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  • May 30, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Burin, causing extensive damage. Israeli settlers also interrupted traffic and waved Israeli flags at the...

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  • February 13, 2018

    In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid clashes sparked by an arrest raid near Nablus, arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem,...

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  • December 12, 2016

    Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian activist during a raid in Issawiyya. They open fire when he refuses their order to stop photographing them. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, 82 right-wing...

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  • July 25, 2015

    IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Bureij r.c. fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night...

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  • December 30, 2002

    The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian involved in a traffic altercation with an IDF jeep nr. Jenin; occupies 2 medical clinics in Nablus, firing fr. the facilities on stone-throwing Palestinians,...

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  • November 13, 2002

    Before dawn, in retaliation for the 11/10 AMB kibbutz attack, the IDF sends 150 tanks, APCs into Nablus and its surrounding r.c.’s (Askar r.c., `Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., Balata r.c.),...

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  • July 21, 2002

    Israel backs off plans to expel to Gaza 21 male relatives of suspected Palestinian militants (see 7/19). Sharon tells his cabinet that he will abide by Atty. Gen. Rubinstein's ruling that family...

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  • January 24, 1997

    PM Netanyahu says he is willing to have the police investigate his appointment of Bar-On as atty. gen. New allegations suggest that, during the cabinet debate on the Hebron protocol (1/16), Arye...

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  • November 13, 1995

    IDF completes redeployment fr. Janin. 1,000 PA policemen take up posts. (CSM 11/13; QY, VOP 11/13 in FBIS 11/13; QY 11/13 in FBIS 11/14; NYT, WT 11/14; WT 11/15)

    PA receives control over...

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  • January 29, 1995

    Israel criticizes Jordan for presenting "impossible" positions in trade, aviation negotiations; rejects Jordanian demands for free exports to Israel regardless of products' country of origin, low...

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  • February 19, 1988

    Social/Economic/Political

    Occupied Palestine/Israel: Atty. Gen. Yosef Harish asks Def. Min. Rabin to issue strict guidelines allowing soldiers to use physical force only when dispersing...

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  • May 31, 1983

    Military Action:

    IDF building new roads in South and East Lebanon, bypassing villages; IDF constructing new fortifications in Bekaa.

    Casualties:

    IDF arrests Lebanese suspected...

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  • May 12, 1983

    Casualties:

    Armed Phalangists enter Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp in Sidon, force adults and schoolchildren to make blood donations.

    Political Responses:

    Israel/ Occupied...

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  • January 19, 1983

    Political Responses:

    Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shamir denies press reports that Israel will let US troops man surveillance stations in South Lebanon, saying Israeli crews will cooperate...

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  • July 3, 1982

    Military Action:

    IDF armored troops seal off West Beirut as Israeli and Palestinian gunners trade artillery, machine-gun fire in southern suburbs, in first major clash in 8 days; IDF drops...

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In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Burin, causing extensive damage. Israeli settlers also interrupted traffic and waved Israeli flags at the main intersection in Huwwara. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at a school in ‘Urif, damaging solar panels. Israeli settlers also marched through Hebron, waving Israeli flags. Israeli forces destroyed 1 water well and seized equipment in Ras Atiyeh. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 2 homes in the Masafer Yatta area. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/30; MEMO 5/31; UNOCHA 6/4)

Israel’s defense minister said at a meeting of the Blue and White party that he wants to explore the option of adding the Jewish supremacist group Lehava and the Beitar Jerusalem football club fan faction La Familia to the list of terrorist organizations after both groups participated in Jewish-led violence against Palestinians during the flag march on 5/29. Israel’s public security minister Omar Bar-Lev also said at a Labor meeting that he intends to speak to the attorney-general about the issue. (AJ, F24, HA, JP, TOI 5/30; MEMO, TOI 5/31)

The PA condemned the Israeli flag march in Jerusalem on 5/29, saying it “crossed all red lines.” The UAE foreign ministry and the OIC also condemned the large settler encroachment of the Haram al-Sharif compound on 5/29, asking Israel to reduce tensions. (WAFA 5/30; HA 5/31)

The Israeli foreign ministry announced that Suriname will open its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. The announcement came shortly after Suriname’s foreign minister Albert Ramdin met with the Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid in Israel. During the meeting, Foreign Minister Lapid offered Suriname humanitarian assistance to help the country cope with severe flooding. (HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 5/30)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid clashes sparked by an arrest raid near Nablus, arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, Jenin; and patrol near Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 5 Palestinian vehicles near Qalqilya and leave price-tag graffiti on the walls nearby. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian shop and cut down a number of trees in Issawiyya. They also arrest 17 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya, Abu Dis, and al-Ram. Construction begins on a new center for Jewish religious studies in Jerusalem’s Old City, just a short distance from Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, WAFA 2/13; EI, PCHR 2/15)

The Israeli police recommend charging PM Netanyahu in 2 cases where there is sufficient evidence he accepted bribes “against the public interest.” Atty.-gen. Avichai Mandelblit is now tasked with deciding whether or not to formally charge the PM. Netanyahu says that the recommendations are “biased” and have “more holes than Swiss cheese.” (HA, NYT 2/13; NYT, YA 2/14)

Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian activist during a raid in Issawiyya. They open fire when he refuses their order to stop photographing them. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, 82 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian residents; 4 Palestinians are injured. They also confiscate personal property and issue 3 arrest summons during raids nr. Ramallah and in Qalqilya and Nablus, and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. Israeli forces confiscate an irrigation network nr. Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City; there are no injuries or damage. (MNA, WAFA 12/12; MNA 12/13; PCHR 12/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d of 3 days. (MNA, WAFA 12/12; MNA 12/13; OCHA 12/15)

Palestinian officials and their counterparts at the U.S. State Dept. meet in Washington and reaffirm their shared commitment to a negotiated 2-state solution, “which is the only way to achieve an enduring peace that meets Israeli and Palestinian security needs and Palestinian aspirations for statehood and sovereignty, end the occupation that began in 1967, and resolve all permanent status issues,” according to a joint statement. There is no official mention of the Palestinians’ push for a UNSC res. censuring Israeli settlements, but it is widely suspected that such a res. was the main topic of conversation. (JP, MNA, WAFA 12/13)

Israel’s Edu. Min. Bennett says that he has reached a new deal with PM Netanyahu and Atty. Gen. Mandelblit that will allow residents of the Amona settlement outpost to “remain on their hilltop,” although they will still be relocated to a nearby plot of land. They will only be given temporary permits to live on the new land, however, with options to renew every 2 years, and the govt. will ask for a 1-mo. postponement of Amona’s evacuation to make time for the relocation. (HA, JP, YA 12/12)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Bureij r.c. fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids in Hebron and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 3; patrol during the day in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Jericho, and 1 nr. Jenin. They also violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli and international activists at a demonstration against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, injuring 2 Palestinians. Israeli settlers fill an agricultural well with stones and earth nr. Salfit. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists assault a Palestinian child outside Haram al-Sharif. A group of Palestinians intervenes and the activists flee the scene. (MNA, WAFA 7/25; MNA 7/26; PCHR 7/30)

Israel’s Justice Min. Ayelet Shaked says that the proposed release of Israeli spy Pollard from U.S. prison in 11/2015 is not connected to Israel’s complaints about the nuclear deal announced by Iran and the P5+1 on 7/14. Meanwhile, U.S. atty. gen. Loretta Lynch says that the Justice Dept. “will not interfere” in Pollard’s case, meaning that she will not seek to accelerate or delay his release beyond the standard parole procedures. (HA, MNA 7/26; TOI 7/27)

The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian involved in a traffic altercation with an IDF jeep nr. Jenin; occupies 2 medical clinics in Nablus, firing fr. the facilities on stone-throwing Palestinians, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on 3 Palestinians allegedly attempting to infiltrate the Israeli border fence in the Negev, killing 1 Palestinian (2 others escape); fatally beats a 17-yr.-old Palestinian for violating the curfew in Hebron; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Dura; denies an ailing Palestinian woman passage through a checkpoint to a clinic, allowing her to die; conducts arrest raids nr. Tulkarm. Israeli courts sentence an Israeli Arab taxi driver to 15 yrs. for driving 2 suicide bombers to Tel Aviv, an East Jerusalem Palestinian to 6 yrs. for providing Palestinian militants with information used to carry out attacks on Israelis. (HA, JTA 12/30; NYT, WP, WT 12/31; LAW, PCHR, WP 1/1; NYT 1/2; PRCS press release 1/5)

The Israeli Central Elections Comm. decides to follow Atty. Gen. Rubinstein’s 2/19 advice to disqualify Israeli Arab MK Ahmad Tibi (Ta’al) fr. running in 1/03 elections on the grounds that he does not support the Jewish character of the State of Israel, supports armed attacks against it (a charge he denies); turns down a similar request to bar MK `Abd al-Malik Dahamshe and his United Arab List; rules that Herut mbr. Baruch Marzel, the fmr. head of the outlawed Kach movement who placed 2d on Herut’s slate of MK candidates, can participate in the 1/28 elections. The Knesset bans mbrs. of Kach, which advocates the deportation of Arabs fr. Israel and the occupied territories, from holding parliamentary office. (HA 12/30, 12/31; ADL, HA, MM 1/2; DUS 1/2 in WNC 1/3; MA 1/3 in WNC 1/6; WT 1/8; JPI, NYT 1/10)

Before dawn, in retaliation for the 11/10 AMB kibbutz attack, the IDF sends 150 tanks, APCs into Nablus and its surrounding r.c.’s (Askar r.c., `Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., Balata r.c.), conducts house-to-house searches, occupies schools and buldings as outposts, surrounds Nablus’s Old City, fires on residential areas of adjacent Balata r.c. In another predawn attack, IDF helicopters fire missiles at the same car repair shop targetted on 11/11, destroying it, killing a 2-yr.-old Palestinian child, damaging several surrounding homes. The IDF also arrests 30 Hamas mbrs. across the West Bank, 11 of them in Nablus, some in Birzeit; fires on residential areas of Tal al-Sultan. (LAW, MM, NYT, PCHR, PR, WP, WT 11/13; MM, NYT, WT 11/14)

Israeli atty. gen. Eliyakim Rubinstein announces that the government intends to press charges against Greek Orthodox spiritual head Father Theodosis Atallah Hanna for “unauthorized contact with the enemy,” meeting with “terrorists,” inciting violence for recent travels to Lebanon, Syria to visit Greek Orthodox communities there. Father Theodosis notes that the atty. gen. has not charged rabbis who visit Jewish comunities in Iraq, Syria, or Yemen. (Father Theodosis press release 11/13)

Iraq accepts UN Res. 1441 unconditionally, opening the door for arms inspectors to return to Iraq for the 1st time since UN arms experts left in 1998 beginning on 11/18. (AP 11/13; MENA 11/13 in WNC 11/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/14; MM 11/15)

Israel backs off plans to expel to Gaza 21 male relatives of suspected Palestinian militants (see 7/19). Sharon tells his cabinet that he will abide by Atty. Gen. Rubinstein's ruling that family mbrs. would have to have been directly involved in supporting the attacks in order to be deported. A small remote controlled bomb explodes underneath a commuter train in Rehovat nr. Tel Aviv, slightly injuring the driver; no one takes responsibility. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Jenin; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis. A Jewish settler driving in Hebron deliberately runs over a Palestinian man, seriously injuring him. (MM, NYT, WT 7/22; MM 7/23; PCHR 7/24; LAW 7/31)

Sharon, Housing M Natan Sharansky announce plans to create 14 new Jewish localities in the Negev and Galilee to strengthen Jewish control of the land, create a security buffer btwn. Jenin and Afula (the site of numerous Palestinian attacks). (HA 7/22; Between the Lines 8/02)

PM Netanyahu says he is willing to have the police investigate his appointment of Bar-On as atty. gen. New allegations suggest that, during the cabinet debate on the Hebron protocol (1/16), Arye Deri's Shas party conditioned its approval of the protocol on Bar-On's appointment (see 1/12). (NYT 1/25; WP 1/26; NYT, WP, WT 1/27; MEI 2/7)

During a State Dept. press briefing and once more during a Larry King Live interview, Secy. of State Albright again refers only to securing a "comprehensive peace." (State Department transcripts [internet]) (see 1/8)

After receiving criticism fr. Jews for signing the Churches for Middle East Peace ad (see 12/21), the National Council of Churches, one of the nation's most influential Christian organizations, says it will revise its Middle East policy in consultation with American Jewish leaders. (WP 1/25)

IDF completes redeployment fr. Janin. 1,000 PA policemen take up posts. (CSM 11/13; QY, VOP 11/13 in FBIS 11/13; QY 11/13 in FBIS 11/14; NYT, WT 11/14; WT 11/15)

PA receives control over transportation, communications, meteorological spheres for Nablus, Tulkarm. (VOP 11/12 in FBIS 11/13)

Israel allows Fatah rejectionist Hani al-Hassan into Gaza. (QY 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

In gesture to Hamas, PA releases 24 Hamas mbrs fr. PA prisons. (AFP, QY 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

Over 1,000 Labor party mbrs vote to support the party's central comm. decision to make Peres party head, form government. (ITV, QY 11/13 in FBIS 11/14; NYT, WT 11/14)

Israeli police indict 24 Jewish settlers--incl. head of Hebron settlers Rabbi Moshe Levinger, head of Kach Baruch Marzel, spokesman for Eyal Itamar Ben-Gvir--on charges of disturbing the peace, assaulting police, attacking Palestinians over the last 2 yrs. (WP, WT 11/15)

Israeli Atty. Gen. Ben-Ya'ir meets with immigration officials to discuss banning entry, citizenship to some radical American Jews; notes that Jewish groups in the U.S. have raised over $100,000 for Yigal Amir's defense fund. (CSM, WT 11/14) (see 11/8)

Israel criticizes Jordan for presenting "impossible" positions in trade, aviation negotiations; rejects Jordanian demands for free exports to Israel regardless of products' country of origin, low altitude flight requirements. (Ma'ariv 1/30 in FBIS 1/30)

Israeli cabinet discusses national separation idea, approves import of 6,000 more foreign laborers to replace Palestinians, extends closure of West Bank, Gaza by 1 wk., announces IDF will begin stationing dogs at crossing points for crowd control. PA protests. (QY 1/29 in FBIS 1/30; MM, WT 1/30; WT 2/1)

Centre for Jewish-Arab Economic Development releases study, showing 59% of raw materials needed for Palestinian industries are imported fr. Israel; 50% of Palestinian producers are dependent on Israeli market for sale of goods. (JT 1/29 in FBIS 2/1)

Israeli Atty. Gen. approves extension of administrative detentions to 1 yr., based on security services requests following 1/22 bombings. (ITV 1/29 in FBIS 1/31)

7,000 Israelis, incl. 44 mayors and local council heads, gather at Beyt Lid, call for suspension of peace talks. (HA 1/29 in FBIS 1/31)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Atty. Gen. Yosef Harish asks Def. Min. Rabin to issue strict guidelines allowing soldiers to use physical force only when dispersing demonstrations and making arrests [WP 2/23]. About 200 Muslims attempt to pray at Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron, clash with Jewish worshipers [WP 2/21]. Police arrest Mutawakil Sa'id Taha, head of writers union in occupied territories [FJ 2/21]. Policemen attack 9 Palestinian workers in their Tel Aviv apartment [FJ 2/28].

Arab World: PLO issues statement forbidding Palestinians to meet with Sec. of State Shultz [NYT 2/22]. In Cairo, 300 worshipers leaving mosque chant antiIsrael slogans in spontaneous demonstration [NYT 2/22].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports U.S. Justice Department officials believe Israel had another spy in the CIA or Defense Department in addition to Jonathan Pollard [WP 2/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters clash in Nablus and Ramallah. Demonstrations are also reported in Gaza City's Sha'jiyyah quarter and Burayj and Jabalya camps [WP 2/20; FJ 2/21]. Curfews continue in Beach, Jalazun, and Am'ari camps and Bayt Ur al-Tahta [FJ 2/21].

Military Action:

IDF building new roads in South and East Lebanon, bypassing villages; IDF constructing new fortifications in Bekaa.

Casualties:

IDF arrests Lebanese suspected of participation in guerrilla attacks.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Military statistics for year ending March 31 show increase in West Bank incidents of 69% over previous year, rise in use of molotov cocktails and grenades, 4417 street disturbances (increase of 79%), 35 schools closed, 66 towns, villages and camps subjected to curfews, 2 Israelis killed, 174 injured, 11 Palestinians killed, 90 injured; policeman to stand trial on torture charges after investigation of complaints by Arraba resident; Attorney General refuses to make public the Karp report on Jewish vigilantism in West Bank; Cabinet economic decisions will raise cost of imports by 7.5%, levy .3% tax on cash withdrawals from banks as partial means of financing Lebanon occupation; 8 Jewish religious students arrested in Jerusalem on suspicion of vandalizing Arab home near their yeshiva; 2 Gaza Strip Arabs sentenced to life imprisonment for grenade attack on Israeli bus in which 8 passengers were injured.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Christian and Druze leaders meeting this week to ratify truce agreement covering Chouf region, terms include entry of Lebanese Army assisted by MNF as peacekeeping force, removal of roadblocks and exchange of prisoners, temporary amnesry, reconstruction assistance for damaged villages; PFLP and DFLP seek to mediate rebellion within Fateh.

Arab Governments: Syrian President Assad forms government committee to mediate Fateh rebellion, Syrian troops reinforce guard around main PLO offices and institutions in Damascus.

US and Other Countries: US defense sources say both Israel and Syria have received US aerial reconnaissance photos since 1976; former Israeli Defense Minister Sharon, accompanied by numerous bodyguards, arrives at Montreal airport under massive security precautions.

Casualties:

Armed Phalangists enter Ain el-Hilweh refugee camp in Sidon, force adults and schoolchildren to make blood donations.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Foreign Ministry officials meet Habib to discuss clarifications of agreement; after funeral of Netivot resident shot in Gaza, 5 bakery workers from Gaza beaten by Jews in Netivot; Beit Sahour mayor meets head of Israeli Civil Administration, breaking national consensus of non-cooperation; senior police officer says that in West Bank there is a see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil attitude among Jews about Jewish vigilantism; Deputy Attorney General Y. Karp, head of a Justice Ministry committee investigating Jewish vigilantism, reportedly resigned last month because no action taken in year on recommendations for stricter law enforcement, including criticism of intervention by politicians on behalf of arrested suspects and the dependence of the police on the Military Government; Foreign Minister Shamir on tour of West Bank settlement says the Green Line has been erased in political consciousness and on the ground.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem meets President Assad in Damascus; Lebanese Cabinet discusses agreement, gives no formal endorsement of it; Lebanese Parliament extends Cabinet's emergency powers until end of September, extends its own life by 18 months to end of 1984; Haddad calls on IDF to disarm Phalange and Guardians of the Cedars militias operating in his area to carry out death sentences against Palestinians; 34th tripartite session of withdrawal talks takes place at Netanya to work out final wording of agreement.

Arab Governments: Syrian Air Force and Soviet advisers reportedly complete sophisticated 230-mile long anti-aircraft missile defense system stretching from Latakia in north to Jordanian border in south; Jordanian minister of health says he cannot fully accept results of WHO inquiry into West Bank illnesses, even if it is psychological pressure this is a poison of the mind.

US and Other Countries: US Defense Secretary Weinberger meets Saudi Defense Minister Abdel Aziz in Paris, reportedly asks Saudi assistance to persuade Syria to withdraw its forces from Lebanon, US considering direct talks with Syria on troop withdrawal; State Dept. letters show US knew last September that 300-600 armed PLO fighters remained in Beirut in violation of August cease-fire agreement.

UN: WHO assembly votes 65 to 17, with 25 abstentions, for direct supervison of health services in Israeli occupied territories, expresses great concern over epidemic.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shamir denies press reports that Israel will let US troops man surveillance stations in South Lebanon, saying Israeli crews will cooperate with the Lebanese Army, keeping a temporary presence until a peace treaty is signed, or for a defined number of years; Shamir continues discussions with Habib, with members of IDF participating; Sharon visits Zaire's Shaba province to inspect 12,000-man Kamanyola brigade; High Court issues order nisi to Attorney General Yitzhak Zamir to show why he does not prosecute Matti Peled for treason for holding press conference with PLO in July; Zamir replies he will not prosecute for there are no grounds to show that Peled intended to aid the PLO; military tribunal in courtmartial of Major David Mopaz presented documents showing that West Bank Commander Col. Yaacov Hartabi and Chief of Staff Eitan ordered harassment and harsh treatment of Palestinians, including punitive action against parents, heads of villages, collective punishment; Histadrut delegation ends visit to Scotland and England, finds British trade unionists hostile to Israel's West Bank policy; Civil Administration sets up roadblocks around Birzeit University to check for foreign passports, orders 30 foreign teachers at Birzeit, 4 at Islamic University in Hebron to stop teaching or sign work permit with anti-PLO pledge.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Foreign Minister Elie Salem says future relations with Israel should be governed by 1949 Armistice Agreement, that Lebanon is not willing to sign peace treaty and have normal relations with Israel, that Syria and the PLO have given assurances that they will withdraw; Lebanese Forces (Phalange) expanding its presence in South Lebanon, now has standing militia of 6,000 with 15,000 reservists and $189 million annual budget from taxes through illegal ports, reported to have bought $15 million worth of captured Palestinian arms from Israel, including 50 tanks, APCs, howitzers, 130mm and 155mm artillery.

US and Other Countries: Weinberger and Italian Defense Minister Lelio Lagorio meet in Washington, agree to maintain peacekeeping force in Beirut as long as necessary and in accordance with the desire of the Lebanese Government; Arthur Goldberg says he personally will assure provision of necessary $100,000 for 2 years to continue American Jewish Commission of the Holocaust, disbanded on Jan. 3; Zaire President Mobutu announces Israeli military advisers will undertake a 5 year plan to restructure Zaire's armed forces; USSR paper lzvestia responds to State Department comment on SA-5s, saying US has sham concern for peace, only wants Israeli military superiority.

Military Action:

IDF armored troops seal off West Beirut as Israeli and Palestinian gunners trade artillery, machine-gun fire in southern suburbs, in first major clash in 8 days; IDF drops concealment, openly sets up armored units for first time inside city at the Green Line; IDF and Phalange jointly patrolling crossing points; Israeli planes drop red flares over Palestinian refugee camps, as loudspeakers advise residents to move out; IDF digs out positions for tanks in hillsides above Beirut; IDF begins blockade, stopping all traffic coming into W. Beirut; IDF artillery in Sofar exchanges barrages with Syrians; 400 IDF tanks, 110 artillery pieces ring Beirut; Phalange radio reports IDF advances toward Burj al-Barajneh camp.

Arafat expects IDF attack with 3 divisions and planes, gunboats; PLO units maintain grenade, small arms attacks on IDF rear units.

Casualties:

Fires reported in vicinity of airport and in Burj al-Barajneh camp following fierce artillery duels; IDF units inwceased in Chouf area following killing of 3 Christian villagers by Druze militia-men (following week of violence against Druze villages by Phalange forces).

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shamir says Israel may not demand a multinational force along the border if some agreement can be reached; Shamir denies difference between political/ military actions of PLO, says IDF will not wait too much longer before assault on Beirut; Eitan suggests smaller military actions rather than all-out attack may be used; 270 IDF killed, 1270 injured; IDF says reservists in combat units may serve 60-90 days; 50- 70,000 people protest war in Tel Aviv, including reservists, as thousands of others attend exhibit of captured PLO and Syrian weapons; Justice Minister Nissim, Attorney General, and other officials meet tomorrow to consider legal action against Avnery for meeting Arafat.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Salam charges IDF broke cease-fire twice during day; agreement reached on deployment of multinational force alongside Lebanese Army, but not on continuing PLO presence in Lebanon; Lebanese government says PLO still refuses to offer formal set of proposals; Arafat later signs detailed document that PLO will evacuate Beirut (many Lebanese fear Israel will reject; Wazzan says only some progress, no agreement reached with PLO); Arafat hails "Paris Declaration" by 3 prominent Jews as "positive initiative toward a just ... peace"; Sarkis meets with French envoy Gutmann.

Arab Governments: Syria, Egypt, Jordan debate number of PLO members they are willing to take.

US and Other Countries: Habib meets with Sarkis; Ambassador Lewis meets Begin, reportedly asks more time for negotiations.

UN: UN mission heads for Lebanon to assess relief needs.