The Palestine Chronology

SOCIAL/POLITICAL: Occupied Palestine/ Israel: Israeli police arrest Ephraim Segal, US-immigrant Elon Moreh settler, for questioning in murder of Nablus girl (12/8/83). 2 Israeli buses damaged and 1 Kiryat Arba settler hurt in hail of stones outside Dheisheh refugee camp. Hebron man obtains order nisi requiring West Bank commander to give cause for sealing of his home.

Arab World: Villagers in Milke, S. Lebanon riot against IDF patrol; 5 villagers injured, several arrested.

MILITARY ACTION: Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 petrol bombs thrown at Israeli police bus near al-Bireh. Occupation forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes and seal 4 others in Hebron and Ramallah belonging to suspected members of groups hostile to Israel.

Arab World: Gemayel advisor discloses orders received in Washington to move LAF into Druze-held Chouf as US and Israeli warplanes provide cover and US ships blanket area with heavy artillery.

Other Countries: US Sec. of State Shultz criticized in Tunis for US-Israel "strategic cooperation."

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem U. resumes classes after closure by Israeli military (11/2/83) during folklore festival there. Over 200 anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews protest corner-stone-laying ceremony at Emmanuel religious settlement; block 16 buses of Agudat Israel Party supporters planning to attend. In address to Israeli Federation of Contractors and Builders convention in Jerusalem, Shamir urges private builders to develop West Bank. Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Com. report new ultra-rightwing underground, stockpiling arms and planning to take over part of territories. Labor Federation leader Shehadeh Minawi released on IS5,000 bail after held for 24 hrs. on charges of arranging illegal conference in Jerusalem. About 20 S. Lebanon merchants meet with Israeli Industry and Trade Director in Jerusalem to discuss ways of improving trade.

Arab World: PLO Political Dep't. head Qaddoumi refuses proposal by some PLO Executive Com. members to replace Arafat. Mubarak warns new "strategic cooperation" will spell disaster for American friends in Arab world; other official Arab sources concur.

Other Countries: UK Labor Party dep. sec. Hattersley says his party admires Israel as "one of the greatest events of the 20th century," adding Labor's recent pro-PLO resolutions were only attempts to introduce "realism into the romantic." North American Palestinian community mtg. in Newark, NJ publicizes declaration reaffirming support for PLO and Arafat leadership.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Violent exchanges in Jerusalem between extremist Zionist cells injerusalem, Birkat Avraham, Torat Kohanim and Shuva Banim yeshivot and Arab residents of Muslim Quarter when several students spray tear gas in eyes of young Palestinian man near his shop; neighbors retaliate with barrage of stones.

Arab World: 24 US jets strike in Chouf mountains and Metn region, hit 6 villages; US claims retaliation for Syrian anti-aircraft fire against yesterday's US flights over Lebanon; 2 US planes downed, 1 airman killed, 1 captured by Syria. US Navy spokesman says US reevaluating Syrian military capabilities. 

Military Action:

Artillery exchanges between PSP, and LAF and LF throughout the day in Chouf, Metn and Aley regions, and in coastal area south of Beirut; sporadic artillery and machine gun fire between rival militias in Tripoli; commander of IDF-backed militia in South Lebanon disbands his unit, joins Amal.

Casualties:

2 killed, 6 wounded in Tripoli fighting; 3 killed in Chouf; Beirut airport closed after 6 shells hit runway, schools in East Beirut closed; French military helicopter crashes into sea off Beirut, 2 crew members killed, 1 missing.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens, in US, calls for unrelenting diplomatic and political pressure to force Syria to withdraw from Lebanon, says Lebanese government should employ guerrilla activity against Syrian forces in Lebanon; Shamir, in US, says US support for Israel, from point of view of American interests, is a bargain; settlers continue to occupy position near Joseph's Tomb in Nablus; petrol bomb thrown at IDF vehicle in Nablus.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Tripoli Higher Coordinating Committee meets separately with Arafat and rebel leaders to coordinate details of cease-fire and withdrawal of forces.

Arab Governments: Saudi ambassador to US criticizes US-Israel program for increased cooperation, says Israel is strategic liability to US, not strategic asset.

US and Other Countries: Gemayel arrives in Washington for meetings tomorrow with Reagan and senior US officials.

Military Action: 

PSP and LF exchange artillery fire in Chouf area to south of Beirut; with only sporadic shooting, Tripoli cease-fire holds; Syria says its forces confronted US reconnaissance jet over Metn mountains; IDFconvoy attacked with light arms near Nabatiyeh.

Casualties:

2 civilians killed, 6 wounded by artillery fire in Chouf.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF intensifies patrols, roadblocks in West Bank, buses to travel with armed escorts or in convoy with military vehicles; windshields of Israeli buses driving near Nablus and Ramallah smashed by stones.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel travels to Rome for 3-day visit.

Arab Governments: Assad meets Ba'ath party leaders, is seen on television for first time since November 14.

Military Action:

Israeli jets attack Islamic Amal and Hisballah militia training camps and an ammunition dump at Nabih Chit, near Baalbek; PSP artillery shells East Beirut, LAF positions in West Beirut; PSP positions in Chouf exchange fire with LAF and LF; PLO rebels occupy Baddawi after heavy fighting, hand to hand combat; rockets, shells fall in Tripoli; 3 IDF patrols attacked near Sidon and Tyre; grenade thrown at Marine position near airport.

Casualties:

30 estimated killed, 80 wounded in Nabih Chit attack; 2 civilians killed in East Beirut; casualties at Baddawi estimated at 62 killed, 136 wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 1500+ dunums confiscated for military purposes from Ramallah, Beitunia and Rafat.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel, Syrian FM Khaddam meet in Beirut; PFLP-GC head Ahmed Jibril, at Baddawi, says battle with Arafat is finished and so is Arafat.

US and Other Countries: Rumsfeld meets Shamir on first visit to Israel as special envoy; US expresses satisfaction with Israeli air raid on Islamic Amal bases, says there was no Israeli-US coordination.

Military Action:

Heaviest shelling since September 26 cease-fire engulfs Beirut, Chouf; LAF and PSP battle around Souq al-Gharb, LF and PSP exchange rocket, artillery fire between East Beirut and Chouf positions; cease-fire ends in Tripoli as PLO rebels launch heavy artillery and tank attack on Baddawi camp, move to within 200 yards of perimeter but are pushed back; shells, rockets fall in Tripoli.

Casualties:

3 killed, 7 wounded in East Beirut, 2 wounded in West Beirut; schools close, Parliament does not meet; 3 Fateh fighters killed, 26 wounded in Baddawi fighting, 100 civilians killed or wounded, up to 10,000 camp residents reported to have taken shelter in Tripoli; 4-8 civilians killed, 12 wounded in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Head of West Bank civil administration stoned by residents of Dura; demonstrations, curfews and arrests in numerous camps and villages on West Bank; consumer price index rises by 21.1% in October, biggest increase in state's history, inflation rate of 180% anticipated for 1983.

Military Action:

Fighting continues between LAF and militiamen in southern suburbs and at Souq al-Gharb and between Druze and Phalange militias in Kharroub; stray shells land near Marine base at airport.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: New Finance Minister Yigal Cohen-Otgad right-wing member of Herut party with business interests and residence in West Bank, named by Shamir.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PSP official says Druze refugees have begun to occupy homes abandoned by Christian refugees in Chouf villages as part of new civil administration policy.

US and Other Countries: Reagan appoints McFarlane as national security adviser, replacing William Clark; Marine commander in Beirut says sniper fire in past few days originates from gunmen newly arrived in area; US states officially for first time that Marines and other MNF units are the targets of attacks.

Military Action:

Artillery fire exchanged between LF and PSP militias in Kharroub area south of Beirut; sniper fire continues against LAF and LF positions; Western military sources say Syria is blocking entry of Palestinian guerrillas to Chouf and evacuating those already there.

Casualties:

1 LF militiaman killed, several wounded by snipers in Deir al-Q;mar.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Talks on formation of government of national unity between PM-designate Shamir and Labor leader Peres break down.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Cease-fire security committee agrees to put roads leading to airport under LAF control, remove militia checkpoints on roads south of Beirut, exchange persons kidnapped during fighting by opposing militias, permit Red Cross to enter battle areas.

Arab Govemnments: Mubarak, on official visit to US, meets Reagan, other administration officials, calls for reactivation of September 1982 Reagan plan.

US and Other Countries: Shultz and Syrian Foreign Minister discuss monitoring of Lebanon cease-fire, Syria reportedly objects to use of UN observers.

Military Action:

Heavy fighting in Burj al-Barajneh tapers off in afternoon; LAF resists attack on Souq al-Gharb; shelling resumes in Chouf during evening; shells fall on East Beirut suburbs; US battleship New Jersey, equipped with 16-inch guns capable of firing 2700 pound shells a distance of 22 miles, arrives, bringing number of Sixth Fleet vessels off Beirut to 14.

Casualties:

2 civilians killed, 3 wounded in Beirut shelling; 3 US Marines wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Bomb explodes in central Nablus, 3 Palestinian civilians, IDF soldiers wounded.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Following 3 weks of negotiations, Lebanese and Syrian governments announce that all parties to fighting in Lebanon have agreed to Saudi-American proposals for (1) cease-fire as of Monday morning supervised by neutral observers and implemented by committee drawn from LAF, Amal militia, LF and National Salvation Front, (2) national reconciliation talks between leaders of main religious and political factions, with Syrian and Saudi observers; 1000-1500 PLO loyalists, forced out of Beqaa, held under siege by Syrian forces in Jbab el-Homor Valley, ordered to hand over weapons.

Military Action:

Fighting continues around Souq al-Gharb, with anti-government forces, reportedly including Hitten and Yarmouk brigades of PLA, using tanks and smokescreens; artillery and rocket fire hits Yarze and Baabda areas; US ships fire salvos for third consecutive day; Gemayel tours LAF positions along Souq al-Gharb-Kaifun ridge.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shamir, with majority in Knesset, is invited to form new government, extends invitation to Labor Alignment to join government of national unity; Sharon calls on US to send Marines into Chouf, use naval and air power to stop Druze forces, send warning to Syria and Soviet Union; Israeli acting mayor cancels Hebron council's successful petition to High Court for injunction against expansion of Jewish settlements in town's center.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says Marines' participation in MNF is absolutely crucial to ending Soviet-sponsored aggression against Lebanon; House Appropriations Committee votes 20-16 to cut off funds for Marines in MNF on December 1 unless Reagan invokes War Powers Act.

Military Action:

US warships respond to shelling in area of US Ambassador's residence and Defense Ministry, where US advisers are based, fire an estimated 60 rounds from 5-inch guns, targets reportedly are artillery positions in Chouf; fighting continues between LAF and PSP forces along Souq al-Gharb Baissour ridge, hand-to-hand combat reported in Kaifun; Lebanese Air Force renews attacks on artillery positions; 3 British aircraft carriers head for eastern Mediterranean.

Casualties:

PSP reports 15 militiamen, 45 LAF soldiers killed.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 4 Palestinians wounded by grenade thrown into Hebron market shop.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Abu Nasser, commander of September Martyr's Battalion, says 500 anti-Arafat men are fighting with PSP and Amal militias against LAF; PSP spokesman says 150 Palestinians were in Aley but are not longer involved in battles.

Arab Governments: Syria says it will retaliate if areas it controls in Lebanon are attacked by US Marine or Navy units supporting LAF.

Military Action:

IDF patrol of 8 APCs, 2 Centurion tanks enters Saadiyat, 8 mi. north of Awali, assists LAF and LF in battle with PSP.

Casualties:

Several dozen detainees released from Ansar prison camp, 4700 remain. Political Responses:

US and Other Countries: US admits it asked Israel, on behalf of Lebanon, to use its army and air force to attack PSP positions in Chouf about a week ago, but Israelis refused.

Military Action:

1200 LAF troops resist 4 assaults by PSP militia at Souq al-Gharb; fighting between LF and PSP militias continues south of Beirut around Mishref, Barja and Saadiyat; British jets fly reconnaissance missions; grenades thrown at Haddad militia office in South Lebanon; rocket fired at IDF position north of Tyre; IDF commando unit lands on beach near Tripoli, fires mortars at PLO positions.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens says Lebanese Druze have responsibility to prevent PLO forces from participating in Chouf battles or approaching IDF lines along Awali river.

US and Other Countries: Marines in Lebanon are authorized to call on US naval and air power to assist LAF and other MNF units if they are being attacked in a way that endangers Marines.

Military Action:

Battle for Souq al-Gharb continues, LAF positions under artillery attack throughout day; Marine position at airport hit by mortar rounds; new contingent of 2000 Marines arrives offshore Beirut, US forces now total 14,000 marines and sailors on shore or aboard 12 ships, with approximately 100 aircraft.

Casualties:

3 US Marines wounded by mortar fire; reports of refugees from Chouf region intensify, Beirut radio says 7846 families have fled, Israeli radio says many seek to cross from Lebanon into Israel; first IRC relief convoy reaches refugees in Deir al-Qamar.

Political Responses:

Palestinian/ Lebanese: Cease-fire talks continue, McFarlane meets Gemayel, then flies to Saudi Arabia; Lebanese officials describe current fighting as foreign invasion, not civil war.

US and Other Countries: Reagan authorizes aggressive self-defense measures for Marines, including pre-emptive air and naval strikes; administration official says US will not stand by and let places of vital interest, like Souq al-Gharb, be overrun; draft resolutions to bring US participation in MNF under War Powers Act introduced in Senate and House.

Military Action:

LAF repels attack on Souq al-Gharb after hand-to-hand battle; Western military spokesman claims Syrians, Palestinians, and some Iranians are principal component of 2000-man force attacking Souq al-Gharb; PSP forces capture Bkeshtine, reportedly reach point on Mediterranean coast south of Damour; in past week, PSP forces have occupied 39 Christian villages in Chouf, while LF has occupied 3 Druze villages; shells fall near Marine, LAF positions at airport; British, US jets fly reconnaissance missions; IDF vehicle attacked with grenades, small arms fire near Lebanon-Israel border; IDF patrols coastal highway 6 miles north of Awali line.

Casualties:

LAF statistics for Souq al-Gharb fighting are 13 killed, 20 wounded, 20 missing; further reports of massacre of 60-75 Christians in al-Bireh denied by PSP spokesman; 3 'DF soldiers wounded in attack near border.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens says IDF will move across Awali line to hit Palestinian targets but will not return to Chouf or intervene in fighting there; Arens says Israel intends eventually to annex West Bank.

Military Action:

Fierce tank and artillery battles continue between PSP and LF militias in Chouf, focus on control of Bhamdoun; LAF moves troops into Dar aI-Wahch, near Aley.

Casualties:

31 killed, including 3 LAF soldiers, 83 wounded; LAF reports 40 Druze killed in Kfar Matta, says LF responsible, PSP accuses LAF of participating in massacre; Phalange report murder of civilians and militiamen by PSP forces near Bhamdoun; 4 US Marines wounded by mortar fire.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel warns PSP not to occupy areas it has evacuated, says fall of Bhamdoun to PSP would be seen as a change in the status quo, extending Syrian territory.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Pro- and anti-Arafat Fateh forces resume fighting near Baalbek.

Arab Governments: Syria calls for Arab League boycott of Lebanon.

US and Other Countries: McFarlane returns to Beirut.

Military Action:

IDF completes overnight withdrawal; heavy artillery, machine-gun battles between LF [Lebanese Forces-Phalange militia] and PSP militia as each moves to occupy former IDF positions; LAF dislodges PSP forces at Kf. r Matta and Khaldeh, fires artillery at PJP positions in Chouf; Israeli jets strafe column of Syrian tanks, reportedly under PSP control, attacking LF positions near Sofar, several tanks destroyed; LF encircles PSP stronghold at Aley, PSP militia encircles Bhamdoun.

Casualties:

34 killed, 25-71 wounded in Beirut and Chouf; car bomb in Shi'ite neighborhood of Haret Hreik kills 11, injures dozens.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens warns Syria against entering areas evacuated by IDF; Mustafa Dudeen, chairman of West Bank Villages Leagues, resigns.

Military Action:

IDF begins Operation Millstone, withdrawing its forces from Beirut outskirts and Chouf mountains.

Casualties:

100,000-150,000 civilians in central and eastern Lebanon reported to have fled south, behind new IDF lines, in past few days.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens refuses US request to delay IDF withdrawal from Chouf.

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

Military Action:

Fighting continues overnight in Chouf, as cease-fire breaks down.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens tells Cabinet he is not inclined to allow any more political demonstrations in Hebron.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Central Committee calls for emergency meeting of Palestine Central Council; Arafat meets French foreign minister; July 2 cease-fire broken as Fateh rebel units attack 3 loyalist positions near Shtawra, casualties estimated at 2-5 killed, 9-14 wounded.

Military Action:

Druze forces attack Beirut airport, Lebanese Army positions, with rockets and artillery; remote-controlled bomb explodes near IDF patrol in Aley.

Casualties:

22 killed, 65 wounded, including 3 US military personnel, in Beirut shelling; cumulative statistics on Chouf fighting in past year show more than 420 killed, 600 wounded, 700 kidnapped or detained; 11 IDF soldiers wounded in Aley explosion.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 2 IDF reservists court martialled for refusing to serve in Lebanon, total now 72.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee begins 2 days of meetings in Tunis.

US and Other Countries: Reagan meets Gemayel, says US is committed to full withdrawal of all foreign forces; Deputy National Security Affairs Adviser Robert McFarlane replaces Habib as special envoy to Middle East, Draper also replaced

Military Action:

2 Katyushas fired from Lebanon into western Galilee area of northern Israel.

Casualties:

6 killed, at least 15 wounded (including commander of Italian contingent of MNF) when car bomb explodes outside West Beirut Summerland hotel; 3 killed, 24 wounded in East Beirut; 1 prisoner at Ansar camp killed, 2 wounded when IDF opens fire on protest demonstration; tractor hit and field set afire by rockets in Galilee.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet gives unanimous approval to plans for withdrawing IDF from Beirut suburbs and Chouf mountains and redeploying along Awali river, no withdrawal on eastern front.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel and Prime Minister Wazzan, meeting congressional leaders in Washington, oppose IDF redeployment.

US and Other Countries: US says Israel makes its own decisions, partial withdrawal of IDF should be within the framework of full withdrawal of all foreign forces; potential financiers of Lebanon's reconstruction begin 2-day meeting in Paris under World Bank auspices.

Military Action:

Druze residents of Aley resist Lebanese Army patrol on reconnaissance mission.

Casualties:

2 Druze killed by army vehicle, 4 Druze, 14 Lebanese soldiers wounded in Aley; 3 shops selling Israeli produce blown up in Nabatieh; IDF wounds civilian curfew breaker; US Marines report incidents of harassment during patrols of Shi'ite neighborhoods; Ansar prisoners begin hunger strike.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Labor Party leadership endorses proposal for 2-stage IDF withdrawal, an immediate pullback from Beirut and Chouf mountains, followed by complete withdrawal in 2-3 months, with Haddad and MNF forces occupying security strip.

UN: Secretary-General tells Security Council that recruitment and arming of village militias by IDF poses major problem for UNIFIL.

Military Action:

Rockets fired at IDF position near Tyre; bomb explodes as IDF convoy nears Aley.

Casualties:

2 South Lebanon villages remain under curfew as IDF and Haddad militia search for guerrillas responsible for Monday's ambush.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens and senior IDF officers visit Chouf to consider redeployment positions; new figures show Israel's foreign trade deficit rose by 40To during first half of 1983 to $1.7 b., Treasury speeds up devaluation of shekel, drops 0.8% in one day.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO political department head Kaddoumi meets Soviet foreign minister in Moscow.

Military Action:

IDF roadblock fired on east of Beirut; light arms fire at IDF patrol from Syrian-controlled territory in Beqaa.

Casualties:

Kidnappings, arson, and cutting of water and electricity supplies continue in Chouf region.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Grenade damages IDF jeep in Hebron, central area of city closed; Begin, other officials meet Habib, reportedly reject setting a deadline for unilateral IDF withdrawal; declassified Foreign Ministry files detail relations between Israel and Lebanese Phalangists during 1948-51 period.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee calls for cease-fire between rival factions, sends mediation team to Syria.

Arab Governments: Joint Saudi-Algerian delegation leaves Damascus.