The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving a total of 6 Palestinians, 2 Israelis dead. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a nail bomb at a bus stop just inside Israel, nr. Qalqilya, killing 2 Israelis, wounding 4. Hamas, and a previously unknown group named the Popular Army Front Return Battalions claim responsibility. Israeli sappers disarm bombs in the Israeli cities of Petah Tikva, Netanya. This evening, after the Arab summit ends, Sharon orders air, land, sea strikes against Force 17 targets in Dayr al-Balah, Jabaliyya, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Ramallah, killing 3 Palestinians, injuring 62. Nr. Beitunia, a Palestinian woman is shot dead by IDF troops. In Rafah, a Palestinian boy is killed when he triggers unexploded IDF ordnance. The IDF reinforces its troop presence around Abu Sunayna in Hebron with 8 tanks, 15 troop carriers, numerous military jeeps and 3 new outposts; shells residential areas in Nablus; confiscates 28 dunams of Palestinian land in Beitunia to expand an IDF post; bulldozes Palestinian land in Mount Jarzim, Wadi Silqa. Israel issues demolition orders for 19 Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem for construction of the "ring road" linking the Jewish settlements around Jerusalem; 658 dunams of Palestinian land is slated to be bulldozed for the project. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians and their property in Bayt Furik, Hebron, Silat Dahir. Settlers fr. Ma'ale Adumim, Kefar Atsion reportedly move into the Israeli controlled section of Hebron to reinforce settlers there. In Hebron, the PSF arrests a local Fatah mbr. for the 3/26 shooting that killed a settler baby. (BBC, CNN, HP, MM, REU 3/28; AFP, ATL 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; AFP, Interfax, MENA, al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; LAW, MM, WP 3/30; MA, MENA, al-Safir 3/30 in WNC 4/2; MM 4/3; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/15 in WNC 4/16; WP 4/23; al-Ahram [Internet] 4/26)

The Arab League summit closes. Arab states approve a $240 m. emergency aid for the PA over the next 6 mos. (MM 3/28; HJ 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP 3/29; JT 3/29 in WNC 3/30; HJ 3/29 in WNC 4/3; al-Ra'i 3/30, Star 3/31, JT 4/1 in WNC 4/2; JP, MEI 4/6; al-Quds 4/10 in WNC 4/12)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Am'ari camp remains under curfew for 3rd day [FJ 11/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops open fire during demonstration in Nablus, wound 3 Palestinians. In Kafr al-Dik 1 Palestinian is shot. In 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma' 3 Palestinians are shot, wounded. In Khan Yunis troops open fire, wound 2 Palestinians [FJ 11/28].

Arab World: IDF planes attack Force 17 positions in Lebanon, kill 7 Palestinians, wound 9 [FJ 11/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza City shops observe 1-day strike [WP 10/11]. Yigdal Shahaf is shot in head, seriously wounded by unknown assailant near Damascus Gate [WP 10/11; MET 10/24]. Caller allegedly from Force 17 later claims responsibility, charges Shahaf was Mossad agent [FJ 10/18]. Arab World: In speech to Jordanian Parliament, King Hussein blames Likud for dimmed prospects for peace conference, announces postponement of elections for lower house of Parliament for at least 2 years [WP 10/11]. PLO Executive Com. Chairman Yasir Arafat holds talks with Arab League Sec. Gen. Chedli Klibi in Tunis [FBIS 10/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In 3d consecutive day of violence in Gaza Strip, Israeli troops use live ammunition to disperse stonethrowing demonstrators at Gaza's Islamic University, injuring at least 3 students. In separate Gaza City incident, at least 8 Palestinians are wounded by Israeli troops firing live ammunition and tear gas at stone-throwing demonstrators [WP 10/11; FBIS 10/13].

Arab World: Hospitals near Sidon report 7 are killed, 10 wounded in daylong battles between Amal and Palestinian forces around 'Ayn al-Hilwah [WP 10/12]. IDF fighter planes strike PFLP target in Biqa' Valley [NYT 10/11; FBIS 10/13]. Lebanese fighters claim to down IDF helicopter during Biqa' raid; IDF denies allegation [FBIS 10/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Members of Village Leagues meet with pro-Jordanian W. Bank Palestinians in Bethlehem to elect council for new pro-Jordanian party [FJ 9/27]. Hadashot reports F. M. Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin have reached agreement with Jordan to share power in W. Bank [CSM 9/24]. 'Aqbat al-Khaldiyyah Renovation Com. calls on owners of vacant houses in Jerusalem's Old City to occupy buildings immediately [FJ 9/27]. Ishaq Budayri, deputy director of Arab Studies Society, is released after paying IS 3,000 bond [FJ 9/27]. In W. Jerusalem, 2Hebron Polytechnic teachers suffer slight injuries when they are attacked by settlers [FJ 9/27]. Order banning Dayr al-Ghusun residents under the age of 35 from traveling outside W. Bank is lifted after 2 months [FJ 9/27].

Arab World: Jordan announces it will reestablish diplomatic relations with Libya [FJ 9/27]. In Sidon's 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp, 49 Palestinian fighters are hospitalized, 1 killed, after drinking poisoned coffee. Among those poisoned is Jamal Sulayman, accused of assassinating Force 17 leader Rasim al-Ghul [FJ 9/27].

Other Countries: U. S. government expresses concern that confession of accused hijacker Fawwaz Yunis may be inadmissable in trial due to injuries suffered by Yunis while in FBI custody [LAT 9/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Border guards attack group of youths in Hebron's commercial district [FJ 9/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Rasim al-Ghul, Force 17 leader, is abducted from 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp in Sidon, S. Lebanon [FJ 8/30].

Other Countries: P. M. Shamir meets with Rumanian Pres. Ceausescu in Rumania [CSM 8/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops fire at groups of stone throwers, wounding one youth in leg [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: In S. Lebanon, 4UN soldiers are wounded by rocket-propelled grenades [CSM 8/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Fajr reports Iraeli troops destroyed or sealed homes of 10 Bethlehem and Hebron families in past week because members of the families were arrested on charges of membership in the PLO; none of the detainees had been tried [FJ 1/3]. Phone caller claims responsibility for 1/2 murder of Israeli taxi driver on behalf of Fateh's Force 17, states driver was Mossad agent [LT 1/4].

Arab World: Al-Fajr reports Jordan will permit daughter of Nablus Mayor Bassam Shaka'a to travel only one-way into the West Bank from Amman; she is refusing the condition [FJ 1/3].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli and SLA troops trade fire with Shi'ite, Sunni, leftist militias in S. Lebanon; SLA kills 2 [JP 1/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops raid homes in West Bank, place 5 Palestinians under administrative detention; military spokesman says nearly 100 Palestinians are now under administrative dtention [NYT 1/2]. Demonstrations are held throughout Gaza Strip to mark 21st anniversary of founding of Fateh. Israeli troops use clubs, tear gas, water cannon, live ammunition to break up protests; curfew is imposed on entire Gaza Strip [FJ 1/3; DW 1/4]. One Palestinian is shot and wounded by Israeli troops in Nablus [FJ 1/3]. Israel completes switch to new shekel, equal to 1,000 of the old shekels [WP 1/2].

Arab World: Jerusalem Post reports Fateh's Force 17 commando unit moved headquarters to Cairo last month. (Unit originally relocated to Amman in 11/85, was ordered out by King Hussein) [JP 1/1]. Col. Qadhdhafi warns any Israeli or American reprisal for the Rome and Vienna airport attacks would lead to full-scale war [NYT, WP 1/2].

Military Action

Arab World: Body of second Lebanese Jew killed by Organization of the Oppressed of the Earth is found, following group's statement he was killed in revenge for 12/31 SLA raid on S. Lebanese village of Kunin [WP, NYT 1/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Yasir Arafat leads thousands of moumers in funeral for 17 Palestinians buried in Tunis. Arafat accuses Pres. Reagan of complicity in the plot to assassinate him but vows to continue with peace process [NYT 10/6]. Tunisian Pres. Bourguiba praises U.S. abstention in UN Security Council condemnation of Israeli raid [BG 10/6]. Egyptian Minister of Culture Ahmad Haykal announces Israel will be barred from the 1986 Intemational Book Fair in Cairo to be held in January [BG 10/6].

Other Countries: Two thousand protesters in Paris demonstrate against Israel's 10/1 raid on PLO headquarters in Tunis. Similar demonstration is held in Bern, Switzerland [BG 10/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers trap 5 Palestinian commandos in Hebron hills, kill 4 of them in shoot-out. Army announcement on 10/7 states that the group was responsible for killing 5 Israelis, wounding 18 others in last 17 months. A number of Palestinians in the area arrested on suspicion of aiding the cell UP 10/8; CSM 10/9]. Two Israelis missing since 10/2, Edna Harari, 22, and Mordechai Suissa, 28, are found shot to death near Jerusalem. A caller to a Westem news agency on 10/4 claims responsibility for the murders on behalf of Fateh's Force 17 [NYT, WP 10/6].

Arab World: Egyptian policeman fires his automatic gun at group of Israeli tourists, killing 8 (including his Egyptian commander) and wounding 4. Shooting occurs at checkpoint at Ras Bourka, 25 miles south of Egyptian-Israeli border crossing at Taba in the Sinai. Egyptian authorities say the policeman "went berserk" [NYT 10/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Al-Fajr reports Palestinian political prisoners in Asqalan and Jenin prisons begin open-ended hunger strike this week to protest brutal actions by guards. Mothers and relatives of Asqalan prisoners continue their hunger strike at the Gaza Red Cross office; Israeli army threatens to disband their sit-in strike by force [FJ 10/4]. Al-Fajr daily prints obituary for Lt. Col. Muhammad al-Ghoul, the chief of security for the Tunis headquarters of the PLO killed in the 10/1 raid. Other reports mention death of Abu al-Tayyib, leader of Force 17, Arafat's bodyguard unit [BG 10/5].

Arab World: Tunisian civilians killed in 10/1 Israeli air raid on PLO headquarters in Tunis have been quietly buried to avoid anti-American backlash, Tunis announces; 60 died in the raid, including 12 Tunisian civilians [WP 10/5]. Tunisian police are deployed to prevent opposition parties from marching on the U.S. embassy [FT 10/5].

Other Countries: UN Sec. Council passes, by vote of 14-0 (with the U.S. abstaining), resolution condemning Israeli air raid on PLO headquarters in Tunis, urging member countries to "take measures to dissuade Israel from resorting to such acts," stating Tunisia's right to reparations. PLO rep. to the UN Zuhdi Tarzi accuses U.S. of "collusion" in the raid [LAT 10/5; NYT 10/6]. Two Palestinians and 1 Briton accused of the 9/25 murder of 3 Israelis in Lamaca appear before Cyprus court. Israel says the 3 are members of Fateh's Force 17, but Force 17 officials in Tunis deny they ordered the executions [DT 10/4]. Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev states Russia may reestablish diplomatic ties with Israel if there is movement toward overall settlement to the Arab-Israeli conflict [TS 10/5]. State Dept. announces MK Meir Kahane's U.S. citizenship has been revoked because of his membership in the Israeli Knesset [WP 10/5; JP 10/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Body of an Israeli, Haim Falah, who had been shot in the head, is found in the Galilee [MG 10/7]. Anonymous caller phones Western news agency in Jerusalem and claims responsibility on behalf of Fateh's Force 17 for killing 2 other Israelis near Jerusalem; their bodies have not yet been found [MG 10/7].

Arab World: Islamic Jihad organization delivers message and Polaroid photo to 2 Beirut newspapers stating they have executed William Buckley, political officer at the U. S. embassy held hostage since March 1984, in retaliation for Israel's 10/1 air raid on PLO headquarters in Tunis, in which they said the U.S. was involved. Buckley's body has not been found, and the claim is unconfirmed [LAT 10/4; LT 10/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army bulldozes home of suspect accused of killing Israeli reservist one month earlier in Hebron's old market [JP, JTA 9/27]. Israeli court awards Ariel Sharon $2,000 for court costs in Israel in suit against Time magazine, rules Time defamed former defense minister [CSM 9/27]. Israel asks Cyprus to extradite 3 arrested in Lamaca for murder of 3 Israelis to Israel for trial [NYT 9/27]. Min. of Econ. and Planning Gad Ya'acobi reports an association of S. American businessmen interested ininvesting in Israel, particularly govt. -owned companies, is being formed UP 9/27]. High Court reduces jail sentence of Jewish underground defendant Gilad Peli from 10 to 4.5 years after he expressed remorse for his deeds and cooperated during the investigation [JP 9/27].

Military Action: Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli bus near Halhul is fired upon, injuring 7; curfew is imposed. Anonymous phone caller to Agence France Presse office in Jerusalem claims credit on behalf of Fateh's Force 17. Hundreds of Kiryat Arba settlers rampage through Halhul around midnight, smashing windows and cars, and attacking a mosque [JP 9/27, 29]. A roadside bomb is detonated by remote control on the Jerusalem-Ma'aleh Adumim highway asa car is passing; no injuries [JP 9/29]. Firebomb is thrown at another Egged bus as it passes Mt. Zion; no injuries [JTA 9/27]. Bomb explodes behind bus stop on Mt. Scopus, injuring 2;6 suspects arrested [JP 9/27].

Arab World: Israeli air force raids alleged Abu Musa base in Majdalun, Biqa' Valley, slightly injuring 1 [LT 9/28]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli army evicts 7 MKs from apartment in Hebron, declares area "a closed military zone." The 7 leave but promise to appeal legality of eviction to the High Court [NYT 8/21]. Inspector General David Kraus, Plia Albek, a senior Justice Ministry official responsible for land registration, ad Bank of Israel Governor Moshe Mandlebaum appear before Knesset State Comptroller Committee for largescale investigation into land fraud cases begun by police after upsurge in complaints following arrest of several West Bank judges early in summer on bribery charges [JP 8/21]. Ahmad Odeh, wealthy West Banker, was arrested last week on charges of involvement in illegal land sales. Al-Fajr reported he contributed $30,000 to the Likud election campaign last year [JP 8/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Booby-trapped car is detonated minutes before it explodes at central bus station in Netanya. Police round up 100 Palestinians in the vicinity. A telephone caller claims responsibility for Fateh's Force 17 [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Israeli diplomat Albert Atrakchi, 30, an administrative attache, is killed and 2 embassy employees wounded when 3 men spray their car with kalashnikov assault rifles in Cairo. "Egypt's Revolution" takes responsibility, threatens attacks until all "Israeli colonialists" leave Egypt [NYT, WP, JP 8/21]. Amal militia and the sixth brigade of the Lebanese army attack Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila with heavy bombardments; 24 refugees are injured [FJ 8/25]. Unidentified jets raid Hazerta village in the Biqa' Valley. Israel denies responsibility [JP 8/21]. Car bomb explodes in Tripoli, killing 44 and wounding 90. Caller claims responsibility on behalf of the Revolutionary Christians of the Cedars [NYT 8/21]. In Beirut, 40 are reported killed and 143 wounded in round-the-clock fighting between Christian and Muslim militias [NYT 8/21].