The Palestine Chronology

Late in the evening, the IDF makes an air strike on a group of Palestinian resistance mbrs. nr. Gaza’s Jabaliya r.c., wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c.; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2 Palestinians, including a 10-yr.-old child). In Hebron, Jewish settlers rampage through Palestinian areas for a 9th day, burning 1 home and several gardens, shooting and wounding 1 Palestinian; the IDF occupies 9 Palestinian homes as operational bases, but apparently does not intervene. Jewish settlers fr. Avnei Hefetz nr. Tulkarm uproot 80 Palestinian olive trees, damage an irrigation network, fortify an existing unmanned IDF barrier outside Shu‘fat village. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar block nearby Palestinian roads, stone Palestinian cars. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’ale Levona nr. Ramallah close a secondary Ramallah–Nablus road to Palestinian traffic, stoning Palestinian cars, causing one to flip over, injuring 2 Palestinians. (PCHR 12/18)

Overnight, the IDF demolishes the Palestinian home nr. Dayr al-Balah that it says was hiding a tunnel, arresting 4 female residents, bulldozing an additional 2.5 d. of land. Retaliating for IDF attacks on 11/4–5, Hamas and Islamic Jihad mbrs. fire about 35 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF strikes 1 rocketlaunching site in Jabaliya r.c. in n. Gaza, killing 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. and wounding 2 others (including senior cmdr. Issam Ba‘lusha) and 2 bystanders. Hamas officials state that they are in contact with Egypt to restore calm and would observe the ceasefire if Israel halted attacks; Israel says it intends to uphold the truce, but cuts off fuel shipments to Gaza and seals all crossings into the Strip indefinitely as punishment for the rocket fire. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a daytime arrest raid, searches a shop in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Silwan in East Jerusalem (displacing 9 Palestinians)— the 1st of 88 Palestinian homes slated for demolition to make way for a “national archeological park”—sparking clashes with local residents that leave 8 injured, 20 under arrest; also demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Shu’fat (displacing 11 Palestinians), a wedding hall in Bayt Hanina. (AFP, HA, XIN 11/5; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 11/6; HA 11/8; OCHA 11/12; PCHR 11/13; NYT 12/7)

Egyptian border police discover, demolish 20 smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border; smugglers exchange fire with police, leaving 2 unidentified individuals dead and 4 wounded inside Egyptian territory. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international peace activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin, wounding 7. For a 2d day, armed Jewish settlers attempt to enter Shu‘fat r.c. to establish an unauthorized outpost; the IDF bars their entry. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba dump trash in front of the entrance of Hebron’s al-Ras Mosque. Jewish settlers fr. Givat Ha’avot settlement in Hebron vandalize 5 nearby Palestinian homes. The Israeli Interior Min. approves construction of 400 new settler housing units in Neve Ya’acov settlement n. of Jerusalem, and authorizes tenders to be issued for construction of 286 housing units in Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem (approved by the Housing Min. on 5/21) and 130 units in Har Homa in East Jerusalem (some of which may have been approved by the Interior Min. on 7/9). Israel also reportedly agrees to transfer settlers living in the unauthorized outpost of Migron nr. Ramallah to another settlement (as yet undecided) where 40 new units would be built to accommodate them. (OCHA 8/13; PCHR 8/14)

Meeting with Abbas in Jerusalem, Olmert pledges to release 150 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to improve the climate of negotiations and support for Abbas; the release is tentatively set for 8/25. Today, Israel releases 6 Palestinian prisoners (fulfilling a requirement of the 7/16 prisoner release deal with Hizballah): the 6 include Hamas-affiliated Nablus mayor Adli Yaish (see 7/14) and 5 minors arrested for stone-throwing. Meanwhile, the IDF sends undercover units into Ramallah to arrest a wanted Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, and in and around Jenin town and r.c., Tulkarm (breaking into a taxi company, stealing 3 cars). Armed Jewish settlers attempt to enter East Jerusalem’s Shu‘fat r.c. to establish an unauthorized outpost, claiming ownership of land inside the camp; the IDF bars their entry. (AFP, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 8/7; OCHA 8/13; PCHR 8/14)

An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber fr. Nablus detonates a device in a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing only himself, wounding 24 Israelis (1 critically). The PA accuses Islamic Jihad of trying to derail the 1/25 elections. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian throwing a Molotov cocktail at troops in Hebron; arrests Fatah candidate fr. Jerusalem Ahmad ‘Abd al-Rahim at a campaign rally in Shu‘fat, East Jerusalem; raids, seals an office in East Jerusalem linked to Change and Reform campaigning, confiscating computers, documents; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Jenin for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and nr. Hebron, nr. Ramallah, and in Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas. Palestinians fire a rocket fr. n. Gaza towards Israel, but it lands in Bayt Lahiya, damaging a Palestinian home, lightly injuring a 7-yr.-old girl. (AP, IMEMC, JTA 1/19; HA, NYT, IMEMC, WP, WT 1/20; WT 1/21; PCHR 1/26)

Israel ends the siege on Arafat's compound in Ramallah, allowing Arafat, all those inside with him to leave; troops remain in Ramallah however. A Palestinian heart attack victim dies at an IDF checkpoint nr. Khan Yunis when troops deny his passage to a hospital for several hrs. Palestinians in Nablus defy the curfew by reopening schools. The IDF surrounds 3 Nablus schools, forces them to close; fires on curfew breakers in nearby Balata r.c., injuring 3 children. The IDF also fires tear gas into an education center for children and the mentally disabled in Shu`fat r.c., injuring 150 children; demolishes 4 Palestinian houses nr. Netzarim settlement; fires on stone-throwing Palestinian children nr. Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis, injuring 4. (AFP, JT 9/29, Interfax, MENA, QA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/30; CSM 10/1; LAW, PCHR 10/2; MEI 10/11; WP 11/8)

The Jerusalem Report, citing Britain’s respected Jane’s Foreign Report, claims that IDF special forces are currently operating inside western Iraq, with the knowledge of the U.S., to locate missile launchers that could be used against Israel. (JP 9/29)

Just before Zinni arrives, Israel begins pulling back gradually fr. Ramallah. The U.S., PA say that is not enough, with the State Dept. publicly stating, "We want to see a full withdrawal" fr. area A, including all Palestinian towns, refugee camps. During the day, at least 5 Palestinians are killed in Ramallah, 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/5; 2 explosions nr. Tulkarm kill 6 Palestinians (including senior AMB mbr. Mutasim Makhluf) in what are thought to be assassinations; 2 Palestinian collaborators are killed by Fatah Hawks mbrs. in Bethlehem. In an incident similar to that on 2/14, Palestinian assailants detonate a powerful roadside bomb in Gaza, destroying a Merkava tank, killing 3 IDF soldiers, wounding 2; the AMB, PFLP each claim responsibility. In al-Bireh and nr. Ramallah, Palestinians fire RPGs at 2 tanks, damaging them. Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo settlement, causing no damage. In retaliation, the IDF sends tanks into the heart of Bethlehem, firing repeatedly at a Catholic maternity hospital and orphanage, which houses 16 patients and 50 children ages 5 and younger, causing damage but no injuries. IDF shelling, heavy machine gun fire are also reported in `Ayn Arik, Beitunia, al-Irsal, al-Tira, Umm al-Sharayit. The IDF demolishes 15 Palestinian homes in al-Mighraqa village in Gaza; makes arrest raids into onto al-Naqura, Shu`fat. Jewish settlers fr. Ma'ale Mikhmas, guarded by IDF soldiers, attack and drive off several bedouin families camping nr. the settlement. (AFP 3/13, MA, QA, XIN 3/14 in WNC 3/15; HP, LAW, MM 3/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/15; Die Presse [Vienna] 3/15, al-Quds 3/16 in WNC 3/18; LAW 3/20; MEI 3/22)

Zinni meets with local reps. of the quartet--an ad hoc diplomatic formation of the EU, Russia, UN, U.S. employed at times when presenting a united international front may more effectively press Israel and the PA to take a desired course of action. He then meets with Sharon. (XIN 3/14 in WNC 3/15; MM, NYT, WT 3/15; MEI 3/22)

The IDF shells Hamas's press office in Nablus, killing 8 Palestinians, wounding 7. Among the fatalities are Hamas political leaders Jamal Mansur and Jamal Salim, the targets of assassination and prominent public figures known for running a network of welfare programs and medical clinics. Also killed are Fahim Dawabsha, another Hamas mbr. on Israel's wanted list; 2 journalists interviewing Mansur; 2 children outside the building. The attack triggers firefights, especially around Jerusalem; mortar strikes; and 2 ambushes of Jewish settler vehicles that leave 7 settlers wounded. 100s of Palestinians gather outside the Hamas office to protest. Sharon terms the attack "one of our most important successes." The State Dept. "strongly deplores" the "highly provocative" incident. Egypt's Mubarak sends an "urgent letter" to Bush pressing for U.S. to intervene with Israel. Meanwhile, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat; sends tanks, bulldozers into Bayt Sahur to shell residential areas, demolish part of a home, a water network; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, Gaza City, al-Khadir, Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes additional land outside Ramallah; conducts arrest sweeps in Bayt Hanina, East Jerusalem, Shu`fat, al-Tur, Wadi al-Juz; sets up a new checkpoints nr. Nablus, Ramallah, Zawata; tightens the closures on Salfit, Tulkarm. IDF soldiers also severely beat 2 journalists at a checkpoint nr. Qalandiyya; 2 Palestinians are killed in clashes elsewhere. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in East Jerusalem. (AP, HP, LAW, PMC, REU 7/31; MENA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MENA 7/31, ATL, JT, MA, MENA, XIN 8/1 in WNC 8/2; NYT, WP, WT 8/1; XIN 8/1, AN 8/2 in WNC 8/3; HP 8/2; MENA 8/4 in WNC 8/6; LAW 8/6; JP, MEI 8/10)

A PA security court sentences 4 Palestinians to death for collaborating with Israel in the assassination of senior Fatah official Thabet Thabet on 12/31/00. A 5th defendant is acquitted. (WT 8/1; AYM 8/4 in WNC 8/10; WT 8/7)

The UNSC votes unanimously to extends the UNIFIL mandate through the end of 1/02, implement the staged troop reduction endorsed on 5/18. (UN press release 7/31; AFP 8/1 in WNC 8/2; MEI 8/10)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. The IDF conducts arrest sweeps in Shu`fat, Surif; bulldozes Palestinian land around Morag settlement. A mysterious car explosion in the PA-controlled section of Hebron causes no injuries. Jewish settlers attack, damage a Red Crescent ambulance nr. Ramallah. The IDF issues demolition orders for 20 Palestinian homes in Bayt Umar (see 2/20), Yafta. (HP 2/22)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Peres confirms he wrote Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III in 1985 about Iraqi oil pipeline project [LAT 2/22]. Peres states continued support for intemational conference but rejects role for U.S.S.R. [LAT 2/22]. UN officials charge Jerusalem police and border guards conducted 2 extensive raids in Shu'fat 2/20 and 2/21, beating residents and damaging property [WP 2/22]. Police reinforcements are deployed in Jerusalem in preparation for Sec. of State Shultz's visit [LAT 2/22]. Palestinian youth from Galilee is fined IS 1,500 and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment for raising Palestinian flag and participating in illegal demonstration 12/21 [FJ 2/28].

Arab World: According to diplomats in Cairo, PLO has withdrawn threat to abandon Cairo declaration (promising not to attack Israelis outside of Israel and the occupied territories) [NYT 2/22].

Other Countries: Palestinian journalist Hanna Siniora travels to Rome to meet with PLO officials about lifting ban on talks with Shultz [NYT 2/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dayr 'Ammar refugee camp near Ramallah, Palestinian is shot, killed; army says shots may have been fired by settlers [LAT 2/22]. Israeli soldiers shoot, wound Palestinian during apparent knife attack on Israeli patrol in Nablus; youth also allegedly involved in attack is killed and 4 others wounded. Army drops tear gas from helicopters to break up crowds at funeral [FJ 2/28]. At least 6 Palestinians are wounded by live ammunition during clashes in Jenin-area town of Qabatiyyah and Gaza's Khan Yunis camp [WP, LAT 2/22]. Khan Yunis is ordered under curfew. Gaza hospital officials report treating 50 for gunshot wounds, beating injuries [FJ 2/28]. Curfew remains in force in Idna; curfews are imposed in Faradis, Za'tara, and Ta'amrah villages in Bethlehem area [FJ 2/28].

Arab World: IDF units raid S. Lebanon village of Bayt al-Siyad in attempt to locate Lt. Col. William Higgins, U.S. marine kidnaped 2/17 [LAT 2/22]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ahmad Qadir Mansur, convicted of bombing Egged bus in February 1987, is sentenced to life imprisonment [FJ 2/21].

Arab World: Lt. Col. William Higgins, U.S. marine serving in Lebanon with UN Truce Supervision Organization, is abducted by unknown gunmen near Tyre [WP 2/18]. PLO officials announce they are postponing plans to charter ship of return for 130 deported Palestinians [NYT 2/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In village of Shuyukh, near Hebron, Israeli troops open fire on stone-throwing demonstrators protesting predawn raid; 1 Palestinian is killed, at least 3 others injured [WP, NYT 2/18]. Protests are also reported in Ramallah and Jabalya and Shu'fat camps [NYT 2/18; FJ 2/21]. Army imposes curfew Qabatiyyah village after demonstration [FJ 2/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Kafr Qaddum on the W. Bank, settlers whose van was stopped by roadblock open fire on Palestinian demonstrators, killing 1, wounding another [LAT, NYT 2/9]. At least 51 Palestinians have died and more than 800 been injured since uprising began 12/9 [WP 2/9]. Merchants observe 2-day commercial strike to mark beginning of uprising's 3d month [FJ 2/14]. In interview, Def. Min. Rabin opines diplomacy, not force, will end occupied territories diturbances, says forcing striking Palestinian merchants toopen will be lower priority [CSM 2/9]. Settlers vandalize Arab cars in night attack on Bituniyyah village, near Ramallah [FJ 2/14].

Arab World: Syrian officials conclude 3 days of talks with U.S. envoy Richard Murphy, reject U.S. peace proposal [WP 2/9].

Other Countries: Foreign ministers of 12 EEC countries condemn Israeli violations of international law, human rights in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [WP 2/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Burayj youth dies from severe beating by soldiers. Demonstration erupts during youth's funeral. Army responds with clubs, live ammunition, wounding at least 2. Camp is put under curfew [LAT 2/9]. In Nusayrat camp, residents attack soldiers with stones; soldiers use live ammunition when tear gas, rubber bullets fail to disperse crowd. Maj. Gen. Yitzhaq Mordechai orders release of "several dozen" accused of throwing rocks. In W. Bank city of Qalqiliyyah, troops open fire in effort to quell disturbances. Police raid 3 suburbs of E. Jerusalem, firing tear gas, arresting dozens [LAT 2/9]. At least 12 towns, cities, and refugee camps are under curfew [NYT 2/9]. Curfew on Shu'fat refugee camp is lifted for 2 hours to allow residents to buy food. Curfews continue in Nablus area, including region's refugee camps, Tulkarm, Qalqiliyyah, and 'Anabta, as well as Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta, al-Fuqa, Bani Na'im, and 'A'idah camp [FJ 2/14]. In village of Silwan, demonstrators bum Israeli car after driver runs from scene; 2 soldiers are injured trying to disperse stone-throwing crowd. Military closes 2 main entrances to Am'ari camp; 9 entrances to Qalqiliyyah are closed [FJ 2/14]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces 100 Palestinians will be released from Gazan detention centers and several soldiers will be disciplined for excessive use of force. Commercial strike continues in many E. Jerusalem communities [NYT 1/30]. Nearly 200 demonstrators march in protest at al-Haram al-Sharif; 6 are arrested for incitement and carrying Palestinian flags [WP 1/30].

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of State Shultz calls for "new blend of approaches" to Middle East peace process. Nimrod Novik and Simha Dinitz, Israeli Foreign Ministry envoys, arrive in Washington [WP 1/30]. U.S. officials state Attorney Gen. Edwin Meese was told of plan to give money to Israeli Labor party in return for assurances Israel would not attack proposed Iraqi oil pipeline [NYT 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli officials continue to insist that calm is prevailing in occupied territories. UNRWA workers in E. Jerusalem charge at least 50 Palestinians were injured in military raid of Shu'fat [NYT 1/30]. Worshipers leaving mosques in Am'ari and Tulkarm refugee camps clash with soldiers, who use tear gas to disperse crowds; camps are briefly placed under curfew [FBIS 1/29; WP 1/301. In Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians are arrested on charges of raising Palestinian flags, chanting nationalist slogans after prayers on al-Haram al-Sharif [FBIS 1/29]. Troops use tear gas to disperse demonstrators leaving mosques in Ramallah and al-Birah [FBIS 1/29; FJ 1/31]. Military lifts curfews on Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta and Tulkarm and Am'ari camps [FJ 1/31]. Curfew on Sa'ir is lifted [FBIS 1/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Officials indicate Israel's leaders have decided to postpone expulsion of 5 Palestinians [WP 1/29]. Police Min. Haim Bar-Lev tours Nablus and 'Askar camp, confirms Irael will build several new detention centers in occupied territories, including 1 for children [FBIS 1/28; WP 1/29]. Israeli bus used to transport Palestinian workers to jobs inside green line is torched in Tulkarm district. Commercial strike continues in Ramallah, al-Birah, and E. Jerusalem [FBIS 1/28, 1/29]. Leaflets signed by PLO and Unified National Com. for the Uprising call for general strike to continue, renewed mass demonstrations beginning 1/30 [WP 1/29, 2/2]. According to Israeli officials, 111 W. Bank residents and 18 Gazans have been placed under administrative detention since 12/9; 1,753 have been arrested; and 577 have already received prison sentences for participating in the uprising [FBIS 1/28].

Arab World: PFLP denies Jordanian accusations that it attempted to incite rebellion against the Hashimite regime [FBIS 1/29].

Other Countries: U.S. Pres. Reagan holds talks with Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak. Both urge Israeli and Palestinian acceptance of 6-month cooling-off period [NYT, WP 1/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian sources report 1 demonstrator is killed by army gunfire in Rafah [FJ 1/31]. Military rounds up males between the ages of 15 and 45 in Shu'fat during night raid [NYT 1/30]. Troops teargas Palestinian demonstrators in Nablus. Curfews continue in Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta village and Sa'ir [FBIS 1/28]. Curfew on Jabalya refugee camp is lifted [FBIS 1/29]. Military lifts curfew on Jalazun refugee camp, reimposes curfew on Qabatiyyah village following morning protests. Yediot Aharonot reports IDF has established a regional headquarters and several camps in Gaza Strip, a sign it plans to maintain high levels of deployment [FBIS 1/29]. IDF reports scattered incidents of stone throwing in Gaza Strip [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes conduct mock raids over al-Awwali Bridge. IDF gunboats fire flares over Sidon [FBIS 1/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Yitzhaq Rabin announces new policy of using "might, power, and beating" instead of live ammunition to quell disturbances. At least 38 Palestinians have been killed since uprising began 12/9 [WP 1/21]. Rabin bans food shipments by relief agencies to Palestinian refugee camps until general strike ends. General strike continues. Soldiers order W. Bank and E. Jerusalem businessmen toopen shops [NYT 1/20]. Food trucks are allowed to enter Khan Yunis, Jabalya,nd Nusayrat refugee camps; trucks are denied entrance to Dayr al-Balah and Burayj camps [WP 1/20]. Military, police, and Jerusalem city officials arrange to invoke emergency powers for Jerusalem police [NYT 1/21]. Dozens are arresteduring police sweep of E. Jerusalem's Shu'fat and Thuri neighborhoods [FJ 1/24].

Arab World: PFLP Sec. Gen. George Habash travels to Lebanon, meets with 4 Palestinians deported by Israel [FBIS 1/20]. Radio al-Quds broadcasts call for general strike [FBIS 1/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israelis drop tear gas from helicopters then open fire with rubber bullets, live ammunition in clash with stone-throwing demonstrators in Ramallah-area village of al-Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah; 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded [WP 1/23]. Military lifts curfew on Balatah refugee camp [FJ 1/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin announces Cabinet decision to withdraw completely from Lebanon by early June; also indicates possible continued IDF presence in S. Lebanon, even outside proposed security zone, if "necessary" [NYT 4/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF impose restrictions against travel to Jordan for residents of Beit Hanina, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Qalandiya, Shu'fat; measure is apparently collective punishment for 4/19 slaying of Israeli taxi driver [FJ 5/3].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF kill 2 civilians trying to cross Litani River into Israeli-held territory [JP 4/22].

Military Action:

Syria fires at unmanned Israeli reconnaissance aircraft, shells IDF positions in Bekaa Valley; IDF patrol attacked in Chouf where cease-fire continues; US State Dept. reports steady infiltration of PLO forces into Lebanon, Pentagon estimates overall PLO strength at 12,000-15,000, Syrian forces at 35,000-40,000, IDF at 15,000; other estimates place number of PLO forces returning to Lebanon at 1500 over past 4 days.

Casualties:

1 IDF soldier wounded in Chouf attack.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli officials describe withdrawal agreement as tantamount to peace treaty with Lebanon, predict dramatic improvement in US-Israel relations; Jewish Agency reports immigration for first 4 months of 1983 is 4538, 21% higher than same period last year, Latin America is currently largest source; Israeli settler shot and killed while shopping in Gaza's commercial center, curfew imposed; Ramallah military court sentences 5 men aged 17-22 to prison terms of 11-13 years for premeditated murder of Israeli woman killed by stones thrown at vehicle in January; Jerusalem Day celebrated; Housing Ministry announces plan for contiguous Jewish presence in northeast Jerusalem, connecting French Hill and Neve Ya'acov, using land expropriated in 1980 from Shuafat, Beit Hanina and Anata villages, private contractors to be invited to build luxury villas, other housing units; High Court of Justice permits Jewish prayer demonstration near Moghrabi Gate on Temple Mount.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese officials meet special envoy Habib; President Gemayel meets Jordanian foreign minister, ambassadors of 5 UN Security Council permanent members; Walid Jumblatt says Lebanese Parliament is illegal because it has not held elections for deputies since 1973; Druze leadership demands constitutional reform in Lebanon as condition for agreement with Maronites to end war in Chouf.

Arab Governments: Syria says any Israeli aggression against Syria, even in Lebanon, would mean unlimited war.

US and Other Countries: Soviet Union says US and Israel are trying to partition Lebanon; Shultz, in Paris, asks Soviet Union to use its influence to obtain Syrian withdrawal; House Foreign Affairs Committee votes 18-5 to increase grant portion of US military aid to Israel to $850m, $300m more than administration request, and to increase economic aid request by $ l00m, all grant; CIA and National Security Agency reportedly received warnings a month in advance that an Iranian-backed group planned to bomb the US Embassy in Beirut.