The Palestine Chronology

At Erez, 2d day of Israeli-PA talks focus Hebron, security; deadlock on issue of redeployment in Hebron, with Israel demanding IDF lookout posts over Arab neighborhoods, buffer zones separating settlers fr. Palestinians, pistols only for PA police, rights hot pursuit into Palestinian areas. (RJ 10/7 in WNC 10/8; al-Quds, ITV, QY 10/7 in WNC 10/10; MM, WT 10/8; QY 10/8 in IL 10/8; WP, WT 10/9; IGPO 10/8 in WNC 10/11; CSM 10/10)

AIPAC heads arrive in Israel on unscheduled visit to warn PM Netanyahu about growing criticisms in Congress of Israeli policy. (ITV 10/7 in WNC 10/10)

Knesset inaugurates al-Haq mosque, a prayer room in the Knesset building for the use of Muslim MKs. (YA 10/11 in IL 10/11; WJW 10/17)

Turkey signs deal with Libya to triple trade btwn. the 2 nations. Libya agrees to pay money owed Turkish contractors (see 8/22). U.S. denounces the agmt. (JANA [Tripoli] 10/7 in WNC 10/8; VIRI 10/7 in WNC 10/10; NYT 10/8; MM 10/9; Anatolia [Ankara] 10/9 in WNC 10/11)

In Mali, Secy. of State Christopher begins "unusually blunt" 5-nation African tour to urge sub-Saharan countries to put up a candidate to replace UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali. It is the 1st trip in 6 yrs. by a secy. of state to sub-Saharan Africa. (NYT, WT 10/8; NYT 10/10, 10/11)

Clashes spread throughout the West Bank and Gaza, leaving at least 39 Palestinians, 11 Israelis dead, 100s on both sides wounded. Worst fighting is in Nablus, where 6 IDF soldiers are killed when Palestinian protesters attack Joseph's Tomb, a fmr. mosque used as a yeshiva by ultraorthodox Jews; IDF sends 4 APCs in to rescue 7 troops but some 35 additional soldiers become trapped as well. Israeli DM Mordechai sends tanks, helicopters into the West Bank for the 1st time since 1967. Helicopters fire on Palestinian crowds in Ramallah, Gaza. Tanks take up positions on borders of zone A areas. In Gaza, Palestinians march on 2 Jewish settlements, attack IDF outposts, forcing evacuation of 1 small settlement. 1,000s of Palestinians clash with IDF at Rafah checkpoint, killing 1 Egyptian soldier on the Egyptian side of the border. After mtg. with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, Netanyahu cuts short by several hrs. a tour of EU capitals, returns to Israel. Egypt, Israel, PA, U.S. discuss ways of securing Arafat-Netanyahu mtg. Arafat says he will meet only if Netanyahu promises to make a concrete gesture, such as closing tunnel. Netanyahu refuses, says gestures will only show Palestinians that protests have benefits. (MM 9/26; IDF Radio, ITV, VOA, VIRI 9/26 in WNC 9/27; IDF Radio, ITV, JTV, RJ, VIRI 9/26 in WNC 9/30; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/27; TJT 9/27 in WNC 10/1; YA 9/29 in WNC 10/2; MEI, PR 10/4; JP 10/5; NYT 10/6)

Palestinian refugees in `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in s. Lebanon stage demonstrations against Israeli actions in the occupied territories. Israel reinforces troops in the "security zone." (RL 9/26 in WNC 9/30)

Shin Bet's top echelon holds emergency mtg.; says it is furious with PM Netanyahu for opening the tunnel despite Shin Bet's warnings, contrary recommendations and without their coordination; criticizes the PM's decision-making process, performance. The DM, chief of staff reportedly were not informed in advance of the tunnel opening either. (YA 9/27 in WNC 9/30; ITV 9/27 in WNC 10/1)

Israeli inner cabinet holds emergency mtg. Agriculture M Eitan calls for tanks to be moved into zone A areas. Science M Benjamin Begin, Tourism M Qatzav calls for immediate halt to negotiations with the PA, reassessment of Arafat. DM Mordechai calls for compromise on tunnel. (ITV 9/27 in WNC 10/1)

PM Netanyahu arrives in London on 1st stop of 3-day EU tour to garner support for his hard-line attitude toward the peace process; meets with PM John Major. (MM 9/24; LPR 9/24 in WNC 9/27; MM, WP, WT 9/25)

Under heavy police guard, Israel undertakes a surprise predawn excavation to complete a long disputed archeological tunnel that runs along the al-Aqsa mosque compound. The 12-yr.-old project was completed only on the personal orders of PM Netanyahu, who intended it as a message to Palestinians that Israel is the sole sovereign in Jerusalem. PA denounces tunnel work, calls for general strike 9/25. During the day, Palestinians at the mosque clash with police, hurl stones at Jews at the Western Wall. Jordan's King Hussein is furious that Gold did not warn him of the tunnel opening in their mtg. 9/22. (MM 9/24; JTV, RJ 9/24 in WNC 9/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; WJW 10/3; MEI, PR 10/4; MM 10/9; WT 10/11)

In Hebron, IDF orders 6-mo. closure of 2 charity organizations allegedly linked to Hamas. Palestinians clash with IDF over reopening the central market (see 9/16). (HA 9/24 in IL 9/24; RMC 9/24 in WNC 9/27)

Following Israel's Yom Kippur holiday, ILMG reconvenes in Naqura to discuss complaints filed by Lebanon, Israel. (ITV, RL 9/24 in WNC 9/27; NYT, WT 9/25; JP 10/5) (see 9/22)

IDF, Amal clash in s. Lebanon, leaving 2 Amal mbrs. dead. (RL 9/24 in WNC 9/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 9/25; RL 9/25 in WNC 9/27; JP 10/5)

Israeli High Court passes resolution, allowing small groups of Temple Mount Faithful to enter the al-Aqsa mosque courtyards 7/25 to perform Jewish religious rites for fast day. PA, Jordan, Syria protest. 10's of Jews immediately try to storm the mosque but are blocked by Israeli police. (QY 7/24, QY, al-Ra'i, SARR, VOP 7/25, RMC 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; MENA 7/31 in FBIS 8/1; RJ 7/31 in FBIS 8/2; MEI, PR 8/2)

PA policeman shoots at suspicious car nr. checkpoint outside Qalqilya, slightly wounding girl; is held by PA for questioning. IDF puts closure on Qalqilya. (QY 7/25 in FBIS 7/26; QY 7/28 in FBIS 7/29)

IDF deploys throughout the West Bank; blockades 465 Palestinian villages, bars residents fr. leaving them until further notice; busses all Gazans studying in the West Bank back to Gaza; carries out mass arrests. Arafat protests. IDF Central Cmdr. Maj. Gen. Ilan Biran says scope of IDF targets has been widened to include Islamic Jihad, PFLP in addition to Hamas. In Hebron, the IDF seals the homes of 11 suspected Hamas mbrs.; closes several Islamic colleges, youth and charity societies connected to Islamic Jihad, Hamas, PFLP. Arrests at al-Fawwar camp rise to 120. (MM 3/5; QY, VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; IDF Radio, QY 3/5, QY 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/6; NYT, WT 3/7)

PA seizes 15 West Bank, Gaza mosques, several Islamic welfare associations run by Hamas, puts them under PA control; appoints imams to give Friday sermons. PA police raid Gaza's Islamic University, say it will be disbanded in its current form, reopened as a branch of Cairo University. For the 1st time, PA security forces made joint arrest sweeps with the IDF, arresting the relatives of 1 suicide bomber. (AFP, ITV 3/5, QY, VOP 36 in FBIS 3/6; MM 3/6; MM, WT 3/7; NYT 3/8; NYT 3/9; QY 3/12 in FBIS 3/12; CSM 3/25)

Qassam Brigades issues leaflet in the West Bank announcing it will disarm, halt all military operation against Israelis in response to the call made 3/4 by the political leadership; says it will not be responsible for any action that may be carried out against Israelis. (MM 3/5; VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; AFP, JMCC, VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/7; AFP 3/9 in FBIS 3/11)

Israeli inner cabinet extends length of administrative detention to 12 mos. and, if necessary, longer; approves deportations for Palestinians connected with recent attacks. (WP 3/6; IDF Radio, MA, QY 3/6 in FBIS 3/6)

Pres. Clinton attends memorial service at the Israeli embassy in Washington for the victims of the recent bombings in Israel. (WJW 2/14)