The Palestine Chronology

The IDF retakes Bethlehem, which had had only a small troop presence since the IDF turned the security of city over to the PSF on 8/19/02; imposes a curfew; surrounds the Church of the Nativity to prevent armed Palestinians fr. seeking refuge there; conducts arrest raids, detaining 20 Palestinians; blows up the house rented by the family of the 11/21 bomber; encircles nearby Dahaysha r.c.; occupies 15 buildings, including a hospital, orphanage, 2 houses, 6 police stations, the local PSF headquarters; occupies as many as 30 Palestinian homes in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, expelling the families; raids the home of Israeli UNRWA worker Allegra Pacheco, holding her at gunpoint for 2 hrs., arresting her husband. Senior Irish UNRWA official Iain Hook is fatally shot inside the UNRWA’s Jenin r.c. compound by an IDF soldier who mistook his cell phone for a grenade as an IDF operation unfolded nearby to capture wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Abdallah Wahash, who is arrested; an 11-yr.-old Palestinian throwing stones at the troops is also shot dead. The IDF also raids, shells residential areas of, demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Qarara; bulldozes 8 dunams of land in al-Qarara, 28 dunams s. of Dayr al-Balah; conducts house searches, arrest raids in Satar al-Sharqiyya (targeting Hamas mbrs.), Tulkarm. A Hamas sniper fatally shoots an IDF soldier on patrol nr. Gush Katif settlement. Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. the Rafah-Egypt border, injuring 2 IDF soldiers. Late this evening, 2 Islamic Jihad suicide bombers detonate their explosives-packed boat next to an Israeli naval patrol boat off the coast of Gaza, injuring 4 IDF soldiers. (HA, MM, NYT, PM, WP, WT 11/22; AFP 11/22 in WNC 11/25; AP, HA, NYT, WP, WT 11/23; NYT, WP 11/24; HA 11/25; NYT, WT 11/26; HA, LAW, PCHR 11/27; CSM, JP, WJW 11/28; HA 12/2; NYT 1/4)

Christian Coalition leaders end a wk. long solidarity visit to Israel, saying they will use their “fact-finding mission” to help galvanize support for Israel in the U.S. (WT 11/27)

Before dawn, the IDF sends troops into Palestinian areas in and around Hebron, storming the local PA headquarters, demolishing 1 building in the compound, killing 4 PSF officers, wounding 7, arresting around 200. With the reoccupation of Hebron, 700,000 West Bank Palestinians are under 24-hr. curfew. Curfews are lifted for several hrs. in Bethlehem, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm. The IDF also makes an incursion into Araba, shooting and seriously wounding an 8-yr.-old Palestinian girl; conducts arrest raids in Rafah, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes completely, 3 partially; fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly threw a grenade at an IDF post nr. Qarni crossing, causing no damage or injuries; halts an ambulance transporting 2 wounded Palestinians to a Ramallah hospital, forcing the driver, 1 patient to exit the ambulance for a search. (LAW, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/25; LAW, NYT, PRCS press release, WP, WT 6/26; MM, PCHR 6/27)

Israel begins broadcasting an Arabic language satellite channel. (MEI 6/28; MM 7/10)

Before dawn, the IDF reoccupies Askar r.c., Balata r.c., Camp No. 1, Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c.; reinforces troops around Hebron; imposes 24-hr. curfews on Aida r.c., Awarta, Bayt Furik, Bayt Jala, Dayr al-Ghusun, Hawara, Jarushiyya, al-Khadir, Sayta, Shuwayka, al-Til. In Jenin, troops blow up a building, also collapsing a house next door, killing 1 Palestinian boy. Later, an IDF tank opens fire with shells, machine guns on a crowded market in Jenin, killing 4 Palestinians, injuring 26 among 100s who had gathered to shop, believing that the IDF had eased the curfew; 20 cars, 30 stores are also destroyed. (In another neighborhood, 2 children playing in front of their home are killed when the IDF fires a tank round to break up a crowd "violating the curfew," which residents thought had been lifted.) In Shaykh Ajlin, the IDF opens fire on a group of Palestinian children and an AP reporter, killing 1 Palestinian boy. In Gaza, Palestinians fire an anti-tank rocket at an IDF post, seriously injuring 1 soldier; the IDF demolishes a naval police post, bulldozes 4.5 dunams of Palestinian land in response. Nr. Erez crossing, a Palestinian throws a grenade at an IDF checkpoint, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF fatally shoots him, also killing 2 Palestinian laborers waiting to cross the checkpoint. Following a funeral settlers killed on 6/20, Jewish settlers attack the Palestinian village of Hawara (see 6/17), killing 1 Palestinian, firing on and throwing rocks at buildings, setting a car and shop ablaze, attacking journalists. (AP, LAW, WP 6/21; XIN 6/21, MA 6/23 in WNC 6/24; NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/22; HP 6/23; PRCS press release 6/24; LAW 6/26; PCHR 6/27; MEI 6/28; HA 7/2; BBC, HA 7/5)

The Israeli inner cabinet agrees in principle to expel the families of Palestinian suicide bombers fr. the West Bank to Gaza as a "disincentive for attackers." (NYT, WP, WT 6/22; HP, JPI, NYT 6/23; MM 6/24, 6/27; MEI 6/28)

Palestinians fire up to 6 mortars, several grenades at an IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage. The IDF fires a shell at a Palestinian vehicle in Khan Yunis, injuring 5 Palestinians. Around 1,000 Palestinian demonstrators clash with IDF soldiers at a checkpoint outside al-Bireh. Another serious clash is reported in Tulkarm. The IDF also directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur, Silat al-Dahir; bulldozes Palestinian land nr. Salfit; places a closure on Bayt Furik; tightens the closure on Dayr Istya, Qalqilya; sets up new blockades, checkpoints around Azun, Nablus, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers raise 10s of trees in Dayr Balut, cut of running water to 6 Palestinian villages nr. Nablus. (AFP [Internet], HP 6/29; HP, NYT, WP 6/30)

Around 100 Israeli, international peace activists attempt to reach the Palestinian village of al-Khadir, nr. Bethlehem, where they have planned to set up a "peace camp" with local Palestinians to protest ongoing Israeli violence. The activists are halted outside the village by the IDF, which says the area is a closed military zone, although settlers passes unimpeded. When the activists set up a nonviolent roadblock to settler vehicles, Israeli police arrest the organizers, forces the others onto their busses and back to Tel Aviv. Inside al-Khadir, 150 Palestinian participants also demonstrate, but the IDF disperses them with gunfire, wounding 4, and imposes a curfew. (Gush Shalom press release 6/29)

On the sidelines of a conference in Lisbon, Arafat, Peres hold talks on maintaining the cease-fire. (RTP Internacional TV [Lisbon] 6/30 in WNC 7/2; AFP [Internet], NYT, WT 7/1; MM 7/2, 7/5)

Hizballah fires rockets at an IDF post in Shaba` Farms, injuring 2 soldiers. Israel sends warplanes into Lebanese air space 5-6 times. (Daily Star [Internet] 6/30; al-Safir 6/30 in WNC 7/2; WT 7/1: MM, WP, WT 7/2; al-Safir 7/4, SA 7/5 in WNC 7/7; MEI 7/13)

The IDF directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Rafah, Salim; tightens the closures on Salim, Tulkarm, several villages nr. Ramallah; places new checkpoints at 2 intersections outside Tulkarm, a new observation tower at al-Muntar crossing in Gaza; extends the curfews on PA-areas of Hebron for the 3d day, on Silat al-Dahir for the 8th day; imposes a curfew on Dayr Istya; opens fire on a PSF checkpoint at the entrance to Qalqilya, causing no injuries; conducts an arrest sweep in Abruqin; fires on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Rafah. Palestinians fire on Jewish settlers in the West Bank, causing no damage; fire antitank grenades at an IDF post in Gaza and detonate a roadside bomb nr. an IDF patrol nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. Jewish settlers open fire on a bus transporting Palestinian workers, injuring 9; set fire to Palestinian trees in Dayr Istya. A Palestinian, possibly a collaborator, is found shot dead in Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. (HP, JT [Internet] 6/27; HP, NYT 6/28)

After a brief stop in Egypt to confer with Mubarak and urge him to press Arafat to halt violence, Powell opens mtgs. with Israeli, PA officials on strengthening their cease-fire. Powell reiterates that, while the U.S. does not believe that complete quite is likely or necessary for implementation of Tenet's plan to move forward, only Sharon can decide what level of violence is low enough. (MM 6/27; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/28; WP 7/1; MEI 7/13)

Survivors of the Sabra-Shatila massacre file a suit against Israeli PM Sharon in Lebanese court. (Daily Star [Internet] 6/28; JT 7/29 in WNC 7/30)

In Gaza, Palestinians fire a large-caliber mortar, antitank grenades a 2 IDF border posts, lightly wounding 1 soldier, damaging 1 building. Some 150 Jewish settlers set fire to Palestinian cars, 15 dunams of wheat fields, some 1,700 olive trees nr. Nablus; attack farmers attempting to put out the fires. The IDF imposes a curfew on Bayt Lahia. (AP 6/21; NYT, WT 6/22; PMC 6/22; LAW 6/23; HP 6/26)

On the 4th day of Palestinian-Israeli clashes, another attempt to secure a cease-fire fails, and rioting spreads to Israeli cities, including Acre, Jaffa, Nazareth, Tel Aviv, and Israeli Arab towns across the Galilee. In Umm al-Fahm, 1 Israeli Arab is shot dead by Israeli police, sparking massive rioting. In the West Bank and Gaza, the IDF rolls out heavy weapons--including tanks, antitank missiles, attack helicopters, grenades--to combat stone-throwing Palestinians, resulting in another 12 Palestinian fatalities, over 200 Palestinians wounded. The 1st IDF soldier is killed in street clashes (see 9/29). Jewish settlers in Jerusalem open fire on a Palestinian car, killing a toddler. The 1st confirmed incidents of Palestinians shooting at IDF troops take place in Gaza and Ramallah, but no IDF injuries are reported. The IDF places a 24-hr. curfew on Palestinians in Hebron. Israel states that its troops have "exercised restraint," accuses the PA of "orchestrating a campaign of spreading violence for political gain." Clinton phones Arafat to urge him to halt the violence; says that once the fighting stops, he will convene PA, Israeli security officials for a fact-finding session "to figure out what went wrong." (PCHR 10/1; IRNA, MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2; AFP 10/1, IRNA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; AP, CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; HA [Internet], MM, NYT 10/3; MEI 10/13)

On his 1st official visit abroad as head of state, Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad arrives in Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak. Talks touch on bilateral relations, the peace process, Jerusalem. (MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2, 10/3)

In Amman, Jordanians, Palestinians demonstrate against Israel's use of excessive force against Palestinians. (JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Negev desert, 3 Palestinian gunmen hijack Israeli commuter bus. Israeli troops storm bus, killing hijackers; 3 passengers are killed, 8 injured [WP 3/8]. Jewish settler whose van is halted by road block in W. Bank village of Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah opens fire, killing Palestinian bystander [WP 3/28].

Arab World: Fateh claims responsibility for Negev desert hijacking [WP 3/8]. PLO officials Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) and 'Abd al-Rahim Ahmad arrive in Amman for meetings of Palestinian-Jordanian Joint Com. [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Paestinian attacks IDF patrol with gunfire and hand grenades, slightly wounding 1 soldier. Soldiers respond with live ammunition, wounding 7 [WP, LAT 3/8]. Palestinian is killed after being hit in face by tear gas canister. Soldiers impose curfew in Idna village after violent clashes in which at least 7 were injured. IDF uses half-tracks, live ammunition to disperse large demonstration in Nablus [FJ 3/13]. In Hebron-region village of Dura, protesters set fire to municipal building and car belonging to Israeli-appointed mayor. Army demolishes 2 houses in Biddu village near Ramallah [FJ 3/13]. Soldiers prevent faculty members and students from entering Bethlehem U. campus [FJ 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Four houses in 'Ain Beit al-Ma' refugee camp near Nablus are sealed. Israeli spokesman says houses belong to families of youth accused of several recent gasoline bomb attacks [FJ 8/23]. Balata refugee camp near Nablus is put under curfew following 8/15 shooting of the mukhtar. Residents are subjected to 48 hours of continuous search, harassment, and interrogation [FJ 8/23]. Foreign Min. Shamir, speaking at a public meeting in Ganei Tikva, says prosecution of individuals involved in fraudulent land deals in the occupied territories should not be allowed to challenge entire settlement process [JP 8/18]. Jewish Week reports 70,000 Palestinians from the occupied territories work inside the green line and as many as 50,000 of them sleep inside the green line without proper authorization from the labor exchanges, according to testimony presented to Knesset Interior Committee [JW 8/16]. The Washington Post reports Egyptian tour groups have started visiting Israel; Egyptian businessmen are being granted import licenses for Israeli goods for the first time since 1982 [WP 8/17]. Honduras announces it will send resident ambassador to Israel. Israel is reported to be planning aid to Honduras. Israeli officials state Honduras has not asked for military aid [JWP 8/16].

Arab World: The Economist reports on conditions in Sabra, Shatila, and Burj al-Barajinah, as observed by the British charity group Medical Aid for Palestinians, following the siege: of 70,000 original inhabitants of the camps, nearly 18,000 have fled to makeshift shelters in other parts of Beirut; 14,000 have moved to southern Lebanon; 1,500 were captured; Palestinians inside the camps have buried 638, mostly civilians; Gaza Hospital was bumed; there are only 9 Palestinian doctors and less than 20 foreign medical assistants left; water and food are being let through, but there is no protection for the Palestinians [EC 8/16]. U.S. special envoy Richard Murphy arrives in Egypt to confer with President Husni Mubarak on latest attempts to revive stalled Middle East peace negotiations [LAT, NYT 8/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hand grenade is thrown at military car parked next to city hospital in Ramallah. Curfew is imposed, several youths are arrested [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Fighting in Beirut spreads from southern Beirut to engulf the whole city; 19 killed and 82 wounded [NYT 8/17]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Prime Minister Peres proposes alternative peace plan to King Hussein's, based on "direct talks" with Jordanians and non-PLO Palestinians, with U.S. participation [NYT 6/11]. Nablus village of Bidya and neighboring villages placed under curfew by IDF following hand grenade attack on Israeli military vehicle [FJ 6/14].

Arab World: SLA captures French colonel involved in negotiations for release of Finns; he's later released: Gen. Antoine Lahd calls seizure a "mistake" [NYT 6/10].

Military Action

Arab World: Jerusalem Post reports IDF recently destroyed 8 homes of southem Lebanese thought to have fired rockets at IDF and SLA positions in security zone UP 6/10]. Last IDF combat battalion withdraws from Lebanon; undisclosed number of patrols, advisers, and observers remain [NYT 6/11]. Rockets hit settlements in northern Israel [LT 6/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Local newspapers carry Agence France Presse report indicating IDF imposed greatest number of harsh sentences on residents of occupied territories in 1984 than any year since 1967; 5,226 convicted in 1984, 64% increase over 1983 [Fl 4/12].

Arab World: Chmn. Arafat meets with delegation of US congressional representatives [LAT 4/12, JP 4/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 1 Border Policeman injured by grenade thrown at patrol in Sa'ir; curfew imposed, several arrested [JP 4/14].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF withdraw from Nabatiya, Jabaa, Habbush, Ansar, Jibsheet, Humin al-Fawqa, Nabatiyah al-Fawqa; retain control of Beaufort Castle [WP, FT, NYT 4/12]. IDF major killed, 2nd soldier wounded, by mine in Hasbaya region [JP 4/14].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Foreign Min. official David Kimche summons diplomats from UNIFIL, UN Sec. Council nations for explanation of recent anti-resistance campaign in S. Lebanon; accuses Pres. Gemayel of provoking violence [PI 3/6]. MK's Meir Cohen-Avidov, Yuval Ne'eman return from US with pledges of $70,000 for Keren Hebron fund, a taxdeductible US charity for families of Jewish underground defendants [JP 3/5]. Palestinian prisoners at Jnaid, Nafha prisons initiate hunger strike in solidarity with striking inmates at Ashkelon prison (begun 2/22) [FJ 3/8]. Clash between nationalists and Islamic fundamentalist factions injures 8 at Islamic U., Gaza; 20 arrested; studies suspended for one day [FJ 3/8]. Jewish underground defendant Dan Be'eri plea bargains with Jerusalem District Court to reduce number of charges against him in connection with plot to blow up al-Haram al-Sharif [JP 3/6]. Strike called by 52 Palestinian town councils ends after Interior Min. promises to cover their municipal debts totalling IS 1.4 billion [FJ 3/8].

Arab World: Thousands of Shi'ites march in Beirut protesting 3/4, IDF raid on Ma'rakah [WP 3/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at IDF patrol in Sa'ir; IDF detain over 150, destroy property; 24-hr. curfew imposed. [MG, FJ, JP 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jiftlik farmers refute DM Rabin's claim that demolition (11/11) there done for security reasons. Att. Gen. Zamir recommends Knesset to limit MK Kahane's Knesset privilege of movement throughout country. Transport Min. suspends sea capt. Gilad for 60 days for forcing Kenyan stowaway out to sea in 1982.

Arab World: Lebanese & Israeli delegations hold 3rd round of talks on IDF withdrawal; both sides report discussions had "positive elements."

Other Countries: 2 Israeli delegations begin talks with US officials in Washington on increasing aid to Israel.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Grenade thrown at army guards at Ramallah municipality, but fails to explode. Israeli troops besiege Balata camp near Nablus as demonstrators raise Palestinian flags; residents repel troops by throwing rocks; curfew imposed.

Arab World: Grenade thrown at IDF patrol at al-Harib, S. Lebanon wounds 1 soldier.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 4-day curfew lifted in Dheisheh camp. Dheisheh resident Isa Abed Rabu formally charged with murder of 2 Israelis (10/22); defendant claims act of vengence for Shin Bet killing of his brother 2 yrs. ago. UNRWA closes Tira Teachers Seminary (al-Bireh) after 1-mo.-closure threat from authorities if student disturbances continue. Halhoul Local Council elects Hasan Hijazi as mayor. S. African FM Botha arrives in Tel Aviv for 3-day visit.

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat speaks before 15th Arab Lawyer's Federation in Tunis.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Petrol bomb hurled at Israeli vehicle near Ramallah market; no damage.

Arab World: IDF soldier wounded by light weapons fire on IDF outpost in S. Lebanon; 4 SLA wounded by light weapons fire near Nabatiya; grenade thrown at SLA patrol in Tyre, no injuries.

Military Action:

IDF Border Police and General Security Services HQ in Tyre destroyed by car bomb, Islamic Jihad group claims responsibility; Israeli Air Force attacks PSP and Palestinian targets in Aley, Bhamdoun and Sofar areas near Beirut-Damascus highway, Syrian positions at Sofar reportedly hit, 16 T-54 tanks destroyed; heavy fighting continues in Tripoli around Baddawi and Nahr al-Bared refugee camps.

Casualties:

29 IDF personnel, mostly Druze border police, 10 Palestinian and Lebanese detainees killed, 29 Israelis, 3 Palestinians and Lebanese wounded in Tyre bombing, 7 more IDF soldiers wounded when ammunition explodes in rubble; up to 60 killed, 100 wounded in Israeli air attacks, PFLP-GC HQ destroyed; 24-hour curfew imposed on Tyre; 6 prisoners killed at Ansar when bulldozer collapses escape tunnel.

Political Responses:

Israeli/ Occupied Territories: Arens says it doesn't matter who mounteid attack on IDF HQ in Tyre, Lebanon is one big network of murderers and Israel will hit back strongly; advocate Lea Tsemel reveals that Israeli prison service used teargas against 30 Palestinian women prisoners in their cells at Neve Tertza prison on October 3 1.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Geneva talks adjourn, Gemayel to travel to US, European and Arab capitals, talks to resume on November 14; Arafat, under fire in Tripoli, says Syrians want to eliminate him so as to gain control of PLO as part of American-Syrian deal.

US and Other Countries: US Intelligence reportedly focuses on Islamic Amal movement, based in Baalbek, as being associated with Beirut bombings; Defense Department tests and plans to order $200 million worth of Israeli-designed anti-tank weapons, to be manufactured in US.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Hundreds of former residents of Birim, Maronite village on Israel's northern border evacuated in 1948, call on government to allow them to return now that security prevails, government reportedly will not agree to setting precedent since estimated 50,000 Arabs in Israel might also demand return to their original homes; another outbreak of mass sickness on West Bank causes hospitalization of 164 girls from Tulkarm and Anabta, 240 in Yatta; results of International Red Cross investigation of illnesses, released by Israeli Health Ministry, indicate no evidence of poison or toxic material, conclude that epidemic is mass phenomenon devoid of danger; curfew imposed in Yatta, 6 other areas; 2 IDF soldiers, border policeman, and 2 Nablus residents wounded by hand-grenade in Nablus; Israeli bank ransacked during protest demonstrations in Tulkarm; Israeli targets stoned in other West Bank towns; 18 year-old boy shot in arm and stomach by settler driving past al-Arub refugee camp, police question settler and impound his rifle; 2 Israelis injured by stones in Qalqilya; 2 Arab youths injured when Israeli driver swerves his car into group throwing stones; 65 year-old Jerusalem woman hospitalized after being beaten and stabbed, members of Jewish religious school seeking to take over her property are suspected; IDF investigating 2 settler-related shooting incidents in Hebron and Nablus areas; Muslim religious leaders call students to hold protest gathering at Dome of Rock against last year's Easter attack by Israeli soldier; police use teargas to disperse demonstration near Damascus Gate, 8 arrested; police prevent group of 50 Jewish religious nationalists, including Meir Kahane, from entering Temple Mount, group then holds prayers outside gates; teenage nephew of Kahane arrested after firing Uzi at Palestinian demonstrators.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat and Hussein hold third round of talks, Arafat tells news conference he is still committed to Fez summit resolutions, Farouk Kaddoumi says Reagan plan is not a vehicle for negotiation, Abujihad says PLO is not giving a mandate to anyone.

Arab Governments: Mubarak, in Peking, urges PLO and King Hussein to enter talks on Reagan plan soon, before next US election campaign.

US and Other Countries: US diplomats in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem reportedly sceptical of official Israeli explanation of mass illnesses, point to fact that Israelis on West Bank displayed same symptoms.

Casualties:

Second group of 15 wounded Lebanese and Palestinian children arrive for treatment in US under American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee program.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Foreign Ministry expresses bafflement, denies Soviet statement that Israel is planning to attack Syria; 20 residents of Sakhnin and Arrabe in western Galilee arrested, charged with disturbing the peace and raising Palestinian flags during Wednesday's Land Day celebrations; Arab youth arrested after windows of Israeli department store smashed in Nazareth; police investigating Feb. 10 grenade attack on Peace Now demonstration have no suspects; AI-Fajr chief editor released on IS 5,000 bail, after police question him about alleged PLO contacts and attendance at PNC Algiers meeting; IDF lifts curfew at Jalazon camp after 24 days, residents say 2 infants died during period due to inadequate medical care; curfew resumed in Tarqumiya village after youth shot and killed by IDF, family ordered to conduct burial at night to avoid further disturbances; Israeli medical experts say illnesses of some 400 persons in Jenin district in past week were mass panic reaction triggered by possible environmental irritant in nearby village of Arraba, Health Ministry asks US Center for Disease Control in Atlanta to send team of experts to assess Israeli finding that illnesses not caused by poison; 106 persons still hospitalized.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat arrives in Amman for talks with King Hussein; Lebanon negotiations continue at Kiryat Shmona, progress reported on question of joint military patrols, no agreement on role of Haddad.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says US forbidden by law to release 75 F-16s to Israel while its forces are in the position of occupying another country that has asked them to leave; Habib returns to US.

Military Action:

Grenades, mortars, rockets fired in Tripoli fighting between Lebanese Communist Party rnilitia and Soldiers of God militia; land mine explodes near Khiyam; Italian MNF patrol attacked with RPGs near airport; remote-controlled bomb explodes near IDF vehicle outside refugee camp near Tyre, area closed and searched; IDF surrounds town of Barja, arrests 3 Lebanese suspected of involvement in ambushes.

Casualties:

2 killed, 7 wounded in Tripoli fighting, schools and shops closed in old quarter of city; 9 Italian MNF wounded in 2 Beirut attacks, 2 vehicles destroyed; Lebanese Army informs residents of Burj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut that government prohibits repairs of bombed-out roofs, arrests 15 on charges of abusive construction, threatens to arrest additional 34 tomorrow.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Defense Minister Arens orders drastic cuts in ministry's National Security Unit, expanded by Sharon to proportions of alternative general staff; Arens tells Knesset Foreign Affairs committee there is no need to freeze West Bank settlements to entice King Hussein to enter peace negotiations; Cabinet selects Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Moshe Levy to replace IDF Chief of Staff Eitan; Central Bureau of Statistics says inflation rate is 130% a year; 3 suspects in attempt to take over Temple Mount released on bail; Nazareth municipal employee sentenced to 3 months in jail for participating in illegal Land Day demonstration in 1982; two new Chief Rabbis elected for 10-year terms, say that West Bank and South Lebanon are part of Israel; Bedouins call off hunger strike after Agriculture Ministry official agrees to meet them; curfews remain in force in Halhoul, Dheisheh, Aida, Jalazon and Ein Beit Alma, new curfew imposed on Balata camp; IDF seizes house opposite al-Amari camp for lookout post; 5 Village League members armed with automatic rifles enter village of Nuba, threaten to destroy it unless alleged demonstrators are turned in, IDF later arrests 3 residents,on charges of calling Hebron Village League head a traitor.

Arab Governments: Syrian officials say troops will not be withdrawn from Lebanon if any Israeli-Lebanese agreement provides for Israeli troops in Lebanon and formal trade, tourist, or diplomatic ties; Egyptian and Israeli officials hold second round of talks in Cairo on reviving trade relations.

US and Other Countries: State Department announces progress after third day of talks between Shultz and Shamir, emphasizes proposals for increased US responsibility for security, including training and equipping elite Lebanese force to patrol border, expansion in size and responsibility of MNF, and creation of a joint Lebanese- Israeli-US military commission to oversee security zone in South Lebanon; US officials say incentives to Israel such as high aid levels and release of F-16s are likely to accompany agreement to troop withdrawal accord; in statement read to conference on Soviet Jewry, Reagan says plight of Soviet Jews who are denied right to emigrate will remain in forefront of US foreign policy and human rights concerns.

Military Action:

4000 soldiers of Lebanese Army take control of East Beirut without incident as Phalange removes its heavy weapons to hills; Haddad, accompanied by Israeli officers, places garrison in Nabatiyeh and parades tanks and armored vehicles.

Casualties:

IDF kills 3 men attacking roadblock 5km east of Beirut; about 100 prisoners reportedly released from Ansar.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Habib meets Foreign Minister Shamir to report on talks with Lebanese; public opinion poll shows Likud bloc winning ten more seats than it presently holds if elections held now; members of National Committee for the Protection of Arab Land and Arab local authority heads meet in Sakhnin to discuss Israeli Interior Ministry plan to assign 100,000 dunums of Palestinian land to new regional council of Misgav; grenade and automatic rifle ambush of Israeli vehicles near West Bank village of al-Khader; Army permits convoy of 100 Jewish settlers to drive through Dahariya refugee camp to warn that Jewish blood would not go unavenged after death of IDF welfare officer hit by rock near Dahariya; curfew kept on old Nablus market; Dheisheh refugee camp placed under curfew; 100 foreign faculty members at West Bank universities considering compromise wording on work permit applications regarding support for PLO.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: At PNC meeting, Arafat reportedly clashes with PFLP-GC's Jibril, who does not attend plenary session; PNC votes to expand size of body from 360 to 400.

Arab Governments: Mubarak urges Palestinians meeting in Algiers to unify their position with King Hussein to search for settlement based on Reagan plan.

US and Other Countries: State Dept. says it will hold Israel responsible for safety of Palestinians and other inhabitants of South Lebanon; Shultz tells Senate Foreign Relations Committee that large scale aid to Lebanon from Saudi Arabia and other Arab states is dependent on US efforts to get withdrawal of foreign forces; US expenditure for humanitarian purposes in Lebanon since Israeli invasion totals $112 million, with $150 million in supplemental aid requested for current fiscal year; London Times Middle East correspondent Robert Fisk receives award as "Foreign Correspondent of the Year" for coverage of Israeli invasion of Lebanon; Israeli Embassy in London refuses to accept petition signed by 3,000 British academics protesting deportations of foreign lecturers from West Bank universities.

Military Action:

Bomb explodes near military outpost close to Ain el-Hilweh; PRG grenade fired at Israeli civilian vehicle near Aley.

Casualties:

2 IDF soldiers killed, 1 wounded, 2 Lebanese wounded near Ain el-Hilweh.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin's office announces talks will begin next week on troop withdrawals, but questions grow over whether Lebanese government backs "negotiating" draft; Israeli tourism way down during traditionally busy Christmas season; goodwill delegation of Israeli religious dignitaries leave for Lebanon hoping to arrange reconciliation between Druze and Christians in Chouf; curfew reimposed on Balata refugee camp near Nablus, second high school ordered closed after students allegedly participate in rock-throwing.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Ousted Mayor Milhem of Halhoul, in Amman, says PLO must approve any negotiators who speak for the Palestinians.

Arab Governments: King Hussein leaves US for home; Arab League and PLO foreign minister to meet January 21 to assess efforts to promote Mideast peace plan.

US and Other Countries: Reagan optimistic but cautious after second meeting with King Hussein; White house officials later say in next 2-3 weeks Hussein will publicly announce whether or not he will join peace talks; Israeli consulate, Jewish club bombed in Sydney, Australia.

Military Action:

IDF leaves Beirut port and Galerie Semaan but keeps some units at airport; IDF presence in East Beirut also diminished; US Marines expected to land within 48 hours at port, airport and Ouzai; Draper informs Gemayel that lDF has agreed to total pullout; Israeli guards shoot, wound eight prisoners while breaking up a riot at Al-Ansar detention camp; IDF claims to have completed removal of PLO arms caches from West Beirut, including 520 tons of ammunition, 23 tanks and APCs, 200 other vehicles, 80 cannons and mortars, 75 rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and 5,000 small arms; IDF arrests Israeli Druze in Beirut as extortionist.

Casualties:

During Israel's 11-day occupation of West Beirut, 9 IDF soldiers were killed and 130 wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin agrees to establish judicial commission to investigate the Beirut massacre; pressures grow within government for dismissal of Sharon (meeting of top army commanders again calls for Sharon's resignation); Shamir says Israel is wrongly blamed for massacre; Israeli papers report Phalangists discussed such a massacre weeks prior to actual event as way to make Palestinians flee (contradicts view that massacre was 'spontaneous'); pro-government rally scheduled for Saturday cancelled; tensions remain high in Palestinian villages in Israel (protests have continued non-stop since massacre reported last week); several youths detained, curfew imposed following demonstrations in Nablus; Meir Kahane detained after trying to enter Taibe (Arab residents gathered with stones to resist, Kahane later released after promising not to enter without their permission).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese inquiry into massacre begins with Military Prosecutor General Assad Jermanos meeting with commission members.

Arab Governments: Egypt, at UN General Assembly, urges US to "restrain" Israel as Eisenhower did in 1956 Suez Crisis.

US and Other Countries: Reagan notes he ordered a halt to cluster bomb shipments to Israel and will delay requesting sale of additional fighter jets to Israel; (Israel still receiving explosive grenade that gives cluster bomb its punch, only shipment of casing halted).