The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Peres and Shamir reach compromise on new government, ending three-day deadlock (WP, NYT 10/17). Israeli Foreign Ministry delivers protest to Egyptian ambassador on PLO statement of involvement in 10/15 bombing in Jerusalem announced from Cairo (NYT 10/17). Israeli police arrest two Palestinians in connection with 10/15 bombing (JP 10/20). Israel bans suspects (residents of West Bank) from crossing Jordan River into Jordan (NYT 10/17).

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli Phantom jet shot down over Lebanon, while IDF warplanes launch large-scale attack on Palestinian camp of Mieh Mieh, 13th and reportedly largest raid this year (4 are killed, 12 wounded). Warships bombard camp from Sidon coast. Israeli helicopters rescue one of the crewmen 90 minutes after plane was shot down; other crewmen are reportedly held by Shi'i militiamen (WP, NYT 10/17; WP 10/18).

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Pres. Mubarak asks France to organize intl. conference on M.E. peace to contact "both parties" - Israel and the Palestinians - in preparation for real conference [NYT, JTA 1/30]. Mubarak holds talks with W. German officials [NYT 1/30].

Other Countries: British Foreign Office stops processing documents on behalf of Arab Boycott Office, following visit by P.M. Peres [JTA 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gunman carrying Jordanian army papers crosses Jordan River, kills 2 Israeli soldiers on patrol, wounds 2 others before he is shot to death [NYT, LAT 1/30].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes bomb Palestinian guerrilla bases in S. Lebanon, killing at least 5, wounding 6; Israeli army states targets were 3 houses used by opposition PLO factions, including Abu Musa's Fateh faction, which claimed responsibility for 1/26 bombing of Jerusalem restaurant [WP, LAT 1/30]. Vacuum bombs were reportedly used in the raid [FJ 1/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Agriculture Ministry announces plans to build reservoir in the Jordan Rift Valley in coming year to draw on water from the Jordan River [JP 1/17].

Arab World: Elie Hubayqa resigns as head of Lebanese Forces, flees the country; 11 Muslim factions advance on Jumayyil's forces [NYT, WP 1/17].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli soldier wounded in S. Lebanon security zone by roadside bomb [JP 1/17].

Other Countries: New York Times reports Soviet Union has stationed 2 destroyers and intelligence-gathering ships off Israeli coast, apparently to give Libya early warning of any possible Israeli air strike; Soviet surveillance aircraft have increased monitoring of activities across Mediterranean [NYT 1/17].