The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli P.M. Shamir says he hopes to start peace talks with Arab governments, Palestinians in next 2 months; he expects Egypt to broker the talks [NYT 12/30]. While touring northern settlements IDF chief of staff Shomron states that recent wave of attempted border infiltrations are being carried out by groups seeking to undermine Arafat [NYT 12/30]. Shamir says infiltrations are encouraged by U.S. decision to open talks with PLO [LAT 12/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza City troops shoot, kill 2 Palestinians during what IDF describes as pre-emptive raid to arrest firebombers [NYT 12/30]. In Nablus at least 5 Palestinians are injured during clashes with soldiers. Troops fire tear gas to break up demonstrations in E. Jerusalem. Clashes in Burayj leave several Palestinians injured [FJ 1/2].

Arab World: Israeli helicopter gunships attack Amal positions in S. Lebanon in retaliation for attempted border infiltrations; UN officials state that 8 Arabs are wounded in attack [LAT 12/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PLO Exec. Committee declares that Arafat's statements in Geneva recognizing Israel's right to exist, rejecting terrorism are "in harmony with" recent PNC resolutions [WP 12/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Abwayn troops shoot, kill 20-year-old Palestinian [NYT 12/28, FJ 1/2]. In Tulkarm soldiershoot, wound 3 Palestinians. In Balatah 1 Palestinian is shot by Israeli troops. In Nusayrat 8 Palestinians are shot by army. In Khan Yunis 3 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with troops. In Beach camp 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded [FJ 1/2]. Israeli troops shoot, kill 3 Palestinians trying to infiltrate Israel through Negev [LAT 12/29, NYT 12/30].

Arab World: Israeli troops in S. Lebanon shoot, kill 3 Palestinians trying to cross border into Israel [LAT 12/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shamir aide says prime minister may ask U.S., U.S.S.R. to sponsor M.E. peace talks [NYT 12/27].

Arab World: Mubarak makes Israel's acceptance of PLO as Palestinians' representative key to visit to Israel; Israeli F.M. Arens states Israel will "never under any circumstances" deal with PLO [LAT 12/27].

Other Countries: U.S. proposes that Israel and Egypt meet to discuss how to limit spread of ballistic missiles in M.E. [NYT 12/27, WP 12/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip 16 Palestinians are injured during clashes with Israeli troops. At least 5 Palestinians are shot, injured in W. Bank. In Shuwaykah troops uproot scores of olive trees [FJ 1/2]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor, Likud agree to form new government. Shamir will retain premiership; Peres will become finance minister; Rabin will remain D. M.; Arens will become F.M. [NYT 12/22].

Arab World: Saudi Arabia pledges $6 million a month to support PLO [FJ 12/26].

Other Countries: UN designates O.T. as underdeveloped, qualifying them for economic, social support from number of UN agencies [FJ 12/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 26-year-old Palestinian dies from wounds received in Nablus 12/16 [NYT 12/22, FJ 12/26]. In Tubas 4 Palestinians are shot, wounded. In Qabatiyyah Israeli troops injure 4 Palestinians. In Salfit 2 Palestinians are shot during protests. In Tulkarm troops shoot, wound 1 Palestinian. In Silwad 1 Palestinian is shot, wounded; 100 trees are uprooted, brick factory is demolished. In Nusayrat 1 Palestinian is shot, wounded [FJ 12/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike protesting deaths in Nablus enters 3rd day [FJ 12/26]. Israeli television reports that the "civil administration" has decreased amount of money that Palestinians may bring into O.T. from JD400 to JD200 [FJ 12/26].

Arab World: PLO exec. committee member Yassir Abed-Rabbo states PLO will appoint government for State of Palestine in next 2-3 months [CSM 12/20]. King Hussein shakes up Jordanian government; F.M. Taher Masri is ousted, P.M. Zayd Rifa'i increases power [WP 12/20].

Other Countries: E.C. decides to hold talks with Israel, U.S., PLO to press for international peace conference [NYT 12/20]. Arafat meets with Austrian chancellor Vrantisky, F.M. Mock; Austria upgrades PLO representative inVienna to "ambassador" [CSM 12/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 13-year-old Palestinian from Nablus dies from injuries received 12/10. In Khan Yunis troops shoot, wound 4 Palestinians; 20 other Palestinians are injured. In Nusayrat 2Palestinians are injured [FJ 12/26].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike in O.T. enters second day. Gaza is placed under curfew. Nablus, Ramallah areas are considered closed military zones [FJ 12/12]. Al-Haq/Law in the Service of Man, the West Bank affiliate of the International Commission of Jurists, releases report detailing first year of intifidah: atleast 405 killed; 20,000 Palestinians injuredue to shootings, beatings, gassings; at least 20,000 arrested (9,000 to 10,000 still incarcerated); 32 deported; 26 deportations pending; 1,600 curfew orders of which 400 lasted at least 72 hours [FJ 12/12, JP 12/ 17]. New York Times [12/9] states there have been at least 285 Palestinians killed; Washington Post [12/9] states at least 350 Palestinians have been killed. IDF states 303 Palestinians have been killed. UN Relief and Works Agency states 313 Palestinians have been killed during first year of uprising UP 12/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops shoot, wound 2 in al-Fawwar camp. In Balata camp 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded. In Nablus, al-Far'a 6 Palestinians are injured [FJ 12/12].

Arab World: Israeli commandos raid Palestinian base south of Beirut, kill at least 8 Palestinians, wound 16; one Israeli soldier is killed, 3 wounded [WP 12/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Beach camp soldiershoot, kill 15-year-old Palestinian, wound another. At least 4 Palestinians are shot in Gaza camps [FJ 12/12].

Arab World: Iraq announces development of anti-ballistic missile, Fao 1, capable of destroying Israeli short- and medium-range missiles [FJ 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Washington Post reports U.S., Israel had secret agreement authorizing joint anti-terrorist operations in 1985-86; the operations were supervised by Oliver North, Amiram Nir [WP 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In al-Yamun 75- year-old man dies after exposure to tear gas. Soldiers raid 3 schools in Jabalya camp; several people are injured. At least 4 Palestinians are wounded on W. Bank [FJ 12/12]. Arab World: Israel shells Lebanese village of Habush killing 2, injuring 3 [FJ 12/12].