The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 25 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Attacks are claimed by 4 groups: the PRC, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and al-Mujahidin Brigades. The IDF strikes 9 targets across the Gaza Strip throughout the day. A strike in al-Bureij r.c. kills 2 mbrs. of Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades. Later, during the night, the IDF strikes 14 more targets, killing 9 fighters from al-Qassam Brigades and wounding 4. Six of the fighters are killed in a tunnel collapse, which the IDF says is unrelated to air strikes. One Israeli air strike in Bayt Hanun wounds 5 civilians, including a child. Separately, IDF troops open fire from the border nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with Palestinians in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, injuring 15 residents with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Salfit and Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars nr. Bethlehem, damaging 1. In a separate incident, settlers assault a priest nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, around 100 Palestinian youths clash with Israeli security forces, and there are similar clashes in Abu Tur and Hizma. Israeli police detain 6 Jewish men in connection with the murder of Palestinian teenager Abu Khdeir on 7/2. In Israel, meanwhile, a group of bedouin in Tel Sheva nr. Beersheba throw Molotov cocktails and stones at passing cars nr. the Jewish town of Omer, causing damage. There are further violent protests in Shafa ‘Amr, in the Galilee, as well as in Nazareth and nearby town Iksal. Some 200 protesters try to block Route 70 at Yavor Junction in the n. (AP, HA, MNA, REU, YA 7/6; PCHR 7/10)

In the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu and FM Lieberman disagree about how to deal with the escalating situation in Gaza and s. Israel. Netanyahu criticizes Lieberman and Economy Minister Bennett for their repeated public calls for a full ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, and urges ministers to be “level-headed and responsible.” Meanwhile, Israeli authorities decide to reduce the fishing zone open for Gaza fishermen from 6 naut. mi. to 3. (HA, JP, MNA 7/6)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike marking 70th anniversary of Balfour Declaration is observed in E. Jerusalem, W. Bank, and Gaza Strip. Soldiers force shopkeepers in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nazareth to open their stores. Demonstrations continue on Gaza Strip. Curfews are imposed on 'Askar and Balatah refugee camps after demonstrators burn tires and stone Israeli vehicles [FJ 11/8]. Al-Fajr resumes distribution in occupied territories after 4-day ban [FJ 11/8].

Arab World: Sec. Gen. for Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine Nayif Hawatimah and Amal leader Nabih Birri hold talks in Algiers, reach cease-fire agreement [NYT 11/5].

Other Countries: Rabbi Alexander Schindler, leader of American Reform Jews, urges Israeli participation in international peace conference [NYT 11/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus, 1 student is injured when Israeli soldiers use live ammunition to disperse demonstrators. In Jerusalem, soldiers raid Ummah Secondary School, attack student demonstrators [Fl 11/8].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: P. M. Shamir rejects call for government investigation into Pollard spy case, refers matter to inner cabinet [WP 3/9]. Women in Nazareth and Umm al-Fahm gather to celebrate International Women's Day [FJ 3/13]. UNRWA closes Women's Teachers Institute in Ramallah for 1 week after student demonstrations [FJ 3/13].

Arab World: Amal fires Hasan Hashim and 4 of his companions after their failed attempt to oust Nabih Birri [FJ 3/13]. UNIFIL lodges protest against Israeli mining of 2 S. Lebanon roads normally used by its troops [FJ 3/13]. Al-Ittihad reports Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) is preparing to move its offices out of Damascus as a precaution against Syrian reprisals for participation in PLO unity talks [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers use tear gas, clubs, and live ammunition to disperse Golan Heights demonstration commemorating Ba'th party's rise to power in Syria and inauguration of new Syrian water project; 1 woman is killed [FJ 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In demonstrations called for by Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, Palestinians in Nazareth and Kafr Yassif protest IDF brutality in S. Lebanon, discrimination faced by Arabs in Israel and occupied territories [FJ 3/22]. Al Hamishmar reports Jordan's Min. for Religious Affairs dismissed Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Saad al-Din al-Alami; cites al-Alami's outspoken support of PLO Chmn. Arafat as one reason [NER 3/25].

Arab World: King Hussein states 2/11 Arafat-Hussein accord is "last chance" for peace; asserts PLO must be part of peace plans [NYT 3/17].

Other Countries: US Sec. of State Shultz announces US will send State Dept. official Richard Murphy to Middle East soon to "maintain momentum" of peace talks [NYT, WP 3/16].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF raid Barish; 70 detained [WP 3/16]. IDF kill 2 Lebanese Army troops, 3 resistance fighters, N. of IDF defense line at Litani River [MG 3/16]. IDF arrest 4 journalists near Tyre [LT 3/16].