The Palestine Chronology

Casualties:

2,000 Palestinian women, on 40-day anniversary of massacre, stage protest in Shatila camp, carrying Palestinian flags and pictures of those who died, lay wreath at mass grave; later in day, rumors of Haddad militia presence spark mass panic as refugees flee Sabra, Shatila, Fakhani districts.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin and other Israeli officials meet with Draper to discuss troop pullout from Lebanon (focus on procedures for meetings between Israel and Lebanon, Begin insists on written security guarantees in South Lebanon); Labor Party rejects PLO proposal for talks on Palestinian self-determination (demands recognition of Israel, renunciation of terror as preconditions for talks); 2 Palestinian youths injured when IDF grenade explodes near football playing field (Jewish settler involvement suspected); 240 Bir Zeit students receive BAs, 6 MAs despite university being closed for 7 months in past year.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Phalange police round up and execute "punk" youths in Christian suburbs; Lebanon reportedly agrees in principle to direct negotiations with Israel; secret contacts reported between PLO and Israeli Labor Party "doves"; Arafat, in interview, says PLO ready to talk to Israeli opponents of Begin Government.

US and Other Countries: State Department announces delegation of US builders will visit Lebanon, explore ways to help rebuild it.

Military Action:

IDF starts destroying PLO tunnels used to cache arms in South Lebanon; 3 Irish UNIFIL soldiers killed in South Lebanon.

Casualties:

UNRWA again fails to erect tents at Ain el-Hilweh as refugees resist; UNRWA asks IDF to protect its staff; Lebanese Ministry of Education again postpones opening of schools as many Palestinian and Lebanese refugees still housed in school buildings with nowhere else to go; Israeli officials say Palestinians in South Lebanon can be treated in Israel, but Lebanese will have to go to Beirut except for dialysis treatment.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Chief of Israel's General Security Services testifies secretly before Commission of Inquiry; Knesset moves to abolish film and theater censorship in wake of uproar caused by attempt to ban satirical play; West Bank disturbances grow following yesterday's fatal shooting-Ramallah students leave 4 high schools, stone Israeli vehicles, youth from Deheisha refugee camp stone Israeli vehicles, wounding one Israeli; El Al workers close Ben Gurion in labor dispute; Begin says Gemayel has not completely ruled out peace pact with Israel despite recent negative comments on client state, also reasserts Israeli desire for security zone in southern Lebanon, integration of Haddad forces into Lebanese security forces; IDF officer asserts Egyptian army in Sinai poses military threat to Israel; former Jerusalem Deputy Mayor Meron Benvenisti, at American Enterprise Institute in Washington DC, estimates 50-60 percent of West Bank is already in Jewish hands or available for Jewish settlement under various laws, and says territorial concessions for peace settlement will be impossible after 36 months.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat reportedly ready to accept a future Palestinian-Jordanian federation following establishment of an independent Palestinian state; Lebanese officials say US premature in reporting Lebanon had agreed to direct diplomatic talks with Israel, Wazzan reaffirms Lebanese desire for IDF troop withdrawal, says Lebanon may add civilians to joint Israeli-Lebanese military committee.

Arab Governments: Egyptian government-controlled press attacks Israel as "fascist" after Sharon's testimony in Jerusalem.

US and Other Countries: US, planning to re build Lebanese armed forces, will send artillery, 75 APCs, 25 155-mm howitzers, communications gear, M60 tanks and will station US Military Advisor Group in Beirut to coordinate rearmament effort; US- Lebanese planning group being established to assess Lebanese military needs and plan procurement well into future; Marine Corps planners assessing requirments for enlarging Marine presence in Lebanon to 5-8,000; US examining whether US law violated when UN-run trade school used for military training by PLO, holds up $15 million UN contribution; Zaire resumes full military cooperation with Israel and welcomes Israeli military delegation.

Military Action:

Lebanese Army continues searches in West Beirut for arms caches, patrols Kfar Matta and seeks to expand into other areas of Chouf once IDF has withdrawn; assassination attempt against Abu Jihad in eastern Bekaa fails.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Protests break out in Nablus and Ramallah as students mark 40th day since Beirut massacre, barricades erected, stones thrown at Israeli vehicles, partial commercial and school strike in East Jerusalem; in Nazareth, 2,000 Muslims and Druze attend memorial organized by People's Committee Against the War in Lebanon and People's Committee for Israeli-Palestinian Peace; Israeli government rejects Israeli Palestinians' proposal to finance construction of 500 flats for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon; tourism slump severe since invasion.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat sends letter to Gemayel saying PLO will not be barrier to withdrawal of all foreign troops from Lebanon; Gemayel briefs cabinet on 5-day tour, says Lebanon will seek partial pullback by foreign troops as opening gesture aimed at total withdrawal; Fady Frem, commander of Phalange militia, says Phalange massacre inquiry results turned over to Lebanese Government investigator Geagea, denies Phalange commanders conferred with IDF on mopping up operations in West Beirut, says Habib Chartouni, a Christian from southeast of Beirut, is being held in conjunction with Bashir Gemayel's death.

Arab Governments: King Hassan, at news conference, says recognition of Israel depends on its withdrawing from all territory occupied since 1967 war; Egypt and Italy issue joint statement saying no peace is possible until Israel withdraws from Lebanon.

Military Action:

IDF postpones withdrawal from Chouf to prevent massacre of Druze; Lebanese Army sends 3 tanks, 20 soldiers to join 30 soldiers stationed in Kfar Matta.

Casualties:

600 IDF soldiers reportedly suffered mental breakdowns during Lebanon invasion (100 still undergoing treatment); Israeli Minister Meridor, inspecting camps at Sidon and Tyre, charges UNRWA rejects Israeli offers to help prepare refugee camps in south for winter.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli Parliament backs Begin's West Bank policy with 56-50 vote of confidence; Commission of Inquiry formally launches probe into role of IDF and Cabinet; Attorney-General Zamir says Uri Avnery will not be prosecuted for interview with Arafat; Israeli officials reportedly dismayed at Gemayel's UN speech calling Israel withdrawal prerequisite for peace in Lebanon, endorsing Palestinian self-determination, and appealing for UNIFIL to remain; hundreds of Israeli Druze protest outside Begin's home claiming Israeli attempt to create massacre of Druze in Chouf region.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel, in 2 hour meeting with Reagan, requests increase in size of US peacekeeping unit, strongly endorses peace initiative (later meets with Shultz, World Bank head Clausen, and Weinberger); Lebanese official says official investigation of massacre continuing.

UN: USSR backs effort to expel Israel from UN agencies but not General Assembly; vote on Israeli expulsion delayed.

Military Action:

Attacks against IDF in Bekaa valley and near Tyre; 200 IDF soldiers withdraw from one village in Chouf; Lebanese Army resumes house-to-house search in Ouzai and Burj al-Barajneh for protestors who assaulted troops Friday.

Casualties:

Two dozen Shiite protestors move into unfinished mosque in shanty town where 5 were killed; Army arrests 11, seizes weapons; ICRC announces repatriation of third Syrian soldier by Israel (was wounded during invasion); 5 IDF wounded in Bekaa and near Tyre.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli authorities threaten to replace Hebron Mayor Natshe, dissolve town council; Israeli Druze threaten general strike, demand IDF protection for Lebanese Druze in protest in Usfiya; Israeli officials express optimism on quick agreement on security zone in South Lebanon (Cabinet reviews results of Shamir talks with Shultz, US and Israel reportedly still at odds over Haddad).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel presides over early morning meeting between Druze and Phalange leaders (they agree on Wazzan's proposals to establish effective truce); Gemayel arrives in US to attend UN, hold talks with Reagan; Alfred Mady, aide to Gemayel, says Lebanon needs $10 billion for reconstruction.

US and Other Countries: East German leader Honnecker meets Arafat in East Berlin.

Military Action:

Syrians and IDF exchange fire near Kfar Kuk; cease-fire holds in Chouf.

Casualties:

Several thousand residents of shanty towns protest last night's killings (Army keeps tanks and troop carriers nearby but halts razings; Amal says Gemayel broke promise not to raze buildings until other housing found); 1 IDF wounded near Kfar Kuk.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Gush Emunim announces plans to double Jewish population of West Bank and Gaza this year.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO official Sartawi addresses World Jewish Congress memorial for Nahum Goldmann at personal invitation of Goldmann's widow (Israeli Embassy officials reportedly embarrassed).

Arab Governments: Egyptian Minister of State Ghali says Arabs should recognize Israel, calls for mutual PLO-Israeli recognition; Jordan, in talks with Arafat, urges PLO recognition of Israel; authoritative Syrian paper opposes PLO-Jordan link, denounces Arafat and Hussein for discussing it.

US and Other Countries: US Administration refuses to receive PLO member as part of Arab delegation; Shultz says US will pull out of UN and cut off financial aid if Israel expelled; US announces withholding $8.5 million in response to International Atomic Energy Agency expelling Israel last month.

Military Action:

Lebanese Army resumes searches in West Beirut; IDF and PLO exchange fire in eastern Bekaa near Yanta; Phalange (Damour Brigade) shells 5 Druze villages throughout day as fighting spreads southeast of Beirut; two IDF APCs come under fire; Lebanese Information Minister Shikhani announces Lebanese Army will move into area Thursday; electricity to capital cut to 8 hours after cable severed in fighting; Wazzan orders security police into area to stop fighting; Phalange turns back reporters trying to enter area; US Ambassador Dillon and Wazzan meet Druze leaders; Phalange militia notifies government it will refuse to turn weapons over to Lebanese Army (nominally under Amin Gemayel's command); IDF stops the fighting in late evening.

Casualties:

Pattern of violation of Palestinian human rights, including mistreatment at detention centers, beatings, crowded cells with no toilet facilities, denied food, meets with no action from relief agencies; 27 detained, total number of detainees estimated at 1,000 to 4,500; Israeli and foreign journalists protest new Army order barring them from driving Israeli vehicles in Lebanon without army jeep escort as IDF also refusing to provide escorts; Israel reverses standing policy, says it will actively seek housing and protection for Palestinian refugees in South Lebanon this winter; at least 3 deaths in Phalange-Druze fighting; Lebanese Government estimates almost 2,000 killed in Sabra and Shatila massacre (762 bodies recovered and 1,200 taken away by families for burial, 212 unidentified, buried in mass grave); only 37 percent were Palestinian, most were Lebanese, a few from other Arab countries; Israeli Minister Meridor says 600 detainees have been released from al-Ansar.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel demands security role for Haddad and written Lebanese guarantee of security zone in South Lebanon as condition for withdrawal; Begin orders protection for Lebanese Druze; Ambassador Arens presents Shultz with Israeli request for $3.2 billion for FY 1984 (currently receiving $2.2 billion); Begin postpones visit to Zaire; Peace Now refuses to testify before independent inquiry linked to Israel League for Civil and Human Rights, says it singles out Israel.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Franjieh reportedly called Gemayel last week to pledge support; Camille Chamoun, in private US visit, calls treaty with Israel impossible now, criticizes lack of expereince and prestige of new Cabinet named by Wazzan.

Arab Governments: Mubarak says autonomy talks at dead end because of Israeli obstruction, following 2 day meeting with Numeiri.

US and Other Countries: 100 picket Shamir in Chicago; Vatican says Arafat renounced terrorism during visit with Pope.

Military Action:

Clash between IDF and Syrian troops near Syrian border; Syria releases 9 Phalangists, including top military man, in conciliatory gesture; Lebanese Army makes no major searches in West Beirut for first time in 8 days.

Casualties:

IDF announces 368 killed, 2,383 wounded in Lebanon war from June 6 to October 10.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: American nurse and 6 medical colleagues from Gaza Hospital in Sabra camp offer to testify before Israeli Commission of Inquiry; 3 Kiryat Arba settlers arrested for storing explosives; Peres calls for peace settlement through a Jordanian-Palestinian framework with Jewish settlements remaining in demilitarized territory and IDF along Jordan River (says Labor Party does not renounce Israel's historic right to the territory); Sharon asks United Jewish Appeal delegation in Israel for support for Israeli withdrawal stance; Israel plans to request a $160 m. loan from IMF.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel and Wazzan meet with justice officials and department overseeing Palestinian affairs; Camille Chamoun tells US officials he believes "Christian militias" should be retained until all Israeli and Syrian troops have left, states peace treaty would cut off Lebanon from Arab world; Arafat claims US and Israel broke agreement allowing PLO to leave Beirut; PLO weekly Falastin al-Thawra resumes publication in Cyprus; Arafat meets French Foreign Minister Cheysson then travels to Jordan.

Arab Governments: Egypt, in letter to Shultz, welcomes Reagan proposals but expresses some reservations; British Foreign Minister Pym, visiting Egypt to discuss Reagan initiative, says Cairo, Damascus approaches to plan are same.

US and Other Countries: US Assistant Defense Secretary Carlucci arrives in Beirut to visit Marines; Draper returns to help prepare for upcoming high-level meetings with Israeli and Arab leaders.

Military Action:

Druze, Phalange clashes in Central Lebanon escalate as fighting spreads to two villages in Bhamdoun area; demilitarization of East Beirut postponed pending completion of West Beirut sweeps; French troops ordered not to participate in Lebanese searches as concern grows over Lebanese brutality.

Casualties:

Lebanese Army arrests another 132 Palestinians and Lebanese; Lebanese plan to reopen ground satellite station next week, closed since June 6; clearing of squatters suspended near airport, continues in Ouzai and other areas; Meridor rejects UNRWA charges that Israel is preventing erection of permanent structures, forcing refugees to live in tents; US AID head urges Israel to protect refugee camps in South Lebanon.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon reveals map of "security zone" Israel hopes to create in Lebanon, which covers almost entire area now occupied by IDF; Nablus Mayor Shakaa charges Israeli harrassment, forced house arrest for 3 months; delegations from Gaza, Galilee, West Bank pay respects to family of recentlyslain PLO strategist Abu Walid near Nablus.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel considering expansion of peacekeeping force from present 3,500 to 15,000, deployed outside Beirut (US reportedly opposed); Arafat arrives in Amman from Bahrain for talks with King Hussein.

Militarv Action:

Lebanese Army announces 200 tons of munitions uncovered in first 2 days of security sweep; Lebanese Army tanks accompany bulldozers into squatter neighborhood of Haret al-Gharwami on edge of Burj al-Barajneh camp, encounter resistance from Shiite Muslim residents.

Casualties:

2 wounded in Army-Shiite confrontation in Haret al-Gharwami; Shiite group Amal charges that Lebanese government plans to remove as many as 300,000 squatters in West Beirut area, forcing them to return to south Lebanon and Bekaa; Israeli Government figures indicate $20 m. worth of Israeli goods exported to Lebanon.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon blames US for failure of Lebanon and Israel to work out treaty; reports that Israel has asked US for $3 billion in economic and military aid for FY 1983-4 (equals $770 for every Israeli; officials deny they are asking US to share war costs); Israel reaffirms that PLO must leave Lebanon before IDF will withdraw (contradicts Shamir statement at UN on willingness to consider simultaneous withdrawal of all forces); Israeli sentenced to 3 1/2 years in jail for looting in Lebanon.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Draper returns to Beirut from Israel for talks with government on troop withdrawals; Amal leader Nabih Berri meets Gemayel to discuss squatter evictions, seeks government help to resettle them in areas not controlled by Phalange; Wazzan holds first cabinet meeting; Arafat accuses Lebanese Army of "campaign of annihilation" against Palestinians, asks intervention of Arab governments, condemns peacekeeping force for failing to condemn violence against Palestinians in Beirut.

US and Other Countries: Italy asks US, France to join in demanding strengthening of peace-keeping authority in Beirut, expresses concern over round-up of Palestinians, seeks guarantees of due process, fuller information from Lebanese authorities.

Military Action:

IDF bus attacked by rocket-propelled grenade, sprayed bus with gunfire in Aley area; dispute between US and Israel over presence of 2 IDF tanks south of the airport (IDF supposed to stay in Khalde, US calls it violation of latest agreement); French troops extend patrols into Ashrafiya as Lebanese Army sets up new checkpoints; fighting between pro- and anti-Syrian factions in Tripoli.

Casualties:

6 IDF soldiers wounded in Aley ambush; 5 killed, 15 wounded in Tripoli factional fighting; UNRWA begins clearing debris from South Lebanon camps to prepare for winter; (UNRWA plans tents for 60,000 homeless, Israel estimates only 30,000); Western diplomatic sources in Beirut accuse IDF of looting during occupation.

Political Responses:

Israel/Occupied Territories: Peres calls for opening negotiations based on Reagan plan; Shamir tells UN Secretary General of Israeli opposition to continued UNIFIL deployment; Deputy Foreign Minister Yehuda BenMeir says al-Ansar prisoners will be part of withdrawal agreement; Begin asks 4,000 fundamentalist Christians meeting in Jerusalem to help Israel retain control of the occupied territories; senior Israeli official confirms Israel makes its own cluster bombs.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Deputy to Phalange leader Elias Hobeika, on TV, says Phalange will always kill Palestinians; PLO declines comment on PLO withdrawal from Lebanon; Lebanese internal security police head Gen. Ahmed el-Hajj suggested as possible Prime Minister; Gemayel reintroduces capital punishment for convicted murderers, kidnappers; Arafat appoints Col. Mohammed Affani (Abu Mutasem) as chief-of-staff to replace Abu Walid.

Arab Governments: Habib meets Assad for 3 hours, leaves for US via Rome; Mubarak asserts Israel is "beating drums of war."

US and Other Countries: US officials indicate Marines could stay in Lebanon 4-6 months.