The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem, hundreds of demonstrators throwing stones and carrying portraits of slain PLO official Khalil al-Wazir clash with border police near al-Aqsa Mosque; several are wounded, and at least 30 demonstrators are arrested [NYT, WP 4/23]. A

rab World: In Damascus PLO leaders, including Faruq al-Qaddumi, George Habash, and Nayif Hawatmah, meet with Syrian vice president 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam [LAT, WP 4/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Idna village, near Hebron, soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian who army says attacked patrol with nail-studded club. Palestinian demonstrator is killed by army gunfire inKhan Yunis refugee camp; another is shot dead in Gaza village of Bani Suhayla. At least 13 are shot, woundeduring clash with Israeli troops in Jabalya refugee camp [NYT, WP 4/23].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes attack 2 PFLP-General Command bases midway between Beirut and Sidon [NYT, WP 4/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shin Bet arrests 2 American schoolteachers in Ramallah on charges of possessing "inciteful materials" [LAT 2/29].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat says he is submitting to U.S. names of Palestinians with whom Sec. of State Shultz can meet [NYT 2/28]. Sec. Shultz meets with Syrian f.m. Faruq al-Shar' and Pres. Hafiz al-Asad in Damascus and with Jordanian p.m. Zayd Rifa'i and Crown Prince Hasan in Amman to discuss new U. S. peace proposals [NYT 2/28]. Syria and Jordan restate their support for UN-sponsored international conference [WP 2/28].

Other Countries: Estimated 4,000 participate in Amsterdam march protesting Israeli policies in occupied territories [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cashes between IDF troops and worshipers outside mosque and hospital in Halhul result in 1 dead, at least 5 injured by tear gas inhalation and live ammunition [NYT 2/28]. Troops use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition in effort to disperse crowds from nearby 'Arrub camp blocking Jerusalem-Hebron highway; 1 is killed, and 4 wounded. Towns along road are ordered under curfew [WP 2/28]. In 'Ubaydiyyah, soldiers impose curfew, arrest 32 [FJ 2/28]. Curfew is also imposed in Jabalya, 'Arrub, and Burayj camps [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Moshe Arens, minister without portfolio, resigns from Israeli cabinet [WP 9/3]. Residents of Hebron-district town of Dura hold sit-in at Dura municipal building to protest Israeli plan to expropriate 3,000 dunams of land [FJ 9/6]. Reports indicate Gaza Strip govemnment schools have ordered many students convicted of political charges not to return to school this year [FJ 9/6]. David Levy presides at inauguration of new Jewish settlement south of Tulkarm [FJ 9/6].

Arab World: U.S. Ambassador William Eagleton returns to Damascus after 11 months [WP 9/3]. PLO spokesman in Tunis says PLO is willing to accept Amal plan to end fighting in S. Lebanon [NYT 9/3].

Other Countries: U.S. Sen. Albert Gore, Jr. states intention to become "personally involved" in negotiations between Israel and Arab states if he is elected president [LAT 9/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israeli border guards injure at least 2 people in attack on a Dhahriyyah restaurant [FJ 9/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A 1-day general strike in support of Jerusalem Electric Company closes most shops in E. Jerusalem [FJ 8/23]. Israeli police announce arrest of 4 Palestinians in connection with 4 murders, including assassination of Nablus Mayor Zafir al-Masri in 1986, and 3 attempted murders in Nablus and Jenin [FJ 8/23]. In Rahat village, 1,500 demonstrators inside mosque prevent court-ordered demolition of mosque by Israeli soldiers and police [FJ 8/23]. Jerusalem planning com. approves project to build 10,000 housing units for Palestinians innorthern Jerusalem [FJ 8/23]. Lina Tubaylah, member of Women's Work Com. in Nablus, receives 6-month town arrest order [FJ 8/23]. Israeli authorities ban 22 books from use in Palestinian schools on W. Bank [FJ 8/23]. Israeli authorities approve building of 4 new settlements in Jordan Valley, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem [FJ 8/23]. Israeli authorities inform landowners in Hebron-area villages of Dura and Dhahriyyah of plan to expropriate 2,000 dunams of village land [FJ 8/23]. Members of Village League open fire on Bayt 'Ula residents, injuring 2 [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Maronite leader Camille Chamoun dies in Lebanon [MEI 8/28]. Arab committee studying terrorism ends session in Damascus; meeting was attended by an official delegation of the PLO [FJ 8/23]. Khalid Yasin, member of DFLP, is released from Israeli prison after 14 years, arrives in al-Baddawi refugee camp in N. Lebanon [FJ 8/23].

Other Countries: Scotland Yard reveals arrest of Isma'il Hasan Suwan, Palestinian researcher, in connection with attempted assassinationf Naji al-'Ali and seizure of large arms and explosive cache believed to be for use by PLO guerrillas in Europe [NYT 8/19; FJ 8/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: More than 50 Israeli soldiers raid al-Najah University in Nablus, confiscate books and files from administrative and student council offices [FJ 8/23]. In Gaza, 2 Israelis are injured in gunfire attack [FJ 8/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Two pardoned Shin Bet legal advisers are to be transferred to other jobs within the agency, Attorney General Harish decides (JP 9/30). Jordanian government recognizes Israeli-appointed mayors of Hebron, Ramallah, and al-Birah, but Amman-based Zuhdi Sa'id, deputy director of PLO Department of Occupied Territories, denounces the appointments, and calls for elections in West Bank. In Damascus, PFLP leader Dr. George Habash issues "death sentence" for the three mayors (JP 9/30).

Other Countries: In interview at UN, Syrian F.M. Faruq Shar' says world should expect continuing terrorist attacks against American targets until U.S. stops backing Israel occupation of West Bank, Golan Heights, and S. Lebanon (WP 9/30). Also at UN, PLO political director Faruq al-Qaddumi meets Soviet F. M. Shevardnadze (Fl 10/3).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Washington Post reports wide anti-Hussein sentiment in the occupied territories, with almost daily demonstrations and death threats against supporters of Jordan [WP 7/24]. Muhammad Ja'bari of Hebron, Khalil Musa of Ramallah, and Walid Mustafa of al-Birah now balk at Amman's urgings to step forward for mayoralties of their towns [WP 7/24].

Arab World: joint communique issued by Morocco and Israel on Peres-Hassan meeting emphasizes Hassan's insistence on terms of 1982 Fez Plan for Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories [NYT 7/25]. King Hussein meets with Syrian President al-Asad in Damascus [WP 7/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade tossed from rooftop in Jericho injures 13 Israeli teenagers [NYT 7/25]; anonymous telephone caller to Radio Monte Carlo claims responsibility on behalf of DFLP [FJ 7/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M.Peres, opening Knesset, says he is willing to talk peace with Jordan or a vetted Jordanian-Palestinian delegation; offers "limited self-govemment" to occupied territories [DT 5/20]. Industry Minister Ariel Sharon tours the 600 dunums of land near Hebron where he wants two new "industrial zones" built to fumish jobs to the region's settlers [JP 5/20; AA 5/25]. Histadrut chief Yisrael Kessar condemns plan [JP 5/21].

Other Countries: Reagan administration asks Syrian President al-Asad to close Abu Nidal's Damascus office, whose existence Syria denies [NYT 5/20]. Nine residents of Golan Heights condemned in military court to prison sentences ranging from 10 to 37 years for "security offenses" [AA 5/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Retired Israeli General Avraham Bar-Am, arrested 4/22 in Bermuda for alleged conspiracy to sell U.S. arms to Iran, states the Israeli defense establishment knew of his actions [WP, CT 4/24]. Palestinian political prisoners in Hebron prison suspend 8-day hunger strike after achieving some of their demands [FJ 4/25].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat meets with PLO's Supreme Military Council in Baghdad, they unanimously decide to dismiss 'Atallah 'Atallah (Abu Za'im) from his position as assistant chief of staff of PLO armed forces and from his membership in the Palestine National Council [TS, MG, JP 4/25].

Military Action

Arab World: Christian radio station Voice of Lebanon reports 3 bombs explode in Syrian port of Tartus, killing 1 and wounding 20; 73 persons are arrested, including 15 from the Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmuk, near Damascus, among them 2 Fateh officers [JP 4/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police arrest 3 militant Jewish nationalists who attempt to raise Israeli flag in the Haram al-Sharif [NYT, WP 1/10]. State of Israel Bond Organization announces it received a record $505 million in 1985 [JW 1/10]. Palestinian convicted of killing Israeli soldier in Hebron 4 months ago is sentenced to life imprisonment [JP 1/10].

Arab World: Syrian Nafi' Fu'ad Hasan, also convicted of spying for Israel, is hanged in public in Damascus, one day after his brother was executed on same charges [LT, JP 1/10]. Islamic Conference Organization passes resolution condemning U.S. sanctions against Libya, calling on Muslim countries to counter them [NYT 1/10].

Other Countries: Former U.S. Ambassador to the UN jeane Kirkpatrick has been named recipient of $100,000 award from Miriam Klein Foundation for demonstration of "commitment to the survival of the Jewish people" [PI 1/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: King Hussein arrives in Damascus for talks with Pres. Asad, first meeting between the 2 since 1979 [NYT, WP 12/31]. Jordanian officials say 2 countries will soon exchange ambassadors [MG 12/31].

Other Countries: Austrian Interior Min. Blecha states 2 surviving gunmen from airport attacks say they belong to Abu Nidal faction, originally intended to take Israelis hostage, hijack El Al airplane [WP, LAT 12/31]. Pres. Reagan clarifies position, says it would be "fine with us" if Israel retaliated for airport attacks [WP, BG 12/31]. Greek official states Greece and PLO agree to cooperate in fighting terrorism [BG 12/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli is shot and wounded in central Hebron; attacker escapes, area is curfewed UTA, JP 12/31]. Israeli troops shoot 2 local residents who refuse to halt for I. D. check in wake of attack [MG, JP 12/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli govt. officials state Jordan has provisionally agreed to be involved in choosing and appointing Palestinian mayors for some of the largest towns in the West Bank, including Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah, and al-Bireh [LT 10/30]. Birzeit U. and Bethlehem U. students demonstrate against deportation orders issued 10/28. Another demonstration takes place outside Min. of Defense building in Tel Aviv; group of professors from Tel Aviv U. and Hebrew U. issue statement calling for cancellation of orders [JP 10/31]. Green Patrol evict 40 Bedouin families from Negev land, cutting down their tents [JP 10/31].

Arab World: PLO promises Jordan it will avoid repetition of incidents like Achille Lauro hijacking or "any act that would hurt the 11 February agreement" [NYT 10/31]. New York Times reports Pres. Amin Jumayyil of Lebanon is trying to open negotiations with Israel on S. Lebanon and has sent former For. Min. Elie Salem to Damascus for talks with Syrian For. Min. Faruq al-Shar' on the subject [NYT 10/31].

Other Countries: Israeli and U.S. officials state some Arab nations, including Jordan and Egypt, have recently urged the Soviet Union to restore diplomatic ties with Israel as a way to help promote peace talks [NYT 10/31]. Israel Radio reports Hungary has agreed to open diplomatic mission in Israel, will permit Israeli rep. to work from a foreign embassy in Budapest [JP 10/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli forces demolish homes of 5 members of Palestinian cell captured or killed in hills south of Hebron 10/6. Surif village placed under curfew during demolitions [JP 10/9].

Arab World: Two senior PLO officials leave for Cairo to help Egyptian officials negotiate with the Achille Lauro hijackers [LAT 10/9]. Arafat tells Italian P.M. Bettino Craxi he "entirely condemns" the hijacking and does not know who is responsible [MG 10/9]. The Damascus-based faction of the Palestine Liberation Front, headed by Tala'at Ya'qub, denounces the hijacking of the Achille Lauro as piracy. An anonymous caller to Agence France Presse says the Abu al-'Abbas faction of the Palestine Liberation Front, allied with Fateh, is responsible for the hijacking [NYT 10/10].

Other Countries: U.S. seeks to obtain worldwide guarantee that no country will allow the Achille Lauro to dock in its port while the hijackers are still in control. Italy rejects use of force to try to rescue passengers on Achille Lauro [LAT 10/9]. Dutch Def. Min. Job de Ruiter announces Dutch troops will be withdrawn from UN peacekeeping force deployed north of Lebanese-Israeli border because of "concern for their safety" [MG 10/9].

Military Action

Arab World: Achille Lauro steams toward Syria, then Cyprus; is refused entry at both. Ship retums to Egyptian coast, hijackers begin negotiations with Egyptians [NYT 10/13].

Other Countries: U.S. guided missile destroyer Scott cuts short shore leave in Haifa to monitor hijacked Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro in Eastem Mediterranean [NYT 10/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S.envoy Richard Murphy arrives in Israel without having met with Palestinian delegation; briefs Israeli leaders on his discussions with King Hussein [NYT 8/16]. Three MKs from Tehiya party-Geula Cohen, Eliezer Waldman, and Gershon Shafat-lock themselves inside empty apartment in central Hebron; say they will remain until Cabinet discusses question of expanding Israeli presence in Hebron. Their action follows two previous attempts by Kiryat Arba settlers to occupy same apartment [JTA 8/16]. Al-Tali'a weekly reports Jordanian authorities have demanded dismissal of George Hazboun as secretary of Union of Public Institutions Workers in Bethlehem as precondition for release of funds to the union. Palestinian unionists denounce the demand as blatant interference in union affairs [FJ 8/16]. The Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics announces July's inflation rate, 27.5 percent, arecord level for a single month [FT 8/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Qalqilya is declared closed military zone following ambush of Israeli bus. Area was searched and a number of arrests made [FJ 8/23]. Land mine explodes as Israeli car passes on its way to Kiryat Arba; windshield is shattered [FJ 8/23]. Israeli soldiers surround group of farmers from Sakhnin village, fire guns over their heads, and beat them. Two children and 3 women are injured [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Suicide car bomber kills himself and a SLA militiaman when he tries to ram SLA post on the edge of security zone. The Syrian Arab Ba'th party claims responsibility [LT 8/16]. Fighting continues in Beirut, killing 10. Shells strike presidential palace [NYT 8/16]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel tells U.S. it would object to meetings between a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation and Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy, who arrived in 'Amman today for talks with Jordanian leaders [NYT, WP 8/14]. Hanna Siniora and Fayez Abu Rahmeh arrive in 'Amman, timing arrival to coincide with that of Richard Murphy [CT 8/14]. Attomey General Yitzhak Zamir calls for prosecution of a general, 5members of the Shin Bet, 3 soldiers, and 3 police officers in connection with the beating of 2 captured Palestinian bus hijackers who died shortly afterwards [NYT 8/14]. Zamir accepts the recommendation of a special investigating committee that a general implicated inthe deaths not be charged with homicide [WP 8/14]. Israeli army officers break into apartment in Hebron's old market and evict group of 8 settler squatters who had moved in 8/12 after the stabbing of a settler [JP 8/14]. P. M. Peres says IDF soldier Samir Asad, missing in action from the war in Lebanon, is being held captive by the DFLP in Damascus [JP 8/14]. Israel releases 101 more Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners from Atlit prison; 230 more prisoners remain in Atlit [JP, MG 8/14]. Visiting Honduran Foreign Minister Dr. Edgardo Paz Bamica meets with Foreign Min. Shamir; discusses possibility ofupgrading diplomatic relations between the two countries [JTA 8/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin charges recent attacks against Israelis in W. Bank coordinated in Amman. IDF allow Ramallah shops closed 2/4 to re-open [MG 2/6]. al-Mithaq reports prefabricated houses being erected on Arab-owned land of Aqbat Ni'meh east of Dhahriya in the Hebron area [FJ 2/8].

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat arrives in Algiers; Syrian VP Khaddam also in Algiers [MG 2/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at police post, al-Arroub camp; no injuries [JP 2/6].

Arab World: In Damascus, PFLP claims responsibility for 2/4 killing of IDF soldier in Ramallah [JTA 2/6]. 2 IDF troops wounded by bomb near Burj al-Shamali camp, S. Lebanon; car-bomb later in the day near the camp injures 10 IDF troops [JP, WP 2/6]. SLA roadblock fired upon in Kafr Kharroub, S. Lebanon [JP 2/6]. IDF attack Jabal Amal Professional Training School in Tyre, S. Lebanon; at least 6 teenagers killed, 57 wounded, 150 arrested for unknown reasons [Fl 2/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jordan agrees to host 17th Palestine National Council mtg. in Amman.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel announces capture of Fateh leader Ali Khalil Riba'i at Dura, south of al-Khalil (Hebron). Gaza man Abulrahman Darabiya shot & wounded by unknown gunman; later, PFLP (in Damascus) claims victim is Israeli agent.

Arab World: 3 commandos killed, 3 Israelis wounded in clash along Awali River; 4 more commandos reported killed by IDF in Jabal Baroukh area.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli-run Hebron municipality serves orders to Palestinian shopowners in building near Sultan's Pool to vacate as city is "repossessing" it. Israeli bulldozers begin work on access road to Elon Moreh site through Palestinian-owned land. Poll by Jewish-Arab center of Haifa U. shows 55% of Israeli Jews support preventing Arabs becoming majority in Palestine again; 49% urge gov't. to encourage Arabs to leave; 64% urge tightened control over Arabs; 65% believe Arabs can't be trusted. In response to reports of Iraq's use of chemical weapons, Min. of Science Neeman asserts "Arabs have always been known to have no scruples about using unconventional weapons."

Arab World: Syria expells UNRWA director in Damascus without explanation.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Unknown assailant reportedly throws bomb at demonstrators in Gaza; 3 IDF soldiers, 7 Palestinians injured; local residents claim Arab victims shot by soldiers.

Arab World: Israeli troops open fire on car at road block near Saksakiyah, S. Lebanon, killing driver.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel:

Jewish National Fund plans to transplant cedars of Lebanon fail due to war in Lebanon; in Galilee, 10-15,000 reported already transplanted from France where imported by Lebanese immigrants.

Arab World: Gemayel sends FM to Damascus for talks on withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon.

Other Countries: US, British, French and Italian FMs reaffirm commitment to MNF presence in Beirut. In General Assembly debate, Israeli UN ambassador Blum requests UN cancel arrangements to protect Arafat's departure from Tripoli in light of recent bomb explosion on Jerusalem bus.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Aisha Adnan Bahash, 11, shot dead, sister, Fida, 9, shot in face by Israeli settler in Nablus bakery. Israeli troops raid and vandalize Palestinian cultural exhibit at Nablus Labor Union office, detain 11 present, confiscate publications. Students and 2 teachers from Hashimiya Secondary School in al- Bira arrested after clashes with about 200 Israeli soldiers as students protest "civil administration" ceremony at school with military presence. Yatta farmers driven from their fields by Israeli settlers. Bus traveling to Kiryat Arba reportedly stoned outside Hebron. 

Military Action:

Israeli jets bomb guerrilla bases in areas around Sofar, Falougha and Bhamdoun, reportedly hit as-Saiqa, Syrian Baath party, PFLP-GC and Druze positions, intense and effective anti-aircraft fire deployed; brief exchanges of artillery fire between LAF and PSP around Souq al-Gharb; fierce fighting continues around Baddawi, PLO loyalists and rebels both claim control of major parts of camp; all areas of Tripoli come under rocket and artillery fire.

Casualties:

1 Israeli jet shot down by shoulder fired SAM-7, pilot is rescued by LAF patrol after parachuting into Beirut suburb, Syria says 2nd jet was downed; casualty reports from air raid range from 2-18 killed, 8 wounded, damage to targets reportedly minimal; no reliable estimates possible of casualties in Tripoli, ambulances unable to move; Red Cross estimates 13,000-15,000 refugees from fighting at camps are in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF says air raid in Lebanon is reaction to long chain of terrorist attacks against IDF in South Lebanon, 35 IDF soldiers killed, 64 wounded since redeployment to Awali on September 4; Arens, addressing Moral Majority delegation in Jerusalem, says there will be no withdrawal from the West Bank; minister without portfolio Ben Porat says his plan to rehouse 250,000 Palestinians now living in refugee camps will cost between $2 and $1.5 b. over next six years, Shamir to raise the subject in forthcoming meetings with Reagan; IDF say group of Muslim extremists has confessed to the killing of a Jewish religious student in Hebron on July 7; settlers block road near Halhoul after stone throwing incident, enter town, break windows of cars and houses.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel ends 2 days of meetings in Saudi Arabia with King Fahd.

US and Other Countries: Rumsfeld makes first official visit to Damascus, meets FM Khaddam; Iranian official says 14 Revolutionary Guards and about 30 Lebanese were killed in Israeli and French air raids near Baalbek last week; Soviet Union calls on PLO factions to cease senseless bloodshed, resolve differences through political means.

Military Action:

PSP and LAF exchange heavy artillery fire around Suq al-Gharb; sporadic exchanges of artillery and RPGs around Baddawi, cease-fire holds generally; IDF patrol fired on north of Zahrani.

Casualties:

Car bombs kills 2 civilians in South Lebanon village of Tibnin; 6 Israeli POW held by PLO in Tripoli moved to safety.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 5 Jewish civilians enter Dheisheh camp, under curfew, shoot and wound 3 Palestinian men after breaking into house, IDF says those responsible were border police in plain clothes on undercover operation; Arens, dedicating new settlement near Hebron, calls on "Arabs of Eretz Israel" to negotiate coexistence with Israel.

Arab Govenments: Assad taken to hospital in Damascus, reportedly has appendectomy, tomorrow's meeting with Gemayel postponed.

US and Other Countries: Special envoy Rumsfeld arrives on first visit to Beirut, meets Gemayel; McFarlane warns Syria US will respond to fire at US aircraft over Lebanon, cites Grenada as example of US resolve to protect American lives.

Casualties:

IDF officer killed in eastern Lebanon.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet meets in special session with Army general staff to discuss redeployment; Hebron settlers threaten to take law into their own hands.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Fateh Central Committee announces new appointments to leadership positions, changes in administrative structure, appointment of committees to monitor expenditure, conduct; PLO delegation travels form Damascus to Tunis, meets with Arafat.

Arab Governments: Assad meets Shultz in Damascus, affirms Syrian opposition to Lebanese-Israeli agreement; US and Syria agree to continue dialogue through working forum on question of Lebanese sovereignty and independence.

US and Other Countries: Shultz says he sees no prospect for immediate mutual withdrawal of forces from Lebanon.

Military Action:

IDF roadblock fired on east of Beirut; light arms fire at IDF patrol from Syrian-controlled territory in Beqaa.

Casualties:

Kidnappings, arson, and cutting of water and electricity supplies continue in Chouf region.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Grenade damages IDF jeep in Hebron, central area of city closed; Begin, other officials meet Habib, reportedly reject setting a deadline for unilateral IDF withdrawal; declassified Foreign Ministry files detail relations between Israel and Lebanese Phalangists during 1948-51 period.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee calls for cease-fire between rival factions, sends mediation team to Syria.

Arab Governments: Joint Saudi-Algerian delegation leaves Damascus.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Knesset votes 55-8, with 46 abstentions, to affirm government's decision to sign agreement with Lebanon; High Court increases fines from IS2,000 to IS10,000 on 4 Jewish students convicted and sentenced by Haifa court for attacking 2 Arab students at the Technion in 1981, leaves standing their suspended 6 to 9 month jail sentences; "Fist of Defense," secret Jewish vigilante group reportedly under investigation, has claimed responsibility for slashing tires, breaking windows of Arab cars, planting bomb outside Hebron mosque; stones thrown at Israeli vehicles in Ramallah, school closed; students at Tireh women's college march in Ramallah carrying Palestinian flags, IDF disperses demonstration, closes school for remainder of academic year; several arrested in Nablus for stone throwing; 3 persons placed under house arrest for 6 months.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Parliament unanimously affirms agreement with Israel; text of withdrawal agreement published; Gemayel says Shultz should return to Middle East to assist Lebanon negotiate withdrawal of Syrian forces, negotiations will begin this week in Tunis with PLO on withdrawal of its forces; Fateh Central Committee meets in Damascus to deal with undisciplined behavior of military unit in Bekaa Valley; pamphlets prepared by Fateh rebels accuse Arafat of plotting to sell out Palestinian cause to US, Israel and reactionary Arab regimes.

US and Other Countries: US intelligence officials reportedly have evidence linking the government of Iran with April 18 bombing of US Embassy in Beirut.

Military Action:

IDF artillery fired at Syrian positions in Bekaa after Syrian tractor fortifying positions reportedly crosses cease-fire line. 

Casualties:

IDF releases Jibsheet's Sheikh Rageb Harb, whose arrest on March 18 prompted strikes and demonstrations; ICRC tells IDF that Lebanese in Sidon are threatening Palestinian refugees in camps and villages; Austrian special envoy leaves Damascus to report to Chancellor Kreisky on status of negotiations for PLO-Israel prisoner exchange.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 7 arrested in Sakhnin for offenses during Land Day; doctors from US Center for Disease Control begin study of mass illness; chairman of West Bank Medical Association says ICRC investigator denied making statement attributed to him yesterday by Israeli authorities; schools in Jenin and Hebron districts closed for 1 week; Tulkarm and Nablus under curfew; molotov cocktail thrown at IDF patrol in Jalazon camp; 17 year-old Palestinian dies of head injuries sustained in Jenin on March 27, family says soldier struck him with bottle, IDF says he was injured by stones; IDF arrests two carloads of Palestinians said to be driving through Nablus shouting through megaphones that the water had been poisoned; IDF confiscates film, arrests 2 Israeli employees of CBS news on charges of urging hospitalized girls to act ill, charges later dropped; 2 Israelis assaulted and injured near Damascus Gate; 9 Jews arrested during demonstration outside police station where Kahane's nephew is held; 7 persons arrested in Taiba after two days of demonstrations, stoning of police jeep, in support of West Bank Palestinians.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Amman, meets with PLO Executive Committee and Hussein; in letter to UN Secretary General, Arafat accuses Israel of poisoning thousands of schoolgirls.

Arab Governments: In Damascus, President Assad meets with George Habash.

UN: Iraq calls for Security Council meeting, accuses Israel of mass poisoning of Palestinian schoolgirls, Israeli delegate rejects charges as irresponsible and unfounded; Security Council requests Secretary General to conduct independent inquiry into reported cases of poisoning.

Military Action:

Syrians and Israelis exchange tank and mortar fire east of Beirut for first time in 4 months; gun battles in Tripoli between rival militias; Beirut offices of Arab Deterrent Force closed, premises handed over to Lebanese Army.

Casualties:

Lebanese doctor shot and killed at roadblock by Fiji UNIFIL soldier in South Lebanon; 3 killed, including Syrian soldier, 6 wounded in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Land Day demonstrations in Israel, West Bank, Gaza, 3,000 extra police on duty; 10-20,000 make Land Day march from Sakhnin to Deir Hanna; tear gas fired at demonstrators in Sakhnin; Peace Now demonstrates outside government exhibition in Tel Aviv of residential construction and housing finance opportunities for Jews on the West Bank; Labor Party chairman Peres says position of Haddad forces must not be infringed by troop withdrawal agreement, Israel should not submit to any preconditions, such as settlement freeze, prior to peace talks with Hussein; Habib meets Arens and Shamir who reject notion that Lebanese Army, without Haddad, can provide effective security on northern border; 7 year-old boy killed, 2 children wounded in Shefar Am when hand grenade they find explodes; commercial strike in East Jerusalem; IDF shoots, kills 18 year-old in Tarqumiya, near Hebron, during demonstration; curfews imposed in Nablus, 4 refugee camps; 2 molotov cocktails thrown at IDF vehicles in West Bank; 2 molotov cocktails thrown at IDF vehicles in West Bank; 2 grenades thrown at IDF vehicles in Gaza; 13 persons injured by stones; Al-Fajr editor-in-chief arrested; director of West Bank public health services says clinical symptoms of 53 girls from Arraba, taken ill on March 21, point to something more than a case of mass hysteria.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Damascus, tells rally he rejects Reagan plan, and Fez summit resolutions are only basis for solution to Palestine problem.

US and Other Countries: Soviet Union accuses Israel of planning a piratic strike against Syria, warns it would be playing with fire.

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:

Phalange and Druze militia exchange artillery and rocket fire during night and morning in Shweifat, Baabda, Aley and Bhamdoun; lDF sets up checkpoints on Beirut-Damascus highway to divert traffic from areas of fighting.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Chief of Staff Eitan tells Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that 117 IDF were killed in western Lebanon, 8 in Beirut, that Begin denied Eitan's request during war for 2 more hours to cross Beirut-Damascus highway and destroy Syrian T-72 tank group, that critics such as Yossi Sarid and Shulamit Aloni harmed the war effort by talking about number of Palestinian homeless and refugees; Shamir and Kimche meet for 2'h4 hours with Habib and Draper; Sharon arrives in Zaire; 1DF spokeswoman confirms 10 Israeli Druze soldiers were jailed for defying orders in South Lebanon; Knesset votes 46-44 not to censure Kiryat Arba Council for destroying 4 of Hebron municipality's electricity pylons; Elias Freij and Rashad Shawa say they are willing to be members of a Palestinian-Jordanian delegation in peace talks with Israel.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: After 3 days of meetings in Damascus, PLO Executive Committee does not give Arafat support for alliance with Jordan; Lebanese Government insists end to state of war must be linked to complete Israeli withdrawal; Foreign Minister Elie Salem says another month or 2 of intensive discussion necessary to clear differences with Israel, he is confident Syrian and Palestinian forces will leave when Israelis leave, Lebanon is prepared to guarantee it will never again be base of operations against Israel, calls for multinational force and UNIFIL to double in size; Prime Minister Wazzan asks Justice Minister Roger Shikhani to investigate missing persons and to speed up interrogation of hundreds of detainees.

US and Other Countries: State Department says that Carter and Ford rightly focus on settlements as obstacle, but they are not the major obstacle to peace, and refuse to call settlements illegal; Weinberger and French Defense Minister Charles Hernu hold talks in Washington, Hernu says France will increase its contingent in Lebanon and take on more responsibility after the withdrawal of Syrian, Israeli and Palestinian forces, providing US and Italy do the same.

UN: Security Council votes to extend mandate of 5,800 UNIFIL troops for another 6 months; Israeli Ambassador Yehuda Blum says UNIFL has outlived its usefulness; US delegate says UNIFIL is a positive element in the negotiations.

Military Action:

IDF ambushed in Tyre.

Casualties:

Some IDF wounded in Tyre; Ansar review committee recommends release of 150, 1,100 cases heard out of 5,400 detainees, review committee established under the Fourth Geneva Convention on civilians as Israel does not recognize detainees as POWs covered under Third Geneva Convention.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon, Shamir and chief negotiator David Kimche meet for 2 hours with Habib and Draper, discussion focuses on 3 main differences between US and Israel (surveillance stations, UNIFIL, role of Saad Haddad); Commission of Inquiry completes 3?/2 months of investigation covering 49 witnesses, 152 eyewitnesses, 65 hours of testimony, 17,703 pages of transcript, closing with oral arguments of lawyers for 9 senior officials (Sharon, Eitan, Drori, Yaron, Dudai and Mossad head); Begin meets with head of Association for Prevention of Emigration, agrees to consider setting up ministerial committee to combat emigration (now 200,000 Israelis in the US alone); Israeli Foreign Ministry paying $5,000 per month rent on Saudi-owned villa along Beirut-Damascus high-way as Lebanon headquarters; Education Ministry setting up a committee to review curriculum in Arab schools and examine educational, psychological and social causes for growing extremism among Palestinian Israeli youth; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Rakah) candidates win election of Arab student committees in Tel Aviv and Haifa universities; army uses tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators in Hebron protesting arrest on Jan. 13 of 50 students, including entire student council, from Islamic University; Cabinet settlement committee votes to set up 2 new settlements in West Bank near Hebron, and 2 across green line in same area, approves referral center for prospective settlers.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee, chaired by Arafat, meets in Damascus to plan for PNC; Walid Jumblatt criticizes compromise agenda in talks as concession to Israeli and US terms; Lebanese Forces Commander Fadi Frem urges Government to sign peace treaty with Israel to liberate Lebanon from psychological and political domination of Syria.

Arab Governments: Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmad Taleb Ibrahimi says Alteria purchased $20 million worth of arms direct from USSR for PLO in June, and later sent another 2 planeloads from Algiers; Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries reportedly removing British firms from list of eligible contractors due to dispute over PLO representative in Arab League delegation; Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah in Damascus for talks with Assad.

Military Action:

IDF bus in Kfar Sil ambushed by Lebanese National Resistance using rocket propelled grenades and machine guns, IDF returns fire into groves alongside road; artillery, rocket and hand-to-hand fighting in Tripoli.

Casualties:

21 IDF wounded in ambush, bringing total IDF casualties in 3 weeks to 25 wounded, 6 dead, and since Sept. 1, total IDF casualties are 104 killed, 203 wounded; one attacker killed by IDF; 19 killed in Tripoli fighting.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: MK Charlie Biton, at lunch hosted by PLO in New York, calls for Palestinian state on the West Bank, urges US to negotiate directly with the PLO, Israel to cut military spending; Bedouin whose herds were seized in December win order nisi from Israeli High Court calling for Defense Ministry, Chief of Staff and Nature Reserves Authority (Green Patrol) to give reason within 10 days why the herds should not be returned; Palestinian union activists, journalists, writers and poets from Nablus, Tulkarm and Hebron arrested and detained by military authorities now number over 300 in Fara'a prison.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Chairman Arafat in Kuwait calls on Arab states to exert economic pressure on US, then goes to Damascus for celebration of 18th anniversary of Fateh; Lebanese and Palestinian women from Bourj al-Barajneh protest detention of relatives; 3-week training by US Marines of Lebanese Army air assault battalion completed with display of heliborne hit and run attacks; $10 million worth of US military equipment, including 24 APCs, trucks and spare parts, for Lebanese Army arrives at Beirut port.

Arab Governments: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz says Iraq is encouraging the PLO to negotiate with Jordan, and does not oppose peace negotiations between Israel, the PLO and Arab partners.

US and Other Countries: US expresses official concern to USSR over construction of SA-5 missile sites in Syria, as USSR Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin is called to the State Department to meet with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Lawrence Eagleburger; Senator Paul Tsongas (D-MA) meets with Begin, then Hussein, tells reporters if Syria is obstacle to peace and troop withdrawal from Lebanon, this obstacle must be removed, and that Begin told him he accepts Hussein in the peace process but will never freeze settlements

Military Action:

After day of quiet, renewed artillery exchanges in Tripoli, coastal road cut 20 miles south of city; IDF announces 4 Katyusha rockets found in South Lebanon.

Casualties:

UNRWA asks IDF for protection from Palestinian refugees in Sidon protesting delay in distribution of kerosene heating stoves, cement and winter clothing; 16-tent school operating in Ain el-Hilweh; 625 building plots cleared and allocated by UNRWA, 590 plots cleared by refugees, 850 plots allocated in Tyre; 40 killed, more wounded, large sections of Tripoli without electricity, water, telephone and basic food, hospitals short of supplies, many civilians living in shelters. 

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF spokes-man announces Syria is building 2 bases for Soviet SA-5 missiles, warns USSR not to deploy missiles in Syria; President Yitzhak Navon begins 2 week visit to US, will meet Reagan with Shultz, Kissinger, AFL-CIO, Jewish groups; Mapam MK Elazar Granot introduces motion in Knesset that Sharon be removed as Defense Minister and be replaced in Lebanon negotiations because of his leak about a separate agreement with Lebanese leaders and distortion of the facts of the war from its beginning; Foreign Minister Shamir charges that Lebanese Muslim leaders opposed to normalization with Israel are agents of foreign interests, and reiterates commitment to Eretz Israel, calling on international convention delegates to invest all efforts in aliya; Moshavim Herut and Mismeret will close illegal camps for Arab workers who will have to return to Gaza to sleep; Yitzhak Rabin, touring settlements, says Labor Party firmly opposed to any withdrawal to 1948 green line, that Camp David accord includes change in frontier to incorporate Jerusalem and Jordan Valley; Peace Now distributes document of military government which says Science and Technology Minister Yuval Ne'eman and his assistant MK Hanan Porat helped establish supervisory teams of settlers to guard state lands and may be used to deport Palestinians; Peace Now charges that Kiryat Arba council intends to pressure and persuade Arab shop-owners to leave Hebron; at his courtmartial, IDF paratrooper and Deputy Commander of Judea District Major David Mofaz, one of seven defendants, excuses his beating of Palestinian students at Hebron's Islamic University by charging that District Commander Lt. Col. Shalom Lugassi instructed soldiers to beat, pester and break watches of demonstrators, that Sharon said Arab rioters should have their testicles ripped off; West Bank Military Commander Yaakov Hartabi testifies soldiers acted properly and according to written and oral orders.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Prime Minister Shafik Wazzan calls Syrian Prime Minister Abdel Raouf al-Kassem, appealing for security measures to end fighting in Tripoli; Rashid Karami goes to Damascus; local Tripoli leaders Mohammed Ali Dannawi of Muslim Salvation Front and Farouk Mokaddam of October 24 Movement call for withdrawal of Syrian troops from Tripoli.

US and Other Countries: US Special Envoy Philip Habib summoned from vacation to Washington as President Reagan prepares a new initiative to break Lebanon stalemate.