The Palestine Chronology

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:

Fighting continues between Phalange and Druze in Chouf area (mainly Kfar Matta, Abey, Bahourta), including artillery exchanges but no shellings; IDF moves into area; atmosphere tense as Druze villagers express fear of another massacre; Information Minister Shikhani says Lebanese Army will not move into area as IDF still occupies it; Army takes up positions around Baabda presidential palace.

Casualties:

Lebanese Army reports 1,441 detained in 10 days, 23,000 forged identity papers. seized, 972 still detained, others released; explosion in Marjayoun market kills 3, wounds 19; 2 IDF soldiers wounded by sniper fire near Kfar Kuk in East Lebanon.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli officials report Sharon sent letter to Weinberger inviting Pentagon team to examine captured Soviet weaponry; Jerusalem Post poll gives only 49 percent support for Begin policies; Commission of Inquiry appoints three investigators; dozens of Palestinian refugees allowed to visit Israel under special IDF permission refuse to return to Lebanon when their permits expire and are hiding in Arab villages.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Mounir Abu Fadel, Deputy Speaker of Parliament, appeals for multinational force or Lebanese Army to occupy Chouf area.

US and Other Countries: Shamir and Shultz meet for 4 hours, set up working group to consider withdrawal proposals (agree on need for early IDF withdrawal); Israel suggest US troops replace IDF in South Lebanon, White House rejects; Israel argues for strong Haddad role.