Free Sample Essays > Middle Eastern History
War on the Middle East
killed and dozens wounded in strikes aimed at Force 17 bases in Gaza and Ramallah. Arafat's home is also hit.
April 2-5
Islamic Jihad members killed
On April 2, Mohammed Abdel Al, a military activist in Islamic Jihad, is killed when Israeli helicopters fire rockets on his car in Gaza. Three days later, Iyyad Hardan, the military leader of Islamic Jihad in Jenin, is blown up while standing in a public telephone booth.
April 22
Suicide bomb
Two were killed and some 40 wounded by a suicide bomber at a bus stop in Kfar Saba, northeast of Tel Aviv.
May 4
Mitchell Commission report
The Mitchell Commission, convened in the aftermath of the failed Sharm el-Sheikh Peace Summit issued its report, recommending a six-week cooling-off period followed by "confidence-building measures," a freeze on developing Jewish settlements and, ultimately, a return to political negotiations.
May 18
Suicide bomb
At least five Israelis are killed when a suicide bomber blows himself up at the entrance to a shopping center in Netanya. The attack is claimed by Hamas.
May 18-19
F-16 strikes
In response to the Netanya bombing, Israel strikes a police station in Nablus with missiles from U.S.-supplied F-16 jets, killing eleven Palestinian police officers. It is the first use of the warplanes since the Six Day War in 1967.
The next day, helicopter gunships fire missiles at Palestinian security positions in the West Bank towns of Jenin and Tulkarem, injuring at least 30 people.
June 1
Suicide bomb
Twenty Israelis are killed and scores more injured outside a beach front Tel Aviv nightclub in a suicide bombing claimed by Hamas. The next day, Arafat promises a cease-fire.
June 1
No Military Action
Despite right-wing criticism, Sharon decides against military reprisals for the Tel Aviv bombing, in an attempt to stick to the truce announced by Arafat.
June 13
Tenet brokers cease-fire
A cease-fire plan is brokered by the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, George Tenet, Israeli and Palestinian authorities, but fails to take hold on the ground.
July 16
Suicide bomb
Two Israelis are killed in a suicide bombing in the northern Israeli town of Binyamina. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility.
July 31
Israeli helicopters shoot at Hamas office
Two leading Hamas officials in the West Bank and four other activists are killed, along with two children, when Israeli helicopters fire on the Hamas office in Nablus.
August 9
Suicide bomb
At least 15 people are killed and more than 100 injured in a suicide bomb attack claimed by Hamas on a pizzeria in central west Jerusalem.
August 9
PA office seized; More F-16s
In retaliation for the Jerusalem bombing, Israel seizes and shuts down the East Jerusalem office of the Palestinian Authority, and F-16s flatten a Palestinian police station in Ramallah.
August 14
Tanks enter Jenin
Israel sends tanks into the West Bank city of Jenin, leveling the police station there.
August 15-22
Targeted killings continue
Israeli troops kill a Palestinian militia leader, Emad Abu Sneineh. The next week, Palestinian militant Bilal al-Ghul is killed by a rocket [next page]