The Palestine Chronology

Military Action:

Heavy shelling by PSP militia, rockets and artillery fall in area from East Beirut north to Jounieh, and in airport area; Pentagon reportedly decides to keep battleship New Jersey stationed off Lebanon indefinitely.

Casualties:

5-7 killed, 30 wounded in East Beirut; LF militiamen kidnap Shi'ite civilians south of Beirut, Amal militiamen kidnap 60 Christian employees of MEA from buses on way to airport, later released; Beirut power station damaged, electricity rationing resumes.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 36th anniversary of UN vote to partition Palestine marked by demonstrations and protests throughout West Bank; IDF disperses Nablus demonstration with teargas; large demonstration in support of Arafat at Birzeit; settler injured by stone near Beit Omar, Hebron, 6 suspects arrested; estimated 500 Jewish settlers hold protest march through Nablus under heavy IDF protection, settlers establish command post near Tomb of Joseph in Nablus, say they will remain there until IDF takes stronger measures against Palestinians, chief-of-staff Levy flies in for meeting; President Herzog says IDF prisoners released by PLO had surrendered shamefully, press and military personnel question enthusiastic reception given to returnees.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat says he will leave Tripoli.

US and Other Countries: Reagan and Shamir end talks, agree on joint political-military committee, to begin meeting in January, to enhance Israeli-US cooperation, objectives include military planning, maneuvers, prepositioning of US equipment in Israel; other areas of agreement are: US willing to negotiate accord on duty-free trade and to permit $550 m. military aid to be spent on development of Lavi fighter, including $250 m. to be spent in Israel; US and Israel reaffirm commitment to May 17 Israeli-Lebanese troop withdrawal agreement; US reportedly will make cluster bomb technology available to Israel for production there, Shamir and Arens agree in principle not to use the weapons against civilians.

Military Action:

LAF and militiamen exchange fire throughout the night in southern suburbs of Beirut; brief small arms and RPG battles in sectors of Tripoli bordering on Baddawi camp.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese government orders staff of Iranian embassy to leave Beirut within 3 days, estimated 800 Shi'ite Muslims stage protest march in Burj al Barajneh camp.

Arab Governments: Saudi and Syrian FMs announce that rival Palestinian forces have agreed to cease-fire and to withdraw from Tripoli within 2 weeks, Tripoli Higher Coordinating Committee to supervise.

Military Action:

Small arms, machine gun and RPG fire hits Marine positions at airport and university science faculty building during 7-hour battle, Marines use Dragon missiles; LAF positions near airport also attacked; IDF patrol attacked, battles civilians during Shi'ite religious festival in Nabatieh.

Casualties:

1 Marine killed, 3 wounded by sniper fire in Beirut; 1 civilian killed, 7-10 wounded when IDF opens fire in Nabatieh, 4 IDF soldiers injured, 4 military vehicles burned, curfew imposed.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Estimated Im Israeli workers strike for 2 hours to protest government economic policies.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Officer of Higher Islamic Council of Lebanon calls on Shi'ite residents of South Lebanon to resist IDF occupation, warns Israel not to close bridges across Awali river.

Military Action:

LAF and Shi'ite militiamen exchange small arms and rocket fire in southern Beirut suburbs; explosives thrown at French MNF patrol in Beirut; cease-fire security committee orders halt to Druze-Christian fighting in Kharroub mountains.

Casualties:

1 LAF soldier, 2 civilians killed in Beirut fighting; IDF raids office of Lebanese national news agency in Sidon, arrests and interrogates 2 reporters, confiscates film.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese government asks UNIFIL to renew its mandate, expiring October 19, for further 6 months.

Military Action:

Fighting continues at Souq al-Gharb, Aley, Beit Eddine and Deir al-Qamar; PSP forces capture Qabr Chamoun junction; shells fall in Khaldeh, Yarze, Baabda and other suburbs, and around airport, near US Marine positions; LAF engages Shi'ite militiamen in Beirut district of Chiah; US Navy warship fires first rounds of 5-inch shells at PSP artillery position near Chemlan, southeast of Beirut, Marines also return fire; US jet overflies village of Deir al-Qamar; IDF patrol crosses Awali River, removes roadblock at village of Amayle.

Casualties:

LAF reports 2 killed, 6 wounded; PSP accuses Phalange militiamen of killing 40 Druze civilians in Abey, near Qabr Chamoun; bomb destroys Islamic lUnification Movement sports club in Tripoli, 5 killed, 25 wounded.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: McFarlane meets Gemayel, Wazzan in Beirut, Jumblatt in Damascus; Jumblatt says PSP forces will not fire on targets endangering MNF units.

Arab Governments: Saudi Arabia renews its diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire, sends Prince Bandar Ibn Sultan to Damascus.

US and Other Countries: Rep. Clarence Long (D-MD) says he will seek legislative cut-off of funds for US MNF contingent unless Reagan seeks formal Congressional authorization under 1973 War Powers Act.

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:

24-hour curfew declared in Beirut; 300 Lebanese Rangers make helicopter landing, attack militia positions at Holiday Inn, other hotels; 6,000-10,000 Lebanese Army troops make combined armor and infantry sweep into West Beirut, recapture positions lost in past two days; Corniche Mazraa occupied by special force of 300, using mortars and tanks; artillery shelling continues from mountain positions; Italian MNF compound hit by 12 artillery rounds; Commodore Hotel hit by several shells; army sets up checkpoints near port area, occupies Mourabitoun HQ, Amal militia, Army maintain informal cease-fire in Shi'ite neighborhoods; heavy fighting occurs in Tripoli between rival Muslim militias.

Casualties:

18-22 civilians killed, 49 wounded in Beirut; 21 Lebanese soldiers killed, 87 wounded, bringing total Army casualties in past 4 days to 42 killed, 176 wounded; Mourabitoun and Amal militia leaders placed under house arrest; part of US Special Forces unit, training Lebanese Army, evacuated from Cadmos Hotel to British Embassy; 25 killed, 60 wounded in Tripoli battles.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Foreign Minister Shamir and Deputy PM Levy emerge as competing candidates to succeed Begin.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: After emergency Cabinet meeting, Gemayel invites 11 opposition leaders to join in national reconciliation conference; Jumblatt says Gemayel's call for direct dialogue among factional groups is out of the question; Berri condemns Army's move into West Beirut, calls on other Arab states to stop the massacre of Muslims.

Military Action:

10,000-13,000 Lebanese Army troops cordon off 14 sq. km. area around Hayy al-Sollom and Burj al-Barajneh, begin sweep against Muslim militias, heavy fighting from dawn to noon, Army occupies 2 sq. km., claims to have captured Amal HQin Burj al-Barajneh; Druze gunners in Upper Metn fire artillery and rockets at East Beirut and industrial areas, and in support of Amal militia; US Marines come under fire, use 155 mm artillery, 81 mm mortars, rockets from Cobra helicopter gunships against Shi'ite positions near airport and in foothills; Amal militia drives Lebanese Army from garrison and checkpoints in West Beirut, Mourabitoun militia takes control of streets; Amal takes over Beirut TV station; snipers posted on rooftops, firing continues throughout day and evening.

Casualties:

2 US Marines killed, 14 wounded by mortar fire; 11 Lebanese soldiers killed, 60 wounded, estimated 12-50 kidnapped; civilian casualties estimated at 20 dead, 100+ wounded, 1 Lebanese Air Force fighter bomber destroyed at airport, 2 damaged; 2-4 Lebanese Army APCs, several tanks captured.

Political Responses:

PalestiniansI Lebanese: Gemayel convenes emergency session of Cabinet; Amal leader Nabih Berri says he wants no problems with US, denies that US positions were fired on by Amal militia.

US and Other Countries: Reagan accepts recommendation of crisis management group, headed by VP Bush, that there is no need to expand size or change role of US force in Lebanon; members of Congress press for declaration that fighting in Lebanon triggers provisions of War Powers Resolution; White House says attack on Marines was outgrowth of Syria's refusal to withdraw its troops and Syrian influence over Lebanese factions.

UN: 10-day Conference on Palestine opens under heavy security in Geneva, more than 90 countries participate, US, Canada, Israel boycott.

Military Action:

Artillery duels between Christian and Druse militias continue in Chouf, shells fall in Beirut suburbs; Lebanese Army surrounds Wadi Abu Jamil quarter in West Beirut where yesterday's fighting occurred.

Casualties:

General strike by Shi'ite Muslims to protest yesterday's actions by Lebanese Army closes shops in Beirut, shuts down Tyre, Baalbek and many villages; 1 man killed in Tyre when IDF fires warning shots to disperse demonstration; 13 wounded in Chouf.

Political Responses:

US and Other Countries: Shultz meets with Lebanese foreign minister to discuss new diplomatic initiatives on troop withdrawal, further meetings scheduled next week in advance of Gemayel visit.

Military Action:

Shi'ite refugees in West Beirut resist eviction from building by police, Lebanese Army units called in, battle with Muslim militiamen through day in most serious fighting in Beirut since September/ October; militia unit in South Lebanon fires on Irish UNIFIL position.

Casualties:

2 Lebanese soldiers killed, 10 wounded, 3 militiamen killed, 11 civilians wounded, at least 70 arrested in West Beirut fighting; 8 journalists arrested by Army while covering Beirut fighting, 3 say they were physically abused; ICRC visits 6 Israeli prisoners held by Fateh, reports they are in good spirits and physical condition.

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:

Lebanese Army patrol opens fire on illegal protest against withdrawal agreement by Shiite Muslims in Beirut suburb of Bir Abed, grenade reportedly thrown at patrol; demonstration also in Baalbek; fighting in Tripoli between Palestinian forces and Muslim militia.

Casualties:

1 killed, 10 injured in Beirut protest; Syria cuts off road, telephone and telex links between Syrian controlled areas of Lebanon and rest of country; many schools in Beirut closed; 4 persons killed in Tripoli fighting.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Uri Lubrani, former senior Israeli representative in Uganda, Ethiopia and Iran, reportedly selected to coordinate relations with Lebanon under terms of withdrawal agreement.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanon, Israel and US sign troop withdrawal agreement at consecutive ceremonies in Khalde and Kiryat Shemona.

Arab Governments: Saudi Arabia and Sudan support Lebanon on agreement; Libya asks Lebanese ambassador in Tripoli to leave, withdraws its ambassador in Beirut; Jordan announces that Palestinians from West Bank and Gaza can enter the country only across Jordan River bridges; Egypt Air lands first flight in Beirut since 1979.

US and Other Countries: State Dept. says Congress, but not public, will be informed of all details of secret US agreements with Israel and Lebanon; agreement with Israel reportedly recognizes its right of self-defense to retaliate against attacks in Lebanon, acknowledges that it can delay withdrawing troops until Syria and the PLO withdraw, pledges to help bring about Syrian and PLO withdrawal and to see that Lebanon lives up to its agreement with Israel; Reagan indicates he is ready to release 75 F-16 jet fighters to Israel.

Military Action:

IDF patrol attacked southeast of Beirut, Lebanese National Resistance Front reportedly responsible; 2 grenades thrown at French MNF position in Beirut; Israeli jets break sound barrier over Beirut, fly mock bombing runs in South Lebanon.

Casualties:

1 IDF wounded; IDF reportedly investigating deaths of 7 men whose bodies were found in Israeli detention center in Sidon soon after invasion; IDF arrests sheikh of Jibsheet, Shiite village in South Lebanon, on suspicion of aiding terrorist activity; prisoner in Ansar camp murdered by other prisoners; Committee of Prisoners' Families reports more than 200 Palestinian women arrested or kidnapped by Phalange in Beirut area between October and February.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Science and Development Minister Ne'eman says he will demand extension of Israeli law to West Bank and Gaza and massive Jewish settlement; IDF and Defense Ministry reply to US Marine Commandant's charges, accuse US of failing to honor agreement to delineate military patrol zones in Beirut; Arens tells Weinberger that IDF under strict instructions to avoid incidents with US Marines, proposes agreement on demarcation lines, liaison arrangements between forces.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Army Commander Tannous says non-Lebanese parties are masterminding and staging attacks on MNF to drive it out of Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Arab League delegation, led by King Hussein, with Walid Khalidi representing Palestinians, meets PM Thatcher in London, who reaffirms commitment to self-determination for the Palestinian people.

US and Other Countries: Former President Carter meets President Gemayel in Beirut, calls for immediate withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon, says he hopes Israeli occupation of West Bank will not be repeated in Lebanon.

UN: UN officials say France has expressed concern over August Question of Palestine conference to be held at Paris UNESCO HQ will not take part in preparations or send delegation.