December 2002
Israeli Soldiers Shoot Two Palestinians - 2002-12-31
Israeli soldiers shot and killed a Palestinian during a crossfire in Gaza, with unclear circumstances surrounding the incident. Thousands of Palestinians gathered to commemorate the…
Israeli Soldiers Kill 5 Palestinians in Occupied Territories - 2002-12-31
Israeli soldiers killed 5 Palestinians in various incidents in the occupied territories, including one in Gaza and three in the West Bank. The events follow…
Kofi Annan, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, sees no reason for military action against Iraq at this time - 2002-12-31
Kofi Annan, the UN Secretary-General, announced that there is currently no justification for military action against Iraq, citing satisfactory cooperation from the Iraqi government and…
Millions Worldwide Celebrate New Year's Eve Under Heavy Security - 2002-12-31
Millions celebrated New Year's Eve globally under heightened security due to potential terrorist threats. Major celebrations occurred in Sydney, where fireworks symbolized peace, while concerns…
Armed Palestinian Disguised as Israeli Soldier Killed in Gaza Strip - 2002-12-30
An armed Palestinian disguised as an Israeli soldier was killed by Israeli troops while trying to infiltrate Israel from Gaza. Concurrently, Israeli forces reportedly shot…
Israeli Police Arrest Suspect in Suicide Bombing - 2002-12-29
Israeli police arrested a suspected suicide bomber after a bomb exploded prematurely. This incident follows an attack by armed Palestinians that killed four Israelis. The…
A Palestinian Boy Killed During Clashes in Tulkarem
An eleven-year-old Palestinian boy was killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes in Tulkarem. Witnesses report he was shot from a jeep, while Israeli officials deny…
Israeli Police Arrest Man in West Jerusalem Who Intended to Blow Himself and His Car Up
Israeli police arrested a man in West Jerusalem who attempted a suicide bombing after part of his explosive device detonated prematurely. This incident follows the…
Israeli Forces Return to Bethlehem - 2002-12-27
Israeli forces re-entered Bethlehem after a brief withdrawal for Christmas, imposing a curfew and using tear gas on residents. This escalation follows heavy military operations…
Over 100 UN Weapons Inspectors Continue Searches in Iraq - 2002-12-26
Over 100 UN weapons inspectors are actively searching for banned weapons in Iraq, while Saddam Hussein claims that the U.S. will be surprised by the…
Islamic Jihad Promises to Avenge the Death of Abu Rahoub
Islamic Jihad has vowed to retaliate for the killing of its leader Hamza Abu Rahoub by Israeli forces during clashes in the West Bank. The…
Israel's Health Ministry Abandons Public Smallpox Vaccination
The Israeli Health Ministry has opted not to implement a public smallpox vaccination program despite concerns over a potential U.S. military strike on Iraq. Approximately…
Interviews with Iraqi Scientists for the Discovery of Banned Weapons Continue
UN weapons inspectors are actively interviewing Iraqi scientists to find banned weapons, with claims from the scientists that Iraq has none. Saddam Hussein asserts that…
Pope's Annual Message - 2002-12-25
Pope John Paul II called for an end to violence in the Middle East during his Christmas message, urging peace between Israelis and Palestinians. The…
Shaul Mofaz, Israeli Defense Minister, Will Not Be Allowed to Participate in Parliamentary Elections
Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli Defense Minister, has been prohibited from running in the parliamentary elections due to a six-month cooling-off period. Despite this, Prime Minister…
Continued Search for Iraq's Weapons of Mass Destruction During Christmas - 2002-12-25
UN weapons inspectors conducted searches for Iraq's weapons of mass destruction during Christmas at multiple sites, including military and industrial locations. President Saddam Hussein accused…
One Hamas Militant Shot Dead in Nablus
Ibrahim Abu Hawash, a Hamas militant, was killed in Nablus during a shootout with Israeli soldiers. The incident highlights ongoing tensions in the region, with…
Christmas Celebrations in Asia - December 24, 2002
Christians globally celebrate Christmas amid heightened security due to fears of terrorist attacks. In Indonesia, extensive police presence is noted, while in Bethlehem, celebrations are…
Yasser Arafat Not Allowed to Go to Bethlehem - 2002-12-24
Yasser Arafat has been denied entry to Bethlehem for Christmas celebrations despite Israeli forces withdrawing from the area. This decision follows Arafat's recent criticism of…
Khatami: Iran Will Continue Its Peaceful Nuclear Programs - 2002-12-24
Iranian President Mohammad Khatami reaffirmed Iran's commitment to peaceful nuclear energy during his visit to Pakistan, announcing plans to complete the Bushehr nuclear power plant.…
Delay of Palestinian Legislative Elections Until Israeli Withdrawal from Re-Occupied West Bank Settlements - 2002-12-23
The Palestinian leadership has postponed legislative elections originally set for January due to Israeli re-occupation of key settlements in the West Bank. This decision comes…
Two Suspected Palestinian Militants Killed in the West Bank
Two suspected Palestinian militants were killed by Israeli soldiers in the West Bank, specifically near Jenin. Palestinian authorities have called for parliamentary elections to take…
Israeli Defense Minister Says Israel Will Be Better Prepared If Iraq Attacks Again
Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz warns that if Iraq attacks Israel again, Israel will be more prepared than in the past. He emphasizes that military…
Iraqi Fighter Jet Enters 'No-Fly Zone' in Southern Iraq - 2002-12-23
An Iraqi fighter jet entered a no-fly zone to target a U.S. reconnaissance drone, which was subsequently destroyed. This incident highlights ongoing tensions between Iraq…
Israeli Army Blocks Main North-South Highway in Gaza Strip
The Israeli army has blocked a key highway in the Gaza Strip, dividing the area into three parts in response to increased attacks from Palestinian…
Dismantling of Jewish Settler Outpost in the West Bank - 2002-12-19
Israeli forces dismantled a Jewish settler outpost in the West Bank, evacuating around 200 residents and arresting three individuals who resisted the demolition. Additionally, an…
Saddam Hussein, Leader of Iraq, Plans to Destroy Oil Fields, Food Supplies, and Power Plants - 2002-12-19
U.S. intelligence reports suggest that Saddam Hussein plans to destroy critical infrastructure in Iraq to prevent an American invasion and may use chemical weapons against…
The Likud Party's Chances of Victory in the Elections Have Decreased
The Likud Party's prospects for winning upcoming elections have diminished due to bribery allegations against its leadership. Candidates have reported coercion to pay bribes for…
Iraq Installs Barriers and Roadblocks at Its Main Bases Near Baghdad - 2002-12-19
Iraq is setting up barriers and roadblocks at its bases near Baghdad to thwart potential U.S. attacks. U.S. defense officials are concerned about the timing…
Annual Christmas Message from Archbishop Michel Sabbah - 2002-12-18
Archbishop Michel Sabbah called for Israeli and Palestinian leaders to resign if they cannot achieve peace in his Christmas message. He emphasized the need for…
Violence Continues in the Occupied Territories - 2002-12-18
Violence persists in the occupied territories as a Palestinian teenager is killed by Israeli soldiers in Rafah, Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon expresses willingness…
Syrian and British Leaders Reach Agreements in London Talks - 2002-12-17
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and British Prime Minister Tony Blair held talks in London, reaching agreements on various issues but maintaining differing views on Iraq.…
Iran's Pursuit of Nuclear Technology Continues to Be a Key Issue in Washington-Moscow Negotiations
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell has reiterated concerns about Iran's nuclear ambitions during discussions with Russia. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful…
Two Hamas Militants Killed in Gaza Strip
Two Hamas militants were killed in clashes with Israeli forces in Gaza, alongside another Palestinian near a Jewish settlement. Israeli soldiers also destroyed homes in…
Hassan Rouhani: Western Criticism of Iran's Nuclear Program is Unfounded - 2002-12-16
Hassan Rouhani defended Iran's nuclear program against Western criticism, asserting it is for peaceful purposes. He highlighted the hypocrisy of the U.S. allowing Israel's nuclear…
Israel Will Not Allow Yasser Arafat to Travel to Bethlehem This Christmas Either - 2002-12-15
Israel has decided to prevent Yasser Arafat from traveling to Bethlehem during Christmas for security reasons. This decision has been criticized as a violation of…
Three Palestinians Arrested for Plotting to Down Ariel Sharon's Helicopter - 2002-12-15
Three Palestinians were arrested in East Jerusalem for planning to attack Ariel Sharon's helicopter and detonate a bomb in a bus station. This incident highlights…
Israeli Soldiers Kill One of the Leaders of the Palestinian Group Hamas - 2002-12-14
Israeli soldiers killed Tariq Abd Rabbo, a leader of Hamas, during a raid in the Nur Shams refugee camp. This incident highlights the ongoing conflict…
Fourteen Palestinians Suspected in Guerrilla Operations Arrested
Israeli forces arrested fourteen Palestinians suspected of involvement in guerrilla activities during a nighttime raid in the West Bank, with twelve arrests in Ramallah and…
Ban on Two Films in Iran and Israel - 2002-12-14
Two films have been banned in Iran and Israel, reflecting the political tensions in both countries. The Iranian film "Women's Prison" and the Israeli film…
Middle East Partnership Initiative Worth $29 Million - 2002-12-13
The U.S. Secretary of State, Colin Powell, announced a $29 million initiative to promote democracy and economic reforms in the Middle East. This initiative aims…
Five Unarmed Palestinians Killed by Gunfire in Gaza Strip
Five unarmed Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers in Gaza, coinciding with the deaths of two Israeli soldiers in Hebron. This incident highlights…
Arab Countries' Reactions to the Middle East Partnership Plan - 2002-12-13
Arab nations reacted to a new U.S. initiative aimed at fostering democracy and free markets in the region. While Egypt's foreign minister expressed skepticism about…
Bashar al-Assad: War with Iraq Could Intensify Islamic Terrorism in the Middle East - 2002-12-13
Bashar al-Assad warns that the U.S. war against Iraq could exacerbate Islamic terrorism in the Middle East. He criticizes U.S. peace proposals as biased towards…
Two Israelis and Six Palestinians Killed - 2002-12-12
Today, violence in the occupied territories led to the deaths of two Israelis and six Palestinians. The incidents included a shooting in Hebron and an…
Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian Official, to be Tried
Five unarmed Palestinians were shot and killed by Israeli soldiers while trying to enter Israel from Gaza. Marwan Barghouti, a Palestinian official accused of participating…
An Israeli citizen of Lebanese descent sentenced to six years in prison for espionage
Nasim Nasser, an Israeli citizen of Lebanese descent, was sentenced to six years in prison for espionage related to Hezbollah. He confessed to providing sensitive…
Israeli Forces Kill Palestinian Activist in Gaza
Israeli forces killed Palestinian activist Osama Badra and arrested over twelve others in Gaza. This incident highlights ongoing tensions and violence in the region, particularly…
Release Order for Accused Arms Smuggler for Palestinians
The Palestinian High Court has ordered the release of Fouad Shubaki, a senior official accused of arms smuggling from Iran to Palestinian territories. He has…
British Embassy in Kenya Reopens
The British Embassy in Kenya has reopened after a temporary closure due to terrorist threats. This decision follows recent attacks on an Israeli hotel in…
Regarding the Visit of the President of Israel to Germany - 2002-12-10
Moshe Katsav, the President of Israel, visited Germany, which sparked demonstrations from both supporters and opponents of Israeli policies in the Middle East. This visit…
Hezbollah Leader Calls for New Suicide Terror Attacks Worldwide - 2002-12-09
Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Hezbollah, has called for new suicide attacks globally, encouraging Palestinians to carry out bombings. This statement highlights Hezbollah's ongoing commitment…
Israeli Prime Minister's Spokesperson: Yasser Arafat Should Not Attempt to Attend Bethlehem
The Israeli Prime Minister's spokesperson has advised Yasser Arafat against attending Christmas celebrations in Bethlehem, citing his lack of contributions to peace. The statement raises…
Kenyan Authorities Release Images of Suspects in Last Month's Terrorist Attacks in Mombasa
Kenyan authorities have released images of two suspects linked to terrorist attacks against Israeli targets in Mombasa. The suspects are believed to have attempted to…
Al-Qaeda Claims Responsibility for Terrorist Operations in Kenya - 2002-12-09
Al-Qaeda has claimed responsibility for recent terrorist attacks in Kenya and threatened further actions against the U.S. and Israel. Suleiman Abu Ghaith made these statements…
A Palestinian woman killed by Israeli soldiers in southern Gaza Strip
A Palestinian woman was killed by Israeli gunfire in southern Gaza, with her three children injured. This incident occurred amidst ongoing violence in the region,…
Iran in the Mirror of World Media December 6, 2002
The article discusses various international media perspectives on Iran, highlighting U.S. support for student protests, the Alavi Foundation's role, Hezbollah's call for global attacks on…
Kenyan President Calls for Investment in His Country - 2002-12-07
Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi is seeking Western investment to boost his country's economy and security, following a recent suicide bombing in Mombasa. He met…
UN Officials Condemn Israel's Attack on Palestinian Refugee Camp in Gaza
UN officials condemned an Israeli attack on a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza that killed ten Palestinians, including two aid workers. Kofi Annan called for…
Palestinian Officials: Al-Qaeda Members Among Palestinians Are Israeli Agents - 2002-12-07
Palestinian officials allege that Mossad has trained individuals in Gaza to pose as Al-Qaeda members, claiming this is a tactic by Israel to undermine Palestinian…
Bomb Explosion in Southeastern Lebanon - 2002-12-06
A bomb explosion in southeastern Lebanon killed two men, one identified as a drug trafficker and double agent. Local officials suspect Israeli intelligence involvement in…
Sharon: Bin Laden's Al-Qaeda Terror Network Active in Gaza Strip and Lebanon - 2002-12-06
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon claims that Al-Qaeda's network is operational in Gaza and Lebanon and alleges cooperation with Hezbollah, which Hezbollah denies. This statement…
Yasser Arafat Calls This Attack a Massacre - 2002-12-06
An Israeli military operation at a Palestinian refugee camp in Gaza resulted in the deaths of ten Palestinians, including two UN staff members. Kofi Annan…
Israel and Cyprus Reach Temporary Agreement on Airport Security Measures - 2002-12-05
Israel and Cyprus have temporarily agreed on airport security measures, postponing a flight ban that was set to take effect soon. This agreement comes amid…
Israeli Helicopters Launched Missiles at a Significant Palestinian Building in Gaza - 2002-12-05
Israeli helicopters attacked a Palestinian Authority building in Gaza, killing one security guard and injuring four others. The attack has been labeled as murder by…
Bush: The Suicide Nature of Terrorist Attacks in Kenya Indicates They Were the Work of al-Qaeda
President Bush linked the suicide bombings in Kenya to al-Qaeda, confirming the involvement of the terrorist network. The attacks resulted in the deaths of sixteen…
Israel Had Prior Knowledge of Attacks in Kenya - 2002-12-03
Israeli officials had prior knowledge of planned al-Qaeda attacks in Kenya but lacked specific details to prevent them. The attacks resulted in the deaths of…
U.S. Officials Say Al-Qaeda's Claim of Conducting Kenya Attacks is Credible
U.S. officials have deemed Al-Qaeda's claim of responsibility for the recent attacks on Israeli targets in Kenya as credible. The attacks included a suicide bombing…
Kofi Annan: Investigation Required into Destruction of Food Warehouse
Kofi Annan has urged Israel to investigate the destruction of a UN food warehouse in Gaza, which contained over 500 tons of supplies for Palestinians.…
Four Palestinians Killed in Violence on Monday in the West Bank and Gaza Strip - 2002-12-03
On Monday, four Palestinians were killed in clashes in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including a teenage boy shot by Israeli soldiers. The incidents…
Two Palestinians Killed in Separate Clashes with Israeli Forces
Two Palestinians were killed in separate incidents involving Israeli forces, one in Jenin and the other in Gaza. The clashes highlight ongoing tensions and violence…
Kenyan President Meets President Bush in Washington - 2002-12-02
Kenyan President Daniel arap Moi is meeting with President Bush in Washington to discuss recent terrorist attacks in Kenya. The meeting follows attacks on an…
Kenyan Officials: No Evidence Linking Ten Detainees to Two Attacks in Mombasa
Kenyan authorities have stated that there is no evidence linking ten detainees, including six Pakistanis and four Somalis, to two attacks targeting Israelis in Mombasa.…
Two pieces of bombs used in the explosion at the Israeli hotel in Mombasa have been found - 2002-12-01
Two pieces of bombs from the Mombasa hotel explosion have been discovered, which killed 16 people. The investigation points towards Al-Qaeda's involvement, as stated by…
Israeli Officials Forced Ethiopian Passenger Plane to Land at Military Airport in Southern Israel - 2002-12-01
Israeli officials diverted an Ethiopian passenger plane to a military airport due to security concerns about the Ethiopian airport. This decision was made following recent…
New Leader of the Israeli Labor Party: We Will Withdraw If We Win the Elections
Amram Mitzna, the new leader of the Israeli Labor Party, has promised to withdraw Israeli forces from Gaza if elected and unable to reach a…
Israeli Tanks and Forces Attack City in Gaza Strip on Saturday Night
Israeli forces launched an attack on Beit Lahiya in the Gaza Strip, prompting local officials to call for resistance. A Palestinian boy was previously reported…
Two Palestinians Killed Following Israeli Soldiers' Raid on Beit Lahia
Israeli soldiers conducted a raid in Beit Lahia, resulting in the deaths of two Palestinians and the destruction of homes linked to militant groups. Additionally,…