The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 200 representatives of professions, student groups, other institutions in occupied territories call for PLO unity, criticize 2/11 Arafat-Hussein agreement [FJ 4/19].

Arab World: Jordan removes travel restrictions (imposed 4/30/83) on residents of occupied territories (W. Bank residents were not allowed to remain in Jordan for more than 30 days; were required to fill out questionnaire concerning trip) [FJ 4/19].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Lebanese Forces continue bombardment of Mieh Mieh, 'Ain al-Hilweh. IDF, SLA attack Yuhmur; 8 reportedly massacred [NYT 4/14, LT 4/15]. UNRWA reports finding 6 beheaded bodies of Palestinian refugees in Sidon area [NYT 4/16]. Katyusha, anti-tank rocket fired at IDF positions in Tyre; no casualties [JP 4/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In interview with Jerusalem Arabic-language paper al-Quds, PM Peres advocates exchanging land for "total peace"; supports greater autonomy for residents of occupied territories [JP 3/31, FT 4/1]. Occupation authorities make numerous pre-emptive arrests, censor papers in W. Bank in preparation for 3/30 Land Day commemorations [FJ 4/5].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Lebanese Forces militia shell Mieh Mieh camp; 3 killed, 40 wounded; Palestinian reinforcements from 'Ain al-Hilweh camp enter Mieh Mieh [NYT 3/30].

450 PLO fighters loyal to Chmn. Arafat secretly land near Sidon, join in defense of Mieh Mieh [PI 3/30]. Katyusha fired at IDF position near Lake Karoun injures 4 [JP 3/31]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: US Sec. of State Shultz assures visiting DM Rabin of US opposition to intl. conference on Middle East under UN auspices or with participation of USSR [JP 1/29]. 

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 settlers injured when their bus is stoned near Halhoul; authorities detain 1 Halhoul resident [FJ 2/1]. Nature Reserve Authority (Green Patrol) officials drive onto olive orchards in al-Mill (Area 9), destroy more than 140 trees; land was scene of recent (1/9, 1/25, 1/27) incidents [FJ 2/1].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: fighting breaks out between commandos and collaborators in 'Ain al-Hilweh. Reports indicate IDF kill 7-yr.-old Hawra Hadrag when troops at checkpoint open fire on car in Sidon [LT 1/29]. Mine wounds 3 IDF troops near Marjayoun. 2 IDF personnel injured as bomb explodes near convoy over Qasimiya Bridge [JTA 1/29]. Bomb explodes in Burj al-Shamali as IDF patrol passes; no injuries. Explosion occurs near SLA patrol in Deir Qanun, shots fired at SLA patrol in Sidon; no injuries. Katyusha launched at IDF position, undisclosed location; no injuries [JP 1/29]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Manufacturers, govt. and Histadrut union agree on 8-mo. proposal to cut wages, subsidies [JP 1/25, LAT 1/26]. Over 600 Ethiopian Jews airlifted to Israel have been drafted into IDF; plans indicate induction of additional 2,000, creation of Ethiopian battalion in W. Bank [DW 1/24].

Other Countries: New York jury clears Time magazine of libeling Ariel Sharon in controversial article (11/12), but criticizes Time's reporting; previously ruled that article was inaccurate and had defamed Sharon [NYT 1/25]. [Many of Sharon's legal bills paid by rich Americans, Israeli residents of U.S.] [VV 1/29]. US Pres. Reagan asserts PLO, Col. Qadhafi, Ayatollah Khomeini assisting Nicaragua, creating "new danger" in Central America [NYT 1/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Israeli vehicles hit by gasoline bombs near Dheisheh camp; no injuries [FJ 2/1].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: bomb injures 2 IDF troops near Deir Zahrani. RPGs fired at IDF liaison bldg., Nabatiya; no injuries. Katyusha fired at SLA position in Deir Qanun; no injuries. RPGs fired at SLA roadblock near Nabatiya; none reported wounded. IDF kill Palestinian in gun battle with masked men near 'Ain al-Hilweh; kill 6 commandos near jezzine [JP 1/25]. SLA soldier killed by resistance near 'Abassiya [JP 1/27].