IDF and Syrian tanks reportedly exchange fire in Beqaa valley, IDF denies report; IAF planes practice dives over Tyre, fly into Syrian airspace; light arms fire at IDF...
Syrian Army halts battle after Lebanese Army unit is ambushed by Amal militia and Iranian Revolutionary Guards near Baalbek; National Guard of 40 armed men formed at Ain el...
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Military Action:
Syrian forces shoot down pilotless Israeli drone aircraft over Beqaa valley; PLO rebels announce open-ended cease-fire in Tripoli area; IDF reports several guerrillas killed, arms and ammunition caches seized in Beqaa.
Casualties:
Massive prisoner exchange takes place as 6 IDF POWs released by PLO, 4500 Arab prisoners, including 63 Palestinians convicted of attacks in Israel, and 37 Palestinians arrested at sea in late September by Israeli navy off the coast of tripoli, released by Israel; Ansar camp closed, 3400 prisoners remain in Lebanon, 1100 flown by Air France to Algeria; IDF returns Palestinian Research Center archives seized in Beirut during 1982 invasion.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Council of Jewish Settlements on West Bank and Gaza criticizes release of Palestinians from Israeli prisons, calls for death penalty in certain cases to prevent repetition.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Saudi FM, in Damascus, says general agreement has been reached for cease-fire and withdrawal of all Palestinian forces in and around Tripoli, practical steps under discussion; Lebanese government announces it will break diplomatic relations with Iran, freeze relations with Libya.
US and Other Countries: White House announces that Reagan will meet Gemayel on December 1.
Military Action:
IDF and Syrian tanks reportedly exchange fire in Beqaa valley, IDF denies report; IAF planes practice dives over Tyre, fly into Syrian airspace; light arms fire at IDF convoy near Nabatieh.
Casualties:
Mass escape from Ansar camp reported, IDF tanks and helicopter gunships lead search, IDF denies escapes; Shi'ite religious and political leaders appeal to UN over IDF siege of Deir Qanoun an-Nahr, where 200 residents arrested after Friday's bomb attack; 2 Palestinians, said to be collaborators, killed in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: IMF report on Israeli economy predicts $6.2 b. trade deficit for 1985 if present policies continue.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat meets PLO officers in eastern Beqaa, says joint Lebanese-Palestinian higher command has been formed to coordinate operations against IDF in Lebanon.
Casualties:
Prisoners at Ansar camp burn tents, throw stones at guards, shout slogans, IDF surrounds but does not enter camp.
Political Responses:
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Armed units from PFLP-GC, Abu Nidal and Iranian Revolutionary Guards reportedly join Fateh rebel position in Beqaa; Arafat says PLO will fight for independence of Palestinian decision-making.
US and Other Countries: US reportedly urges Israel to hold its present positions in Lebanon until Syria agrees to withdraw its troops
Military Action:
Syrian forces fire on IDF tractor and APC in Bekaa Valley.
Casualties:
Suspect in assassination of Bashir Gemayel handed over to Lebanese judicial authorities by Phalange militiamen holding him since September; IDF separates Lebanese and Palestinian detainees at Ansar detention camp.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Government reportedly plans to move thousands of residents out of West Bank refugee camps, will offer them grants to build homes on land placed at their disposal by government, seeks financial support for plan from other governments and from international Zionist organizations; 2 women in Galilee village of Arraba arrested on security charges; British Ambassador in Israel summoned to Foreign Ministry for severe condemnation of recent British statements on Middle East and meeting between Foreign Office Minister and PLO official in Tunis; 350 dunums of land seized at Umar, West Bank village near Gush Emunim settlement of Migdal Oz; West Bank Union of Chambers of Commerce defies High Court decision, will not collect value added tax.
US and Other Countries: After 4-hour meeting with Mubarak, Shultz says US and Egypt hold identical views on withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon; State Dept. official says Israel and Lebanon have agreed on 95% of a withdrawal plan, Haddad's role is main obstacle; 3,000 attend memorial service in Washington for Americans killed in Beirut Embassy, at least 7 CIA employees reportedly among those killed in the explosion.
Military Action:
Syrian Army halts battle after Lebanese Army unit is ambushed by Amal militia and Iranian Revolutionary Guards near Baalbek; National Guard of 40 armed men formed at Ain el-Hilweh camp, led by Mossad-trained Palestinian Abdullah Nassar; fighting in Chouf maintains near Nabrah, IDF meets with rival leaders to restore 3 week-old cease-fire.
Casualties:
6 Lebanese Army soldiers killed, 12 wounded, 3 militiamen killed, 5 wounded in Bekaa Valley fight; villages in South Lebanon ordered by IDF and Haddad forces to pay thousands of Lebanese pounds for protection, and to obtain release of villagers held at Ansar detention camp; Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem says that 300,000 illegal aliens, mostly Palestinians, will eventually have to be removed from the country.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Bomb found and dismantled at entrance of al-Aqsa mosque, 16 detained for questions, Jewish extremist group suspected; Foreign Minister Shamir says Israel will not freeze settlements as a condition for King Hussein's joining peace talks; Foreign Ministry denies reports that Israel signed agreement to sell arms to Ciskei bantustan; Israeli Journalists Association instructs members to boycott February 24 press conference on treatment of Palestinian and Lebanese prisoners at Ansar camp, called by Israeli Committee Against the War in Lebanon; central Ramallah under curfew after stone-throwing incidents; 24-hour guard on deposed Nablus Mayor Bassam Shakaa lifted; 300 women representing Women's Work Committees on West Bank hold 2nd annual conference in Jerusalem; Village League and Civil Administration open private electricity generating system in Bil'in in violation of Jerusalem Electricity Company concession.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem says if Lebanon errs in the area of normalization with Israel it could lose its existence, Lebanon will not close 22 frontiers to open one; special envoy Habib presents latest compromise proposals on Lebanese-Israeli negotiation to Foreign Minister Shamir, then leaves for US.
Arab Governments: Jordan announces it will not enter any peace negotiations without PLO approval.
US and Other Countries: Unnamed UK oil prospecting company to sign contract with Israel to carry out Mediterranean offshore exploration.
