The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and Jenin at night. (PCHR 7/25)

In Damascus, Syrian govt. forces fire a rocket into Yarmuk r.c., reportedly killing 15 Palestinian civilians. (REU 27/4)

Assailants throw a bomb at security headquarters in Mansoura, Egypt, killing 1 and wounding more than a dozen. Meanwhile, Gen. al-Sisi calls for demonstrations in support of the ruling military and against “terrorism.” Separately, U.S. Pres. Barack Obama halts the scheduled delivery of 4 F-16 fighter planes to the Egyptian Air Force, with the Pentagon’s Press Secy. George Little saying that the decision was due to it not being seen as “appropriate” to complete the delivery at this time. (AFP, AP, NYT 7/24)

Military Action:

Israel, alleging cease-fire violations by Syrians and PLO, attacks on both fronts with artillery and air strikes (ordered following ambush deaths of 5 IDF soldiers near Mansura in the Bekaa); jets bomb PLO artillery emplacements near the stadium and airport following wounding of IDF soldier near airport; PLO estimates 6 people killed or wounded in the attacks; PLO operates behind Syrian lines in the eastern Bekaa; 5 IDF wounded in machinegun attack near Tyre; bombs dropped after 30 minutes of mock attacks in Fakhani quarter and camps of Burj al-Barajneh, Sabra and Shatila, as well as the stadium and the neighborhood of Ramlet el-Baida; IDF launches air and land attacks along entire cease-fire line in eastern Lebanon (jets strike barracks near Baalbek, several Syrian-controlled villages).

Casualties: Palestinian sources estimate 62 killed, injured in attacks on Beirut; 2 IDF soldiers killed, 2 wounded during fighting.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin summons Cabinet for special meeting to discuss Lewis report; retaliatory measures reportedly agreed on at the meeting; IDF spokesman claims 75 PLO violations of the cease-fire in the past 3 weeks, claims Syrians try to advance their lines; denies final Israel assault on Beirut.

Arab Governments: Attacks come as Habib undertakes a weeklong mission to Syria, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and possibly other Arab nations to get them to accept PLO fighters from Beirut; King Hussein of Jordan meets UK Prime Minister Thatcher in London.