The IDF sends troops, tanks, bulldozers into n. Gaza to occupy border areas nr. Bayt Hanun (the Shurrab Farm area), Bayt Lahiya to deter Palestinian rocket fire. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in, fires on residential areas of Tubas. The IDF completes its withdrawal fr. Lebanon at 2:30 A.M. local time (8:30 P.M. 9/30 ET) but vows to continue surveillance overflights of Lebanon until UN Res. 1701 is implemented in full, including the release of 2 captured IDF soldiers and disarmament of Hizballah. The UN says that the overflights constitute violations of the cease-fire. (NYT, WP 10/1; NYT 10/2; see also NYT 9/27) (see 9/8, 9/19)

In Gaza City, Fatah-led protests demanding that the Hamas-led government pay back salaries owed civil servants escalate dramatically, with some 3,000 Fatah-affiliated security forces attacking members of the predominantly Hamas ESF, sparking clashes that leave 6 Palestinians dead (3 bystanders, 1 Force 17 officer, 1 PSF officer, 1 ESF officer), around 61 wounded; the ESF reportedly uses grenades, antitank weapons, rifles to break up the demonstration and arrests 25 protesters. During the day, demonstrations spread to Khan Yunis (where Fatah-affiliated security officers clash with the ESF, leaving 26 wounded), al-Bureij r.c. (where Fatah, Hamas mbrs. exchange fire, killing 2 Palestinians), Ramallah (where AMB mbrs. demonstrate for the removal of the Hamasled government and vandalize, partially burn the empty PC building and adjacent building, vandalizing a Hamas newspaper office, temporarily occupying the PA Education Min.), as well as in Askar r.c. (where Fatah, Hamas mbrs. trade fire, wounding 1 Palestinian), Balata r.c. (where protesters attack a women’s center, a youth center), Hebron (where Fatah protesters ransack, set fire to offices of Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs.), Nablus (where Fatah mbrs. ransack, torch offices of Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs.; vandalize 2 Islamic private schools, wounding 2 Palestinians; fire on the home of an al-Jazeera TV reporter), and Salfit (where protesters attack the al-Nahda association offices). Late in the evening in Gaza City, suspected Hamas mbrs. throw grenades at a group of PSF protesters, killing 1 PSF mbr., wounding 30. Late in the evening, PA Interior M Siyam orders the ESF to return to barracks to reduce tensions. Abbas, Haniyeh appeal for calm. (AP, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; PCHR 10/5)

In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian fisherman off the coast of Gaza; sends tanks into southeastern Bayt Hanun, firing on industrial areas, heavily damaging a factory and 2 houses; fires missiles fr. a helicopter gunship destroying a workshop in Khan Yunis, killing 1 Palestinian child (age 15), wounding a 2d (age 16) sleeping in a house nearby; bulldozes 20 d. of agricultural land e. of Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c. (firing on residential areas), Tamun. (AP 10/2; NYT, WP, WT 10/3; PCHR 10/5)

As Fatah-Hamas tensions continue, Fatah gunmen fire on the car of Hamas-affiliated Dep. PM Sha‘ir in Nablus, wounding his 2 bodyguards, who return fire, wounding 1 Fatah mbr.; Sha‘ir is not in the car at the time. Fatah gunmen also force the closure of the Agriculture, Interior, and Local Government Min. offices and set fire to offices of Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs. in Bethlehem; attack, vandalize a women’s center, Islamic school run by Hamas in Nablus. In addition, unidentified masked gunmen kidnap, temporarily hold a Hamas-affiliated Finance Min. official in Nablus; attack an Islamic center in Qabatya; vandalize the Prisoners’ Friends Association office, a law office, and a car in Jenin. Fatah militants also enforce a general strike in several areas across the West Bank, forcing stores, private schools to close in a show of force against Hamas, fatally shooting a restaurant owner in Jericho who refuses to comply. In Gaza, some 5,000 Fatah mbrs. demonstrating in Rafah, calling for the disbanding of the ESF and resignation of Interior M Siyam, clash with ESF officers, leaving 1 Fatah mbr., 1 ESF mbr. dead, at least 14 wounded; Fatah, ESF gunmen trade fire outside al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, injuring 2 Palestinians; Fatah militants set fire to the PA Agriculture Min. offices in Gaza City; Fatah-affiliated students stone the home of a Hamas-affiliated cabinet M in Bayt Hanun. Haniyeh orders all PA ministries closed to protest the 10/1 Fatah attacks on government buildings. Abbas, Haniyeh appeal again for calm.

In Gaza, the IDF withdraws troops fr. Bayt Lahiya after 3 days of operations; fires missiles fr. a drone at a car moving btwn. Gaza City and Bayt Hanun, wounding 3 AMB mbrs. (Ahmad Abu al-Kas, Ayman al-Dar‘awi, Haytham Abu Hassanain), 7 bystanders in a failed assassination attempt; makes an air strike destroying the home of a Hamas mbr. in Abasan (warning residents in advance to leave), damaging 6 nearby homes and a kindergarten. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, in Qalqilya, nr. Jenin (firing on residential areas). Jewish settlers in Hebron throw stones at Palestinians. (NYT, WT 10/4; PCHR 10/5; OCHA 10/11)

The AMB threatens to kill 3 senior Hamas leaders (including Damascus-based leader Khalid Mishal, Interior M Siyam) whom they accuse of sedition, “so these filthy people can be made an example.” Scattered Fatah-Hamas violence is reported during the day, with at least 1 Palestinian wounded in Rafah.

In Gaza, the IDF partially reopens Rafah crossing as a gesture marking U.S. Secy. of State Condoleezza Rice’s visit today; makes an air strike on a car driving nr. Khan Yunis, assassinating Islamic Jihad mbr. Yasir al-Banna, Abu Rish Brigades mbr. Omar al-Zaqzuq. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm and in and around Hebron, Jenin town and r.c. In Israel, an Israeli border policeman fatally shoots a Palestinian laborer fr. Hebron being detained in IDF custody in Jaffa for working without a permit, claims his gun went off accidentally; the worker was also reportedly severely beaten by 9 policemen; the guard who shot him is placed under house arrest pending an investigation. (NYT, PCHR, REU, WP 10/5; OCHA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

In Qalqilya, 4 unidentified gunmen assassinate local Hamas official Muhammad Odeh; no group takes responsibility. Unidentified gunmen fire on a car carrying PC mbrs. in Gaza City, wounding 1 Palestinian.

Rafah crossing remains partially open. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm (sending an undercover unit into Allar village in a car with Palestinian license plates to raid a Palestinian home), nr. Bethlehem and Jenin, in Balata r.c., Hebron (searching a Palestinian Red Crescent Society clinic, an orphanage run by an Islamic charity). (REU 10/5; Ma’an News 10/5 in WNC 10/6; OCHA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

An unidentified Palestinian throws a homemade bomb at a group of ESF mbrs. in Rafah, injuring 4; soon after unidentified gunmen fatally shoot a Fatah mbr. nearby. In Bayt Lahiya, unidentified gunmen fire on an ESF officer, wounding him. An ESF mbr. dies of injuries received in clashes on 10/3.

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Khan Yunis, searching and occupying several homes, rounding up 53 Palestinians for 18 hrs. of interrogation, bulldozing 3 d. of olive trees; closes the Rafah crossing. A Palestinian is killed when a smugglers tunnel on the Rafah border collapses. The IDF also seals the West Bank until 10/10 for the Sukkoth holidays; sends troops into Bil‘in nr. Ramallah, raiding and searching homes, firing on stone-throwing youths who confront them (wounding 1), arresting a Palestinian journalist; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Askar r.c., villages nr. Jenin (firing on residential areas of Tubas). (OCHA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Hanun under cover of artillery fire, forcing a number of civilians to flee, pulls back to the Shurrab Farm area inside the Gaza border (where they have been since 10/1) late in the evening; sends troops into Bayt Lahiya, conducting random ID checks. Palestinians fire at least 1 rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Bita village nr. Nablus in cars with Palestinian license plates, raids a home, arrests 2 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. (clashing with Palestinian gunmen, killing 1 armed Palestinian, wounding a 2d) and nr. Nablus, Tulkarm. (NYT 10/10; OCHA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

In Bayt Lahiya, ESF mbrs. kidnap, shoot, wound a Fatah mbr., sparking clashes btwn. Fatah and the ESF, injuring 4 Palestinians.

An IDF air strike destroys the Khan Yunis home of a Hamas mbr.; the IDF warns the residents in advance to leave. In the West Bank, the IDF fires on a car nr. al-Til nr. Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian civilian; patrols in, fires on residential areas of Kfar Ra’i nr. Jenin; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Brakha nr. Nablus steal fruit, olives fr. Palestinian orchards in Kafr Qalil. (OCHA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

Palestinians in Jericho, Ramallah observe a general strike to protest intra-Palestinian violence in Gaza.

The IDF shells n. Gaza, killing a 15-yr.old Palestinian farm worker, wounding 3, claiming that the teenager, who was working in a field, approached an abandoned rocket launcher used on 10/7 with plans to retrieve it; in separate incidents fires at 2 Palestinians who stray near the n. Gaza border fence, seriously wounding a mentally handicapped man in his 50s, lightly wounding a 2d man; fires on 2 Palestinians scavenging metal nr. the central Gaza border fence, wounding 1; sends troops into al-Shuka late in the evening, fatally shooting a Palestinian civilian on the street for no apparent reason. In Rafah, a Palestinian is killed when a bomb he is handling explodes prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly attempts to stab an IDF soldier at Hawara checkpoint nr. Nablus; sends undercover units into Qalqilya in a car with Palestinian license plates to arrest a Force 17 mbr.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, Tulkarm town and r.c. (raiding a store, confiscating money, causing a woman to have a stroke). Jewish settlers march through Hebron, stone Palestinian homes. (NYT 10/10; OCHA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

A Force 17 mbr. dies of injuries received during 10/1 clashes btwn. the PA security forces and Hamas.

In Gaza, the IDF closes Erez crossing for unspecified security reasons (the crossing has been open only to select VIPs and medical cases since 3/12); sends additional troops into the Shurrab Farms area nr. Bayt Hanun, firing on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus, firing on residential areas, killing an off-duty PA policeman in his home; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron (searching several mosques and hospitals looking for arms caches, finding none; surrounding several mosques, interrogating worshippers as they leave dawn prayers) in Balata r.c., Ramallah (targeting the AMB), and nr. Bethlehem, Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Eli nr. Nablus, burn 7 d. of nearby Palestinian olive groves. Jewish settlers fr. Rotem nr. Nablus prevent Palestinian farmers from accessing their fields. (OCHA 10/11; PCHR 10/12)

In an air strike, the IDF destroys the Gaza City home of PC mbr. Mariam Farhat (Change and Reform), warning residents in advance to evacuate, claiming the home was used to store weapons; in a late-night air strike, the IDF destroys 3 Palestinian homes in Jabaliya r.c. after warning residents to leave; makes an air strike destroying a PA security office nr. Jabaliya after warning occupants to leave; fatally shoots a Palestinian who sneaks across the Gaza border into Israel, claims he was wearing an explosive belt. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a predawn raid on Nablus, fatally shooting wanted Palestinian Abdallah Mansur in what may be an assassination; sends undercover units into Jenin r.c., in a car with Palestinian license plates, surrounding a home, interrogating the residents, firing live ammunition at stone-throwing youths who confront them (wounding 2), making no arrests; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers march through Hebron, stone Palestinian homes. A Palestinian dies of injuries sustained in Hamas-Fatah clashes in Khan Yunis in 8/06. (REU 10/11; NYT, PCHR 10/12; OCHA 10/18; PCHR 10/19)

In Nablus, a previously unknown group calling itself Ansar al-Sunna (the same name as a group that operates in Iraq, though there is no known connection) kidnaps, holds for several hrs. an American English teacher working for a pro-Palestinian charity, demanding the immediate release of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons, saying it aims to confront the U.S. war on Islam; releases him unharmed and unconditionally after local officials intervene.

Overnight, the IDF raids Abasan nr. Khan Yunis to search for tunnels, exchanging fire with armed Palestinians and firing on residential areas (wounding around 12), making an air strike on Hamas mbrs. (killing 3 Hamas mbrs. and 2 bystanders, including a 13-yr.-old boy; wounding 5 bystanders, 2 Hamas mbrs.), searching and occupying Palestinian homes as operational bases; makes air strikes destroying 2 Palestinian homes in Jabaliya and Gaza City, a metal workshop in Gaza City, warning occupants prior to the attacks; expands operations during the day, firing on residential areas (killing 1 Palestinian civilian), rounding up male residents ages 15–40 for interrogation. The IDF also fires on Palestinian fishing boats off s. Gaza, damaging several but causing no injuries; makes an air strike late in the evening destroying a house in Gaza City in an attempt to assassinate Hamas cmdr Ashraf Farwana, instead killing his brother, 2 bystanders (including a 2-yr.-old girl), wounding 10 bystanders; makes air strikes destroying 2 auto shops in Gaza City. For the 1st time in over 1 mo., Hamas fires 6 rockets into Israel in response, damaging a power line to Sederot. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm, firing on residential areas. Jewish settlers in Hebron prevent local Palestinians fr. harvesting olives. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba stone Palestinian homes in Hebron. (NYT, REU, WP, WT 10/13; OCHA 10/18; PCHR 10/19)

In Gaza, suspected Hamas gunmen fatally shoot a PA General Intelligence Services officer. Late in the evening, suspected Fatah gunmen fatally shoot a local Hamas leader in Bayt Lahiya. In Bayt ‘Umar nr. Hebron, unidentified gunmen shoot, wound a Hamas mbr.

In Gaza, the IDF continues operations in Abasan, directing tank fire at residential areas, killing 1 Palestinian woman inside her home, wounding a man, bulldozing 120 d. of agricultural land; makes an air strike on a car driving in Bayt Lahiya, killing 3 Hamas mbrs. (‘Adil al-Maqusi, Muhammad al-Taluli, Rasim Zhahir) allegedly en route to fire rockets into Israel, wounding 1 bystander; makes an air strike on a car in Gaza City, assassinating Fatah Mujahiddin Brigades mbr. Raja’i al-Labban, wounding a 2d Fatah mbr.; makes a late-night air strike on Rafah destroying a Palestinian home (after warning residents to leave), severely damaging 5 others, cutting power to some areas; conducts arrest raids in Wadi al-Silqa. Late in the evening, Palestinians fire 3 rockets fr. Gaza into Sederot, lightly injuring 3 Israelis. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts searches in Qabatya, exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, firing on residential areas, wounding 1 Palestinian militant; conducts house searches in and around Hebron, nr. Nablus (firing on residential areas, wounding 2 civilians). 100s of angry Palestinians barred by Israel fr. attending Ramadan Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque use makeshift ladders to scale the separation wall and 4 checkpoints around Jerusalem and 1 checkpoint nr. Nablus, fighting with IDF soldiers who disperse them using tear gas, water cannons, stun grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai stone a Palestinian home in Hebron. Jewish settlers nr. Ramallah prevent Palestinians fr. reaching their olive groves; Israeli border police intervene to disperse the settlers. (AP, NYT, REU 10/13; NYT, WT 10/14; PCHR 10/15, 10/19)

Overnight and throughout the day, Hamas mbrs. angered over the assassination of a local leader on 10/12 engage in fierce clashes with Fatah mbrs. in Bayt Lahiya, leaving a 14-yr.-old Palestinian dead, around 50 Palestinians injured. A Palestinian wounded by IDF fire in Gaza on 10/12 dies.

In response to Palestinian rocket fire on 10/13, Israeli DM Amir Peretz approves an escalation in IDF border operations in Gaza. Overnight, the IDF pulls out of Abasan but sends tanks, troops into n. Gaza nr. Jabaliya r.c., exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, conducting air strikes on a house, engaging in armed clashes nearby, killing at least 4 Hamas mbrs., 2 bystanders, wounding 15 before withdrawing; launches air strike on Rafah, which destroys a Palestinian house (warning the residents in advance to evacuate, damaging several nearby houses); bulldozes a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanun. The IDF also sets up a new Palestinian detention center inside Israel nr. the Gaza border. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Tubas nr. Jenin, firing on downtown areas, wounding 3 Palestinian children; conducts arrest raids, house searches, random ID checks in and around Hebron. IDF soldiers, Jewish settlers wall off 50 d. of Palestinian land around an IDF base outside Kiryat Arba. (NYT 10/14; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 10/15; PCHR 10/19)

The IDF shells Bayt Hanun, cutting its electricity. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus (targeting the AMB), in Hebron and Bethlehem. In Khan Yunis, a Palestinian is killed when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. (OCHA 10/18; PCHR 10/19)

In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike destroying the main access road to Bayt Hanun. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Ramallah, stopping cars for random ID checks; fires on Palestinian farmers attempting to reach their olive groves nr. Tulkarm, wounding 1. (PCHR 10/19)

Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, wounding 1 Israeli. In Bayt Lahiya, ESF mbrs., Fatah mbrs. exchange gunfire, injuring 3 Palestinians.

In Gaza, the IDF sends tanks, troops into Jabaliya r.c., clashing with Palestinian gunmen, killing 1 Hamas mbr., 1 Palestinian civilian; expands operations on the Rafah border, taking up positions nr. Rafah crossing, exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen (killing 2 Palestinian militants), ordering male residents in some neighborhoods to surrender for interrogation (handcuffing and blindfolding them), reportedly finding a smugglers tunnel (the 13th it says it has found in the past 3 mos.); simultaneously sends troops into al-Shuka, conducting arrest raids, house searches. Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Qabatya, conducts arrest raids and house searches, exchanges fire with Palestinian gunmen (killing 1 Palestinian gunman, wounding 3), fires on stone-throwing youths who confront them (killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 7). Also in the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units in vehicles with Palestinian license plates into ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus, opening fire on a taxi, assassinating wanted AMB mbr. ‘Adil Abu al-Rish, killing his cousin, who was not wanted; raids offices of Change and Reform PC mbrs. in Ramallah, arresting the office director; raids al-Quds University campus of religious studies in Abu Dis, arresting 2 Palestinians; makes arrest raids in Qalqilya (exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, killing an Islamic Jihad mbr., wounding 13 Palestinians), nr. Nablus, Tulkarm; later makes a 2d raid into Qalqilya, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians, fatally shooting a Palestinian civilian. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus detain 2 Palestinian workers in the nearby Hawara cemetery, releasing them after the IDF intervenes. (NYT, WP, WT 10/8; OCHA 10/18; PCHR 10/19; OCHA 11/1)

In Khan Yunis, unidentified gunmen fire on the home of a Fatah mbr., wounding him. A Fatah mbr. dies of injuries received in clashes with Hamas on 10/1.

For the 1st time since disengagement was completed, IDF tanks, troops reoccupy a section of Gaza’s Rafah border btwn. Kerem Shalom and the Rafah crossing in search for smugglers tunnels, killing 2 Hamas gunmen, finding 5 tunnels during the day. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a predawn raid on Qabatya, conducting major arrest raids and house searches, detaining 15 Palestinians (including children ages 7, 10, 12, 15), withdrawing in the afternoon; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin. Under IDF protection, Jewish settlers fr. Suissa raze and set up tents and a mobile home on 5 d. of Palestinian land to expand the settlement, fire on Palestinian homes, damaging 3. (NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 10/19; PCHR 11/2)

In Gaza, the IDF continues operations along the Rafah border, reportedly uncovering another 8 smugglers tunnels, also making an air strike destroying a house in Rafah after warning the residents to leave; sends troops into the Erez industrial zone to demolish a Palestinian factory; sends troops into Jabaliya r.c. to bulldoze Palestinian land. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin; fires on residential areas of Hebron, wounding 3 Palestinian children. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad outpost nr. Qalqilya beat 4 Palestinians. (WP 10/20; PCHR 11/2)

In Gaza, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Hanun, seals the town, demolishes a workshop, a coffee shop before withdrawing; sends troops into Khan Yunis, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes, bulldozing 6 d. agricultural land. A 15-yr.-old Palestinian is injured when he accidentally detonates unexploded IDF ordnance nr. Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. On the last Friday of Ramadan, Israel allows 180,000 West Bank Palestinians into Jerusalem to worship at al-Aqsa Mosque. 100s of Palestinians denied entry scuffle with IDF soldiers and border police nr. Bethlehem, who fire tear gas, stun grenades. (NYT, WP, WT 10/21; OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

In an apparent assassination attempt in Gaza, suspected Fatah gunmen fire on Haniyeh’s 10-car convoy, set fire to 1 PA security vehicle, causing no injuries. Fatah, Hamas mbrs. exchange fire in Bayt Hanun, wounding 3 Palestinians. In Khan Yunis, a Fatah mbr. is kidnapped, shot, wounded by unidentified gunmen.

The IDF demolishes 12 Palestinian homes in Rafah, a house and workshop in Bayt Hanun industrial zone. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids in Jenin town and r.c. (exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, wounding 2), in and around Hebron, nr. Qalqilya. ESF, Fatah mbrs. exchange fire in al-Bureij r.c., wounding 2 ESF mbrs. (OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Tamun nr. Jenin, occupies several Palestinian homes as observation posts, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops (killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 19), arresting 4 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Yatta (occupying 3 Palestinian homes as military posts). Jewish settlers attack Palestinian homes in Burkin nr. Nablus. (NYT 10/23; PCHR 11/2)

In Gaza City, PA security officers aligned with Fatah enforce a general strike, burn tires to protest the Hamas-led government’s continued failure to pay salaries. After senior AMB mbr. Muhammad Shihadeh is found shot dead in al-Bureij r.c., a 2d Fatah mbr. is kidnapped in Jabaliya r.c.; Hamas denies responsibility for both.

In Gaza, the IDF steps up operations in Bayt Hanun and Bayt Lahiya, sending undercover units to attack a family gathering, assassinating senior PRC cmdr. Atta al-Shinbari in Bayt Hanun, sparking an exchange of gunfire that lasts several hrs., killing another 5 Palestinians (including a PFLP mbr., 3 civilians), wounding 30. IDF officials warn of broader operations in Gaza in the coming wks. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin. (WP 10/24; OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

ESF, PSF mbrs. exchange fire in Rafah, wounding 1 Palestinian.

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin, Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Hebron attack Palestinians harvesting their olive grove outside Hebron; the IDF arrests the Palestinian family for threatening the settlers, releases them but bars them fr. accessing their land. A Palestinian wounded by the IDF in Bayt Hanun on 10/23 dies. (NYT 10/25; PCHR 11/2)

The German Defense Min. reports an incident btwn. its naval vessels off the Lebanese coast and the IDF in which 2 Israeli F-16s fired twice and released antimissile flares over a German ship. Israel denies the report, saying that jets were dispatched when a helicopter took off fr. a German boat without identifying itself, but as soon as Israel realized the mistake, the jets broke off. (NYT 10/26)

In Gaza City, unidentified Palestinian gunmen kidnap Spanish Associated Press photographer Emilio Morenatti, release him quickly after Abbas’s intervention; no details of the terms of release are given.

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, in Abu Dis and Qabatya, nr. Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad attack Palestinians harvesting an olive grove nr. Qalqilya, injuring 5. (OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

Unidentified assailants stab, wound a Fatah mbr. in al-Bureij r.c.

In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian hunting birds when he strays near an IDF observation post nr. Jabaliya; fires on Palestinians working on a farm nr. al-Maghazi r.c., wounding 1; makes an air strike destroying the home of a Hamas mbr., a neighboring home in Jabaliya r.c. after warning residents to leave. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units in cars with Palestinian license plates into al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Jenin in search of wanted Islamic Jihad mbrs., fires on residential areas, exchanges fire with Palestinian gunmen, killing 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs., wounding and arresting 1; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c. (fatally shooting 1 Palestinian who goes to his roof to see what is going on), in Hebron and Qalqilya, nr. Bethlehem; patrols in, fires on residential areas of Kafr Dan nr. Jenin. (OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian homes in Hebron. (OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

Unidentified gunmen shoot, wound a Fatah mbr. in Gaza’s Nussayrat r.c.

The IDF patrols in Fahma nr. Jenin; stops, searches cars in Araba nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian homes in Hebron for a 2d day. Separately, Jewish settlers fr. Hebron attack Palestinians harvesting an olive grove, steal their olives; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 11/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah to conduct random ID checks, withdraws without making arrests; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jericho, Nablus. A Hamas mbr. is killed when a tunnel he is digging under the Rafah border collapses. Jewish settlers in Hebron attack Palestinians harvesting olives; the IDF intervenes. (NYT 10/30; OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

Olmert tells a closed Knesset session that the IDF might expand operations in Gaza to halt rocket fire but would not reoccupy the Strip. In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots AMB mbr. Mazin Abu Odeh in n. Gaza in what may be an assassination; makes an air strike destroying the home of an AMB mbr. nr. Khan Yunis after warning residents to leave; fires on Palestinian fishing boats in s. Gaza, destroying 4 boats, arresting 4 fishermen. Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops, helicopters into Balata r.c. nr. Nablus to arrest a wanted Palestinian; sends undercover units in a car with Palestinian license plates into Nablus to arrest a 2d wanted Palestinian, into Jericho to arrest 2 Palestinians; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., in Salfit nr. Nablus. (NYT, WP 10/31; PCHR 11/2)

Unidentified Palestinian gunmen kidnap, quickly release unharmed a Spanish aid worker in Khan Yunis.

Overnight and during the day, the IDF sends additional troops into Gaza’s coastal area nr. al-Khuza, sparking clashes with AMB and Hamas gunmen, fatally shooting 3 Hamas mbrs., wounding 2 armed Palestinians, 2 civilians (including a 12-yr.-old boy), bulldozing areas of agricultural land, destroying electricity, water, phone networks in the area. Also in Gaza, the IDF fires on residential areas of al-Shuka, wounding 1 Palestinian; makes an air strike destroying a workshop in Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units in a car with Palestinian plates into Jenin r.c. to arrest a wanted Islamic Jihad mbr.; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin and Nablus, in Hebron. (WP 11/1; OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

Hizballah leader Hasan Nasrallah says that he will rally large public demonstrations if Lebanese PM Fuad Siniora’s government does not agree to form a new unity government giving Hizballah control of 30% of the 24 cabinet seats, giving Hizballah veto power over any major government decision. (Hizballah made the demands after 2 national polls suggested that a unity government would have the support of about 70% of the population.) Nasrallah also says that “serious negotiations” are under way for the release of 2 captured IDF soldiers. (WP, WT 11/2)