The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers open fire at Palestinian shepherds near Kisan, forcing them to flee. Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Bayt Rima. Israeli forces also assault a Palestinian child in Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians in Husan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also issue notices that Israel has seized 154 dunams (38 acres) of land in Deir Istiya and Haris. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, al-Shati refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Rafah, killing at least 165 people. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb near Yaroun, Zibqin, and Houla. Hezbollah attacks a site near Shtula. In Jordan, the U.S. says 3 U.S. service members are killed and 25 injured in a strike on a U.S. base near Syria, claiming the attack was carried out by Iranian-backed militant groups. Jordan says the base where the 3 U.S. soldiers are killed is in Syria. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims responsibility. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; AP, AX, NYT, REU, REU 1/29; AP, AP, AP 1/30)

More than 26,422 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 65,087 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 366 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,366 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,269 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 84 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 30 Palestinians are buried in a mass grave inside the besieged Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. Al-Amal Hospital runs out of oxygen supplies, forcing the staff to suspend all surgeries. The Israeli military declares the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing a closed military zone to prevent further protests obstructing aid deliveries to Gaza, citing the ICJ ruling on 1/26 to allow aid to enter Gaza. (HA 1/27; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; NYT, WAFA 1/29)

UNRWA spokesperson in Gaza Adnan Abu Hasna says UNRWA only has funds to provide services in Gaza until the end of February. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres says any UNRWA staffer who may have taken part in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on 10/7/23 will be held accountable, but pleads for countries that have suspended their funding for UNRWA to reverse their decisions. Japan and France follow 8 other countries in suspending funding for UNRWA. PA president Mahmoud Abbas issues a statement condemning the Israeli campaign against UNRWA, saying Israel is seeking to destroy the agency. Amnesty International calls the decisions by the countries that have suspend funding for UNRWA “sickening.” The WHO, OIC, Iran, Turkey, and Jordan call on countries to reverse their decisions.  (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; AJ, NYT, WAFA 1/29)

Mossad director David Barnea, Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, CIA director Bill Burns, Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel meet in Paris, France, discussing a ceasefire. Progress is reportedly being made on a ceasefire deal that would last 2 months and see more than 100 Israeli captives released. During the first month women, elderly, and wounded Israeli would be released while in the second month Israeli soldiers and men would be released. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls negotiations for a hostage deal “constructive.” (NYT, NYT 1/27; AJ, HA, HA, REU 1/28; REU 1/29)

12 Israeli ministers, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, and several MKs attend the Conference for the Victory of Israel – Settlement Brings Security: Returning to the Gaza Strip and Northern Samaria in Jerusalem, laying out plans for the reestablishment of 15 Israeli settlements and 6 new settlements in Gaza. The attendees are filmed dancing and celebrating the plans. Ben-Gvir tells the attendees that the “only humane solution for Gaza is the mass deportation of its inhabitants.” Smotrich says “Israeli soldiers waging war in Gaza will remain as settlers and rebuild settlements, we have come back to inherit the land.” Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi says in war “’voluntary’ is at times a state you impose [on someone] until they give their consent.” France condemns the conference. Germany calls it “totally unacceptable” and condemns the participation of “parts of the Israeli government.” U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby calls the language used by some ministers “irresponsible, reckless, incendiary.”  (AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 1/28; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/30)

The Arab League holds an extraordinary session called by the PA to reach a “unified Arab stance” on the ICJ ruling from 1/26. (AJ, WAFA 1/28)

Former House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) tells CNN that the FBI should investigate links between protesters demanding a ceasefire in Gaza and Russian president Vladimir Putin. (NYT 1/28; AJ 1/29)

NBC News reports that the Biden administration is considering scaling down weapon sales to Israel to use it as leverage to get Israel to scale back its assault on Gaza. The White House denies the reports. (HA, REU 1/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid in Dura al-Qara’. Israeli settlers also shot and injured a Palestinian in Shufa. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Burqa, injuring a Palestinian woman. Israeli settlers also opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle near Bizarya, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized olive trees near Tell. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, during raids in Shuqba and Jamma’in. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, Tarqumiyah, and Dar Salah, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina. 65 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus. Around 750 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed around 100 Palestinians, including several people sheltering at an UNRWA school in Khan Yunis. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Haifa, Israeli police violently dispersed anti-war protesters, arresting 4 and injuring others with batons. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at Israeli soldiers in Shtula, injuring 5. Israel fired artillery shells and conducted drone strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah said 2 of its members were killed. Protesters demonstrated outside of the German and U.S. embassies in Beirut. In Syria, Israel conducted airstrikes in the Quneitra province. In Turkey, 60 people, mostly police officers, were injured after protesters in Istanbul attempted to storm the Israeli consulate. There were also demonstrations in Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Iran, and the West Bank. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 3,500 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 853 children, and 12,500 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 65 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 15 children. More than 1,284 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,562 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 11,887 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The number is likely much higher as the latest data is from 10/14. The Palestinian civil defense team said that more than 1,000 Palestinians were under the rubble of buildings in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

Palestinians in the West Bank observed a general strike in protest against the Israeli airstrike that killed 471 people at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on 10/17. (WAFA, WAFA 10/18)

The Israeli military again called on Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate south to the al-Mawasi area. (AJ 10/17; HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

The PA leadership held an emergency meeting chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming a July 2023 decision to end security coordination with Israel and reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense. (WAFA 10/18)

The Knesset approved temporary legislation to allow Israeli prisons to admit new inmates beyond their legal capacity, allowing worsening conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including reducing living spaces and forcing prisoners to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The bill will be in effect for 3 months. Israel prisons have received 500 new Palestinian prisoners since 10/7, including 118 who crossed from Gaza to Israel in relation to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The Israeli High Court of Justice ruled in 2017 that prisoners must be given at least 37.7 square feet of space. The Knesset ethics panel also voted to suspend Jewish Hadash MK Ofer Cassif from the Knesset for 45 days and revoked his salary for 14 days over his anti-war stance. (AJ, HA 10/18; HA 10/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden landed in Israel for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and the war cabinet. Biden was supposed to travel to Amman for meetings with President Abbas, Jordanian king Abdullah II, and Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, but the meetings were cancelled by the 3 leaders after Israel bombed al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing 471 people. Biden told Netanyahu during a meeting that “it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you” in reference to the hospital bombing. Biden cautioned Israel not to be consumed by rage, saying the U.S. made mistakes after 9/11. Biden also announced $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians as the Senate was working on passing a bill providing $10 billion in extra military aid to Israel. Biden said aid to Gaza could start arriving on 10/20, as Egypt needs to “patch the road” to the crossing. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) blocked an attempt by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) to prevent the Biden administration from dispersing the $100 million in aid to Palestinians. 33 Democratic senators urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lead efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. Around 300 Jewish Americans were arrested at the U.S. Capitol while protesting Israel’s war in Gaza. The protest was arranged by Jewish Voice for Peace. (HA 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 10/18; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 10/19; AJ 10/20)

After President Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Israel will not allow aid from its territory to enter Gaza until the captives are returned. The statement also said Israel demands that the Red Cross be able to visit the captives and that Israel will not “thwart” humanitarian aid from Egypt as long as it only consists of food, water, and medicine. (AJ 10/17; AJ, HA 10/18)

President el-Sisi said during a press conference with German chancellor Olaf Schulz that Israel could allow Palestinians in Gaza to stay in the Naqab desert until Israel can “do what they wish to do with the militant operatives in the Gaza Strip.” El-Sisi also spoke with President Biden about aid coming through the Rafah crossing. Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan met with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in the sidelines of an OIC meeting in Jeddah, discussing the situation in Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian called on the OIC members to sanction Israel and expel Israeli ambassadors. The OIC called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to lift the siege of Gaza. (AP 10/16; AJ 10/17; AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; WAFA 10/19)

The U.S. blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for humanitarian access to Gaza, protection of civilians, and condemning Hamas’ operation in Israel. The resolution, introduced by Brazil, was approved by 12 members of the Security Council, while Russia and the UK abstained. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called “for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East.” (AJ 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU 10/18)

U.S. State Department director of the office of public and congressional affairs Josh Paul resigned in protest over the Biden administration’s policy toward the Israeli assault on Gaza and its “impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia.” (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, NYT 10/19)

Jewish Currents reported that the Palestinian academics and analysts Noura Erakat, Yousef Munayyer, and Omar Baddar had their interviews cut from segments on CBS and CNN. MSNBC last week temporarily removed 3 Muslim hosts, Mehdi Hasan, Ali Velshi, and Ayman Mohyeldin, who is Palestinian, from their programming. (JC 10/18)

In the West Bank, Palestinians threw stones at an Israeli settler vehicle, setting it on fire after the settler couple fled the scene. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd near Yatta, injuring his foot. Israeli settlers also set up a mobile home and water tanks near Nabi al-‘Awja. Israeli forces issued orders that it will seize 20 dunams (4.95 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for a military zone near Ni‘lin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Kafr Ni‘ma, Beit Liqya, Nablus, and Hebron; 6 were injured during the raids in Dheisheh refugee camp and Kafr Ni‘ma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently removed Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including in al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring 19, including 3 with baton rounds and arresting 450. 397 of the Palestinians detained were released by 4/6 but banned from entering the compound for 1 week, 47 were transferred to the Ofer prison, and 6 continued to be held in Jerusalem. Israeli police also caused damage to property inside of the mosque, including at the health clinic, smashing windows and causing damage from stun, tear gas, and smoke grenades. Israeli police claimed that 1 officer was injured in the leg by a stone thrown at him. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor near Silwan. In Israel, 2 Israeli soldiers were stabbed and injured near an army base at the Tzrifin junction, 1 Palestinian man was arrested for the attack. (ALM, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFAv 4/4; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, MDW, MEE, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; PCHR 4/6; HA, HA, HA, MEE 4/7; AJ 4/8; HA 4/10; UNOCHA 4/20)

The PA, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Turkey, and the UAE condemned the Israeli raid (see above). Several European countries, the UN, and the U.S. expressed concern about the events. (HA 4/4; AJ, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; WAFA 4/7; WAFA 4/8; WAFA 4/9; MEMO 4/11)

HaMoked reported that the number of Palestinian administrative detainees had passed 1,000 for the first time since 2003. (AP 4/4; WAFA 4/8)

In Syria, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes over Damascus, killing 2 civilians and causing damage. (AJ, ALM 4/3; HA 4/4; AP 4/5; AJ 4/10)

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak acknowledged in a since deleted tweet that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. (MEE 4/7)

Israel’s Channel 12 reported on a leaked phone call between Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and police commissioner Kobi Shabtai in which Shabtai tells Ben-Gvir that it is in the nature of Palestinian citizens of Israel to kill each other. Shabtai told Ben-Gvir that there is nothing they can do about the high murder rate among Palestinian citizens of Israel, “[t]hey kill each other. That is their nature. That is the mentality of the Arabs.” MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the Hadash party, called on Shabtai to resign while MK Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, called on him to apologize. (TOI 4/4; MEMO 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested the father of a Palestinian teen who is alleged to have stabbed 2 Israeli settlers in East Jerusalem before he was killed by Israeli forces. The arrest of the father led to clashes with Palestinians in Ubwin near Ramallah; no injuries were reported. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrested 25 Palestinians in raids throughout the city. (WAFA, WAFA 6/1)

Israeli forces struck targets in southwestern Syria near Quneitra after 2 rockets were fired at the Golan Heights from Syria, 1 hitting a chairlift cable. Different sources reported that between 3 and 10 people were killed in the Israeli strikes on Syria. (HA 6/2; HA, HA 6/3)

The 57 members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation released a joint statement after a meeting in Saudi Arabia calling on countries that have moved their embassy to Jerusalem to reverse their decision as it constitutes “a serious violation of international law and international legitimacy,” according to their statement. (AJ, WAFA 6/1; MDW 6/2)

The EU released a statement saying it is “strongly opposed to Israel’s settlement policy, including in East Jerusalem, which is illegal under international law and an obstacle to peace.” The statement follows Israel’s Housing Ministry’s issuance of tenders for 805 housing units in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA, WAFA 6/1)

Morocco hosts a mtg. of the Jerusalem Comm. of the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) to discuss PA-Israeli final status talks on the city. (AYM 8/28 in WNC 8/29; MM, WP, WT 8/29; JT 8/29 in WNC 8/30; MM 8/31; JT 9/10 in WNC 9/12) (see Doc. A1)

In Paris, French FM Hubert Vedrine briefs Israel's Ben-Ami on Pres. Jacques Chirac's talks with Syrian FM Shara` on 8/27. Afterward, Ben-Ami says Israel cannot hold talks with Syria now. (AFP 8/28 in WNC 8/29; Globes 8/28 in WNC 8/30)

Palestinian demonstrations continue in Hebron after settlers reenter PA sector, smash car windows. PA police, IDF disperse protesters. From 60 to 100 Palestinians have been injured in West Bank clashes since 3/10. (WP, WT 3/15; ITV 3/16 in WNC 3/17; WT 3/16; MM 3/17) (see 3/13)

In Afula, Israel, a small bomb explodes in a bus station, injuring an Israeli man who was seen moving a box just moments before. (WP, WT 3/15; PR 3/20)

On his way to a 2-day Organization of the Islamic Conference mtg. in Doha, Arafat stops briefly in Cairo to confer with Pres. Mubarak on the peace process. (MENA 3/14 in WNC 3/17)

In Damascus, Iran, Syria discuss upgrading cultural relations, exchanges. (IRNA 3/14 in WNC 2/17) (see 3/13)

Despite ramifications of the failed assassination attempt 9/25, Israeli Infrastructures M Sharon vows that Israel will eventually kill Hamas political leader Mishal. (ITV 3/14 in WNC 3/17; NYT 3/15; MM 3/16; al-Dustur 3/17 in WNC 3/19, 3/20; PR 3/20; NYT 3/25; MEI 3/27; JT 5/3 in WNC 5/6)

In Cairo, reps. fr. the Arab League, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the OIC, the PA, Syria end wk.-long mtg. on Israeli policies toward the Palestinians, peace process. (JT 12/31 in WNC 1/2)

In Cairo, PA Planning M Shaath briefs Egyptian FM Musa, Mubarak adviser Osama Baz on the peace process. (MENA 12/30 in WNC 1/1)

Jordan says that the experimental stage during which Israeli planes use the Aqaba airport is proceeding well, both sides are satisfied with results. (al-Dustur 12/30 in WNC 1/1)

Ramadan begins. (WP, WT 12/31)

Netanyahu discusses FRD informally with ministerial team. Cabinet puts off for at least 1 wk. discussion of extent, timing of FRD. (ITV 12/7 in WNC 12/9; WP, WT 12/8)

In Cairo, Arafat briefs Pres. Mubarak on his mtg. (12/6) with Secy. of State Albright. (MENA 12/7 in WNC 12/9)

In Tehran, 2-day mtg. of the FMs of the 55 Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) states to prepare the agenda of the upcoming OIC session closes. FMs agree on draft resolution calling for halt to normalization with Israel (including closing interest offices, halting military cooperation) to punish it for "reinstating an atmosphere of war." FMs attending include Egypt's Musa, Syria's Shara`, Lebanon's Buwayz. (IRNA, ITV 12/7 in WNC 12/9; WT 12/8)

Under pressure fr. the public, Histadrut calls an end to its 5-day-old strike. (MM 12/8, 12/23) (see 12/3)

PM Netanyahu, DM Mordechai, FM Levy discuss 1st phase of further redeployment (FRD). (WT 3/23)

In Washington, Arafat meets with U.S. pres. Bill Clinton, Secy. of State Madeleine Albright. (MM, WT 3/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/4; MM 3/5; WJW 3/6; MEI 3/7; WJW 3/13)

Palestinians in East Jerusalem, Gaza, West Bank observe general strike to protest Israel's Har Homa and other construction plans. (MM 3/3; CSM, NYT, WT 3/4; MEI 3/7)

The 54-mbr. Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) and Iran formally condemn Israel's plans to build at Har Homa. (VIRI 3/3 in WNC 3/7; MM 3/4)

Turkey dispatches a special envoy to Iran. Both countries blame the media for recent tensions. (VIRI 3/4 in WNC 3/10) (see 2/26)

Japanese envoy arrives in Damascus fr. Beirut to discuss with Syrian pres. Asad the extradition fr. Lebanon of 5 Red Army mbrs. Syria says it will not block the transfer. (MM 3/4; Kyodo [Tokyo] 3/4, 3/6 in WNC 3/7; AFP, Kyodo 3/4 in WNC 3/10; MM 3/5) (see 3/2)

A Syrian bus carrying 9 Japanese tourists comes under fire nr. Baalbeck, Lebanon, causing no injuries. (MM 3/5)

New EU rotating head, Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez arrives in Jerusalem on 1st leg of regional tour to show EU political, economic support of the peace process; meets with PM Rabin then with Arafat. (MM 9/12; JP 9/12 in FBIS 9/13; JP 9/23)

Lebanese M Michel al-Murr travels to Damascus to ask Pres. Asad to forbid entry to Palestinians deported fr. Libya unless they have visas to continue on to Lebanon. PM Hariri stresses that Lebanon is fully coordinating its position on the deportees with Syria. (MM 9/12)

U.S. protests Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC) plan to hold conference in Jerusalem 10/17-19. 70 states, excl. Israel have been invited. Arab League, OIC say U.S. approved plans 4 mos ago, but Israel's recent complaints let to formal U.S. disapproval. U.S. denies this. (WT 9/12)

PFLP mbrs Shahar and Yusuf Ra'i, wanted by Israel for killing 2 Israelis 7/18, are sentenced by the PA military court in Jericho to 7 yrs each. Israeli Justice M Liba'i calls trials a violation of the Oslo agmt. meant to avoid extraditing the pair. FM Peres says PA is not violating the DOP. (MM 9/12; IDF Radio, QY 9/12, QY 9/13 in FBIS 9/13; NYT 9/13) (see 8/27)

Likud party defector David Levy releases his new party's political platform, calling for secure peace; terming itself a "national-social centrist party" filling a vacuum btwn. the radical right (Likud), radical left (Labor); vowing not to withdraw fr. West Bank or give up Jerusalem, any settlements. (MA, QY 9/11 in FBIS 9/12)

The Israeli Interior Min. rejects Jonathan Pollard's request for citizenship. Pollard is currently jailed in the U.S. for spying on behalf of Israel. (QY 9/11 in FBIS 9/12; MM 9/29)

3 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in clash with IDF in s. Lebanon. (RL 9/11 in FBIS 9/12)

Palestinians clash with IDF in Hebron, Ramallah.  (WT 6/6)

IDF closes 4 entrances to Nur Shams r.c., nr. Tulkarm.  (UNRWA News 6/15)

Nabil Shaath says world community "moving very, very slowly" on aid to Palestinian self-rule areas, PLO needs "bridging measures."  $7 m. received of $2.4 b. in aid pledged, according to Shaath.  (Qol Yisra'el 6/5 in FBIS 6/6; WT 6/8)

GCC foreign ministers issue statement "welcom[ing]" 5/4 Cairo Agreement as "positive step" toward "comprehensive" solution to Arab-Israeli conflict.  (Saudi TV 6/5 in FBIS 6/6)

Conservative Labor MKs form "3d Way" lobby group to limit amount of o.t. land ceded to Palestinians.  Group includes Agriculture M Yaacov Tsur, Dep. DM Mordechai Gur, 19 of 44 Labor MKs.  Lobby opposes Palestinian state, return to 1967 borders.  Group's outline of future o.t. settlement resembles "Allon Plan" of 1970s.  (WT 6/6; WJW 6/9)

Official Lebanese sources say Syria, Iran pressuring Hizballah to cease firing katyushas at Israel.  Reports follow 6/4 visit of Iranian FM Ali Akbar Velayati to Damascus.  (WT 6/6)

Arab League, Organization of the Islamic Conference condemn recent Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon.  (MENA, SPA 6/5 in FBIS 6/6)

Russian Chief of Staff Col. Gen. Mikhail Kolesnikov opens 3-day visit to Syria. (WT 6/21)

IDF kills 3 Palestinians-1 each in Jerusalem, Tulkarm, and Gaza Strip-protesting Hebron massacre. 50 Palestinians wounded. Demonstrations throughout o.t. and in Israeli-Arab towns of Jaffa, Ramla, and Nazareth and in Galilee villages. 40 Israeli Arabs arrested in Nazareth, 10 in Ramla. Closure imposed on West Bank Palestinians and total curfew on Hebron; IDF guards posted at entrance to Qiryat Arba settlement. Qiryat Arba settlers travel under IDF escort. (Qol Yisra'el 2/26 in FBIS 2/28; NYT, WP, WT 2/27; WP 2/28)

PLO Chmn. Arafat demands international protection for Palestinians in o.t. Israel-PLO talks in Cairo, Taba postponed pending decision of PLO leaders. Arafat recalls PLO negotiators fr. Cairo, Paris, and Washington for consultations, emergency mtg. of PLO Exec. Comm. Israeli FM Peres accepts Pres. Clinton's invitation to shift talks to Washington, but rejects international presence in o.t. (MENA 2/26, 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; NYT, WP, WT 2/27)

UNSC debates Hebron massacre for 5 hours, takes no action. PLO, Organization of the Islamic Conference request international protection for Palestinians. U.S. delegation opposes monitors. (NYT, WP 2/27; NYT 2/28)

Demonstrations against Hebron massacre in Palestinian r.c.s throughout Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. King Hussein declares 3 days of mourning. (NYT 2/27)

At Islamic Conference Org. mini-summit in Dakar, Senegal, Chmn. Arafat states Palestinians will not participate in upcoming peace talks unless UNSCR 799 is implemented. At Arab FMs meeting in Cairo, PLO FM Faruq al-Qaddumi and Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd-Rabbuh reaffirm this stand. (MENA 1/11 in FBIS 1/11; MM 1/12)

At Arab FMs meeting in Cairo, Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara' says the bilateral talks are in the Arabs' interest and should not be stopped, while "Israel wants many things" in the multilateral talks, so it is those that should be suspended. (Syria and Lebanon have boycotted the multilaterals from the outset). (Reuters in MM 1/12)

U.S. State Dept. announces "strong desire to avoid having the UNSC face the Chapter 7 sanctions issue" regarding the 12/17 Palestinian deportees. (MM 1/12)

Saudi press downplays diplomatic importance of PLO official Mahmud Abbas' visit, saying he has "no other objectives" than to attend a Fateh anniversary celebration in Riyadh (see 1/9). In evening speech, Abbas regrets Palestinian Gulf crisis stand, hopes that "this event . . . will not remain a barrier" between Palestinians and the Gulf states. Prince Salman bin 'Abd al-'Aziz says Saudi Arabia is committed "at all levels" to the Palestinian cause, a stand that has never changed. (SPA 1/11 in MM 1/11; RMC 1/12 in FBIS 1/13)

Arab League unanimously votes to boycott chemical weapons talks in Paris 1/13- 14 to protest Israel's continued refusal to sign the 1967 Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. (MENA 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; NYT 1/14)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli zoning inspectors order destruction of 2 houses in Dahayshah camp. Palestinians consider the action a "dangerous precedent" since zoning officials have no authority in refugee camps [FJ 1/30].

Arab World: Egyptian Pres. Mubarak and Syrian Pres. al-Asad hold meetings at Islamic Summit in Kuwait [BG 1/28]. Kuwaiti news agency reports Terry Waite is under house arrest in Lebanon [GU 2/2; FJ 1/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops surround al-Najah University while students on campus celebrate Fateh Day [FJ 1/30; NYT 1/28].

Arab World: 'Ali Abu Tawq, Fateh's "political and military coordinator in Beirut," is killed in shelling at Shatila camp [FJ 1/30].