafah, 2 roads leading to the n. Gaza no-go zone nr. Bayt Lahiya. (IMEMC 3/18; VOP 3/18 in WNC 3/19; XIN 3/19; PCHR 3/23)

Israel extends the seal on the West Bank and Gaza (imposed on 3/11) until after the 3/28 Israeli elections. The IDF arrests 3 unarmed Palestinians attempting to sneak into Israel fr. n. Gaza to find work; patrols in Nablus; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; seizes 766 d. of Palestinian land in Bethlehem for construction of the separation wall. (AFP, IMEMC 3/19; PCHR 3/23)

The UN warns that Gaza is dangerously short of basic foodstuffs and faces a major humanitarian crisis as a result of Israel’s continued closure of the Qarni trade crossing. The UNRWA Gaza dir. reports that the agency has run out of food to distribute to impoverished families. In a bid to avert a crisis, U.S. Amb. to Israel Richard Jones calls an emergency mtg. with Israeli, PA delegations (with the participation of reps of the EU, Egypt) in Tel Aviv to discuss declining humanitarian conditions in Gaza; says shortages of food, medicine are beginning to threaten Palestinians’ basic welfare. The sides agree to open Israel’s Kerem Shalom crossing in s. Gaza on 3/20 for the transport of humanitarian goods fr. Egypt. (AFP, AP 3/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/20)

Having failed in its negotiations with Fatah and other parties to form a national unity government or agree on a national unity program, Hamas presents its cabinet slate to Abbas for approval and issues the draft national unity program as its platform. (AP, NYT, WT 3/19; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/20; HA 3/21; MM 3/22; MM, Washington Jewish Week 3/23)

The IDF reopens the Qarni crossing (closed 3/14) to allow import of flour and sugar, but closes it again 30 minutes later, citing unspecified security concerns. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home nr. Qalqilya; patrols in Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 2 conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, in and around Nablus. (AFP, MM, YA 3/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/21; NYT 3/22; PCHR 3/23)

The PA security forces clash with armed AMB mbrs. demanding jobs who take over several public buildings in Gaza (including a hospital and power plant), block a main highway Abbas planned to use to leave Gaza after an official visit; at least 23 Palestinians (including at least 6 AMB mbrs.) are wounded. Unidentified gunmen fire on, seriously damage the car of Birzeit Mayor Yusuf Nasr, parked outside his home.

Israeli police detain a car carrying 10 Palestinian laborers and explosives btwn. Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, stopping what the Israeli DMin. says is a major bombing attempt meant to disrupt Israel’s 3/28 elections; 1 of the laborers from Yamun, where the IDF killed a 8-yr.-old girl during an arrest raid on 3/17, reportedly has ties to Islamic Jihad. Israel allows the Qarni crossing to reopen for the importation of basic goods (see 3/20); Jordan sends 200 truckloads of food aid. The IDF patrols in Askar r.c., firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. (AFP, IMEMC, REU 3/21; MM, NYT, WP,WT 3/22; JP, Jordan Times 3/22 in WNC 3/23; OCHA, PCHR 3/23)

In the 2d such incident in 2 days, unidentified gunmen fire on, seriously damage the car of Qalqilya Mayor Hashim al-Masri, parked outside his home.

The IDF raids Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho, fatally shoots wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Ramadan Mutayr in an apparent assassination; 2 other Islamic Jihad mbrs. are arrested. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Walaja nr. Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, in and around Nablus and Tulkarm, and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. (IMEMC 3/22; VOP 3/22 in WNC 3/23; NYT, PCHR 3/23; PCHR 3/30)

The IDF allows wheat, flour, rice, sugar into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing; fatally shoots 2 Palestinians planting a bomb on the Gaza border nr. Kerem Shalom; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm. Unidentified gunmen raid the broadcast studio of the leftist, anti- PA al-Ru’ah TV nr. Bethlehem, destroying its equipment. (OCHA 3/23; NYT 3/24; al-Quds 3/25; PCHR 3/30)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron (occupying several homes as observation posts; violently interrogating 30 Palestinians in the al-Harayiq section of the city), in Qalqilya, nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Suissa and Ma’on, under IDF escort, uproot at least 400 Palestinian olive trees in Yatta. (PCHR 3/30)

The IDF fatally shoots an unarmed Palestinian attempting to sneak across the central Gaza border into Israel to find work; fires a missile fr. an F-16 at a road nr. Nussayrat r.c. in central Gaza; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, Qalqilya. In Tubas, 2 Palestinians are injured when they accidentally trigger unexploded IDF ordnance. Around 10 masked Jewish settlers fr. Suissa attack 3 Palestinians tending their olive trees nearby. In a separate incident in Hebron, some 20 Jewish settlers attack, seriously beat an American peace activist assisting Palestinians; he escapes his attackers and runs to a nearby IDF post, which refuses to assist him. Also in Hebron, Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba attack a Palestinian home, injuring 2 children. (IMEMC 3/25; VOP 3/26 in WNC 3/26; AFP 3/26; HA 3/27; MM 3/28; PCHR 3/30)

Israel allows Gaza’s Qarni crossing to open for export of goods to Israel, Sufa crossing (closed since 2/14) for the import of construction materials; shells the n. Gaza no-go zone, causing no damage or injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, also firing on residential areas, wounding a Palestinian standing on his balcony; issues a military order confiscating 80 d. of Palestinian land for construction of the separation wall around Gilo settlement nr. Bethlehem. The IDF says that its liaison offices in the West Bank will continue to operate after a Hamas-led government is sworn in, but will no longer deal with any PA officials; they will deal only with international organizations, Palestinian hospitals, individual Palestinians. Israeli border police report that in the previous wk. they arrested 550 Palestinians working in Jerusalem without permits and another 130 elsewhere in Israel. (HA, IMEMC 3/26; OCHA 3/29; PCHR 3/30)

The IDF begins imposing new regulations (announced 3/25) on Palestinians entering Jerusalem through Qalandia crossing nr. Ramallah: only Palestinians holding a permit to enter Israel may cross, even to enter the West Bank village of al-Ram (between Qalandia and the Green Line), effectively making the crossing an international checkpoint into Israel and annexing al-Ram. IDF drones fire on the car of AMB cmdr. Muhammad Hijazi as he drives in Gaza City in an apparent assassination attempt; Hijazi survives unharmed but his aide in the car, 2 Palestinian Security Forces officers nearby are wounded. The IDF also fires artillery shells at a group of Islamic Jihad mbrs. attempting to fire a rocket in the n. Gaza no-go zone, killing 1 Islamic Jihad mbr., wounding 3; fatally shoots an Islamic Jihad al-Quds Brigade mbr. Samir Furayhat in disputed circumstances during an arrest raid on Yamun (Islamic Jihad does not claim it was an assassination); conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem and Tulkarm, in Nablus, nr. Qalqilya. (IMEMC, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, XIN 3/27; PCHR 3/30, 4/6)

Israel closes all Gaza crossing into Israel, reimposing the full seal on the territories (set on 3/11) for parliamentary elections; sends troops into al-Fawwar r.c. to conduct arrest raids and house searches, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront the troops, wounding 6; also conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and in Bethlehem, Nablus, Tubas. Israeli security contractors guarding the separation wall nr. Jerusalem shoot, wound a Palestinian who strays too close to the wall. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba attack Palestinians, vandalize property in Hebron. Separately, Jewish settlers fr. Hebron attack Palestinian children on their way to school by a Palestinian road that passes near a settler- only bypass road. Inside Israel, 2 bedouin are killed in the Negev when they accidentally detonate an unexploded Palestinian rocket. (IMEMC, YA 3/28; VOP 3/28 in WNC 3/29; HA, MM, NYT, OCHA 3/29; PCHR 3/30; MM 4/7, 4/13, 4/21)

Israel holds parliamentary elections, with voter turnout at a relatively low 63%. The Kadima party, founded by Ariel Sharon and led by Ehud Olmert, wins 29 of the 120 Knesset seats (less than expected) compared to Labor with 19 seats, Likud (the biggest loser compared with its 38 seats last election) with 12, Shas with 12, Yisrael Beiteinu with 11, National Union–National Religious Party with 9, Pensioners’ Party with 7, United Torah Judaism with 6, Meretz with 5, and 3 Arab parties with a total of 10. (MM 3/28; HA, JP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; NYT, WT 3/30; WP 3/31; XIN, YA 4/3)

Islamic Jihad fires a Grad missile (an Eastern European rocket with a range greater than a Qassam but less than a Katyusha) fr. Gaza towards Ashkelon, which lands unexploded causing no damage or injuries.

The PC approves (71–36, with 2 abstentions) the Hamas-led cabinet. (NYT 3/29; XIN 3/28 in WNC 3/29)

Israel lifts the seal on the West Bank; partially reopens Qarni crossing for import and export of goods; continues to shell the n. Gaza no-go zone fr. land and sea, damaging several buildings but causing no injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, nr. Tulkarm, and in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, Jenin town and r.c., Nablus, Tulkarm r.c. In Silwan and al-Tur (Mount of Olives), East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian families are evicted fr. their homes (30 Palestinians in 3 apartment buildings in Silwan; 2 apartment buildings in al-Tur), which they have lived in for at least 40 yrs., after an Israeli court rules that the buildings were legally acquired by the Jewish National Fund in 1923. Jewish settlers fr. Kefar Etzion uproot Palestinian olive trees nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba, escorted by the IDF, vandalize an empty car belonging to the PA Education Min. (OCHA 3/29; DS, PCHR 3/30; IMEMC 3/31; HA 4/3; PCHR 4/6; HA 4/23)

Abbas swears in the new Palestinian cabinet. PM Haniyeh says his government will allow Abbas to pursue peace negotiations with Israel, will continue reform efforts. The U.S. orders its diplomats, contractors not to have any further contacts with PA ministries, though contacts with Abbas, his office would be allowed; presses the international community to do the same. (AP, Canada TV, REU 3/29; AFP, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP 3/30; VOP 3/30 in WNC 3/31; HA 3/31)

The IDF retaliates palestinian rockets from Gaza by shelling n. Gaza fr. land and sea, causing no damage or injuries; makes 6 F-16 air strikes outside Bayt Hanun and Bayt Lahiya, damaging an electricity network, several roads; warns the PA that it will increase pressure on Palestinians firing rockets fr. Gaza, will fire on any place fr. which fire is directed at Israel, even if PA security forces are operating in the area. The IDF also closes the only checkpoints allowing Palestinian access to the n. Jordan Valley (at least through 4/5); closes all but 1 road leading into Tulkarm; erects a permanent observation post and tower on the Bethlehem– Hebron road into Hebron; issues military orders seizing part of a Palestinian home in Hebron nr. the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, 200 sq. m. of Palestinian land in al-Arub r.c. nr. Hebron to expand an IDF outpost; searches the offices of the Cultural Forumin Sur al-Bahir outside Jerusalem, confiscating files, damaging furniture; breaks up a Land Day rally in East Jerusalem, arresting 4 Palestinians, including 2 journalists; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Nablus, Tulkarm. Jewish settlers, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinian farmers, international peace activists planting trees on Palestinian land in Hebron. (IMEMC 3/30; MM, NYT, WP 3/31; NYT 4/1; PCHR 4/6)

A Palestinian hitchhiker dressed as an observant Jew detonates a bomb inside an Israeli car that picks him up outside Keddumim settlement, killing 4 Jewish settlers and himself; AMB–Nablus faction claims responsibility. PA FM Mahmud Zahhar (Change and Reform) defends the bombing as legitimate resistance, whereas Abbas denounces it; Israel accuses the PA of encouraging terror. Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries.

Senior PRC cmdr. Abu Yusuf Abu Quka (allied with Hamas) is killed in a car bombing in Gaza City; the PRCs blame PA security forces linked to Fatah (specifically to Gaza strongman and PC mbr. Muhammad Dahlan) in collaboration with Israel; the IDF denies involvement. Clashes erupt btwn. PRC mbrs., PA security forces allied with Dahlan at Abu Quka’s funeral later in the day, leaving 3 Palestinians dead, 35 wounded. In light of the 3/30 bombing, the IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement in the n. West Bank, barring Palestinians ages 15–32 fr. crossing checkpoints in the Nablus area; carries out early morning air strikes, fires 10s of shells fr. naval vessels at the n. Gaza no-go zone, a soccer stadium in Gaza City, causing damage to a number of homes but no injuries; makes late-night F-16 air strikes on a hotel under construction nr. Bayt Lahiya, partially destroying it; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron (violently beating a 78-yr.-old Palestinian woman), nr. Nablus. Some 40 Jewish settlers fr. Elon Moreh nr. Nablus (including 2 off-duty IDF soldiers) beat, fire on Palestinian farmers working their fields nr. Salim. (AFP, REU 3/31; HA, JAZ, NYT, WP, WT 4/1; XIN 4/2 in WNC 4/3; MM 4/5; MM, PCHR 4/6; HA 4/16)