The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Peace Now holds rally in Huwara on the W. Bank, attended by some 2,000 Israelis, but officials ruled Arabs could not attend [NYT 5/28]. In Nablus a total strike is observed [FJ 6/5].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramallah, Bethlehem, and throughout the Gaza Strip Palestinians clash with Israeli troops. In Beach camp troops seal a number of houses [FJ 6/5]. Moshe Levinger, leader of Gush Emunim, enters a Palestinian home in Hebron, assaults 5-year-old girl [FJ 6/5].

Arab World: Syria deploys forces in Beirut's southern suburbs in order to halt 3-week-old battle between Amal and Hizballah [WP 5/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: One Palestinian is killed, as many as 15 are wounded, and hundreds arrested as soldiers clash with Arabs in the neighboring villages of 'Ibwayn and 'Arurah. The army uses helicopters, bulldozers, gravel throwers, and military vehicles in attempting house-to-house searches for wanted men [WP 5/19, WT 5/19, FJ 5/22]. Troops shoot 2 Palestinian youths during demonstrations in Nablus [FJ 5/22]. D. M. Yitzhaq Rabin announces that Israeli high school students in paramilitary groups will not be allowed to train in IDF bases in which Palestinian prisoners are kept. This is a result of reports of a 16-year-old Israeli beating Palestinians at the suggestion of Israeli soldiers at the Ofer camp [WP 5/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel lifts curfew on Nablus [WP 5/18, NYT 5/18]. Curfew is lifted on Beach camp in Gaza, but area is later declared closed military zone. Israeli officials announce W. Bank schools will reopen in 3 phases, with first phase starting 5/23. Merchants observe near total strike marking second day of three-day feast at the end of Ramadan [WP 5/18].

Other Countries: Iraeli F.M. Shimon Peres visits Washington for talks with Pres. Reagan and Soviet ambassador to U.S. Yuri Dubinin. [NYT 5/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops wound, capture an Arab gunmanear the Jordanian border [5/18]. IDF troops wound man in Qalandiya refugee camp after man tried to seize gun from a soldier [WP 5/18, NYT 5/18, FJ 5/22]. Israeli police enter Maqassad hospital in East Jerusalem, arrest 3 visitors [FJ 5/22]. Israel reprimands 2 soldiers for firing on a village where a Palestinian was killed on 5/26. One soldier is "severely scolded"; the other is given a suspended 35-day jail sentence [NYT 5/18]. Soldiers sweep through jabalya and Bayt Hanun making arrests [FJ 5/22]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shops in occupied territories open in morning [FJ 5/22].

Arab World: King Hussein meets with U.S. Ambassador to UN Vernon Walters [MET 5/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army opens Gaza Strip after 29-hour closure. In Gaza's Beach camp, Israeli soldiers use live ammunition to disperse stone-throwing Palestinian demonstrators, wounding 1; 3 demonstratorsustain injuries from beating [NYT 5/15]. Nablus and 3 surrounding refugee camps remain under strict curfew; curfew is also in effect in Duhayshah camp. Army reinforcements remain in territories [FJ 5/22].

Arab World: In Burj al-Barajinah refugee camp, south of Beirut, fighting intensifies between pro-Arafat and pro-Abu Musa forces [WP 5/15]. Police report 6 have been killed and 20 wounded in recent fighting in Burj al-Barajinah [NYT 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Washington Post reports at least 1, 700 Palestinians are being held in administrative detention [WP 5/13]. Israel releases nearly 300 prisoners [WP 5/14]. Palestinian wounded in clash with troops 5/5 dies [WP 5/14]. Palestinian youth shot during demonstration weeks ago dies in Ramallah [NYT 5/14]. IDF releases 280 Palestinian prisoners as good will gesture [LAT 5/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Qabatiyyah village near Jenin, Palestinian is shot dead while trying to escape army raid [FJ 5/15]. In Jerusalem, border and regular police use rubber bullets and night sticks to disperse stone-throwing Palestinian demonstrators after Friday prayers at Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosques; 10 demonstrators are detained and about 20 are arrested; 3 police officers are also injured. Nablus and entire Gaza Strip are under curfew; Ramallah, Hebron, and Bethlehem are declared closed military areas. Worshipers are prevented from attending Gaza City's 'Umar Mosque [WP 5/14; LAT 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian dies of woundsustained 3/30 in Qabatiyyah clash with Israeli troops [WP 5/13; LAT 5/15]. P.M. Shamir visits Hebron. Israeli officials announce schools in occupied territories will begin reopening 5/23 [NYT 5/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus, soldiers open fire, wounding 5 [WP 5/13]. At Haram al-Sharif, police arrest 38 Palestinians demonstrating after Laylat al-Qadr services; at least 7 are wounded. [WP 5/14; LAT 5/15] In W. Bank village of Qabatiyyah, Palestinian is shot dead while trying to escape arrest [LAT 5/15]. Israel announces daily curfew in Qalqiliyyah from 6 pm to 4 am. Police car is destroyed in firebomb attack in Jericho. Military imposes curfew in Sha'jiyyah and Tuffah quarters of Gaza City following stonethrowing incidents [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza residents begin registering to receive new identity cards; residents must pay taxes in order to receive new cards [WP, NYT 5/11]. General strike is observed in occupied territories [FJ 5/15]. Trials begin for Qabatiyyah residents charged in connection with 2/24 lynching of collaborator [FJ 5/15]. Water supplies restored to village of Bayt Fajjar, near Bethlehem [FJ 5/15]. Resident of Ta'amrah village shot in 3/30 clash dies [FJ 5/15].

Arab World: Speaking in Baghdad, PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat charges U.S. has threatened to assassinate PLO leaders if PLO attacks U.S. targets [WP 5/11].

Other Countries: U.S. vetoes UN Security Council resolution condemning 2-day Israeli sweep in S. Lebanon [WP 5/1 1]. F. M. Peres holds talks with 2 Soviet officials in Madrid [MET 5/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: In village of Till near Nablus, 4 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire when residents protest military raid [FJ 5/15]. Israeli troops use live ammunition to disperse demonstrators in village of Ramin, near Tulkarm. Several army raids of W. Bank villages are reported. Ramallah-area village of Kafr Malik is still sealed. Curfews remain in force in Duhayshah refugee camp, Irtas village, and Balatah refugee camp [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli High Court delays deportation of Palestinian activist Mubarak 'Awad pending his appeal hearing. Reports indicate 'Awad has been on hunger strike since his arrest 5/5 [WP 5/9]. Authorities begin cutting off electricity to Palestinian villages which have not paid their bills; water is cut off in Attil village near Tulkarm and Nablus-area villages of Bidiya and Yutma [FJ 5/15].

Arab World: Mahmud 'Abbas (Abu Mazin) leaves Amman after 2 days of talks with Jordanian officials [FJ 5/15].

Other Countries: F.M. Peres meets with senior Hungarian officials in Budapest [WP 5/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army imposes curfews in Jabalya camp and 'Abasan village in Gaza Strip following protests. Demonstrators throw stones in Ramallah and Jenin [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in Nablus. Israeli authorities block entrance to Jaba' village, in Ramallah region [FJ 5/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jenin-area village of Faqu'a, demonstrators block roads, hang Palestinian flags, and throw rocks at IDF patrol; patrol opens fire, killing 1 Palestinian; unit's deputy commander is suspended when army investigators determine use of live ammunition was not warranted [LAT 5/2]. Several Palestinians are wounded in clash in Tulkarm-district village of Dayr al-Ghussun. Demonstrators also clash with soldiers in Bayt Sahur, Duhayshah camp, Ramallah, and Ram. Curfews continue in 'Anabta and Nur Shams camp [FJ 5/8].