2 Israelis killed.
Israeli-Palestinian clashes escalate again. In Ramallah,
2 IDF reservists--"at least partially in uniform," driving a private
vehicle, most likely armed--stray deep into area A, cross paths with a funeral
procession. The crowd, assuming the soldiers are on an undercover operation,
attack them and set their car afire. (Some reports say a body burned beyond
recognition, possibly a 3d IDF soldier, is found in the vehicle.) PA police
intervene and take the 2 reservists into protective custody, removing them to a
nearby police station. When news of the incident spreads, 1,000s of
Palestinians descend on the station (manned by 21 officers), break in, and
kill the soldiers, injuring 15 policemen in the process. Declaring that the
PA has "crossed the line," Barak seals borders with Egypt and Jordan,
authorizes IDF air strikes against Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah and Gaza,
the Palestinian Broadcasting Center in Ramallah, the Gaza port,
various PA police stations, including those in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah. When
the strikes occur, Arafat is in his Gaza office waiting for CIA Dir.
Tenet to arrive to discuss the possibility of convening the
U.S.-Israeli-PA trilateral security comm. (formed in 1998) to explore ways
of halting the violence. Neither Arafat nor Tenet is injured, but 43
Palestinians are wounded. In Gaza City, Palestinians pack belongings into
cars, prepare to flee. In Jericho, Palestinians set fire to a 6th-century
synagogue. Jewish settlers attack, fire on Palestinian cars nr.
Bethlehem, Jinin. In retaliation, IDF helicopters fire rockets at the PA police
academy in Jericho. During the Israeli air strikes, the PA releases around 60
Hamas, Islamic Jihad prisoners for their safety. (ADM, AP, LAW, MM, NYT
10/12; ATL, AYM, IRNA, LPA, MENA, XIN 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MENA, XIN 10/12, SA
10/13 in WNC 10/16; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/13; WP, WT 10/14; MENA 10/16 in WNC
10/17; WJW 10/19; JP 10/20; MEI 10/27; MA 11/6 in WNC 11/9)
In Yemen's port of Aden, a small, explosive-laden boat
rams the USS Cole, an Aegis destroyer in port for refueling, killing
17 U.S. servicemen, injuring 35. (AP, MM 10/12; AFP [Internet], CSM, MM,
NYT, WP, WT 10/13; NYT, WP, WT 10/14, 10/15, 10/16; MEI 10/27)
In the U.S., the primary concern of the public,
government, and media is the attack on the USS Cole, while Israel's
attacks on the Palestinian infrastructure, PA offices are viewed as a limited
military response to the death of Israeli soldiers in PA custody, if not at the
hands of the PA. Clinton, Albright express outrage over the
murder, call on both sides to halt the violence. Clinton says he appreciates
Palestinian frustration, but "there can be no possible justification for mob
violence." 96 senators send Clinton a letter urging him to express
solidarity with Israel "at this critical moment." (NYT, WP, WT 10/13; MEI, MM
10/27; MEI 11/10) (see Doc. D4)
At the UN, U.S. Amb. Holbrooke warns Arab,
nonaligned diplomats they may "jeopardize" relations with the U.S. if they
push for a special session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) to censure
Israel, for a UNSC res. calling on Israel to cease hostilities.
(TT 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/13; NYT, WP 10/14)
Mubarak invites Arafat, Barak, Clinton
to Sharm al-Shaykh for a summit. Mubarak also meets with King Abdallah of
Jordan on the escalating crisis, upcoming Arab summit. (MENA 10/12 in WNC 10/13;
MM, NYT, WP 10/13)
In Biarritz, France, Pres. Chirac convenes an
emergency EU mtg. to discuss the escalation of Israeli-Palestinian
violence, implores both sides to halt the fighting. (MM 10/13; AFP, EFE [Madrid]
10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14; SA 10/15 in WNC 10/17)
UN Secy.-Gen. Annan, in Lebanon to discuss the
Hizballah kidnapping of 3 IDF soldiers, cuts short his visit,
returns to Israel to try to calm the situation. (WP 10/13)
The Arab League denounces the Israel air
strikes, warns that "all options" are open to the Arab world if the escalation
continues. In Cairo, angry crowds march through the streets demanding
Egypt take military action against Israel. In Beirut, demonstrations
break out on university campuses. Elsewhere in Lebanon, Jordan,
and Syria--including in the Palestinian camps--the streets are
quiet; the governments release no official statements on events but heighten
visibility of police, military. Anti-Israeli, anti-U.S. demonstrations
are noted in Indonesia, South Africa. In the U.S.,
demonstrations are held in Boston, Dearborn, Detroit, Los Angeles, New York,
Raleigh, San Diego, Washington. In France, numerous acts of anti-Jewish
vandalism, including attacks on synagogues, are noted in Lille, Paris, Rouen.
(AP 10/12; AFP [Internet], WP 10/13; JT 10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14)
Israel announces that it has agreed to resume cease-fire implementation
under pressure fr. the U.S., even though it believes that the PA
has not fulfilled its pledges to date. Peres, PC speaker Qurai`
meet and agree on steps to be taken over the next 2 wks. to ease restrictions on
Palestinians, halt violence; say Israel will begin lifting closures within 2
days. Meanwhile, Powell praises Arafat for making "a bold choice"
in demanding (10/8) that Hamas take part in the cease-fire. (Chicago
Tribune [Internet] 10/13; NYT, WP, WT 10/14; MA 10/14 in WNC 10/15)
In Ramallah, 100s of Palestinians hold a peaceful demonstration
against the continued Israeli occupation. IDF troops fire rubber bullets,
tear gas to disperse the crowd, injuring 30 Palestinians, including 5 medical
workers. (UPMRC press release 10/12)
1 Palestinian killed.
The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian farmer and demolishes a
chicken farm, irrigation system in Abasan; bulldozes 6 dunams of Palestinian
land nr. Kefar Darom; uses an amublance carrying patients as cover for firing on
stone-throwing Palestinians in Nablus. In Hebron, Jewish settlers bar the
muezzin at the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs fr. giving the call to
prayer; invade Waqf offices, vandalizing equipment, making a bonfire out of
documents (including deeds to all Waqf property in the city); break into a local
Palestinian school, spray painting walls with "Death to Arabs," Stars of David.
Jewish settlers fire on Palestinians harvesting olive nr. Nablus,
causing no injuries; the IDF intervenes, arresting 6 Palestinians,
barring others fr. continuing the harvest. Jewish settlers set fire to an
olive grove nr. Ramallah, destroying around 2,000 trees. (HA, MM 10/14; LAW,
PCHR 10/16)
1 Palestinian killed.
The IDF continues Operation Root Canal in Rafah, reportedly
demolishing some water, sewage networks. UNRWA chief Peter Hansen
estimates that the IDF has demolished 114 Palestinian homes, housing some
1,240 Palestinians, damaged another 117 since the incursion began.
The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian nr. Morag settlement; fires
on residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis; demolishes 2 Palestinian
homes and 2 bird farms, kills 15 sheep, bulldozes 7 dunams of land in Dayr
al-Balah; bulldozes a cow pen, 2 dunams of land in Khan Yunis. (HA, WP, NYT
10/13; al-Quds 10/13 in WNC 10/16; WP 10/14; PCHR 10/16)
Palestinians
fire 3 Qassam rockets into the Negev, causing light damage but no
injuries. In Gaza City, 3 unidentified gunmen ambush, shoot, wound
Sa`ad Sihaybar, aide to the PA atty. gen., outside his home.
1 Palestinian killed.
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)
The IDF closes the Qarni crossing (reopened on 10/9); begins
construction of a 6-m.-high concrete wall 15 m inside the n. Gaza border (see
9/18); conducts arrest raids in and around Hebron (targeting Hamas),
Nablus, Yatta. Jewish settlers fr. Elkana beat, chase off a Palestinian
family harvesting their olive trees nr. Salfit. (AFP, IMEMC
10/12; IMEMC, NYT, WP, WT 10/13; PCHR 10/20; OCHA 10/31)
AMB mbrs. briefly kidnap
an American journalists, British photographer in Khan Yunis,
giving no reason; Fatah secures their quick release unharmed.
9 Palestinians killed.
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.
1 Palestinian killed.
IDF troops
at the Nahal Oz crossing shell an alleged rocket-launching site e. of Gaza City, damaging several homes, killing 1 Hamas mbr., wounding 3 Hamas mbrs., a woman, 5 children. The IDF also bulldozes Palestinian land nr. the Qarni industrial
zone. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem. (WP 10/13; OCHA 10/17; PCHR 10/18)
Israeli soldiers beat unconscious a 15-year-old Palestinian student in the village of Taqu, near Bethlehem. (Ma'an News Agency)
Israeli forces detained 10 Palestinians in Jenin, Nablus, Bethlehem and Hebron. The IDF said it detained three Palestinians carrying nine pipe bombs at a road block west of Nablus. (WAFA, Ynetnews)
Palestinian sources said that the PA was expected to deploy a battalion of security forces to Hebron. The move would be coordinated by Israel and the 700 troops would handle security operations among the city's Palestinian population. Samih al-Sifi, the commander of the security forces, said that the deployment did not mean that the PA was taking security responsibility for the Palestinian part of Hebron, adding that Israel had authorized the PA to restore order and security in the city but there would be no wide-scale operations. He said that the operations would begin after the Jewish Sukkot holiday. (Haaretz)
Israeli defense officials said Defense Minister Ehud Barak ordered his deputy, Matan Vilnai, to establish an inter-agency task force to coordinate efforts to stop the current wave of settler violence. (The Jerusalem Post)
A report by the Physicians for Human Rights said dozens of Palestinian prisoners held in isolation or in solitary confinement in Israeli prisons had developed severe mental disorders. The report focused on inmates who must be separated from the general prison population due to security reasons, and on those suffering pre-existing mental difficulties or illnesses. Some of them had been held in various conditions of confinement for as long as 20 years, the report said. (Ynetnews, www.phr.org.il)
In Damascus, PA President Abbas called for an end to divisions between Fatah and Hamas. "Syria's role is essential. … Syria is playing a role and we will continue to coordinate our positions with it and with other Arab countries such as Egypt," Mr. Abbas said after talks in Damascus with President Bashar Al-Assad. Mr. Abbas was visiting Syria against the backdrop of plans for Fatah and Hamas delegations to meet in Cairo on 25 October for Egyptian-mediated talks aimed at forming a Palestinian transitional government acceptable to the factions. Saeb Erakat, Head of the Negotiations Affairs Department of the PLO, told reporters, "We have asked President Assad to do (his best) to help end (Palestinian) divisions and help make a dialogue successful." (AFP)
Speaking at a conference on Jerusalem held in Doha, Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khaled Mashaal said that the internal Palestinian division might soon end. "We went to Cairo and other Arab capitals and agreed with the Egyptian mediation to start Palestinian national dialogue and reached a reconciliation agreement," Mr. Mashaal said. (Ma'an News Agency)
The office of Quartet Representative Tony Blair said that the Gaza Strip's banks were on the verge of collapse. In the letter to Israel's Defense Ministry, Mr. Blair's office said that Israel must funnel some 100 million shekels, or about $28 million, into Gaza each month to keep Gaza's 45 bank branches afloat. Without the cash, the Palestinian Authority would not be able to pay the salary of thousands of civil servants and Gaza's black market and money launderers would thrive. (AP)