The Palestine Chronology

IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinian minors allegedly damaging Gaza’s border fence near al-Maghazi refugee camp; 1 of the Palestinians is killed  In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Jenin refugee camp overnight, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the area; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also confiscate surveillance cameras during a raid in al-Bireh and patrol near Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian residential building in al-Zayim village near Jerusalem. Unidentified persons open fire on an Israeli bus near Ramallah, injuring 2 Israeli settlers. Israeli settlers verbally and physically assault Palestinian schoolchildren in central Hebron, sparking minor confrontations. Separately, settlers slash a number of tires on Palestinian-owned vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Kafr al-Dik near Salfit. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/8; MNA, MNA, WAFA 11/9; PCHR 11/15)

Vehicles bearing $15 million in cash pass through the Erez border crossing into Gaza. The money was reportedly provided by Qatar, approved for transfer by Israel, and set to help Hamas pay the salaries of civil servants in Gaza and support Gazan families struggling to meet their basic needs. The transfer is yet another indication of progress in the Egypt- and UN-mediated efforts to broker a “calm” or some sort of cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. It is reportedly the first of 6 planned monthly transfers. (JP 11/8; NYT 11/9)

Al-Hayat reports that PA president Mahmoud Abbas has given in to Egyptian pressure and agreed to stop working against the Egyptian effort to broker a “period of calm” between Israel and Hamas. According to Palestinian sources, Abbas has agreed not to impose new sanctions on Gaza and to resume fully paying PA employees in Gaza. The Egyptian plan is reportedly to mediate a period of calm lasting 2 to 3 weeks, then to broker some kind of reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, and then to resume talks on a long-term cease-fire between Israel and a newly unified Palestinian side. Later, a senior PA official says he is unaware of any change in Abbas’s position, as the al-Hayat report indicates. “Abbas agreed with the Egyptian president that there was a need to alleviate the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip,” the official says. “But [Abbas] also emphasized that Hamas was not authorized to reach any agreement with any party on behalf of the Palestinians." (AH, HA, JP, JP, TOI, YA 11/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 4 Palestinian homes under renovation in al-Khadir village near Bethlehem and a Palestinian home under construction in Bayt Umar near Hebron. IDF troops assault and arrest 1 Palestinian, arrest 8 others, and issue 1 arrest summons during raids near Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrol near Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian vehicle near Qalqilya, injuring a Palestinian infant. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid the PA’s Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs headquarters and another Palestinian administrative office in al-Dahiya, confiscating files related to the sale of a home in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and lightly injuring 5 Palestinians who confront them. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Qalandia refugee camp, al-Tur, Hizma, and Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/4; MNA, WAFA 11/5; PCHR 11/8)

The Palestinian who IDF troops shot and injured along Gaza’s border fence on 11/3 succumbs to his injuries. (MNA 11/4)

Al-Hayat reports that Fatah officials accepted an Egyptian proposal to mediate a “calm” between Israel and Hamas, marking a break from PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s previous stance. Meanwhile, Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman reportedly spars with the rest of the Israeli cabinet over the proposed “calm” in Gaza. He is reportedly in favor of a violent strike on Gaza in an effort to assert calm, rather than making any concessions to Hamas. (AH, TOI, TOI 11/4)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse protestors near Jabaliya refugee camp, Rafah, and Gaza City; 5 Palestinians are killed and at least 200 are injured. The killings bring the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 184. Hours after the protests conclude, unidentified Palestinians launch 34 rockets from Gaza into southern Israel; 17 are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system and the rest land in open areas, causing no damage or injuries. The Israeli Air Force then conducts a wave of air strikes across Gaza, targeting more than 90 sites and causing extensive damage to many buildings, including a hospital in Gaza City. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Friday protests against the Israeli occupation and the settlements in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, central Hebron, and 2 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in and al-Mazra‘a); 2 Palestinians are killed, 8 are injured, and 1 is arrested. Three Israeli soldiers are also injured in the clashes today. IDF troops also assault and arrest 1 Palestinian, arrest 3 others, and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Bethlehem, Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya. (EI, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA 10/26; MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/27; HA 11/29; PCHR 11/1)

Hours before the protests, killings, and air strikes in Gaza, Al-Hayat reports that the Egyptian officials who have been shuttling back and forth between Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza over the past 2 weeks have brokered an understanding between Hamas and the Israeli government. Hamas reportedly agreed to end all violence along the border, including acts of violence perpetrated during Great March of Return protests and all incendiary balloon and kite attacks, in exchange for Israel lifting certain restrictions on Gaza. Separately, Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman says he is “hopeful” that this coming weekend will pass without major clashes along Gaza’s border fence.  He also says that he will need to see a month of calm before implementing any more major changes. “We need to see what happens at least until the end of 11/2018, and then we can reach conclusions one way or another.” (AH, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, TOI 10/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a 4-story building in al-Bireh near Ramallah; an agricultural structure in Khirbet al-Marajim near Nablus; and a makeshift residential structure, 3 tents, and 3 agricultural structures in Bardala near Jericho. IDF troops patrol near Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Approximately 50 Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian school in Urif village near Nablus, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian students and residents of the area; 1 Palestinian is injured. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/25)

The IDF reinforces its troops stationed along Gaza’s border with additional tanks, artillery and engineering forces ahead of the planned protests on the other side of the border fence on 10/19. Meanwhile, Hamas announces plans to investigate the rocket fire on 10/17, likely in an effort to reduce tensions ahead of the planned protests on 10/19. (HA, TOI, YA 10/18)

Al-Hayat reports that Hamas and the other factions in Gaza recently agreed to scale back the Great March of Return protests along Gaza’s border fence to help facilitate the Egyptian effort to mediate a long-term Hamas-Israel cease-fire. The deal was reportedly reached on 10/15, before rocket fire and air strikes heightened tensions on 10/17. Meanwhile, a delegation of senior Egyptian officials shuttle between Gaza and Israel throughout the day, negotiating with both Hamas and Israeli officials on a long-term cease-fire and the stalled Palestinian reconciliation process. (AH, AP, TOI, TOI, YA 10/18)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announces that the U.S. consulate general in Jerusalem, which serves Palestinians, is to be merged with the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. “This decision is driven by our global efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of our operations,” he says. “We will continue to conduct a full range of reporting, outreach, and programming in the West Bank and Gaza as well as with Palestinians in Jerusalem through a new Palestinian Affairs Unit inside the U.S. Embassy Jerusalem.” (JP, MNA, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/19)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rules in favor of Lara Alqasem, the U.S. student who the Israeli authorities denied entry into Israel on 10/2 and have detained ever since over her support for BDS. “Since the appellant’s actions do not raise satisfactory cause to bar her to entry to Israel, the inevitable impression is that invalidating the visa given to her was due to the political opinions she holds,” the court’s ruling reads. “If this is truly the case, then we are talking about an extreme and dangerous step, which could lead to the crumbling of the pillars upon which democracy in Israel stands.” (EI, HA, MNA, TOI 10/19)

IDF troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinian minors gathering near Gaza City and Khan Yunis to continue the Great March of Return; 1 Palestinian is killed and 14 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 158. Meanwhile, Israeli firefighters put out approximately 7 fires in and around Israeli border communities that were reportedly sparked by incendiary kites or balloons flown from Gaza. The Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on sites in central and northern Gaza reportedly used as staging areas for such attacks, injuring 2 Palestinian minors. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid near Nablus; and patrol in and around Hebron, Salfit, and Qalqilya. (HA, TOI, WAFA 9/23; MNA, MNA 9/24; PCHR 9/27)

One day after an Egyptian delegation visited Gaza for meetings with Hamas officials, al-Hayat reports that the Egyptians proposed a new framework for Palestinian reconciliation and a long-term cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. The plan would reportedly see the PA take control of Gaza and limits on Hamas’s military wing, inter alia. Hamas and Fatah officials both say that the proposal is unlikely to help Hamas and Fatah overcome their differences. Meanwhile, a Hamas official says that the Egypt-mediated backchannel talks with Israel over a long-term cease-fire are at an impasse, that it’s the PA’s fault for opposing the process, and that Hamas plans to escalate the ongoing protests along Gaza’s border fence in response. (AH, TOI, TOI 9/23)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian at a checkpoint in c. Hebron after he allegedly attempts to stab 1 of them. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops fire tear gas and stun grenades inside the grounds of a hospital complex in Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. The IDF says that the troops entered the hospital’s grounds to break up a crowd forming there. IDF troops also violently suppress Palestinian journalists protesting in solidarity with the 1,500-plus hunger striking Palestinian prisoners observing the Dignity Strike in Bethlehem and outside Ofer Prison nr. Ramallah; 5 journalists are injured. Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Nablus, and Qalqilya; and patrol nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 homes in al-Walaja village and 1 each in al-Tur, Sur al-Bahir, and Issawiyya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. In s. Israel, Israeli forces demolish a home in Tel al-Sabi village. The owner has rebuilt his home 10 times in the past 2 years. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 5/4; MNA 5/5; PCHR 5/11)

A PIJ fighter succumbs to injuries he sustained in an accident at a “resistance post” in Gaza on 4/26. (MNA 5/4)

The White House officially confirms that Pres. Trump plans to visit Israel and the oPt on 5/22–23 in the context of his efforts to restart Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. The Saudi newspaper al-Hayat will report on 5/5 that the White House refused an Israeli request to delay the visit until 6/2017, which would coincide with the 50th anniversary of the 1967 war. Other sources say that Trump feared the proposed timing would cast him as a biased mediator. (HA 5/4; AH, HA 5/6)

Jordan’s King Abdallah states that Jordan hopes to host Israeli-Palestinian talks in 2/2013, after U.S. pres. Obama is sworn in and Israeli elections are held. (al-Hayat, YA 12/12)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops make a brief incursion into Gaza around 150 ms. of the border fence nr. Bayt Lahiya and open fire on Palestinians collecting gravel, wounding 1. In the West Bank, suspected Jewish extremists carry out separate ‘‘price-tag’’ vandalism attacks on a monastery in Jerusalem and in a village nr. Ramallah. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots dead a Palestinian teenager in Hebron’s Old City at a checkpoint in disputed circumstances. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in and around Hebron and Jenin r.c. (ToI, MNA 12/12; PCHR 12/13)

In the West Bank, the IDF raids and searches Palestinian villages around Itamar settlement, particularly in Awarta village, in search for the killers of 5 settlers found murdered on 3/11, detaining at least 20 young men for questioning. At least 27 attacks on Palestinians and their property by armed Jewish settlers retaliating for the Itamar murders are reported in Nablus (10), Hebron (9), Qalqilya (6), and Ramallah (2). Incidents involved: rampaging through Palestinian areas (6 cases, including an attempt to kidnap 2 children); vandalizing homes, businesses, and community buildings (11, including an attempt to set fire to a mosque); stoning and vandalizing cars (10); and cutting down olive trees (1). Meanwhile, a statement released to the press claims responsibility in the name of the al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade of Imad Mughniyah; AMB officials deny any connection to the purported offshoot group. Netanyahu makes a televised address calling on settlers not to take matters into their own hands and to allow the IDF to search for the assailants, also calling on the PA to halt the incitement that encourages such attacks. Abbas issues a statement denouncing the killings. The IDF also conducts late-night patrols in Qalqilya and 3 nearby villages. (HA, JP 3/12; al-Hayat, JP, JTA, NYT, WP 3/13; PCHR 3/17; OCHA 3/18)

The Arab League calls on the UN to impose a no-fly zone over Libya and recognizes the rebels’ provisional govt., steps that NATO had requested as a precondition for Western intervention in Libya, where extremely heavy fighting continues. (NYT, WP, WT 3/13)

After Yemen’s opposition rejected (3/10) as insufficient a proposal by Pres. Saleh to discuss constitutional reform and again demanded he immediately step down, Saleh deploys troops to crush growing antigovernment protests, authorizing them to use water cannons, tear gas, live ammunition, and sniper fire. Over the next few days, injuries quickly rise into the 100s but demonstrations only grow, now involving 10,000s of protesters. (NYT, WP 3/13; WT 3/14; NYT 3/15, 3/16; NYT, WP, WT 3/17; WP 3/18; see also NYT, WP, WT 3/11)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction material in the fmr. settlement sites, wounding 1. Hamas’s acting FM Mahmud Zahhar warns that Gazans who fire rockets at Israel violate an agreement among Palestinian factions not to initiate strikes on Israeli targets and face possible arrest. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and Jenin in the morning, making no arrests; makes a late-night raid into Mazra‘a village nr. Ramallah, patrolling streets and firing rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries; makes a late-night raid on a Palestinian apartment building in Ya‘bad village nr. Jenin, photographing it and questioning the owner; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Askar r.c. and nearby Nablus, in Hebron, and nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo settlement throw stones at Palestinians driving on the nearby Nablus– Ramallah road, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces raid and search a Palestinian home in the alBustan area of Silwan early in the morning, arresting 2 Palestinians. (al-Hayat 10/31; PCHR 11/4; OCHA 11/5)

The Gaza cease-fire holds, with no Israeli or Palestinian violence reported. Israeli officials say the IDF has accelerated its withdrawal fr. Gaza in hopes that it will be completed by the time U.S. pres.-elect Barack Obama is sworn in on 1/20. Across Gaza, some stores reopen, and traffic along the main north–south route (occupied by the IDF during the war) resumes, though observers say (WP 1/20) that “much of the main highway was nearly impassable from the dirt and debris plowed up by Israel’s military”; Hamas-led police provide traffic control in damaged areas and generally try to assert a presence. Israel allows a small group of foreign reporters into Gaza and permits them to interview Palestinians, but requires them to team report as a pool and runs their coverage through IDF censors, given the continued presence of Israeli soldiers in the field. Israel for the first time since 12/27 allows a few truckloads of commercial goods into Gaza in addition to humanitarian aid; in total, 208 truckloads are allowed entry. Rescue workers continue searching for survivors and uncovering bodies (at least 14 today), particularly in al-Zaytun. (AY, DUS, MM, YA 1/19; NYT, WP, WT 1/20; DUS, al-Hayat, JP, MM, QA 1/21; NYT, PCHR, UNICEF press release, WT 1/22; PCHR 1/29; AP 1/30; WT 2/4; WP 2/8; Electronic Intifada 2/24)

The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; issues military orders confiscating 3,000 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of land in Yatta s. of Hebron and 13 d. nr. Bethlehem for settlement expansion, and 500 d. of land in Abu Dis for construction of the separation wall around Jerusalem. A Jewish settler driving nr. Ramallah is shot, seriously wounded fr. a passing car. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces evict a family (18 mbrs.) and seal their home in Jabal al-Mukabir, where Israelis are expanding a Jewish settlement. (HA, NYT 1/20; MM 1/21; PCHR 1/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF sets up checkpoints, conducts random ID checks in Hebron; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, and nr. Hebron, Jenin. The IDF forcibly evicts 70 Palestinians (including 20 children) from a Palestinian apartment building in East Jerusalem, then demolishes it, sparking unarmed clashes btwn. local residents and police (no serious injuries are reported). Fatah-Hamas tensions over the 7/25 bombings and ongoing Hamas crackdown spread to the West Bank, where PA security forces arrest more than 50 Hamas-affiliated activists and academics in Nablus (including acting mayor Hafiz Shahin; the Hamas-affiliated elected mayor and dep. mayor are in Israeli custody). Sources in Gaza, say Hamas-affiliated police have detained around 200 Fatah supporters since 7/25. Today, Gaza’s acting Hamas government bans the entry to Gaza of 3 daily newspapers seen as critical of its authority: al-Ayyam, al-Hayat, al-Quds. (NYT 7/29; OCHA, PCHR 7/30)

The IDF beats, fatally shoots a 16-yr.- old Palestinian allegedly wielding a knife in Hebron (Palestinian witnesses deny he was armed); conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya, and in Dura, Nablus, Yatta; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina; orders 3 Palestinian families to leave their Yatta homes and property or be expelled; begins construction of a new segment of the separation wall in Hazma, Anata villages northeast of Jerusalem. A Jewish settler fr. Keddumim verbally abuses, attempts to attack several Palestinians waiting to be allowed to cross an IDF gate into nearby Kafr Qadim; Palestinians fend him off, the IDF does not intervene. Unidentified gunmen fire on the Gaza City home of Fatah Revolutionary Council mbr. Sakhr Bseiso, causing damage but no injuries; Bseiso is head of the Fatah comm. charged with investigating corruption. (WP 2/15; NYT, OCHA, PR 2/16; PCHR, PM 2/17)

Fmr. Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri is assassinated in a major car bombing in Beirut; 7 bodyguards, 6 passers-by are also killed, more than 100 are wounded (3 of whom later die). A previously unknown group called Victory and Jihad in Greater Syria claims responsibility. (BBC, al-Hayat, JAZ, MM 2/14; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/15; Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation, al-Quds, VOI, XIN 2/15, JAZ, QA 2/16, AFP, Le Monde 2/17 in WNC 2/18; MEI 2/18)

At Camp David, Arafat passes a letter to Clinton saying he sees no reason to continue talks, since Barak has adopted a take-it-or-leave-it position regarding U.S. proposals on Jerusalem. After a final set of 1-on-1 mtgs. with Arafat and Barak, Clinton declares an end to the Camp David summit. The U.S., Israel, the PA issue a 5-point statement of negotiating principles, express hope that a deal may still be reached by 9/13. In announcing the failure of the summit, Clinton essentially lays the blame on Arafat, stating that Barak showed more flexibility. (Interfax, MENA 7/25 in WNC 7/26; MENA, XIN 7/25, ABC [Madrid], ATL, Interfax, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, MA, MENA, al-Quds, SA 7/26 in WNC 7/27; MM, NYT, PR [Internet], WP, WT 7/26; AYM, DUS 7/26, Le Monde, SA, TT 7/27 in WNC 7/28; Arab News [Jeddah] 7/26, JT 7/30 in WNC 7/31; HA [Internet], NYT, WJW 7/27; AYM 7/28 in WNC 8/2; MIL 7/28 in WNC 8/3; NYT 7/29; WP 7/30)

UN Secy.-Gen. Annan suspends the UNIFIL deployment in light of new Israeli violations of the blue line. (XIN 7/25 in WNC 7/27; WP 7/26; MEI 7/28)

The London-based daily al-Hayat reports that Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad recently received fmr. chief of staff Shihabi on his return fr. medical treatment in the U.S., suggesting anticorruption charges against him have been dropped. (MM 7/25; SA 7/30 in WNC 7/31) (see 6/6)

Jewish settlers level 25 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya. (LAW 8/10)

The White House announces that Arafat, Barak will come to Washington separately to meet with Clinton on final status talks. Clinton-Barak talks will also address the Syrian track. (NYT, WT 4/9; XIN 4/9 in WNC 4/11)

Syrian FM Shara` arrives in Cairo with a message to Pres. Mubarak fr. Pres. Asad regarding Israel's proposed unilateral withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon; says publicly that Syria would welcome a withdrawal, even if unilateral. (MENA 4/8 in WNC 4/11; NYT 4/10; USIS Washington File [Internet] 4/12; WP 4/14; al-Musawwar 4/14 in WNC 4/17; AYM 4/18 in WNC 4/20)

In an editorial in the London-based daily al-Hayat, British journalist and Asad biographer Patrick Seale offers an independent proposal, which Israel interprets as floated by Syria, for a compromise solution to the Golan withdrawal issue. (MM 4/8; NYT 4/10; see also MM 4/7)

In the 1st major public event on the Palestinian refugee issue, 100s of activists, students, scholars fr. around the world attend a conference in Boston aimed at developing an international action plan to support Palestinians' right of return. 100s more are turned way due to limited space. Speakers are respected senior academics and political analysts, including Edward Said, Noam Chomsky. (BDL 4/19; al-Safir [Internet] 5/1)

In Shepherdstown, the Israeli, Syrian teams begin discussing the U.S. working paper, reportedly address Israeli withdrawal fr. the Golan for 1st time. State Dept. notes some progress but says it is too early for the U.S. to step in with "dramatic bridging proposals." Pres. Clinton returns to Shepherdstown to dine with Barak, Shara`. (MENA 1/9 in WNC 1/10; NYT, WP, WT 1/10; MEI 1/14)

The London-based daily al-Hayat publishes a document, reportedly leaked by Syria, that claims to outline the differing Syrian and Israeli positions reflected in the U.S. working paper and that implies Israel's consent to withdrawal fr. the Golan. Israel says the report is "partial and inaccurate." (MM 1/10, 2/9)

The Israeli DMin. announces that the number of soldiers deployed to guard West Bank, Gaza settlements will be reduced by 40% in line with a general cut in the army budget. Settlers accuse the government of discrimination. (WT 1/12)

In s. Lebanon, 1 IDF soldier is wounded when a Hizballah roadside bomb explodes. (RL 1/9 in WNC 1/10; MEI 1/14)

Refugee Working Group holds 2 mtgs. in Paris to follow up on family reunification talks. (al-Hayat 3/22; MM 4/6)

Jordan, Egypt, PA hold long-delayed tripartite coordination mtg. in Amman to discuss the post-Oslo period (MENA, RJ, VOA 3/20, al-Quds 3/21 in WNC 3/22; WT 3/21; JT 3/22 in WNC 3/23)

In Athens, Arafat meets with Greek pres. Kostis Stephanopoulos. (Athens News Agency 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

The PA releases 2 Palestinian political detainees. 1 of the prisoners, Harb al-Daqs, had been held without charge for 3 yrs. (PR 3/26)

Following cooperation talks with the Muslim Brotherhood's Islamic Action Front (IAF) party, Jordan's main opposition party, King Abdallah releases 15 Islamists who were detained over the past few wks. for security reasons, orders general amnesty to coincide with upcoming Id al-Adha holiday under which some 600 prisoners will be freed. (AFP 3/20 in WNC 3/22)

Lebanese military court sentences 6 persons to death for collaborating with Israel. (MENA 3/20 in WNC 3/22)

King Hussein removes his brother Prince Hassan as crown prince, says one of his sons (most likely Abdallah, his eldest by a previous marriage, or Hamza, his eldest by Queen Nur) will be designated regent soon. The king's letter of dismissal to Hassan, who was crown prince for 34 yrs., accuses him of meddling in army matters; settling personal scores by forcing soldiers to retire, changing ambassadorial staff; demanding to choose his own crown prince after his ascension rather than having a family council decide, as Hussein wants. King also meets with PM Tarawnah to reiterate his confidence in his government. (al-Hayat 1/22; al-Ittihad 1/22, JT, RJ 1/23 in WNC 1/26; NYT, WP, WT 1/23; NYT, WT 1/24; MA, YA 1/24 in WNC 1/26; JTV, Petra-JNA 1/25, 1/26 in WNC 1/27; JP, MEI 1/29) (see 1/20; Docs. B4, B5)

PA releases Islamic Jihad leader Shami. (WT 1/23) (see 12/13)

Saudi Arabia opens celebrations marking `Abd al-Aziz Ibn Saud's capture of Riyadh in 1902 (100 yrs. ago by the lunar calendar), unification of the country in a series of tribal wars. (NYT 1/23)

On last day of Arafat's official visit, China promises financial, moral backing for a Palestinian state, says Chinese businesses would invest in the state if it is proclaimed in 5/99. (CSM 7/16) (see 5/28)

The House Appropriations Foreign Operations Comm. marks up the FY 1999 foreign aid bill, proposes cuts in Egyptian, Israeli aid. (WT 7/17; Akhbar al-Yawm 7/18 in WNC 7/21; WJW 7/23) (see 7/10)

In Geneva, UN Human Rights Comm. holds session on Israel's treatment of Palestinians in the occupied territories. (WT 7/16; JP 7/25)

IDF confiscates 200 sheep belonging to the semisedentary Rashaida tribe, claiming that they strayed into a military zone outside Bethlehem. 30 bedouin are injured trying to stop the soldiers. (al-Hayat 7/16; JP 7/25)

PM Netanyahu cancels a trip to Jordan planned for 2/5 and postpones a mtg. with Arafat set for 2/6 after 2 Israeli helicopters, carrying an unusual amount of ammunition and explosives, collide over the Galilee on their way to s. Lebanon, killing 73 IDF soldiers, 13 of whom are officers. Over the past 3 yrs. 68 soldiers have been killed on duty in s. Lebanon. (RL 2/4 in WNC 2/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/5; AFP 2/5 in WNC 2/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 2/6; al-Dustur, RMC 2/6 in WNC 2/7; RL, VOL 2/6, RL 2/7 in WNC 2/10; MM 2/7; RL 2/7 in WNC 2/11; JP 2/15)

In Nabatiyya, Lebanon, leading Hizballah figures, incl. Secy. Gen. Hussein Nasrallah and his deputy Shaykh Naim Kassem, meet to discuss party fundraising. (MM 2/7)

Syrian VP Khaddam arrives in Libya to meet with Col. Qadhafi. (SATN 2/4 in WNC 2/6)

IDF bulldozes Palestinian homes in Jabbah, nr. Hebron, and al-Khadir for having no permits. 10s of other families receive notices that their homes will be demolished to make way for a by-pass road. (LAWE 2/13) (see 2/3)

Citing security reasons, Shin Bet revokes the press permit of al-Hayat's Jerusalem bureau chief Ruba Husari, making it impossible for her to enter Israel fr. her home in the West Bank. (WP 2/6)

Lebanon, Brazil sign 2 protocols: one on cultural issues, the other on air transport. (RL 2/4 in WNC 2/6; RL 2/6 in WNC 2/7) (see 12/16)

IDF shells Kfar Roumman village n. of the Israeli self-declared security zone. Lebanon says it will submit a complaint to ILMG. ILMG has already found Israel responsible 3 times for shelling villages in violation of the 4/96 understanding. (RL 2/4 in WNC 2/6; WT 2/5)

The WP reveals that Secy. of State Albright's grandparents were Jews who died in the Holocaust, says her family hid their Jewish identity from her. Albright was raised a Catholic. (WP 2/4)

In Jerusalem, PA, Israeli negotiators review drafts of possible Hebron protocol to work out final details. Both sides say that there are no more substantive differences btwn. them. The talks are interrupted once by a bomb threat. (MM 1/13; IDF Radio 1/13 in WNC 1/14; ITV 1/13 in WNC 1/15; NYT, WP, WT 1/14)

PM Netanyahu tells his cabinet ministers that the main achievement of the Hebron protocol draft, as it stands, is that most of the West Bank territory will remain under Israel's control after further redeployment is completed, Israel will determine the amount of land to be returned under the 3 stages. (ITV 1/13 in WNC 1/15)

In Amman, PM Kabariti, Iraqi Dep. PM Tariq Aziz discuss bilateral relations, particularly economics and trade. (RJ 1/13 in WNC 1/14) (see 12/28)

Two mail clerks at the London office of al-Hayat are injured when 1 of 4 letter bombs addressed to the office explodes. In New York, 4 similar devices sent to the paper's UN bureau are found, disarmed. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/14; CSM, MM, NYT 1/15)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak meets separately with Arafat, U.S. special envoy Ross. Arafat then returns to Gaza to meet with the EA. (RE 1/11 in WNC 1/14; NYT, WP 1/12; JP 1/18)

Jordan's King Hussein phones Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, Israeli PM Netanyahu, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian track. (RJ 1/11 in WNC 1/14)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA patrol triggers a land mine, wounding 1 mbr. (RL 1/11 in WNC 1/14)

Al-Hayat's Riyadh bureau receives, defuses a 2d letter bomb. (NYT 1/14; WT 1/15) (see 1/4)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets separately with Arafat, Netanyahu. (NYT, WT 1/5)

Al-Hayat's Riyadh bureau receives, defuses a letter bomb similar to those received in the U.S. (see 1/2-3). (NYT 1/14; WT 1/15)

The PA hardens its position on Hebron deal after 1/1 shooting, demands Israel commit to a deadline for withdrawing troops fr. rural West Bank areas. (HA, IDF Radio, QY 1/2 in WNC 1/6; CSM, NYT, WT 1/3; NYT 1/4; JP 1/11)

Israeli Internal Security M Avigdor Kahalani warns that "the Jews in Hebron must be protected. They are in great danger, despite Noam Freidman's shooting spree." (MEI 1/10) (see 1/1)

Israeli police detain IDF soldier Yuval Jibli on suspicion that he knew of Friedman's plans to attack the Hebron market 1/1. IDF reinforces troops in the city. (NYT, WT 1/3; JP 1/11)

The Washington bureau of the London-based Saudi daily al-Hayat receives 5 letter bombs, which are detected before they explode. 2 similar bombs are sent to the federal penitentiary in Levenworth Kansas, where Jordanian Muhammad Salameh is serving time for his part in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. Though all bombs are postmarked Alexandria, Egypt, authorities believe that they were mailed domestically. (MM, WP, WT 1/3; MBC 1/3 in WNC 1/7; SA 1/8 in WNC 1/9; MEI 1/10)

In Latakiyya, PA's Arafat makes his 1st official visit to Syria since 1993, meets with Pres. Asad. (MM 7/25; VOA, VOP 7/25 in FBIS 7/25; al-Hayat, SARR, SATN 7/25, SARR 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; CSM, MM 7/26; al-Hayat, PBC, VOP 7/26, VOP 7/27 in FBIS 7/29; MEI 8/2)

Israeli police escort 100s of Temple Mount Faithful in pair to al-Aqsa courtyard for prayers; arrest 12 mbrs. of Hay Veqayam who try to enter the site. (QY 7/25, JP 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; MEI 8/2) (see 7/24)

In testimony before the House International Relations Comm., Philip Wilcox, State Dept. coordinator for counterterrorism, says the U.S. believes Syria provides save haven and logistical support to Arab and non-Arab "terrorist" groups (incl., Hamas, Hizballah, Islamic Jihad) but has no evidence of direct Syrian involvement in "terrorist" acts since 1986. Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY) called this session of the comm. despite the objections of the State Dept. that it would alienate Pres. Asad, further hinder resumption of Syrian-Israeli talks. (WT 7/26; WJW 8/1)

Weekly PC mtg. begins 1 day early in Ramallah. (JMCC 7/17 in FBIS 7/18; PR 8/2)

PA's Arafat, Israeli FM Levy hold 1st mtg. at Erez checkpoint. Arafat presents list of Israeli violations. (MM 7/23; QY, al-Ra`i 7/23 in FBIS 7/23; IDF Radio, PBC, QY, VOP 7/23 in FBIS 7/24; al-Hayat, JP, MA, SA, YA 7/24 in FBIS 7/25; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/24; MM 7/25; MEI 8/2)

IDF eases closure on West Bank, allowing several 1,000 more Palestinian workers into Israel. (QY 7/23 in FBIS 7/23) (see 7/16)

UN spokeswoman Sylvana Foa (an American citizen) denounces U.S.'s Rubin for accusations made 7/22; says U.S.'s "bully tactics, threats, and blatant attempts at intimidating staff mbrs. have a very disconcerting odor of the McCarthy era." (WP 7/24)

In s. Lebanon, 2 Amal mbrs. are wounded in shootout with IDF patrol. (QY, RL 7/24 in FBIS 7/25)

PM Netanyahu speaks before joint session of Congress. Rep. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY), noted for holding up Middle East Peace Facilitation Act aid to the PLO, calls speech "an eloquent and visionary tour de force." Netanyahu then hold talks with congressional leaders, representatives fr. Arab embassies, CIA Dir. John Deutch. (ITV, QY, SARR 7/10, QY, YA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 7/11; CSM 7/12; QY 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; MM 7/16; WJW 7/18; MEI 7/19; JP 7/20)

In Hebron, Palestinians clash with Israeli police after PM Netanyahu fails to set a date for redeployment in the city; IDF seals area, imposes curfew. Palestinians had hoped Clinton would have pressured Netanyahu to set a timetable for redeployment, easing of closure. (QY 7/20 in FBIS 7/10; QY, RE, SARR 7/10, al-Hayat, QY, RE, SARR, VOP 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; CSM, MM, WP, WT 7/11; RMC 7/10, al-Hayat, QY 7/11, VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/15)

Bowing to pressure fr. ultraorthodox Jews, Israeli Transportation Min. agrees to close Bar Ilan Street, 1 of Jerusalem's main roads, for most of the Jewish Sabbath for a 4-mo. trial period. Israeli High Court overrides his order with a temporary injunction to keep the road open. Israeli police expect demonstrations, violent classes btwn. orthodox, secular Jews. (WT 7/11)

After Organization of African Unity gives near unanimous backing to UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali in his bid for a 2d term. U.S. again says it will veto him if he runs. (WT 7/11) (see 6/23)

Hizballah releases 2 SLA prisoners, proposes to exchange 17 other SLA mbrs. in its custody for 200 Lebanese nationals held in al-Khiyam prison in s. Lebanon. (MENA, VOL 7/10 in FBIS 7/11; MM 7/17)

In 1st cabinet session, PM Netanyahu creates U.S.-style national security council (NSC); appoints David Ivri, fmr. DM dir. gen., as its chief. Purpose of council is to institutionalize security, foreign policy decision making in the PM's office, outside the FM, DM, while relieving the PM of carrying the DM portfolio (as PMs Rabin, Peres had done). Also sets up council of economic advisers (CEA). (QY, IDF Radio 6/19 in FBIS 6/20; MM, WT 6/20; JP 6/29; CSM 7/8)

New Israeli Transportation M Yitzhak Levi says he will not cede any of his departments to Sharon's new National Infrastructure Min. Agriculture M Eitan says he will leave the government before giving Sharon control of any water issues. (QY 6/19 in FBIS 6/20; MM 6/20) (see 6/18)

Israel's new FM David Levy terms upcoming Arab summit "superfluous"; says Arab states should stop worrying about Netanyahu's intentions and start looking for ways to improve relations with Israel. (QY 6/19 in FBIS 6/20; WP 6/20)

In Washington, France, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, the U.S. resume talks on a cease-fire monitoring comm. for 1st time since Israeli elections. Parties discuss points in dispute, return to their governments for input, hope this will be last round of discussions. Outstanding point remains rotation of comm. chair. (MM 6/20; RL 6/20 in FBIS 6/20) (see 5/21)

UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali announces he will seek a 2d term as sec. gen. despite U.S. warning that it is prepared to use its veto as a permanent mbr. of the Security Council to block him. (NYT, WP, WT 6/20; MENA 6/20, SA 6/21 in FBIS 6/21; al-Hayat 6/22, MENA 6/23 in FBIS 6/25; MM 6/26; WT 7/6) (see 5/7)

Peres, Netanyahu meet for 1st time since elections, discuss security issues, vow to cooperate on transition of power. (MM 6/4; QY 6/4 in FBIS 6/4, 6/5; CSM, WP, WT 6/5)

Israel's dep. chief of staff, Gen. Matan Vilnai, arrives in Turkey for talks on expanding the bilateral military cooperation agmt. (MM 6/5) (see 5/23)

State Dept. issues a travel advisory for Syria, following recent bombings. Syria protests, says U.S. reports of bombings are meant to distract the international community fr. events in Israel. (MM 6/5; SA 6/5 in FBIS 6/5; RMC 6/5, al-Hayat 6/6 in FBIS 6/6; NYT 6/10) (see 5/27)

A day after his release, human rights activist Sarraj says he will keep up his criticism of the PA, he did make statements quoted by Lewis in the NYT. (NYT, WT 5/28) (see 5/26)

Bomb goes off in Damascus's Old City, causing damage but no injuries. Media reports that, since 5/5, 4-7 smaller explosions have occurred in Aleppo, Damascus, Latakiyya, al-Qamshili. Syrian authorities say 600 (mostly ethnic Turks) have been arrested, but responsibility has not been determined. (MM 6/5; SA 6/5 in FBIS 6/5; NYT 6/10; WT 6/11; al-Hayat 6/15 in FBIS 6/17)

PLO's Faruq Qaddumi arrives in Beirut fr. Damascus, meets with Lebanese FM Buwayz, announces he is making a tour of Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) to gain support for a "council to look after Palestinian refugees abroad." (al-Hayat, al-Nahar 3/9 in FBIS 3/12; al-Nahar 3/31 in FBIS 4/3)

Lebanon puts its forces on alert, fearing either Israel will deport Palestinians to its territory or attack s. Lebanon. Israeli puts its forces in s. Lebanon on alert, fearing a Hizballah attack as a demonstration of support for recent bombings. (IDF Radio, RL 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; RL, VOL 3/10 in FBIS 3/11) (see 3/5, 3/7)

PA amb. to Ankara Fu'ad Yasin says 8 Palestinians have disappeared in Turkey, apparently for political reasons, since the recent bombings in Israel; says the PA is following the issue closely with Turkish officials. (MENA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8)

To prevent suspects connected to recent bombings fr. fleeing by sea, Israel bans all fishing off the Gaza coast. PA condemns the action as collective punishment, violation of Oslo accords. (IDF Radio 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; NYT 3/9; WT 3/11)

In Burqa, West Bank, IDF blows up house rented by family of the 3/3 bomber. In Jerusalem, the IDF serves the Conference of Sciences and Islamic Education offices in n. Jerusalem with closure, partial confiscation orders, saying offices are used as a Hamas base. (VOP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/9; MM 3/20)

PA police detain Hamas spokesman Zahhar in Gaza City. (AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11)

PSF West Bank head Col. Jibril Rajub is forced to resign after refusing to carry out Arafat's orders to arrest Hamas leaders. Hussayn Shaykh, current head of Ramallah security, is appointed to replace him. (ITV, QY, RMC 3/9, HA 3/11 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/10; QY 3/10 in FBIS 3/12)