The Palestine Chronology

The IDF raids Nablus, fatally shooting a wanted tanzim mbr. in what may be an assassination, arresting 6 others; raids Qalqilya, encounters a stone-throwing mob, opens fire on the protesters, killing an 8-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 9; fatally shoots a armed Palestinian nr. Kissufim crossing in Gaza; demolishes a Palestinian home in Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c.; conducts arrest raids targeting Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Beitunia, Husan, Jenin, Kafr Qalil; fires on residential areas of al-Qarara, Rafah. A PFLP gunman fatally shoots an IDF officer in Manger Square in Bethlehem; the IDF sends tanks into the city, declares it a closed military zone. Late this evening, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Palestinians nr. Dugit settlement. Israeli police arrest an Israeli DMin. supervisor responsible for overseeing construction of a section of Israel’s new security fence on charges of collaborating with building contractors to uproot Palestinian olive trees, sell them for profit inside Israel. (HA 2/11; HA, NYT, PR, WP, WT 2/12; VOI 2/12 in WNC 2/13; PCHR 2/20)

IDF fatally shoots Islamic Jihad mbr. Mu`ammar Daraghma, as he drives nr. Jenin in what is likely an assassination. The IDF raids, shuts the admin. offices of al-Quds University in Jerusalem, confiscating files, computers; seals the office of university pres. Sari Nusseibeh, who is also the PLO official in charge of Jerusalem affairs. In Jerusalem's old city, an exchange of gunfire btwn. an Israeli police officer, a Palestinian motorist stopped for an ID check leaves 1 Palestinian bystander dead, the police officer wounded. The IDF also demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Rafah, severely damages 2 others; reoccupies Bayt Rima, ordering all men to surrender for questioning; imposes a curfew on Husan; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Awa, Bethlehem, Nur al-Shams r.c., Qalqilya, Tafuh, al-Til, Tulkarm r.c. Jewish settlers under IDF protection take control of 1,400 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Jaba', outside Jerusalem.(HP 7/9; LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP 7/10; MA 7/10 in WNC 7/11; WJW 7/11; AFP 7/11 in WNC 7/15; MA 7/11 in WNC 7/16; MA 7/15 in WNC 7/17; MM 7/17, 7/19)

A group of 400 Jewish immigrants fr. the U.S. and Canada arrive in Israel; 75% of them will live in Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem. They arrive as part of a new Jewish Agency program to encourage entire established Jewish communities in N. America to immigrate to Israel with their rabbis. American Evangelical Christians representing the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) donated $5,000 to each of the 400 to help finance the move. Another group of 130 is expected to arrive in the next few mos. (JP 7/9; Trenton Times 7/10; WJW 7/11; MEI 7/26) (see 6/22)

The IDF openly assassinates wanted AMB Nablus cmdr. Mahmud Titi, firing rockets at him in Balata r.c., also killing 2 AMB mbrs, 1 Palestinian bystander, seriously damaging a nearby home. Hrs. later an AMB suicide bomber detonates a device in Rishon Letzion, killing 2 Israelis, injuring 25. Nr. Bethlehem, the IDF fires on a group of 20 Palestinian laborers attempting to circumvent a checkpoint, killing 1 Palestinian. In Jenin, Islamic Jihad mbr. Khalid Zakarni dies in a mysterious explosion; the IDF claims explosives he was carrying detonated prematurely, Palestinian sources say he was hit by an IDF tank shell. The IDF also bars a Palestinian woman needing kidney dialysis, a Palestinian man suffering a heart attack fr. crossing checkpoints to reach hospitals, allowing them to die; conducts house-to-house searches, directs heavy gunfire at residential areas in Salfit, detaining 100s of Palestinian men aged 15 to 50, arresting 13 PSF mbrs.; conducts arrest raids in Burkin (firing several shells at the home of a Hamas mbr.), Hebron, Husan, Nahalin, Tulkarm. In Gaza, the IDF shuts the main north and south road, claiming the action is in response to Palestinian mortar fire at Gaza settlements. The IDF also begins issuing magnetic cards to al-Mawasi residents; only residents with cards will be allow to cross through the al-Mawasi checkpoint. (MM 5/23; Interfax 5/23 in WNC 24; AP, JP, LAW 5/22; LAW, NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 5/23; PCHR 5/30)

Under an agmt. reached on 5/21, 12 of the 13 Palestinians deported to Cyprus are sent on to 3d countries (3 each to Italy, Spain; 2 each to Greece, Ireland; 1 each to Belgium, Portugal). They will be treated as refugees, given 1-yr. residency permits; if they leave their host country, they will not be allowed to return. The 13th, PA Bethlehem intelligence chief Abdallah Daoud, considered by Israel the "most dangerous" of the 13 men, will remain in Cyprus until a country can be found that will take him. (NYT, WP 5/22; CNA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; NYT, WP 5/23; MEI 5/31; CNA 8/6 in WNC 8/8)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, but no fatalities are reported. The IDF raids several Palestinian homes in Husan, arresting 4 youths; fires tear gas at Palestinian schools in Bethlehem, Jinin; sets fire to a Palestinian factory in Tulkarm; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Salfit; tightens the closure on Hebron; directs shelling, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas s. of Gaza City and in al-Shaykh, Tulkarm; bulldozes 59 dunams of Palestinian agricultural land nr. Dugit settlement; and orders a Palestinian family living nr. the settlement to evacuate their home. (HP 1/11; PCHR 1/12)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 1 Palestinian dead. The worst fighting is nr. Bethlehem, where armed Jewish settlers fire on Palestinians outside a mosque in Husan, trapping other worshipers inside; IDF soldiers intervene, firing guns and tear gas; the situation devolves into a riot that spreads to al-Khadir. In total, 25+n30 Palestinians are injured. After dark, Palestinian snipers for the 1st time in a wk. open fire on Gilo settlement, causing no injuries. The IDF shells neighboring Aida, Bayt Jala in retaliation, destroying 1 home, damaging 10s. The IDF also shells Khan Yunis, bulldozes 14 dunams of agricultural land in the Rafah area; sends more tanks into Gaza. (LAW 12/3; WP, WT 12/4; HJ 12/4 in WNC 12/8; BDL, NYT, WP, WT 12/5; PR 12/6; MEI 12/8; PCHR 12/18)

Israel says it will cooperate fully with the Mitchell Comm. but expects PA-Israeli differences over the comm.'s mandate to be resolved before investigators arrive in mid-12/00. (WP, WT 12/4; MA 12/4 in WNC 12/8; MM 12/6; JP 12/7) (see 12/2)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue but are less severe, largely because overnight the IDF deployed tanks on access roads to and around PA cities, sealing areas A, limiting movement. During the day, 2 Palestinians are killed by Israeli gunfire, over 160 are injured. Israel prohibits Palestinians under 45 fr. attending Friday prayers in Jerusalem, prompting scuffles with those denied access but preventing the full-scale rioting of 9/29, 10/6. In Jerusalem, cameramen record footage of Israeli police disguised as Palestinians seizing 2 Palestinian youths, beating them while holding them in a choke hold. Armed Jewish settlers rampage through Husan, fire on Palestinian homes in Artas, Bayt Inun, al-Khadir. In Gaza City and Shati camp, 100s of Palestinians hold rallies denouncing the PA for the failed peace process. The rallies devolve into riots, with demonstrators torching cars, bars, hotels, restaurants; the PA police arrest 16. (AP, IsRN, LAW 10/13; ADM, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/14; HA [Internet] 10/15)

Oman closes its trade office in Tel Aviv, Israel's trade mission in Muscat. Morocco recalls its envoy to Israel. In Cairo, 10,000 Egyptians hold anti-Israeli, anti-U.S. demonstrations. In Lebanon, the army keeps Palestinians away fr. the blue line, where they want to hold demonstrations. However, 6,000 Palestinians in `Ayn al-Hilwa camp, 3,000 in Beddawi camp, 5,000 in Nahr al-Barid camp, 7,000 in Rashidiyya camp demonstrate against Israel. In Amman, 8,000 Jordanians attend a government-sanctioned rally; a smaller, unauthorized demonstration takes place spontaneously following Friday prayers. In the U.S., rallies are held in Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Las Vegas, New York, Petaluma (CA), Philadelphia, Santa Ana (CA), San Francisco, Washington. Similar demonstrations are held in Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia, Canada, Djbouti, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Pakistan, Scotland, Sudan, Syria. (AFP [Internet], BBC, Los Angeles Times [Internet], MM, Omani News Agency [Internet], REU, UPI 10/13; AFP, BETA [Belgrade], MENA 10/13, MENA 10/14 in WNC 10/16; Daily Star [Internet], NYT 10/14; HA [Internet], NYT 10/15; MM 10/17; WJW 10/19; WP, WT 10/20; MM 10/24, 10/25; WJW 10/26; MEI 10/27)

As Israeli-Palestinian fighting continue as Israel marks Yom Kippur. Barak warns if clashes continue, the IDF's will begin targeting Arafat's offices, PA police stations, top cmdrs.; Israel may implement a "sanctions package" (including, sealing the West Bank and Gaza, halting all monetary transfers). At Netzarim Junction, the IDF demolishes 2 apartment buildings formerly used as PA police barracks, a factory, an office, several homes, a water well, and an 20-dunam orange grove. A settler rabbi is found shot to death in a West Bank cave. Armed Jewish settlers enter Palestinian areas of East Jerusalem and Hebron, Bidya, Husan, Salfit, Shuafat camp, burning shops, beating Palestinians, shooting at houses, and wounding at least 8 Palestinians, 1 of whom bleeds to death as settlers hold off ambulances with gunfire. Inside Israel, Jewish residents of Upper Nazareth attack Israeli Arabs, property in Nazareth. (ADM, LAW, REU 10/8; Interfax 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Gush Shalom press release, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; HA [Internet], MM, WP 10/10; MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; HA [Internet] 10/11; MEI, NYT 10/13; LAW 10/19; Globes [Internet] 10/25)

Lebanon places its forces on alert as Israel reinforces troops on the blue line, conducts overflights of Beirut, and warns Hizballah, Lebanon, and Syria of "decisive action" if Hizballah does not release the 3 IDF soldiers kidnapped on 10/7. Saudi Arabia warns Israel that Arab states will not sit idly by if Barak follows through on his threat. (NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MM 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Pres. Clinton asks Mubarak to convene a summit where they could meet with Arafat, Barak. None of the 3 leaders immediately embraces the idea. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; AYM 10/10 in WNC 10/12)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with the Executive Authority and reps. of Hamas, Islamic Jihad to coordinate a joint response to Barak's latest warnings. (NYT 10/9; HJ, MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM 10/11)

The PA releases 5 Hamas mbrs. fr. PA jails. Hamas says 23 mbrs. have been freed in recent days. (AYM 10/9 in WNC 10/12; AYM 10/12 in WNC 10/13) (see 10/4)

Jordan announces that it will postpone sending its newly appointed amb. to Israel to protest Israel's excessive use of force against Palestinians. (WP 10/9; MM 10/10; HA [Internet] 10/11)

In Morocco, 500,000 people march to protest Israel's recent actions. In Amman, 100s of Jordanian students attempt a march to the U.S., Israeli embs. but clash with riot police; at least 5 are injured, 10 arrested. In Beirut, 25,000 Lebanese and Palestinians march in funeral processions for 2 Palestinians shot by IDF on the blue line on 10/7. In Cairo, 9,000 Egyptian students hold a rally. Demonstrations continue in Australia, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen. In the U.S., protests are held in Albuquerque, Anaheim, Kansas City. (UPI 10/8; MENA 10/8, JT 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9; Daily Star [Internet], NYT, WP 10/9; TT 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

Gunbattle breaks out between Palestinians and IDF undercover troops posing as Hamas activists in Rafah refugee camp, Gaza. The troops, wearing captured Hamas uniforms, were challenged by suspicious residents who demanded that the group speak to them in Arabic. At least 1 IDF soldier was wounded. Clash breaks out between Israeli settlers and residents of Husan, W. Bank, after settlers rampage through village, smashing automobile windows and attacking villagers. (MM 5/20)

Hizballah-led Islamic Resistance fighters capture SLA position inside Israeli "security zone" in 'Alman-Shumariya region of S. Lebanon - first time SLA position has been overrun in 4 years. 2 SLA troops killed, 4 others captured; 2 attackers died. Islamic Resistance forces later withdraw. IDF, SLA shell Jabal al-Safi, several villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah and Nabatiyya region, S. Lebanon. Hizballah forces fire rockets into "security zone." (MM 5/20, 5/21)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfews are imposed in Tulkarm, Dannabah, 'Azzun, Husan, and Beach camp [FJ 9/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus at least 24 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations. In Burqa village three Palestinians are injured during clashes. In Jiftlik 12 Arab houses are demolished. In Tulkarm at least 80 Palestinians are arrested after curfew is imposed. In Khan Yunis Palestinians protest visit by Israeli DM Yitzhaq Rabin; 2 Palestinians are shot. Fierce demonstrations are reported at Beach camp [FJ 9/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfews remain in effect for Husan for the 16th straight day, in Tulkarm camp and Dannabeh for the 13th straight day [FJ 9/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza City troops shoot, kill 11-year-old Palestinian. Elsewhere in Gaza 3 Palestinians are shot. In Nablus 4 Palestinians are shot, injured. In Battir troops detain all males between 14 and 65, force them to erase graffiti [FJ 9/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza observes strike call from Islamic Resistance Movement; call is largely ignored in W. Bank [WP 9/10]. The army enforces curfews in Tulkarm, Beach, al-Burayj, Nusayrat, and Balatah camps and the villages of 'Azzun, Bani Na'im, Dannabah, Husan [FJ 9/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During clashes with troops 9 Palestinians are injured throughout the occupied territories [FJ 9/ 11].

Other Countries: Israeli soldiers arrest 200 Palestinians in Gaza as authorities attempt to break up the Palestinian underground network [WP 9/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities place curfews on Tulkarm camp, Dannabah, Bani Na'im, and Husan [FJ 9/7].

Other Countries: U.S. president Reagan expresses desire to meet with Israeli FM Peres and Egyptian FM 'Abd al-Majid at the UN during the last week in September [WP 9/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus 2 Palestinians are shot during clashes; one Palestinian is shot, wounded at Qaddurah camp; in Nusayrat 5 Palestinians are shot; in Jaba' one Palestinian is shot; in 'Arurah one Palestinian is wounded [FJ 9/11]. Israeli radio announces the arrest of 50 more Palestinians in Qalqiliyyah [NYT 9/8]. Police announce that a 25-year-old Palestinian has confessed to murdering an Israeli woman [NYT 9/8]. Troops destroy 40 citrus trees near Tulkarm, charge stones were thrown from the orchard [FJ 9/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: The Labor party announces that if elected in November it will "terminate Israeli rule over 1.5 million Palestinians" [NYT 9/6].

Other Countries: U.S. ass't. sec. of state for Near Eastern affairs Richard Murphy calls Israel's attempts to end the Palestinian uprising "ineffective" and "counterproductive" [WP 9/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: TheIsraeli army arrests dozens of people engaged in a bribery operation in which military service is avoided by paying thousands of dollars [NYT 9/7]. In Husan 35 Palestinians are arrested. In Bayt Lid a Palestinian is shot, wounded [FJ 9/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Ramallah first day of two-day strike is observed in protest of killing of a Palestinian youth last week [FJ 8/14].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 16-year-old boy from Kafr Haris dies from wounds suffered previous day. In Duhayshah troops shoot 2 demonstrators. Tear gas is used to break up demonstrations in Bethlehem. Demonstrations erupt in Jabalya and Beach camps. Husan, Qabatiyyah and al-Burayj and Beach camps are under curfew [FJ 8/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: King Hussein surrenders claims of sovereignty over W. Bank; calls on the PLO to take responsibility for W. Bank [NYT 7/31].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police arrest Faysal al-Husayni for engaging in "subversive, hostile activities" and for working with Fateh; Husayni had recently told Peace Now rally that he favors two-state solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict [WP 8/1]. In Beach camp 70 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations aIsraelis lift curfew [FJ 8/7]. In Gaza City 5 Palestinians are injured during demonstrations. Clashes also occur in Duhayshah, Balatah, 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma', Tulkarm, Qalqiliyyah camps and Husan village [FJ 8/7].

Arab World: Egyptian and Saudi governments are pressuring W. German government to cancel agreement with Israel to build submarines; W. Germany forbids sale of arms to areas of high tension [FJ 8/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A general strike is observed on W. Bank including E. Jerusalem protesting imprisonment of women [LAT 7/30].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Abu Daif, 24- year-old Palestinian dies of wounds sustained 7/20 [LAT 7/30, FJ 7/31]. Troops use tear gas, rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators in 'Aidah refugee camp. In Nusayrat authorities destroy 3 homes. In Husan, 40 people are arrested. In Gaza, 2 border policemen are injured [FJ 7/31]. Throughout the territories curfews keep 145,000 people in their homes [LAT 7/30].

Arab World: Near Sidon, PLO fighters clash with Amal militia [FJ 8/7].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops use rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition to disperse demonstrators throughout the W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 7/31]. In Beach camp 3 people are shot during demonstrations; in Gaza City 1 person is shot. In Husan and Idna 42 people are arrested [FJ 7/31].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets to break up demonstrations in Jerusalem [WP 7/23]. In Husan soldiers destroy 20 olive trees in retaliation for the stoning of IDF officer [FJ 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF orders W. Bank schools closed for 3 days [WT 7/5, FJ 7/10]. A general strike is observed in Ramallah to protest Israeli digging near al-Aqsa [FJ 7/10].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops use tear gas to break up demonstrations i Bethlehem [WT 7/5]. F.M. Shimon Peres states that the uprising has cost the Defense Ministry more than $162 million; Israel's economy is in danger if uprising continues [WT 7/5]. Israeli police commissioner David Krausstates that Arab nationalists are responsible for 114 of the 210 fires set inside the green line [WT 7/5]. In Husan settlers uproot scores of trees owned by Arabs [FJ 7/10]. In Hebron troops and soldiers fire on stone throwers; 2 are shot [FJ 7/10].

Arab World: Fighting kills at least 24, wounds 67, in Burj al-Barajinah camp in Beirut. Since 1 May at least 151 people have been killed, 594 wounded in inter-Palestinian fighting in the camps outside of Beirut [LAT 7/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF spokesman reports Israel will court-martial commanding officer and guard of camp attacked by Palestinian fighter in hang glider attack [NYT 12/4]. Defense Minister Yitzhaq Rabin meets with Jordanian parliamentarians in W. Bank [FJ 12/6]. In Husan village near Bethlehem, border guards protect settlers who uproot more than 300 olive seedlings, replanted after 12/1 attack [FJ 12/6].

Other Countries: In U.S., congressional conference com. approves amendment prohibiting PLO from having any permanent office in U.S. [NYT 12/12]. U.S. State Dept. orders PIO's landlord to cut off electricity, water, and telephone service; office is closed [WSJ 12/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations continue in Khan Yunis for 5th consecutive day: secondary school students throw stones, burn tires. Soldiers respond with bullets, tear gas [FJ 12/6]. Balatah youth is shot, wounded by Israeli soldiers who claim he failed to halt [FJ 12/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ramallah's al-'Asriyyah Community College is given 1-week closure order following student demonstrations. Demonstration is also reported in Khan Yunis [FJ 12/6]. Islamic Bloc candidates win all seats in elections at Gaza's Islamic U. for women'student council [FJ 12/6]. Israeli border guards uproot more than 400 olive trees and 300 fruit trees in Husan village [FJ 12/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Gaza Islamic U., 2 Israeli soldiers raid campus, fire into air [FJ 12/6]. Israeli soldier is wounded in hand grenade and gunfire attack along Egypt-Gaza Strip border near Rafah [WP, NYT 12/2]. Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators in Khan Yunis [FJ 12/6].

Arab World: IDF planes conduct mock raids near Sidon, wounding 3 [CSM 12/2].

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Denied building permits since 1948, refugees of Kadita village living in Anbara camp granted 35 dunums by Israeli Lands Administra- tion. In response to latest clashes with Arab residents in Upper Nazareth, Arab-Jewish committee formed in Jerusalem to combat increasing racism against Arabs. Law in the Service of Man (Ramallah) publishes reply to misinformation in US State Dep't. report on Israel's human rights record.

Arab World: US Sec. of State Shultz defends "strategic coorperation" with Israel during talks with HM Hassan II in Rabat. About 2,000 Lebanese and Palestinian former Ansar prisoners rearrested and interrogated by Israeli forces. Israeli military court in Nablus sentences 14 youths from Qabatyah to 2 to 3-year prison terms for stone-throwing.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dhib Mahmoud Daba'ak killed instantly by Israeli patrol while ploughing field near Tayasir, NW of Nablus; body airlifted to Jaffa for autopsy and Israel Army spokesman announces man killed by stray bullet while riding horse into firing range. Israeli forces set up checkpoints at entrances to al-Najah National University, harassing students and faculty. Booby-trapped IDF grenade explodes on doorstep of Palestinian home in Husan village; 2 other bombs discovered in search of village.

Casualties:

Haddad says Israel should release most of the Lebanese nationals being held at Ansar detention camp.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Minaret of unused Hassan Bek mosque in Jaffa collapses, neglect and/or explosives suspected, Tel Aviv authorities and Ministry of Religious Affairs blame each other, Muslim groups hold vigil; stones thrown at military patrols in Dura, Yatta and Husan; partial strike in East Jerusalem schools; 2 Israeli cars stoned in Beit Jalla; 3 tourists, 4 Israelis injured by stones; curfews imposed in Dahariya, Nablus and Balata camp.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat and Hussein hold two rounds of talks, no statement issued; Hussein and Reagan confer by telephone.