The Palestine Chronology

In Gaza, the IDF opens Rafah crossing for departures only, opens Qarni crossing for imports only; makes late-night air strikes destroying a store, house in Jabaliya r.c. (warning the residents in advance to leave), damaging 3 nearby homes. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Tulkarm in a car with Palestinian license plates, surrounds the home of a wanted Hamas mbr., fires on the home, arrests the wanted man when he surrenders; sends troops into Ramallah, occupying offices in the PA Public Works Min. as an observation post, surrounding an apartment building, ordering residents to evacuate, arresting 3 Palestinians, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho; issues military orders confiscating 8 d. of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya for the separation wall. (OCHA 8/16; PCHR 8/17)

The IDF drops leaflets on Beirut warning residents of the capital to expect escalated bombing whose “painful and severe results will not be limited” to Hizballah targets, urging residents of 3 neighborhoods (Burj al-Barajneh, Hay Sullum, al-Shiyah) to evacuate immediately (the areas are vacant by the end of the day, with the government bussing residents without transportation to Juniyah); drops leaflets on n. Lebanon, warning truck drivers to stay off roads to Syria. Meanwhile, Israel asks the U.S. to speed delivery of M-26 artillery shells (short-range antipersonnel rockets armed with cluster munitions) along with other unspecified weapons for use against Hizballah. The IDF continues air and artillery strikes across Lebanon, including firing missiles at an unused radio tower in downtown Beirut; targeting traffic on roads nr. Tyre, destroying roads in the Biqa‘ Valley, killing at least 2 Lebanese. Ground operations continue in s. Lebanon, reportedly focusing on areas stretching fr. Marja’uyun to al-Khiyam (with the IDF claiming to have taken control of Marja’uyun) and fr. Aita alSha‘b to Bint Jubayl, leaving at least 1 IDF soldier dead, 2 wounded nr. Qlei‘a. Hizballah fires at least 140 rockets into n. Israel, hitting Acre, Carmiel, Dayr al-Assad (killing an Israeli Palestinian woman, her son and wounding 11), Haifa, Kiryat Shimona, Ma’alot, Nahariya, Safad. (WP 8/10; NYT, WP, WT 8/11; WP 8/13)

Israeli inner cabinet holds discussion on the Palestinian presence in Jerusalem. (ITV 6/2 in WNC 6/3; MM 6/3)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak receives Syrian VP Khaddam for discussions on the peace process. (SATN 6/2 in WNC 6/3) (see 5/28)

PA military court convicts 5 PA General Intelligence officers with murder in the ambush of a car nr. Ramallah 4/18. 1 officer is sentenced to 5 yrs. in prison, 1 to 1 yr., 3 to 2 mos. (Mandela Institute press release 6/2)

Syria reopens 3 border crossings with Iraq--the 1st to be opened in 17 yrs. (RMC 6/2 in WNC 6/3, WNC 6/5; MM 6/3, 6/5; al-Ra'i 6/11 in WNC 6/13; MM 6/23) (see 5/19)

In Amman, 100 reps. of Jordanian opposition parties, professional unions, civil establishments announce plans to boycott the 11/97 elections if the government does not rescind the press law. (al-Ra'i 6/3 in WNC 6/5; Star 6/5 in WNC 6/6) (see 5/25)

In Tyre, 100s of Lebanese fishermen protest the Israeli naval blockade against s. Lebanon, detention of fishermen. (RL 6/2 in WNC 6/3) (see 5/30)

Secy. of State Christopher returns to Damascus for further meetings with Syrian leadership, tells press conference he is "more encouraged than I thought I would be" for progress in peace talks. (MM 8/6)

Hizballah again fires on SIA positions in "security zone." IDF retaliatory fire causes several hundred refugees to flee toward Tyre. U.S. amb. Ryan Crocker signs agreement with Lebanese health min. for $1 m in U.S. medical assistance to victims of "Operation Accountability." (WP, WT 8/7)

3 Palestinian gunmen open fire at IDF roadblock at Dayr Balut in West Bank, killing 2 Israeli soldiers. 1 gunman killed, 2d wounded in exchange of fire. 3d gunman escapes by car. Another Israeli soldier, kidnapped 8/5 near Ramallah, is found dead. (NYT, WP, WT 8/7)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Poice raid W. Jerusalem Alternative Information Center, confiscate material, arrest director, and order center closed for 6 months on charges center has been "rendering services" to PFLP [NYT 2/18; FJ 2/20]. Trial of John Demjanjuk, accused of being Treblinka concentration camp prison guard known as "Ivan the Terrible," opens in Jerusalem [GU 2/17].

Arab World: Washington Post describes Saudi Arabian arms build-up asresponse to Israeli military threat [WP 2/16]. Syria asks Amal to ease its siege of Burj al-Barajinah and Shatila refugee camps in Beirut and Rashidiyyah camp near Tyre [OB 2/17]. Kuwait announces plan to contribute $5 million to joint PLO-Jordanian fund [NYT 2/18].

Other Countries: Reports confirm U.S. has upgraded Israel's status to non-NATO ally [PI 2/16].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers shoot and wound 9 youths during 2 demonstrations in Gaza City. As punishment for campus demonstrations, military authorities order Islamic University of Gaza closed for 3 days. Demonstrations are also held in Khan Yunis and Rafah. Commercial strike closes most shops and students block roads in Jerusalem. Roger Heacock, American Birzeit University professor, isarrested on charges of incitement. Military attempto storm Ramallah's Teachers Training College and break up demonstration fails [FJ 2/20].

Arab World: At least 25 killed, 100 wounded in fierce street fighting between Amal, communist, Druze, Palestinian, and Murabitun forces in W. Beirut [BS 2/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin charges recent attacks against Israelis in W. Bank coordinated in Amman. IDF allow Ramallah shops closed 2/4 to re-open [MG 2/6]. al-Mithaq reports prefabricated houses being erected on Arab-owned land of Aqbat Ni'meh east of Dhahriya in the Hebron area [FJ 2/8].

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat arrives in Algiers; Syrian VP Khaddam also in Algiers [MG 2/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at police post, al-Arroub camp; no injuries [JP 2/6].

Arab World: In Damascus, PFLP claims responsibility for 2/4 killing of IDF soldier in Ramallah [JTA 2/6]. 2 IDF troops wounded by bomb near Burj al-Shamali camp, S. Lebanon; car-bomb later in the day near the camp injures 10 IDF troops [JP, WP 2/6]. SLA roadblock fired upon in Kafr Kharroub, S. Lebanon [JP 2/6]. IDF attack Jabal Amal Professional Training School in Tyre, S. Lebanon; at least 6 teenagers killed, 57 wounded, 150 arrested for unknown reasons [Fl 2/8].

Military Action:

Israeli jets attack Islamic Amal and Hisballah militia training camps and an ammunition dump at Nabih Chit, near Baalbek; PSP artillery shells East Beirut, LAF positions in West Beirut; PSP positions in Chouf exchange fire with LAF and LF; PLO rebels occupy Baddawi after heavy fighting, hand to hand combat; rockets, shells fall in Tripoli; 3 IDF patrols attacked near Sidon and Tyre; grenade thrown at Marine position near airport.

Casualties:

30 estimated killed, 80 wounded in Nabih Chit attack; 2 civilians killed in East Beirut; casualties at Baddawi estimated at 62 killed, 136 wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 1500+ dunums confiscated for military purposes from Ramallah, Beitunia and Rafat.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel, Syrian FM Khaddam meet in Beirut; PFLP-GC head Ahmed Jibril, at Baddawi, says battle with Arafat is finished and so is Arafat.

US and Other Countries: Rumsfeld meets Shamir on first visit to Israel as special envoy; US expresses satisfaction with Israeli air raid on Islamic Amal bases, says there was no Israeli-US coordination.

Military Action:

Heavy fighting continues in Chouf; residents of Burj al-Shamali refugee camp near Tyre resist IDF patrol trying to enter orphans' training center.

Casualties:

Lebanese student killed, 7 injured wnen IDF fires at demonstration in Burj al-Shamali.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet agrees in principle to draft withdrawal agreement, Sharon and Ne'eman oppose; Foreign Minister Shamir says Israel still seeks substantive changes in role of Haddad, designated in agreement as deputy commander in South Lebanon; public opinion poll shows that Labor Alignment would defeat Likud bloc 41.4% to 37.1% in election held now; West Bank land seizures reported during last week include 11,000 dunums from 4 villages in Nablus area, 1300 dunums from Kufur Sur, several dozen dunums from Rafat in Ramallah area, 1000 dunums from Beitunia, near Ramallah.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese officials say Syria opposes virtually every major clause of withdrawal agreement; Haddad says he will not be an obstacle to any agreement between Lebanon and Israel.

US and Other Countries: Secretary Shultz meets King Hussein in Amman, says Hussein gives his full backing to withdrawal agreement; Shultz indicates Reagan will lift the embargo on the sale of F-16s to Israel; US reportedly has provided secret letter of assurance to Israel as part of withdrawal agreement; 133 Jewish law students at Harvard, Yale and NYU send letter to Begin protesting invasion of Lebanon and treatment of Palestinians in occupied territories, urge halt to settlements; 8 US and Canadian mayors begin 4 day visit to West Bank, Gaza and Galilee under sponsorship of Association of Arab-American University Graduates.