The Palestine Chronology

Military Accion:

LAF [Lebanese Armed Forces] consolidates positions in West Beirut, arrests numerous militiamen; East Beirut hit by scattered shelling; Reagan orders carrier Eisenhower and 2000-man Marine force to Beirut; heavy fighting in Tripoli.

Casualties:

LAF reports 42 dead, 176 wounded in 4 days of Beirut fighting; no clear estimates of civilian casualties; 24-40 Christians reportedly killed, houses burned, by PSP [Progressive Socialist Party-Druze] militia in Bmariam.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Jumblatt says his forces will attack Marines and other MNF units if they do not remain neutral; Amal leader Nabih Berri says Marines have turned into a fighting force against Muslims in Lebanon.

Military Action:

24-hour curfew declared in Beirut; 300 Lebanese Rangers make helicopter landing, attack militia positions at Holiday Inn, other hotels; 6,000-10,000 Lebanese Army troops make combined armor and infantry sweep into West Beirut, recapture positions lost in past two days; Corniche Mazraa occupied by special force of 300, using mortars and tanks; artillery shelling continues from mountain positions; Italian MNF compound hit by 12 artillery rounds; Commodore Hotel hit by several shells; army sets up checkpoints near port area, occupies Mourabitoun HQ, Amal militia, Army maintain informal cease-fire in Shi'ite neighborhoods; heavy fighting occurs in Tripoli between rival Muslim militias.

Casualties:

18-22 civilians killed, 49 wounded in Beirut; 21 Lebanese soldiers killed, 87 wounded, bringing total Army casualties in past 4 days to 42 killed, 176 wounded; Mourabitoun and Amal militia leaders placed under house arrest; part of US Special Forces unit, training Lebanese Army, evacuated from Cadmos Hotel to British Embassy; 25 killed, 60 wounded in Tripoli battles.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Foreign Minister Shamir and Deputy PM Levy emerge as competing candidates to succeed Begin.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: After emergency Cabinet meeting, Gemayel invites 11 opposition leaders to join in national reconciliation conference; Jumblatt says Gemayel's call for direct dialogue among factional groups is out of the question; Berri condemns Army's move into West Beirut, calls on other Arab states to stop the massacre of Muslims.

Military Action:

Fierce fighting continues between Muslim militias and Lebanese Army throughout West Beirut; Mourabitoun occupies Union National Building, engage nearby Army garrison in rifle and RPG battle; Lebanese Army barracks at Fahr al-Deen, and positions at Murr Tower and Holiday Inn attacked; Druze militia occupies Holiday Inn; French Embassy compound hit by rockets, French convoy ambushed; British convoy attacked at Galerie Semaan crossing; Italian positions hit; 3 US Marine positions come under fire, respond with rifles, machine guns; hooded gunmen occupy points along Green Line; long-range artillery fire hits West Beirut; US aircraft carrier Eisenhower, other warships move to within 5 miles of shore.

Casualties:

4 French military personnel killed, 4 wounded in Beirut attacks; most Beirut shops closed, electrical blackouts frequent, lines form to buy bread, drinking water; 4 Ansar prisoners wounded when IDF opens fire after guards hit by stones.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin tells Likud coalition his decision to retire as PM and Herut party leader is final; process of selecting new Herut leader begins; McFarlane, in Jerusalem, obtains commitment to postpone IDF withdrawal from Chouf for few more days.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese government officials and Muslim leaders meet.

US and Other Countries: Reagan tells Congress Marines will remain in Lebanon, resists pressure to invoke provisions of War Powers Resolution requiring withdrawal of troops in 60-90 days without Congressional approval; White House says US troops are not conducting combat operations; West German Chancellor Kohl postpones visit to Israel.

Military Action:

10,000-13,000 Lebanese Army troops cordon off 14 sq. km. area around Hayy al-Sollom and Burj al-Barajneh, begin sweep against Muslim militias, heavy fighting from dawn to noon, Army occupies 2 sq. km., claims to have captured Amal HQin Burj al-Barajneh; Druze gunners in Upper Metn fire artillery and rockets at East Beirut and industrial areas, and in support of Amal militia; US Marines come under fire, use 155 mm artillery, 81 mm mortars, rockets from Cobra helicopter gunships against Shi'ite positions near airport and in foothills; Amal militia drives Lebanese Army from garrison and checkpoints in West Beirut, Mourabitoun militia takes control of streets; Amal takes over Beirut TV station; snipers posted on rooftops, firing continues throughout day and evening.

Casualties:

2 US Marines killed, 14 wounded by mortar fire; 11 Lebanese soldiers killed, 60 wounded, estimated 12-50 kidnapped; civilian casualties estimated at 20 dead, 100+ wounded, 1 Lebanese Air Force fighter bomber destroyed at airport, 2 damaged; 2-4 Lebanese Army APCs, several tanks captured.

Political Responses:

PalestiniansI Lebanese: Gemayel convenes emergency session of Cabinet; Amal leader Nabih Berri says he wants no problems with US, denies that US positions were fired on by Amal militia.

US and Other Countries: Reagan accepts recommendation of crisis management group, headed by VP Bush, that there is no need to expand size or change role of US force in Lebanon; members of Congress press for declaration that fighting in Lebanon triggers provisions of War Powers Resolution; White House says attack on Marines was outgrowth of Syria's refusal to withdraw its troops and Syrian influence over Lebanese factions.

UN: 10-day Conference on Palestine opens under heavy security in Geneva, more than 90 countries participate, US, Canada, Israel boycott.

Military Action:

Gunmen fire from car at Amal supporters putting up posters of Imam Musa Sadr in Burj al-Barajneh, Lebanese Army unit sent in, sets up roadblocks, small arms battle begins between Amal militia and Army, continues through evening; Amal seizes Army APC with 5 soldiers, tries to storm building at Lebanese University south of Beirut; heavy sniper fire in streets of south Beirut suburbs; mortars and rockets hit airport; US Marine position at Hayy al-Sollom, east of airport, comes under RPG and semi-automatic weapons fire for 90 minutes, Marines return fire for first time with M-16s and M-60 machine guns; bomb explodes as IDF patrol passes near Aley.

Casualties:

2 civilians killed, 12 Lebanese soldiers wounded; airport closed indefinitely, terminal damaged; 1 IDF soldier wounded near Aley.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin tells Cabinet he intends to resign.

US and Other Countries: Pentagon says Marines in Lebanon returned fire on confirmed targets, decision was consistent with policy giving authority to fire back if directly threatened.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat meets Jordanian foreign minister in Tunis; McFarlane, in Paris, holds meetings with Wadi Haddad, National Security Adviser to Gemayel, and with Jumblatt; Jumblatt also meets French Foreign Ministry officials.

Arab Governments: Syria says it will defend its Druze ally in Lebanon if government sends army into Chouf.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says his peace plan is still alive, West Bank settlements are an obstacle to peace, and he remains committed to finding a compassionate, fair and practical resolution of the Palestinian problem.

Casualties:

5 killed, 3 wounded when IDF soldiers at roadblock open fire on cars reportedly carrying Ansar escapees and Druze militiamen near Mukhtara village in Chouf; IDF moves Ansar prisoners to temporary location after network of tunnels discovered, engineers say construction of new camp, with more permanent housing units on tarmac and concrete bases, is nearly complete.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: National Salvation Front issues statement calling for conference with government to discuss reconciliation.

Casualties:

1 French soldier killed, 8 wounded in accidental explosion of ammunition truck in West Beirut; bomb explodes in Air France's East Beirut office, 3 injured.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel agrees to McFarlane request to delay troop redeployment, set to begin this weekend, for few days, wants all troops out of Chouf by eve of Jewish New Year, September 7.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: P. Gemayel says Lebanese Forces will withdraw from Chouf when Lebanese Army moves in; Jumblatt says full-scale fighting for control of the Chouf is approaching; President Gemayel urges Muslims and Christians to allow Lebanese Army to take control of areas evacuated by IDF, appoints Druze commander for unit.

US and Other Countries: McFarlane leaves Beirut for Rome, says he sees no prospect of MNF moving into Chouf to replace IDF.

Military Action:

Sporadic shellfire hits Christian areas north of Beirut; RPG fired at IDF patrol east of Tyre; IDF patrol and guerrilla unit engage in battle near Jebel Barouk.

Casualties:

3 wounded in Jounieh; 1 guerrilla killed, IDF soldier wounded near Jebel Barouk.

Military Action:

IDF convoy hit by explosive device near Amiq, IDF artillery units maintain systematic fire at guerrilla positions in Syrian-controlled area; IDF combat units in Chouf reduced to minimum, removal of logistical and support facilities completed; Lebanese, Israeli and US officers reconnoiter Chouf positions to be occupied by Lebanese Army.

Casualties:

4 IDF soldiers wounded by explosion near Amiq.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: World Zionist Organization publishes $1.5 b. plan to triple West Bank settlers to 100,000 by 1986.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Pierre Gemayel says Phalange Party will not start discussion of entente before all foreign armies leave; Camille Chamoun criticizes government for contacts with National Salvation Front.

Military Action:

6 hours of shelling in Chouf spill over into Beirut suburbs, IDF fires at Druze positions, cease-fire in effect at 0800; Lebanese Forces blockade Aley, Druze forces in Hammana surround Lebanese Army barracks; roads cut between Christian and Druze villages in Chouf; 2 Katyushas fired at IDF position north of Tyre.

Casualties:

6 killed, at least 21 wounded in Beirut suburbs; IDF kills 1 guerrilla north of Tyre; Israeli press reports IDF is losing control over Ansar, tanks and artillery needed to guard soldiers entering camp for daily head count.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Liberian President Doe begins 4-day visit to Israel, first by African head of state since 1972; Arens meets three West Bank and Gaza political leaders in Tel Aviv.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PFLP-GC commandos supporting Arafat take over training post at Bedawi refugee camp in northern Lebanon after battle with opposing PFLP-GC faction.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Former head of Shin Bet describes West Bank settlements as a psychological hothouse for the growth of Jewish terror.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee meets in Tunis.

Military Action:

Druze and Christian militia resume artillery battles in Chouf after kidnappings of at least 20 persons Friday night.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Lt. Col. Mahmoun Muraish, senior aide to Abu Jihad, assassinated in Athens; 3 Lebanese cabinet ministers travel to Tripoli and Ehden for discussions on reconciliation with leaders of National Salvation Front.

Casualties:

1 killed, 31 injured by car bomb near hospital and office of pro-government 24th of October movement in Tripoli.

Military Action:

Rockets hit IDF supply base and UN position near South Lebanon border town of Marjayoun.

Casualties:

1 IDF soldier killed, 3 wounded in rocket attack.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel criticizes Arens visit, reception given him by Phalange Party; Wazzan retracts threat of resignation.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: McFarlane ends 2 days of talks in Israel, travels to Beirut; Major Haddad released from Israeli hospital after recovering from wounds suffered in August 5 attack.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PM Wazzan threatens resignation, refuses to conduct government business to protest Arens visit to Beirut.

Casualties:

Beirut airport reopens, Saudi and Jordanian envoys reportedly mediate between Jumblatt and Gemayel.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF Chief of Staff Levy says no fence will be constructed along Awali line, amount of Lebanese farmland taken for new fortifications will be on very small scale.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Phalangist leaders welcome Arens on surprise visit to Beirut, where he inspects Lebanese Forces, lays wreath at martyr's grave, holds press conference; US Marine Corps commandant visits Beirut.

US and Other Countries: Details of classified State Dept. memo on Palestinians in Lebanon notes dramatic increase in threats to life, desire of government to evict up to 75% of 400,000.

Military Action:

Remote controlled bomb explodes under IDF vehicle south of Sidon; bomb explodes in Sidon as IDF vehicle passes.

Casualties:

Explosion in Sidon causes unreported number of IDF casualties.

Military Action:

Druze and Christian militias fight artillery battles in Chouf and Aley mountains.

Casualties:

Airport remains closed, hundreds of Beirut residents seek passage by sea to Cyprus.

Casualties:

55 Lebanese soldiers captured in last 2 days released by Druze militia.

Political Responses:

US and Other Countries: State Dept. confirms it has studied possibility of admitting up to 10,000 Palestinian refugees from Lebanon to US but considers it impractical.

Military Action:

Druze forces continue assault on army positions near Kfar Matta and Beirut airport; airport closed for second day.

Casualties:

2 Lebanese soldiers killed, 14 wounded; IDF negotiates release of 3 ministers held by Druze militia at Jumblatt's residence.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Druze demands presented in list of 10 points carried to Gemayel by 3 ministers released earlier in day.

Military Action:

Druze militia attacks Lebanese Army at 3 outposts east of Damour, captures 2 positions; rocket and artillery duels follow Druze attack, Beirut airport closed after shells fall on runway, terminal building, nearby residential areas; IDF supports Lebanese Army at Kfar Matta; US Marines fire flares as warnings to Druze gunners in Chouf.

Casualties:

4 civilians, 2 IDF soldiers killed, 24 wounded, including 8 Lebanese soldiers, 4 IDF, 1 US Marine, in shelling of airport area; 3 government ministers, attempting to mediate, detained at Jumblatt's residence.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli shekel devalued by 7.5%, brings cumulative devaluation in 1983 to 72%.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Dany Chamoun meets Shamir, other Israeli officials in Jerusalem.

US and Other Countries: Draper named new US ambassador to Tunisia, other US Middle East diplomatic positions shuffled.

Casualties:

Arsonists set fire to Christian-owned industrial areas in Beirut; bomb explodes in Akka hospital near Sabra and Shatila, 3 injured; mass breakout at Ansar, 4 prisoners escape, 10 recaptured.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: 3 Fateh loyalists killed in Beqaa.

Arab Governments: King Hussein meets McFarlane.

Military Action:

Syrians reportedly use SA-6 missile to down Israeli RPV over Beqaa.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Fighting resumes between rival PLO factions in area of Shtawra.

Arab Governments: McFarlane sees King Fahd at Taif, after 24-hour wait, reportedly is urged to seek unconditional IDF withdrawal.

Military Action:

Artillery and rocket duels spread to a dozen Chouf villages over Saturday night; IDF line across South Lebanon will consist of string of static forts, within eye contact of each other, supplemented by look-out posts, roadblocks, mobile patrols, and sophisticated electronic equipment.

Casualties:

Car bomb at entrance to fruit and vegetable market in Baalbek kills 33, injures 125, 15 buildings damaged or destroyed, Front for Liberation of Lebanon from Foreigners claims responsibility; demonstrations against continuing IDF occupation occur in dozens of villages in Sidon area; Lebanese security officials estimate that 400-500 people, mostly civilians, have died in car bombings and other random violence since end of last summer's invasion; total IDF killed since June 1982 now 506.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 7 more Birzeit students sentenced to prison for 18 months, one for 24 months for participating in July 27 demonstration; Arens meets six prominent Palestinians in Hebron.

Arab Governments: Assad has 6-hour meeting with McFarlane, Syrian position unchanged; McFarlane travels to Saudi Arabia.

Military Action:

Grenade thrown at Lebanese Army checkpoint in Beirut; IDF position comes under fire near Sarafand in South Lebanon.

Casualties:

1 IDF soldier, 1 civilian wounded in exchange of fire at Sarafand.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Palestine Central Council ends 3-day meeting in Tunis, calls for resolution of crisis in Fateh, establish- ment of conciliation commission to restore good relations with Syria.

US and Other Countries: US to sell Lebanon 68 M48-A5 tanks plus spare parts and ammunition for $64 m., provide 12 training advisers.

Military Action:

Sporadic artillery and rocket exchanges continue in Chouf; bomb damages Lebanese police station in Sidon.

Casualties:

Car bomb explodes outside crowded mosque in Tripoli, at least 19-20 killed, 43-50 injured, Islamic Unity Party blames agents of government and Phalange Party; at least 1 killed, 9 injured by bomb in Christian neighborhood of Beirut, front of 5-story building collapses; South Lebanon militia leader Haddad wounded in attack on his house, reportedly by his own militiamen, 3 guards killed, 2 children wounded.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: McFarlane meets PM Wazzan; Lebanese officials say Army has 15 days to occupy positions in Chouf.

Casualties:

IDF releases 10 Syrians from Ansar camp for medical and humanitarian reasons.

Political Responses:

US and Other Countries: Asst. Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs Veliotes leaves position to become ambassador to Egypt, will be replaced by present ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

Military Action:

IDF reports that army engineering corps is building fortifications on 50 km. line along Awali river, constructing 40 km. of new roads, improving 50 km. of existing roads, redeployment cost estimated at $30 m.; IDF statistics show 263 attacks against IDF positions and personnel during 1983, with 32 killed and 180 wounded.

Casualties:

Christians from villages near Kfar Falus hold sit-in demonstrations at Phalange barracks, block IDF removal of militiamen.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: McFarlane meets Shamir and Arens, who reportedly reject Lebanese request that Israel publish timetable for complete withdrawal of IDF; Druze IDF captain resigns from army to protest treatment of Lebanese Druze, will form group to support demand for IDF expulsion of Phalangists from Chouf.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Central Council meets in Tunis.

Military Action:

IDF and Syrian Army exchange fire in Beqaa; heavy fighting between PLO factions, and between Lebanese Army and Palestinian forces of Col. Said Musa near Army's Baalbek base, Syrians intervene; IDF surrounds, occupies Phalangist barracks at Kfar Falus, east of Sidon, in effort to evict militiamen.

Casualties:

1 IDF officer killed by Syrian fire; 2 killed, 8 wounded in Baalbek fighting; Christian and Druze militias permit convoys of food and medicine to reach Chouf towns of Bhamdoun and Aley, blockaded for past 35 days; bombs explode in 5 shops selling Israeli goods in Ain al-Hilweh camp; IDF releases following statistics on effect of redeployment: it is withdrawing from 600 of 3,400 sq. km. it now holds, 200,000 of the 750,00 civilians in this total area will come under control of Beirut, IDF frontline will be reduced from 118 to 113 km; more than 100 Palestinian and Lebanese women at Prime Minister's office demand intervention to secure release of men presumably kidnapped by Phalangists at time of Sabra and Shatila massacre.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 2 Birzeit students sentenced to 18 months imprisonment for participating in last week's demonstration over killing of Hebron students; IDF imposes curfew on Tulkarm-Nablus road after settlers wounded by shots near Anabta.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat asks OAU and Nonaligned Movement to intervene against Syrian and Libyan attacks on PLO; McFarlane meets Gemayel, then flies to Israel.

UN: US vetoes, Zaire abstains, 13 states support Security Council resolution that Israeli settlements in occupied lands have no legal validity and constitute major and serious obstruction to peace.