The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Palestinians fended off Israeli settlers trying to seize their land in Birin. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition near the separation wall north of Jenin. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Nablus, Anata, Kisan, and Hebron; 1 was arrested by undercover Israeli forces while working at a gas station near Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians started demolishing their own homes to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces summoned 3 members of Fatah for interrogation in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/3)

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar announced that Hamas and Israel had reached an understanding to de-escalate the conflict after nearly a month of daily attacks on Gaza and incendiary balloons launched toward Israel. The understanding was facilitated by Qatari mediators. As part of the de-escalation, the Kerem Shalom border crossing would be reopened on 9/1 and the fishing zone would be reopened up to 15 nautical miles. Sources in Hamas told Haaretz that Israel would allow Qatari aid to enter Gaza again, and that Qatar was granted approval by Israel to build a gas pipeline and operate a power station in Gaza. (AJ 8/31; HA 9/1)

A delegation of senior Israeli and U.S. officials arrived in the UAE to discuss the details of the UAE’s normalization deal with Israel. The delegation arrived in the UAE on an El Al plane flying directly from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi using Saudi Arabian airspace. In Israel, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference that he would discuss sales of U.S. F-35s and other advanced weaponry to the UAE with U.S. president Donald Trump while stressing that U.S. sales of weapons to the UAE was not part of the normalization deal. In a joint statement released by the 3 parties, the language between the English and Arabic releases differed on Israel’s commitment not to annex parts of the West Bank as part of the normalization deal. In the Arabic version it said the agreement had “stopped” Israel’s plans while the English said it had led to “the suspension of Israel’s plans to extend sovereignty.” (HA, REU 8/31; AJ 9/1; REU 9/2)

Syrian officials said that Israel fired missiles at military installments south of Damascus, killing 2 Syrian soldiers and wounding 7. The London-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights later said that the number of deaths was 10, most of them foreign. (HA 8/31; HA 9/1)

A former Lebanese ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib was announced as the new prime minister of Lebanon after the government resigned earlier this month. The announcement came as French president Emmanuel Macron was en route for Beirut. Reuters reported that Adib was President Macron’s preferred choice. (AJ, HA 8/31)

Heavy Fatah-Hamas fighting continues in Gaza, leaving at least 21 Palestinians dead, 64 wounded. The dead include 2 local UNRWA workers caught in the crossfire, prompting the agency to suspend all but emergency food, medical provision. Hamas continues concentrated attacks on Fatah security posts, consolidating its hold over n. Gaza, Gaza City (except for the presidential compound and major security compounds), several refugee camps (Bureij, al-Maghazi, Nussayrat), and Khan Yunis and villages to the east; taking control of Gaza’s main north–south road. Many Fatah and PA forces loyal to Abbas reportedly abandon their positions during the day, some surrendering to Hamas gunmen, others destroying their posts so they would not fall into Hamas hands; at least 1 NSF battalion runs out of ammunition (other PA units reports shortages); 40 PA presidential guardsmen working the Gaza crossing flee across the border to Egypt. Both factions have set up an estimated 200 checkpoints across the Strip, searching vehicles and detaining or shooting mbrs. of rival factions. Major incidents of the day include Hamas’s forced evacuation and demolition of the PSF headquarters in Khan Yunis (killing 5 PSF officers, wounding 10) and the main police station in Gaza City; attack on, occupation of an apartment complex home to Fatah’s Gaza spokesman Mahir Mikdad and many Fatah officials, killing 8 of Mikdad bodyguards. After dark, Hamas fires mortars at several Fatah posts in Gaza City. Meanwhile, 10s of Gaza City residents demonstrate for the factions to end fighting; unidentified gunmen fire on the crowd, killing 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, AMB mbrs. raid an Islamic film production company in Nablus, kidnap 10 employees, and take them to Balata r.c., exchanging fire with Hamas gunmen, causing no reported injuries. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Nablus, and in Hebron, Qalqilya (where undercover units exchange fire with armed Palestinians, killing 1 Palestinian gunmen; troops return hrs. later, fire on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 13 Palestinians). (AP, BBC, OCHA 6/13; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 6/14; PCHR 6/21)

In Beirut, a car bomb kills anti-Syrian lawmaker Walid Eido in an apparent assassination, also killing his son, 2 bodyguards, 6 bystanders and injuring 11; no group claims responsibility. Eido was a close ally of assassinated Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri and strongly supported creation of an international tribunal to try suspects in the Hariri assassination. Meanwhile, heavy fighting btwn. the Lebanese army, FI continues at Nahr al-Barid r.c., leaving at least 2 Lebanese soldiers dead. Israel steps up overflights of Lebanese territory, further raising tensions. (BBC, NYT, WP, WT 6/14; DS 6/14 in WNC 6/15)

In Gaza, IDF troops fire on residential areas of Bayt Hanun, wounding 2 Palestinians; conduct arrest raids, house searches in Dayr al-Balah; bulldoze Palestinian land e. of Jabaliya. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c. and in Nablus, Qalqilya. In Rafah, Fatah mbrs. fire on an ESF patrol, sparking an exchange of gunfire and RPGs that lasts several hrs., leaving 1 Fatah mbr. dead, 15 Palestinians wounded. In Gaza City, 19 Palestinians are wounded in interfactional fighting. Incidents include suspected Hamas mbrs. throwing a grenade at a Fatah mbr.; unidentified gunmen kidnapping Hamas-affiliated physician Fuad al-Barawi fr. a graduation ceremony for his brother, a PA presidential guard mbr., shooting him 5 times before releasing him. In Dayr alBalah, unidentified gunmen kidnap, shoot, wound, release a PA presidential guardsman. In Khan Yunis, a Fatah mbr. is stabbed, wounded by a Hamas mbr. (a cousin) in a family dispute with factional overtones. (HA 6/7; WP 6/8; NYT 6/9; OCHA 6/13; PCHR 6/14)

Daily exchanges of fire btwn. the Lebanese army and FI, ongoing since 6/1, continue at Nahr al-Barid r.c., leaving 1 Lebanese soldier dead. In the Biqa‘ Valley, the Lebanese army raids a building where 3 sophisticated car bombs are being prepared by a Saudi and 2 Syrian militants who had fought in Iraq and have ties to FI. A bomb explodes in a Christian neighborhood of Beirut, killing 1 Lebanese; no group claims responsibility. (WP 6/8)

The IDF makes at least 4 air strikes on Gaza targeting Hamas, attempting to assassinate Hamas mbr. Muhammad Shatat as he drives in Gaza City (causing no injuries), hitting 2 suspected weapons caches and 2 money exchanges in Jabaliya r.c. (also destroying a Palestinian home) and Gaza City (wounding 7 Palestinians, including a pregnant woman, 2 children). Palestinians fire at least 3 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In Jabaliya, 2 Abu Rish Brigades mbrs. (affiliated with Fatah) are injured when explosives they are handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem and Nablus, in Qalqilya, and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah, Salfit, Tulkarm. Meanwhile, Abbas, Hamas-affiliated PA PM Ismail Haniyeh meet in Gaza to discuss ways of calming intra-Palestinian violence. Abbas also meets with reps. of other factions to urge them to halt rocket fire into Israel. Unidentified gunmen fire on the home of a Fatah leader in Gaza City, wounding 1 Palestinian. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in an 5/18 IDF air strike on Gaza City that assassinated 2 Hamas mbrs. (IFM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/24; OCHA 5/30; PCHR 5/31)

With the cease-fire at Nahr al-Barid r.c. holding, the Lebanese army reinforces troops around the camp. Palestinian refugees continue to flee the r.c. during the day, most heading to nearby Biddawi r.c.; at most, half of the 40,000 residents remain. The UN warns the camp is still without water, electricity; food supplies are low. The PLO says it would not object to the Lebanese army entering the r.c. if necessary; raises the possibility of sending in fighters fr. Palestinian factions who know the layout of the r.c. to roust the FI mbrs. Palestinian leaders in the camp and local Islamist figures in Tripoli attempt to negotiate a FI surrender. Meanwhile, a bomb explodes in the Druze village of Aley nr. Beirut, wounding 16 Lebanese; no group claims responsibility. (AFP, DS, LBC, OCS 5/23 in WNC 5/24; NYT, WP, WT 5/24; WT 5/25)

The IDF makes air strikes on a car in Bayt Lahiya, assassinating 4 Islamic Jihad mbrs. (Muhammad Abu Nima, Mahmud Awad, Majid al-Batash, ‘Abd al-‘Aziz al-Hilu); on an alleged weapons factory in Gaza City, damaging several neighboring houses but causing no injuries; on a group of armed Palestinians in al-Bureij r.c., missing them, hitting a building, damaging 7 homes, injuring 4 bystanders (including a 1-yr.-old child). The IDF also conducts an arrest raid in Bayt Lahiya. Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Resistance Comms. (PRCs) fire 15 rockets fr. Gaza toward Israel (3 land in Gaza), hitting a car in Sederot, killing 1 Israeli woman (the 11th killed by Palestinian rocket fire since rockets came into use in 1/02; the previous deadly strike occurred on 11/21/06), wounding 2 men. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and in Balata r.c. (targeting the AMB), Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Jewish settler teenagers fr. Karmi’el nr. Hebron throw stones at a bedouin woman nr. Yatta, injuring her. Fatah mbrs. shoot, wound 2 Hamas mbrs. in Khan Yunis and set fire to a library on the campus of the predominantly Hamas College of Science and Technology. An NSF mbr. dies of injuries received in clashes with Hamas on 5/16. (NYT, WP, WT 5/22; OCHA, WP 5/23; PCHR 5/24)

The Lebanese army’s siege of Nahr al-Barid r.c. continues overnight. During the day, fighting is heavy: Army snipers atop buildings surrounding the camp firing on anyone moving in the streets inside, soldiers open machine gun fire on anyone trying to leave the camp; FI responds with automatic weapons, mortar fire, anti-aircraft guns; the army responds with artillery, tank fire. (The army also surrounds the volatile ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. as a precaution, prompting armed Palestinian factions there to go on alert.) The UN secures a brief cease-fire in the afternoon, allowing the evacuation of 16 wounded Palestinian civilians fr. the camp before FI breaks the truce. Lebanese PM Fuad Siniora asks the U.S. to expedite $280 m. in previously pledged military aid to more effectively combat FI. After dark, army shelling of Nahr al-Barid increases significantly. In Beirut, another car bomb explodes in the predominantly Sunni Verdun area, wounding 6 Lebanese, setting 2 buildings on fire. (AP, NYT, REU 5/21; NYT, WP, WT 5/22; NYT, WP 5/23)

During the day in Gaza, the IDF fires on Jabaliya r.c., seriously wounding a Palestinian woman inside her home. In the evening, Olmert convenes his security cabinet, which authorized the IDF to step up attacks on Hamas, Islamic Jihad. Soon after, the IDF makes an air strike targeting IQB cmdr. Samih Farwanah in Gaza City, who is at the home of Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform Palestinian Council (PC) mbr. Khalil al-Haya, assassinating Farwanah, killing 7 of Haya’s relatives, wounding more than 12; fires a missile at Hamas mbr. Nasser Hammuda, biking through Gaza City, wounding him in an apparent assassination attempt; makes an air strike on an alleged Hamas weapons factory in Gaza City, killing 1 Palestinian security guard, wounding 3 bystanders; makes an air strike on the home of an Islamic Jihad mbr., destroying it and a neighboring meeting hall, causing no injuries; shells residential areas of Bayt Lahiya, heavily damaging 2 homes, wounding 6 Palestinians. Palestinians fire at least 12 rockets, 2 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging 2 trucks on the Israeli side of the Qarni crossing but causing no injuries. In Rafah, an al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbr. is injured when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Arub r.c nr. Hebron and in and around Bethlehem, Jenin town and r.c.; raids 4 TV and radio stations in Nablus seizing computers and broadcasting equipment; begins bulldozing 130 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of apricot and date orchards nr. Artas nr. Bethlehem to make way for the separation wall. Under IDF escort, Jewish settlers fr. Efrat nr. Bethlehem uproot Palestinian trees nr. the settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Karme Tzur nr. Hebron unleash an attack dog on a Palestinian farmer working his land nr. the settlement, injuring him. Meanwhile, Hamas, Fatah observe a ceasefire during the day; stores begin to reopen and residents venture out for the 1st time in a wk. (HA, IFM, NYT, PCHR, WP 5/20; HA, NYT, OCHA, PCHR, WP, WT 5/21; OCHA 5/23; PCHR 5/24)

Overnight, Lebanese police and soldiers raid several homes in Tripoli in an attempt to capture a group connected to the tiny militant group, Fatah al-Islam (FI), that was suspected of carrying out a bank robbery on 5/19. The raids spark gun battles that quickly spread throughout the city and to the outskirts of Nahr al-Barid r.c. (pop. 40,000), where FI is based. When FI forces leave the camp to ambush and capture nearby army positions, the Lebanese army fires tank shells, mortars into the camp, quickly precipitating massive clashes (including RPG, heavy weapons fire by FI) that continue throughout the day. In total, at least 27 Lebanese soldiers, 20 FI mbrs., and 9 Palestinian civilians inside the camp are killed and scores are wounded during the day. By nightfall, the army regains control of areas surrounding the camp, seals the camp to prevent militants fr. escaping; cuts water and electricity to the camp to urge a surrender. Syria closes several border crossings n. and w. of Tripoli in reaction. Separately, a car bomb explodes nr. a shopping mall in the Christian neighborhood of Achrifiyya in Beirut, killing 1 Lebanese woman, wounding 12; no group claims responsibility. (AP, NYT, REU, WP, WT 5/21; WT 5/24; NYT 6/20, 7/7)

The IDF beats, fatally shoots a 16-yr.- old Palestinian allegedly wielding a knife in Hebron (Palestinian witnesses deny he was armed); conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya, and in Dura, Nablus, Yatta; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina; orders 3 Palestinian families to leave their Yatta homes and property or be expelled; begins construction of a new segment of the separation wall in Hazma, Anata villages northeast of Jerusalem. A Jewish settler fr. Keddumim verbally abuses, attempts to attack several Palestinians waiting to be allowed to cross an IDF gate into nearby Kafr Qadim; Palestinians fend him off, the IDF does not intervene. Unidentified gunmen fire on the Gaza City home of Fatah Revolutionary Council mbr. Sakhr Bseiso, causing damage but no injuries; Bseiso is head of the Fatah comm. charged with investigating corruption. (WP 2/15; NYT, OCHA, PR 2/16; PCHR, PM 2/17)

Fmr. Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri is assassinated in a major car bombing in Beirut; 7 bodyguards, 6 passers-by are also killed, more than 100 are wounded (3 of whom later die). A previously unknown group called Victory and Jihad in Greater Syria claims responsibility. (BBC, al-Hayat, JAZ, MM 2/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/15; Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, al-Quds, VOI, XIN 2/15, JAZ, QA 2/16, AFP, Le Monde 2/17 in WNC 2/18; MEI 2/18)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes intensify, leaving 8 Palestinians, 1 German doctor dead, over 110 Palestinians injured. (1 Palestinian dies en route to the hospital when his ambulance is blocked by Jewish settlers for over an hr.) A 9th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. The IDF shells Fatah headquarters in Hebron, Salfit, Tulkarm and an armory in Jericho. The IDF also shells residential areas of Bayt Jala, Bethlehem, Dayr al-Balah, Nablus, Tulkarm and bulldozes Palestinian agricultural lands in Rafah. IDF shelling in Bayt Jala damages a school and a cultural center, destroys an unfinished apartment complex. In Hebron, Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian property, uproot trees, damage an irrigation system. (ADM, LAW 11/15; AP, HA [Internet], LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/16; NYT, WP 11/17)

A demonstration in support of the Palestinians is held at New York University, where 2 IDF soldiers speak as part of a national tour to present the Israeli position on the ongoing clashes. (al-Awda Internet news group 11/15)

On the anniversary of the PLO's 1988 declaration of independence in Algiers, the PA does not unilaterally declare a Palestinian state or reaffirm the Algiers declaration as Israel, the U.S. had feared. Due to the ongoing closure, the PLOCC is unable to meet as planned. (AP 11/15) (see 9/10)

Senior Israeli, PA officials reportedly hold a secret mtg. at the Egyptian mission to the UN in New York to discuss options for a UN buffer force in the West Bank, Gaza. (WP 11/16, 11/18)

First Lady Hillary Clinton (the senator-elect fr. NY), U.S. special envoy Ross, Russian FM Ivanov are among those who attend the funeral of PM Yitzhak Rabin's widow, Leah Rabin, who died on 11/12. Arafat sends his condolences via video tape, which is aired on Israeli TV. Afterward, Ross meets with Barak. (MA [Internet], MM 11/15; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 11/16; JP 11/24)

In Marseilles, France, a 2-day Euro-Mediterranean FMs mtg. opens to review regional cooperation efforts over the past 5 yrs. The session focuses on the Israeli-Palestinian crisis as it affects regional stability. (AFP [Internet], JT [Internet] 11/15; see also JT 11/13 in WNC 11/14; AYM 11/14 in WNC 11/15; SA 11/15, ANSA, ATL 11/16 in WNC 11/17)

In Lebanon, PM Hariri, Hizballah spiritual leader Shaykh Hassan Nasrallah hold their 1st in 8 yrs. during which they reportedly agreed not to give Israel a pretext to strike Lebanon while upholding Beirut's right to recover Shaba` Farms, to coordinate efforts to keep the issue of Syria's troop presence in the country out of the public domain. (MM 11/17)

In Gaza, the PLO Central Council (PCC) opens debate on statehood declaration, with 96 of 124 mbrs. attending. Arafat opens the mtg. by affirming Palestinians' right to independence, but recommending against declaring a state on 5/4. Hamas sends a 4 mbr. observer group led by Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, marking 1st time it has participated in a PLO mtg.; the move is criticized by Hamas political leaders in Jordan. Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine boycott. (MM 4/27; AFP, IDF Radio, JT 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/28; IDF Radio, MBC 4/28 in WNC 4/29; al-Ayyam 4/28, 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30; MEI 5/7; al-Istiqlal 5/7 in WNC 5/17; CSM 5/17)

In Nablus, 1,000 Fatah mbrs. march in support of a statehood declaration on 5/4. (WT 4/28)

A Palestinian arrested by Israeli police on burglary charges on 4/27 is admitted to a Tel Aviv hospital having been beaten so severely that one of his kidneys stopped functioning. (Reuters [Internet] 5/6)

Without explanation, the GIS orders the Hamas weekly newspaper al-Risala closed "until further notice." Under pressure fr. unnamed PA officials, the paper is allowed to reopen several hrs. later. (AFP 4/27 in WNC 4/28; al-Hayat al-Jadida 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30)

In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Commission passes (52-1) a resolution reaffirming the Palestinians' right to self-determination, right to return. The U.S. votes against. (ADC press release 4/28; Xinhua 4/28 in WNC 4/29; Prime Minister's Report 4/30) (see 4/23)

Israel claims that the PA has released 3 Hamas prisoners involved in attacks in which Israelis were killed. PA, Hamas deny the story. (IDF Radio 4/27 in WNC 4/28; NYT, WP 4/28; al-Ayyam 4/28 in WNC 4/29; PR 4/30; JP 5/7)

In Washington, Israeli DM Moshe Arens meets with Secy. of State Albright, NSA Berger, Secy. of Defense Cohen for talks on Arrow missile program, Israeli receipt of 60 new F-16D fighters, regional issues. Albright, Berger criticize Israeli settlement policy. (USIS Washington File 4/27; MM 4/28; IDF Radio, MA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; WJW 5/6; JP, MEI 5/7)

Lebanese security personnel arrest an Israeli woman, Mary Vizeman, on suspicion of spying after she is found in Tyre without a passport. Vizeman, who speaks Arabic well, claims that she came fr. Nazareth to visit a friend in Beirut. (VOL 4/28 in WNC 4/29; JP 5/7)

Hizballah attempts to capture 2 IDF/SLA posts in s. Lebanon, wounding 8 IDF soldiers, 3 SLA mbrs. IDF shells Hizballah targets in response, wounding 2 civilians. (VOL 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM 4/28)

At least 35 Palestinians wounded by IDF in protests throughout o.t. against siege of house in Hebron that killed 5 Palestinians. At least 5 wounded in Hebron, 15 in Nablus, and 13 in Gaza Strip. Settlers attack Palestinian homes in Hebron, which is declared closed military zone. (MM 3/24; NYT, WP, WT 3/25)

Pres. Clinton meets Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, offers "personal" commitment to unified Jerusalem under Israeli control; later tells reporters that "my position has not changed." (WJW 3/31)

Fateh, Hamas activists in Rafah, Gaza Strip, clash. 20 Palestinians wounded by gunfire before faction leaderstop fight. (WP 3/31)

Israeli security guard shot 3/23 in Jerusalem dies of wounds. PFLP-GC claims responsibility for attack. (MM 3/24)

FRC ("Abu Nidal" group) officially accused of involvement in 1/29 assassination of Jordanian diplomat in Beirut. Indictment names 3 FRC mbrs. already in custody, 13 others at large. (MM 3/24; see also MM 3/17)

Middle East peace conference opens in the royal palace in Madrid with delegations from Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation present. Conference begins with short speech by Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez, followed by addresses by conference co-conveners Presidents Bush and Gorbachev, and Dutch FM Hans van den Broek, representating the European Community. Soviet FM Boris Pankin and Secy. of State Baker were also present at the negotiating table. Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar bin Sultan and 'Abdullah Bishara, secy. gen. of the Gulf Cooperation Council, also attend the conference, but are not seated at the table. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa delivers the first address by one of the negotiating delegations. Secy. of State Baker confirms that it was not certain whether or not second phase bilateral talks between Israel and the Arab delegations would commence 11/2 as scheduled due to disagreement between Israel, Arab delegations over venue of such talks. Israel is pushing for holding the negotiations in the Middle East, while Arab delegations seek to continue to hold such talks in Madrid. (NYT 10/31)

Hamas calls for a general strike to protest the peace conference. But 2,000 Palestinian supporters of Fateh, some armed with clubs and knives and waving Palestinian flags, march in favor of the peace talks in Gaza as Israeli troops follow them but make no effort to disperse the gathering. The marchers clashed with supporters of Hamas, injuring four. Five thousand other PLO supporters march in Khan Yunis. Pro-peace conference activists in Qalqiliya, Jenin force shopkeepers to open their shops which had been closed following orders by Hamas to observe ageneral strike. Elsewhere, Israeli security forces kill one Palestinian in Hebron, wound at least 24 in Gaza and 11 in Nablus during clashes. (NYT, WP, MEM 10/31)

Iraqi National Assembly condemns peace conference, attacks Syria, Egypt for their participation. (MEM 10/31)

Some 10,000 Lebanese march in Beirut against peace conference. (WP 10/31)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces bombard villages near Nabatiyya, S. Lebanon, in retaliation for 10/29 attacks on Israeli troops. (NYT 10/31)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Israeli High Court of Justice releases a Palestinian held without trial. It is the first such release; there are 2,500 Palestinians being held without trial. [NYT 6/25]. Israeli authorities seize 1100 dunums of land north of Ramallah [FJ 7/10].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations in the West Bank leave 14 Arabs and 3 Israelis injured. In Nablus settlers open fire on Arab demonstrators wounding 13; Nablus is put under curfew. In Hebron a Palestinian stabs a Jewish settler, is then shot by the settler; Hebron is put under curfew [WP 6/25, FJ 6/26]. Military officials lift the curfew on Beach camp for the firstime in 15 days; the curfew is reimposed after 2 hours [FJ 6/26].

Arab World: Fighting in the Palestinian refugee camps near Beirut continues with 10 people killed, 34 wounded. Since 1 May 112 people have been killed, 502 injured in battles between Arafat loyalists and Fateh-Uprising dissidents [WP 6/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Rabin, in Knesset, says Wald report on condition of IDF distorts army's ability and performance [FT 5/21]. Colonel Emanuel Wald, former head of IDF planning, had accused the army on Israel TV of having buried his 700-page report on IDF weaknesses. Four men and 2 women, all of Nablus, are indicted by military court for kidnap-murder of Israeli soldier David Manos and membership in Fateh. Ibrahim 'Abdallah of Dayr Ballut is named ringleader [JP, JTA 5/21]. Italian Foreign Minister Andreotti meets deposed Hebron Deputy Mayor Mustafa Natshah, Gaza lawyer Fayez Abu Rahmah, deposed Gaza Mayor Rashad al-Shawwa, and al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora [FJ 5/23].

Arab World: King Hussein orders arrest of leadership of Jordanian Communist party [NYT 5/21].

Military Action

Arab World: In suburban Beirut, Amal militiamen fight Palestinians for control of Burj al-Burajinah refugee camp, killing 2 and wounding 33. (Camp population: 11,000) [CSM 5/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: An Israeli army intelligence report dated 6/30/48 has recently surfaced which states more than 70 percent of the Palestinian exodus from Palestine by June 1948 was caused by Jewish military attacks [JP 3/2]. In last 3 days, Israeli security forces have freed 32 Palestinians held under administrative detention orders because 6-month detention period had ended; freed detainees were asked to sign document sating they would not commit future offenses; some refused to sign [JP 3/3]. Israel has agreed to allow Golan Heights Druze to export apples to Syria, possibly through Jordan or directly; P.M. Peres also favors renewing family reunions between Golan and Syrian Druze, which were stopped by Syrians several years ago [JP 3/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli-appointed Palestinian mayor of Nablus, Zafir alMasri, is shot dead by a single, unidentified assailant. In Damascus, the PFLP claims responsibility; in Beirut, a telephone caller claims responsibility on behalf of Fateh Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal group) [NYT, PI, CT 3/3]. Nablus city council appoints Deputy Mayor Hafiz Tuqan mayor [CSM 3/3].

Arab World: Israeli army patrol north of the S. Lebanon "security zone" intercepts guerrilla squad, kills 1 [JP, JTA 3/3].

Military Action:

Syrian Army reportedly constructing new fortifications and anti-tank ditches in Bekaa, 10 miles north of IDF positions.

Casualties:

Italian journalist expelled from Beirut by Lebanese security service.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Defense Minister Arens says prototype of Lavi jet fighter will be flying in 1986, it will be the most advanced plane in the world; Central Bureau of Statistics reports record monthly rise in cost of living index for April of 13.3%, 1983 rate to this point is equivalent to 160% inflation; demonstrations in Nablus on 35th anniversary of Israel's independence, 2 men shot, another injured while being chased by IDF patrol, curfew imposed, many arrests; demonstrations also in Ramallah and Kafr Sa'ir, school closed for 2 weeks; molotov cocktail thrown at IDF vehicle near Balata camp.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiators complete work at Netanya on final language of withdrawal agreement; Arafat says an effective war is only way to redraw political map of Middle East, all Palestinian ranks and leadership are disciplined and committed to national unity; Fateh military officers Abu Musa and Abu Khalid Amia criticize recent appointments by Arafat of military commanders in Lebanon, call for Fateh conference.

Arab Governments: Syrian President Assad meets and offers support to Lebanese opponents of withdrawal agreement, including Walid Jumblatt, George Hawi, Assem Kanso.

Military Action:

Druze-Phalange militia gunbattles in Maarufiye-Bsada region, near Baabda; Lebanese internal security forces deployed in areas of Tripoli to monitor cease-fire.

Casualties:

Government offices, banks, shops and many schools reopen in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli officials say Government is prepared to allow UNIFIL a 2 month extension, to operate around Palestinian refugee camps above 25 mile security zone, do not want UNIFIL within security zone; MK Yitzhak Rabin says war in Lebanon was illegal use of IDF for far-reaching political goals; Defense Ministry informs Umm al-Fahm residents that 15,000 dunums of their land is declared a military zone and cultivation must cease; troops raid Najah University, remove Palestinian posters and flags; military authorities close Kadri Tukan high school after border police injured by stones following celebration of 18th anniversary of Fateh in Nablus; all Nablus and neighboring Balata camp under undeclared curfew; Israeli traffic stoned in Ramallah and Bethlehem, with total of 5 settlers injured during week; Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs spokesman Avraham Hoffmann says $150,000 promotion campaign will encourage Israelis to settle in West Bank, and provide clearing house for information on available housing, World Zionist Organization goal is 100,000 settlers by 1985, current number is 25,000.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat meets with Jordanian Prime Minister Mudar Badran, holds press conference in Amman in which he praises the Reagan plan for calling for a settlement freeze, and criticizes plan for denying Palestinian right to independent state; Abu lyad says meeting of Fateh Central Committee in Kuwait on 6 January rejected the Reagan plan; Lebanese-Israeli-US talks held in Khalde deadlocked over agenda as US compromise proposals are unacceptable, but new proposals submitted.

US and Other Countries: US State Department confirms several encounters between IDF and Marines in Beirut; Special Envoy Habib confers with Reagan, Shultz and Bush before leaving for Middle East, amid growing Administration frustration that delay in Israeli and Syrian troop withdrawals impede Jordan's involvement in peace negotiations as proposed in Reagan Plan; B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League releases report that anti-Semitic violence in US decreased by 15% in 1982, to 829 incidents, mostly in New York, California, New Jersey and Massachusetts; New York City Mayor Koch presents key to city to President Navon, pledges support of Israel, Navon tells Yeshiva University students to settle in Israel; Italian Defense Minister Lelio Lagorio, in Beirut, announces Italy considering sending another battalion to Lebanon, bringing total troops to 4,000.

UN: Senegal, Fiji, Norway, Ireland, Holland, Ghana, Finland, France, Sweden and Italy will keep troops in UNIFIL; Nigeria will remove troops from UNIFIL.