May 31, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire mortars at Israeli communities in the northern Gaza Strip.

Terrorists also fire an anti-tank rocket and direct light weapons fire at an IDF position in the Rafah sector of southern Gaza - near the Egyptian border.

("Mortar Shells Fired in Northern Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, May 31, 2005; "Anti-Tank Rocket Fired at Soldiers in Southern Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, May 31, 2005).

May 30, 2005:

Zacaria Zbedi, head of the Al Aksa Brigades terrorist group, states that the organization will not lay down its weapons. According to Zbedi, "The current quiet is the calm before the storm."

("Fatah Terror Leader Vows to Hold onto Weapons; Quiet is 'Calm Before the Storm,'" IsraelNationalNews, May 30, 2005).

May 29, 2005:

IDF Central Region Commander Maj.-Gen. Yair Naveh warns that rocket and other terrorist activity will follow an IDF withdrawal from parts of Samaria (West Bank), and notes a sharp increase in arms smuggling into Judea and Samaria.

In addition, Naveh states that, "After we leave the area, terror will increase and there will be Qassam rockets and other terrorist attacks." According to Naveh, the IDF should "remain in the area three months after the evacuation in case of fire from the PA-controlled area. The disengagement here will take place only after the evacuation in Gaza, and it will not be under fire."

("IDF General: Delay Samaria Pullout, Reject PA Help," IsraelNationalNews, May 29, 2005).

May 25, 2005:

Spanish police arrest Marwan Asmayel Dihaman, an aeronautic engineer who helped design Qassam rockets for Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Dihaman had worked in the Spanish aircraft industry during the 1980s and moved to the United States in the 1990s. Following the September 11th terrorist attacks in 2001, Dihaman was deported.

Dihaman designed rockets with a long range - and faxed the details to terrorists in Gaza.

("Spain Nabs Kassam Rocket Engineer," IsraelNationalNews, May 25, 2005).

May 19, 2005:

Since Wednesday, Palestinian terrorists have fired 65 mortars and Qassam rockets at Israeli communities in the Gaza Strip and nearby IDF positions.

("PM, Defense Officials Discuss Gaza Shelling," Ha'aretz, May 19, 2005).

May 18, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire a number of mortars at Israeli communities in Gush Katif (southern Gaza Strip). Palestinians also fire a Qassam rocket at the Israeli community of Netzarim.

The IAF identifies a Hamas terrorist cell as it is about to launch mortars at Gush Katif and targets the cell - striking the mortar launcher and one terrorist.

("Hamas Terrorist Cell Targeted," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 18, 2005; "Kassam Rockets Strike Netzarim," IsraelNationalNews, May 18, 2005).

May 18, 2005:

Terrorists fire at IDF forces near the Israeli community of Nvei Dekalim. No injuries reported.

("Shooting Attack Against Soldiers in Southern Gush Katif," IsraelNationalNews, May 18, 2005).

May 17, 2005:

Middle East Newsline reports Israeli military intelligence has determined that Egypt, Libya, and Yemen serve as the primary suppliers of weapons to Palestinian terrorists in the Gaza Strip. In addition, these three countries also supply Palestinian Authority officers with extra weapons and explosives.

According to an Israeli military source, "The weapons are smuggled by private gangs but with full knowledge of the authorities of these countries...There's no secret here."

Military intelligence sources note that arms dealers purchase AK-47 assault rifles, rocket propelled grenades, rocket and missile components, ammunition and explosives in Egypt, Libya and Yemen. The supplies are then shipped to Egypt's Sinai Peninsula and then smuggled over the border into the Gaza Strip or Israel.

("Palestinian Weapons Come From Egypt, Libya, Yemen," MENL, May 17, 2005).

May 17, 2005:

Yuval Diskin, the new head of the Israeli General Security Service (GSS-Shabak), informs the Knesset Defense Committee that it is likely rockets and missiles will be fired at Israeli communities from northern Samaria (West Bank) following implementation of the disengagement plan.

("New GSS Chief: Concerned About Rockets and Missiles on Israeli Cities After Withdrawal," IsraelNationalNews, May 17, 2005).

May 15, 2005:

Israeli Defense Minister, Shaul Mofaz, states that the Hamas terrorist group is building an independent army.

In addition, Mofaz notes that Hamas is operating as a political power separate from the Palestinian Authority.

("Mofaz Says Hamas Building Independent Army," IsraelNationalNews, May 15, 2005).

May 6, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire an anti-tank rocket at a civilian school vehicle traveling to the Israeli community of Kfar Darom in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian terrorists also fire an anti-tank rocket towards the Israeli community of Netzer-Hazani (Gaza Strip).

No injuries are reported in either incident.

("Sderot Struck by Rockets, School Van Targeted in Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, May 6, 2005).

May 5, 2005:

Palestinian terrorists fire Qassam rockets at the Israeli city of Sderot, causing signifcant damage to a home.

("Sderot Struck by Rockets, School Van Targeted in Gaza," IsraelNationalNews, May 6, 2005).

May 5, 2005:

IDF forces discover a tunnel along the Israel-Egypt border. The tunnel was dug to a depth of 8 meters, and stretched several hundred meters. According to Israel Television Channel Two, the tunnel walls were reinforced with cement so as to not collapse when subjected to nearby explosions - a technique used by the IDF to collapse tunnels.

("Apparent Smuggling Tunnel Uncovered," IMRA, May 5, 2005).

May 2, 2005:

An IDF soldier is killed and another soldier lightly wounded during an operation to arrest wanted terrorists near the village of Tzieda, north of Tulkarem.

("IDF Soldier Killed and Another Soldier Wounded Last Night," IDF Spokesperson's Office, May 2, 2005).

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