2006 ISR - PAL FACTS

CHRONOLOGY-Key 2006 events in Israeli-Palestinian relations23 Dec 2006 17:10:30 GMT Source: Reuters

Israeli-Palestinian conflict More Dec 23 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will hold their first formal talks as leaders on Saturday. Following are key events this year in Israeli-Palestinian relations.

Jan. 4, 2006 - Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon suffers a massive stroke. Olmert, his deputy, takes over.

Jan. 25 - The militant group Hamas, which is sworn to Israel's destruction, heavily defeats Abbas's Fatah party in parliamentary elections. Hamas rejects a call by the Quartet of Middle East power brokers -- the U.S., U.N., Russia and the European Union, to renounce violence and recognise Israel.

March 28 - Olmert's centrist Kadima party wins Israeli elections on a platform of unilateral withdrawal from Palestinian territories. Abbas rejects any unilateral Israeli pullout, saying such a move must be discussed with Palestinians.

March 29 - Hamas government sworn in after other factions, including Fatah, refuse to join its administration. As a result, the United States and European Union suspend hundreds of millions of dollars in direct aid to the Palestinian government.

May 23 - U.S. President George W. Bush says Olmert's ideas for unilaterally removing Israeli settlements from the occupied West Bank in the absence of negotiations are bold, after the two leaders meet at the White House.

June 25 - Hamas militants and other gunmen launch first deadly raid into Israel from Gaza since pullout of Israeli troops and Jewish settlers in 2005, killing two soldiers and capturing Corporal Gilad Shalit. Three days later Israeli forces launch offensive into Gaza.

Aug. 16 - Abbas and Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas say they will renew negotiations to form a unity government.

Sept. 4 - Olmert puts on hold his plan for a unilateral pullback from West Bank settlements amid fears of rocket attacks by Arab militants on the Jewish state.

Nov. 26 - Ceasefire in Gaza announced, ending five-month Israeli offensive. Sporadic violence persists and rocket fire continues into Israel, but truce holds.

Nov. 27 - Olmert announces he is ready to release many jailed Palestinians in return for Shalit.

Nov. 30 - Abbas says talks over unity government at dead end.

Dec. 16 - Abbas calls for fresh parliamentary and presidential elections at the earliest opportunity. Hamas rejects his call and violence erupts throughout Palestinian territories.

Dec. 23 - Spokesmen for Abbas and Olmert announce first formal meeting between leaders to take place at Israeli prime minister's residence in Jerusalem. AlertNet news