The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, Hamas security forces arrest 5 Palestinians on charges relating to the 10/31 rocket fire. Also responding to the incident, Israel closes the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrests in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Ramallah; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli settler bus outside Hawara village nr. Nablus, and in response the IDF imposes an overnight curfew on the village. Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 19 Palestinians during a protest at Qalandia checkpoint, 2 with live ammunition and 17 with rubber-coated metal bullets. (HA, MNA 11/2; PCHR 11/6)

Jordan’s King Abdullah says that his country will confront Israel’s “unilateral policies” and work to protect “Muslim and Christian holy sites,” in response to the 10/30 closing of Haram al-Sharif and the escalating tensions in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Dep. Secy.-Gen. of the Arab League Ben Hilli says that Israel has reached a “red line” with regard to “violations”in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, meanwhile, says that “Islamic extremist elements” are trying “to stir up unrest” and that Israel will maintain the status quo at Haram al-Sharif. (AFP, HA, JP 11/2)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, firing indiscriminately but causing no apparent damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages w. of Ramallah in the evening. The IDF imposes a curfew on Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit and escorts 100s of Jewish settlers into the village to pray at a Jewish shrine; settlers vandalize Palestinian homes as they leave. In 2 separate incidents, the IDF prevents 10s of Jewish settlers protesting against the Palestinian statehood bid fr. entering Palestinian villages—Ya‘bad nr. Jenin and Asira Qibliyya nr. Nablus (see 9/19). In the Asira Qibliyya incident, settlers fr. Yitzhar clash with local Palestinians; the IDF intervenes, firing tear gas at the Palestinians, hitting a 14-yr.-old Palestinian in the back with a canister, moderately injuring him. Dozens of Palestinians march to the Qalandia crossing to Jerusalem, where they rally in support of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN; they burn tires and throw stones and bottles at IDF soldiers, who reply with tear gas; a Palestinian teenager is hit in the head with a tear gas canister and moderately injured. (WT 9/21; PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit and imposes a curfew, disrupting all daily activities in the village; conducts late-night raids, house searches in Qalandia r.c. s. of Ramallah, ‘Aqabat r.c. s. of Jericho, Hebron, Qalqilya, and nr. Nablus, arresting 7 Palestinians (including 2 teenagers). (PCHR 11/12, 11/19)

The IDF tightens roadblocks btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah; imposes a curfew on Silwad nr. Ramallah; shoots, wounds a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays into a closed military zone nr. Morag; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and in Aida r.c., Balata r.c., Bayt Rima and Dayr Ghassana nr. Ramallah, Madama nr. Nablus, Salfit; begins work on new segments of the separation wall running s. of Hebron and btwn. East Jerusalem and the Qalandia checkpoint s. of Ramallah, bulldozing 500 d.; reportedly bulldozes large areas in Wadi al-Malih in the n. Jordan Valley. Palestinians in Nablus report that the IDF is digging a trench 3 m deep and 4 m wide to encircle Salim, Azmut, Dayr Hatab, Bayt Dajan, and Bayt Furik villages (combined population 30,000); 3 km have been completed. Armed Palestinians calling themselves the Fatah Fighters kidnap the PA’s security dir. for the Rafah checkpoint Saad al-Sayfan, accusing him of corruption. 15 armed Palestinians occupy the Khan Yunis governate building for 2 hrs., demand that the PA compensate local Palestinians who have lost their homes to IDF bulldozing. Palestinians fire 5 mortars at Gush Katif, causing no damage or injuries. A PA court in Gaza opens a trial against 7 alleged collaborators, including Muhammad and Rami Abu Qaynas, accused of providing Israel with information used to assassinate Hamas leader ‘Abd al-‘Aziz Rantisi on 4/17/04. ( JAZ 9/5; MENA 9/5 in WNC 9/7; VOI 9/6 in WNC 9/8; PR 9/8; PCHR 9/9; PR 9/15)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Ramallah, closes Qalandia checkpoint based on security concerns; continues to surround all Palestinian cities, making it difficult for Palestinian workers to take advantage of eased permit restrictions for entering Israel (see 6/1). Israel releases Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) head and PLO Exec. Comm. mbr.  Taysir Khalid, detained without charge since 2/16. (HA 6/2; MM, NYT, WP 6/3; PR 6/4; PCHR 6/5)

The IDF fatally shoots a mentally disabled Palestinian riding a donkey nr. Tulkarm when he refuses orders to halt; the man had been detained, released by IDF soldiers in the area on numerous occasions. Asked why they fired on someone known to be mentally handicapped, the soldier says, “That’s not our problem. We told him to stop and he didn’t.” The IDF also fires on a taxi driving nr. Nablus after dark, during a curfew, killing a Palestinian woman, wounding her husband, 3d passenger; fires on a UNRWA school bus, injuring 1 Palestinian student; fires rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinians waiting to cross the Qalandia checkpoint, the Abu Hualy roadblock; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Rafah r.c; conducts arrest raids, searches in Bayt Furik, Bayt Rima, Khan Yunis, al-Qarara, Tulkarm. A 3d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 9/24/02. (NYT, WP 12/10; LAW, PCHR, PR 12/11)

In Hebron, a Fatah sniper, retaliating for the Jawabiri assassination on 6/24, shoots and wounds a 7-yr.-old Jewish settler, sparking a firefight in which 12 Palestinians, 4 IDF soldiers are wounded. In response, the IDF seals, places a curfew on the Palestinian section of Hebron, bulldozes Palestinian land s. of Hebron; Jewish settlers place more caravans at a new illegal outpost site nearby. Jewish settlers also place caravans on Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya, attack Palestinian cars in Wadi al-Juz, cut off water to Palestinian villages nr. Halmish settlement. Palestinians fire on a settler bus nr. Jerusalem. A gunfight erupts nr. Neve Dekalim settlement, wounding an 11-yr.-old Palestinian. The IDF tightens closures on Qalandia, Tulkarm; confiscates 20 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya; bulldozes Palestinian land in Tulkarm; continues to impose curfews on Bayt Lahia, Bayt Lid, Safarin. Shin Bet announces that 11 days ago, it captured Aziz Salha, who has confessed under interrogation to being involved in the murder of 2 IDF reservists in Ramallah on 10/12/00. (PMC 6/25; AP, HP, MM, WP, WT 6/26; MA 6/26 in WNC 6/27; MM 6/27; JP 7/6; WP 7/7)

Fmr. U.S. senator George Mitchell, head of the Mitchell Comm., recommends that in order to move the cease-fire forward, Israel should immediately implement a full settlement freeze, the U.S. should invite Arafat to the White House. Meanwhile, in Israel, DM Ben-Eliezer says Israel plans to remove 15 illegal settler outposts that have been set up since the al-Aqsa intifada began, noting that they are a danger to security and cannot be defended adequately. (HA, HP, MM, WT 6/26; MA 6/26 in WNC 6/27; MM, WT 6/27; WJW 6/28)

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: In Israeli television interview, Def. Min. Rabin reveals more than 1,000 Palestinian activists have been arrested in past week, bringing total number of Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons to at least 4,400 [WP 3/30; LAT 4/1].

Other Countries: Richard Schifter, U.S. asst. sec. of state for human rights and humanitarian affairs, defends Irael's use of force in occupied territories. Amnesty International cls on Israel to insure Palestinian human rights during 3-day sealing off of territories [WP 3/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army reports violent clash between soldiers and Palestinians in village of Zaytand Tulkarm; about 20 Palestinians are injured by live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas [WP 3/30; FJ 4/3]. Soldiers and protesters clash in Am'ari and Qalandiya camps [FJ 4/3]. Curfews are in force in Jenin camp, nearby Qabatiyyah village, Qalqiliyyah, Zayta, 'Askar camp, and Jalazun camp [FJ 4/3]. Curfew in Gaza Strip is lifted for 1 hour. W. Bank residents are restricted to own communities [WP 3/30]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir threatens to force early elections unless Israeli govemment unifies stand on peace process before arrival of U.S. sec. of state Shultz [NYT 2/23]. In Kafr Ni'mah, hundreds march, carry Palestinian flags to protest shooting death of village resident 2/20 [FJ 2/28]. Ramallah water department decides not to collect money for water from residents of Ramallah's refugee camps [FJ 2/28].

Other Countries: Atty. Gen. Meese's lawyers release memo in which E. Robert Wallach detailed arrangement with then P.M. Peres to send Israel's Labor party a share of profits from proposed Iraqi pipeline project [WP 2/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In W. Bank village of Silat al-Khartihiyyah, protester is wounded by army gunfire. In Ramallah Israeli soldier is injured in attempted stabbing; Palestinian attacked is also wounded [NYT 2/23]. In village of Baqa al-Sharqiyyah on W. Bank, Palestinian youth is shot, killed during demonstration, apparently by Israeli settler. In village of Yamun, IDF patrol opens fire on crowd throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, killing 1. Death toll since uprising began 12/9 is now at least 61 [LAT 2/24]. Violent clashes are also reported in Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Rafah, and Nusayrat and Jabalya camps [FJ 2/28]. Army imposes curfew in Nahalin village after fire bomb is thrown at Israeli military vehicle; curfews continue in Qalqiliyyah town, Tulkarm camp, Zanabah village, and Am'ari and Jalazun camps [FJ 2/28]. Soldiers close entrance to Qalandiya camp [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers force stores in Jenin and Ramallah to open [FBIS 1/27]. Commercial strike continues in Gaza Strip and E. Jerusalem [FBIS 1/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In the W. Bank, Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta and Sa'ir remain under curfew [FBIS 1/28]. Curfew on Jalazun camp continues. Military lifts curfew on Gaza's Jabalya camp for a few hours [FJ 1/31]. Residents of Rafah camp stone military helicopter to prevent its landing; at least 10 are injured when ground patrol attacks demonstrators [FJ 1/31]. Soldiers leap from helicopter, round up protesters in Ramallah. Rioting is also reported in Qalandiya refugee camp [FBIS 1/29]. Am'ari camp youth beaten by Israeli soldiers 1/26 dies in Ramallah hospital [FBIS 1/28]; following funeral, camp residents stone soldiers, settlers' cars. Troops respond with live ammunition [FJ 1/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel deports 4 Palestinians to S. Lebanon; PFLP takes the 4 to base in Biqa' Valley [CSM 1/15]. Child injured in demonstration dies [FJ 1/17]. Commercial strike continues in many W. Bank towns and cities; at least 23 shops in Tulkarm and Qalqiliyyah are welded shut for joining the strike [FJ 1/17].

Other Countries: Sir Crispin Tickell, pres. of UN Security Council, and International Com. of the Red Cross condemn Israeli deportation of 4 Palestinians. U.S. says it "regrets" Israeli action [NYT 1/14]. China announces its Red Cross Society will send medicine, food to PLO for Palestinians in W. Bank, Gaza Strip [CSM 1/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: All refugee camps are declared under curfew. Demonstrations continue. In Khan Yunis camp, protesters attack soldiers with clubs, knives before being arrested; 2 soldiers are reported injured. In Bayt Hanun, several Palestinians are injured after clash with soldiers. Military reports more than 500 Palestinians attack army vehicles in Rafah during visit of UN Undersec. Gen. Marrack Goulding [FJ 1/17]. Soldiers fire on crowd, killing 1, in Ramallah-district village of Kafr Ni'mah. Palestinian sources report that 2 children die from tear gas in village of Dayr 'Ammar, near Ramallah; Israel denies report. Jerusalem Post reports child is wounded in throat during clash between soldiers and about 40 stone-throwing demonstrators in Qalandiya camp [FJ 1/17]. Death toll of Palestinians killed since 12/9 is now at 34 [CSM 1/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In W. Bank town of Baytin, 2 prominent Jewish settlers open fire on demonstrators whose barricade blocks road, killing 1 and wounding another [CSM, WP 1/12]. F. M. Shimon Peres meets with UN Undersec. Gen. Marrack Goulding [WP 1/12]. Rafah resident shot 1/8 and Khan Yunis resident also wounded in earlier clash die in Israeli hospital [FJ 1/17]. General strike is observed in E. Jerusalem, W. Bank, and Gaza Strip [FJ 1/17]. Reports indicate 4 Palestinians ordered deported have withdrawn their appeals because their lawyers have been denied access to files [FJ 1/17]. Heads of private schools decide to remain closed until 1/18 [FJ 1/17].

Other Countries: Abraham Sofaer, legal adviser to U.S. State Dept., says closing PLO's UN observer mission would violate international law [NYT 1/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops clash with 20 Palestinian women protest ng in front of Qalandiya refugee camp UN office [CSM 1/12]. Khan Yunis demonstrator who allegedly tried to grab soldier's gun is shot dead [WP 1/12]. Balatah refugee camp and Nablus-area village of Bayt Hilma are placed under curfew. Soldiers use tear gas and rubber bullets against crowds waving Palestinian flag at Qalandiya refugee camp. Clashes are also reported in Duhayshah and Tulkarm camps, Bethlehem and 'Azzariyyah (Bethany) [WP 1/12; FJ 1/17]. Palestinian sources report a Khan Yunis resident is beaten to death. Demonstrations are reported in Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Jabalya camp. Curfews are imposed on 5 Gaza Strip refugee camps: Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, Nusayrat, and Burayj. Strip is declared closed military zone [FJ 1/17]. Military imposes curfew on 'Askar camp [FJ 1/17]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem, nearly 2,000 Israelis march for peace, end to occupation of W. Bank, Gaza Strip in demonstration organized by Peace Now; police disperse crowd with tear gas [NYT 12/27; FJ 1/3]. Military lifts curfew on 'Askar camp [FJ 1/3]. Qalandiya vocational school and Teachers' College of Ramallah reopen [FJ 1/3]. Israeli soldiers force Balatah businesses to open [FJ 1/3]. Al-Najah U.'s board of trustees agrees to 50% tuition increase, abandoning controversial plan for 100% increase [FJ 1/3].

Arab World: Amal releases 20 Palestinians [FBIS 12/30].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian youth shot 12/16 dies [NYT 12/19]. Petrol bomb thrown at British consulate in E. Jerusalem causes no damage [FJ 12/20]. Italian Pres. Francesco Cossiga and F. M. Giulio Andreotti arrive in Israel for private visit [FBIS 12/22].

Other Countries: Speaking in U.S., Israeli Def. Min. Rabin reiterates Israel's intention to continue using live ammunition against violent demonstrations in occupied territories [WP 12/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Spontaneous demonstrations break out after Friday noon prayers in Gaza City's Sha'jiyyah neighborhood and al-Burayj refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are killed, 20 wounded when IDF troops open fire. On grounds of Shifa Hospital, Israeli forces use tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators throwing stones and Molotov cocktails; 1 Palestinian is shot to death. Hospital employees complain of harassment and assault by soldiers. Police in Jerusalem use tear gas to disperse about 300 stone-throwing Palestinian demonstrators [NYT, WP 12/19]. Demonstrations are also reported in Balatah, Am'ari, and Qalandiya refugee camps and in Hebron and Bethlehem. Old city of Hebron and Balatah camp are placed under curfew [FJ 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: MK Abba Eban testifies in Mordechai Vanunu's trial for espionage and treason. Trial is adjourned for 2 weeks [WP 12/11]. Palestinian wounded in Gaza clash with Israeli troops 12/9 dies [FJ 12/13]. In Nablus, Ahmad 'Ali Abu Jabir receives life sentence for killing Israeli soldier [FJ 12/13]. In Dhahriyyahrea, Israeli officials demolish 5 houses alleging they were built without permits [FJ 12/13]. Islamic U. in Gaza suspends classes for 3 days because of tension in the Strip [FJ 12/13]. Israeli High Court denies Faysal Husayni's appeal for early release [FJ 12/13]. Com. to Protect Journalists, non-partisan, New York-based group, protests administrative detention of Radwan Abu 'Ayyash to Def. Min. Yitzhaq Rabin [FJ 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Palestinians bum tires, block roads, throw stones in demonstrations throughout Gaza Strip. In Khan Yunis, at least 8 Palestinians are wounded when soldiers open fire on crowd throwing Molotov cocktails; 2 others are wounded in Gaza. In Nablus soldiers use live ammunition against youths throwing rocks, iron bars; 1 Palestinian is killed. In Qalandiya refugee camp, north of Jerusalem, Israeli police clash with Palestinian students; 6 policemen, 6 students are reported injured [NYT 12/11]. Israeli troops fire tear gas, bullets at demonstrators in Balatah refugee camp, wounding 3. Curfew is imposed on Balatah; shopkeepers strike [FJ 12/13]. Demonstrators in Rafah raze gate dividing Egyptian and Israeli-occupied sections; Israeli soldiers open fire, injuring 1 [FJ 12/13].

Arab World: Lebanese militiamen attack Israeli patrol boat off coast of S. Lebanon; 1 Israeli naval officer is killed before Arab fishing boat is sunk [WP 12/12].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF lift travel restrictions to Jordan [imposed 4/21] for residents of Jerusalem, Beit Hanina, Ramallah [FJ 5/3].

Other Countries: US State Dept. states final status of occupied territories should receive "prior consent" of their inhabitants [LAT 5/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF impose curfew on Qalandiya, Balata camps after stone-throwing incidents [FJ 5/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: E. Jerusalem merchants strike in reaction to 4/23 killing of Arab taxi driver [JP 4/26].

Arab World: In Damascus, Pres. Assad urges support be given to S. Lebanese resistance until IDF is driven from all Lebanese territory [FT 4/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes in Kiryat Malachi; one police sapper injured. Israeli stabbed in Khan Yunis; 3-day curfew imposed [JP 4/26, FJ 5/3]. IDF impose curfew in 20 W. Bank villages as hundreds of Gush Emunim settlers stage Israeli independence day march from Salfit to Qalqiliya; Peace Now stages counter-demonstration [FJ 4/26]. Stones thrown at IDF vehicles in al-Am'ari camp, Jalazoun camp, Qalandiya camp, Balata camp [FJ 5/3].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Palestinian, Muslim forces attack, burn Christian village of Darb al-Sim after fighting there [PI 4/26]. Lebanese Air Force planes strafe Mieh Mieh camp; 1 killed, 17 wounded [LAT 4/28].

Military Action:

Syrian troops and Lebanese militia exchange gunfire in Tripoli, 1 killed, 2 injured.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Police arrest 45 Jews, including 16 soldiers, armed with guns and grenades, as they prepare to seize Jerusalem's Temple Mount, site of al-Aqsa mosque and Dome of the Rock; 200 olive trees uprooted in orchard in Kafr Kassem, representatives of Lands Administration suspected; WZO Settlement Department proposes new West Bank settlement, Upper Nablus, as nucleus of future city, large tracts of land in area reportedly already seized by IDF for military outpost; Israeli police say hundreds of kilos of drugs, especially hashish, have been smuggled from Lebanon since the war; former President Carter receives honorary doctorate from Tel Aviv University, says his deep religious belief is that God has ordered and ordained the existence of the state of Israel as a permanent homeland of the Jews, adds that right of Palestinians to have a voice in shaping their destiny is essential; protests in Gaza and West Bank against Carter visit to Gaza, where slogans appear on walls condemning Carter and deposed Mayor Rashad al-Shawa; IDF closes schools in Beit Sahur, Halhul, Yatta and Dheisheh, Bethlehem and Islamic Universities; iron bars thrown at IDF patrol in Ramallah, 1 soldier injured; demonstrations in Hebron, Bethlehem and Nablus; curfews imposed on Kalandia, Jalazon, al-Aroub, Ein Beit Alma and Dheisheh camps; settlers fire at protesters near Dura.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem says there will be no political or economic relations with Israel, and no residual Israeli military presence on Lebanese territory.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Former President Carter meets Begin in Jerusalem; 8500 Israeli health service doctors go on strike over wage claim; Defense Ministry negotiating with Kiryat Arba to accept Kach settlers evicted from El Nakam; several IDF injured by stones near Hebron; woman injured by stones thrown at bus near Bethlehem; IDF arrests 4 youths at Kalandia camp, carloads of settlers enter camp at night, shoot into air, demand that residents hand over stone throwers; Khadr village near Bethlehem under indefinite night curfew, no reason given; curfew imposed on Aida camp near Bethlehem.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Chairman Arafat meets President Amin Gemayel in New Delhi, assures him PLO forces will be withdrawn to facilitate Israeli withdrawal; Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiators meet at Khalde, report progress on question of normalizing relations; spokesman for Abu Nidal organization in Damascus says it was responsible for attempted assassination of Israeli Ambassador Argov, demands release of three men sentenced in London.

Arab Governments: At Non-Aligned summit in New Delhi, President Gemayel meets Presidents Mubarak and Assad, and King Hussein.

Military Action:

Hours after IDF lifts curfew in area, 5 Phalange killed in Druze village of Aitat, raising fears of renewed communal strife in C.houf; IDF forces move into village to prevent retaliation from Phalange based at Souk al-Gharb.

Casualties:

6 IDF soldiers held by PLO, in interview at Chtaura, say treatment good.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Over 200 Israeli academics sign petition to end anti-PLO pledge requirement for West Bank; 3 Palestinian residents of Nazareth sentenced to jail for participating in "illegal demonstrations" following September massacre; Israeli authorities order Palestinian to demolish 2 rooms of house in Kalandia refugee camp for lack of permit, despite lack of court decision in case.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel meets with Habib on troop withdrawal talk prospects, says Lebanon has rejected Israeli conditions of permanent military outpost on Baruk mountain, free trade, quasi-diplomatic missions, right to patrol Lebanese airspace and territorial waters; government officials and Jumblatt indicate they will seek Habib's involvement in Chouf crisis; Arafat arrives in Algeria at head of military delegation, confers with Algerian President Chadli.

Arab Govemnments: Assad, in speech marking 12th anniversary of coming to power in Syria, strongly attacks US policy in the Mideast and criticizes Reagan peace plan as seeking "capitulatory negotiations" by Arab countries with Israel, reaffirms Syrian insistence on unconditional Israeli withdrawal, says Syria may not withdraw if it disapproves of conditions attached to IDF withdrawal.