Jan. 18, 2002:
Israeli forces deploy outside Arafat's Ramallah headquarters, confining him to the Muqata’a after a suicide attack in Hadera. In three ensuing military sieges, the compound's walls are torn down, along with most buildings, except for Arafat's three-story office.

March 29, 2002:
The Israeli Cabinet declares Arafat an "enemy" and to isolate him. Troops seize Ramallah, including most of the Muqata’a, further confining Arafat to a few rooms.

April 2, 2002:
Arafat, in an interview with Al-Jazeera responding to Israeli PM Sharon's offer of permanent exile, says "Is it his homeland or ours? We were planted here before the Prophet Abraham came, but it looks like they [Israelis] don't understand history or geography," adding that he would rather be a martyr than go into exile.