The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalize 50 olive and almond trees in Majdal Bani Fadil. Israeli settlers also attack Palestinian shepherds in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Israeli forces shoot and kill 2 Palestinians and injure 4 others during a raid in Jenin. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a 15-year-old Palestinian, claiming he tried to stab 2 soldiers at the Tunnel checkpoint near Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish 2 commercial structures in al-‘Awja and issue a demolition notice for a home in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during raids in ‘Arura and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 212 Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 88 people. Israeli forces also bomb an UNRWA food distribution center in Rafah, killing at least 6 people, including an UNRWA staffer, and injuring 20 people. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shoot and injure 9 people waiting to receive aid at the Kuwaiti roundabout in Gaza City. In Lebanon, Israeli forces assassinate Hamas member Hadi Mustafa in a drone strike in Tyre, also killing another person and injuring a third. Israeli forces also bomb Ayta ash Shab and Mis al-Jabal. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/13; UNOCHA, WAFA 3/14)

More than 31,272 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 73,024 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 425 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 children. More than 4,665 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 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 247 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,475 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 154 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The U.S. airdrops 35,712 meals and 28,800 bottles of water over Gaza. (HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 3/13; UNOCHA 3/15)

The PA foreign ministry warns that Israel is attempting to spark widespread unrest in the West Bank with its continued extrajudicial killings. (WAFA 3/13)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Israel plans to force “a significant amount of the 1.4 million” people sheltering in Rafah to “humanitarian islands that we will create with the international community.” Hagari also says Israel will flood Gaza with aid. Politico reports that the U.S. has communicated to Israel that it will accept a small-scale Rafah invasion. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 3/13)

The EU, U.S., UK, Cyprus, UAE, and Qatar issue a joint statement calling on Israel to open more land crossings to Gaza to enable the delivery of aid. EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell tells U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken that the EU and the U.S. have to do more than deplore the situation in Gaza as the “very survival of the population in Gaza is at stake today.” (AJ, HA 3/13; AJ 3/14)

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling on him to “drastically reduce the level of force” used in Gaza and not to invade Rafah. Rutte also meets with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi in Cairo and phones PA president Mahmoud Abbas, discussing the situation in Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 3/13)

South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor says South Africans fighting with the Israeli military in Gaza will be arrested upon return to South Africa. (AJ, AP, HA, HA 3/13)

Bloomberg News reports that UK defense secretary Grant Shapps refused to allow the UK military to drop aid into Gaza, citing the danger the airdrops pose to Palestinians civilians after 5 people were killed last week. (AJ, HA 3/13)

A UNIFIL investigation finds that Israel shot and killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah with a tank shell in Lebanon on 10/13/2023, despite there being no fire or active combat in the area for 40 minutes prior to the killing and Abdallah and the other journalists being clearly marked as journalists. 6 other journalists were injured in the attack. (REU, REU 3/13; AJ, HA 3/14)

Forensic Architecture releases a report saying Israeli evacuations of Palestinians in Gaza may amount to forced displacement and that Palestinian civilians have been “bombed, shot at, executed, arrested, tortured, treated in a degrading manner, and forcibly disappeared by the Israeli military along roads, corridors and zones declared ‘safe.’” (AJ, FA 3/13)

An Italian court refuses an Israeli extradition request for a Palestinian man accused of planning an attack, saying he risked “cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment” if he was extradited to Israel. (HA, REU 3/13; AJ 3/14)

80 artists and panelists pull out of the South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas due to the festival’s involvement with U.S. weapons companies and agencies that are tied to the U.S. Department of Defense and their links to the Israeli assault on Gaza. (AJ, NYT 3/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and kill a Palestinian-owned camel in ‘Arab al-Rashayida. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man during a raid in Bir al-Basha. Israeli forces also raid Jenin, uprooting streets and demolishing a monument to Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish an agricultural structure in Azzun ‘Atma. Israeli forces also seal off entrances to Jericho. 24 Palestinians are arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Tubas. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 200 people. Israeli forces also fire using live ammunition and tank shells at Palestinians waiting in line for food aid in Gaza City, killing 20 and wounding 150. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb an airfield near Tyre. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, UNOCHA 1/25; HA, HA 1/26)

More than 25,900 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 64,110 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 365 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 92 children. More than 4,354 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 1,250 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. 153 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israelis block the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing for the second day in a row, forcing aid trucks to reroute to Egypt. (AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/25)

Hamas says it will abide by any ICJ ruling if Israel does as well. Hamas also says it will release all captives if Israel releases all Palestinian prisoners. An initial ICJ ruling is expected on 1/26. (AJ, HA 1/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani in Ramallah. (WAFA 1/25)

Several media outlets report that Hamas and Israel have agreed on a basic understanding for a ceasefire agreement which would see a 35-day ceasefire, the release of all Israeli captives and of some Palestinian prisoners, and more aid to Gaza. (HA, HA 1/25)

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak tells the parliamentary group Conservative Friends of Israel that those “who chant ‘from the river to the sea’ are either useful idiots who do not understand what they are saying, or worse, people who wish to wipe the Jewish state from the map.” (AJ 1/26)

Finnish foreign minister Elina Valtonen says the time for Israel’s “self-defense is over,” saying “enough is enough, the civilian population in Gaza needs an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.” (HA 1/25)

The Financial Times reports that the Israeli government has written to foreign diplomatic missions in Israel asking if they have backup generators and satellite phones in case of a ‘security escalation.’ (AJ 1/25)

In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers harass and intimidate Palestinians in Hebron. Israeli settlers also bring livestock to graze on Palestinian crops in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up mobile homes near Tuqu’. Israeli forces shoot and injure 11 Palestinians during raids in Qatanna, Sabastia, Anabta, Zeita, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces also seize printing equipment and a vehicle from a printing shop in Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Beit Lahiya, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, Jabalia refugee camp, and Dayr al-Balah, killing more than 150 people, including 70 in a residential building in Jabalia refugee camp, 43 in 2 homes in Khan Yunis, 27 in 2 homes in Dayr al-Balah, and 4 in an UNRWA school sheltering internally displaced people. Israeli snipers also shoot a Palestinian outside of al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis. Doctors Without Borders says it will evacuate staff and patients from al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah after Israel orders the evacuation of the area in which the hospital is located, noting that Israel has attacked the area around the hospital for several days. Israel claims it forces have assassinated the commander of the al-Qassam Brigades Nuseirat battalion Ismail Sirah and his deputy Ahmed Wahba. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb a home in Kawthariyat al-Siyad 25 miles north of the Blue Line and several places south of Tyre. Hezbollah attacks a group of Israeli soldiers in Avivim and fires 62 missiles at the Meron air base. In the Red Sea, the U.S. says it shot down a drone launched from Yemen. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA 1/7)

More than 22,750 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 57,910 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 319 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 81 children. More than 3,949 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 173 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,020 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. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 116 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (AJ, WAFA 1/6; UNOCHA 1/7)

The Gaza media office says Israel has exhumed 1,100 graves in the Tuffah cemetery, stealing 150 bodies. (AJ 1/6)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Israel has dismantled the Hamas “military framework” in northern Gaza and killed 8,000 militants in the area. Military chief of staff Herzl Halevi and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar tour Khan Yunis. (AJ, HA 1/6; AJ 1/7)

The PA says Israeli settlements in the Jordan Valley are quickly increasing while the world focuses on Gaza. The PA calls on the U.S. to urge Israel to end the settlement expansion. (AJ, WAFA 1/6)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres submits a report to the UN Security Council warning that “widespread famine looms” in Gaza. Guterres says in the report that Israel must restore water and electricity services in Gaza. (AJ, HA 1/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken visits Greece and Turkey, meeting with Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Crete and Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Istanbul. Blinken later arrives in Jordan ahead of a meeting with King Abdullah II. Blinken also speaks with the Algerian foreign minister Ahmed Attaf telling him that the U.S. rejects the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 1/6)

U.S. senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Jeff Merkey (D-OR) visit the Rafah crossing. Van Hollen tells reporters that the Israeli authorities are stymying the flow of aid by arbitrarily rejecting supplies from entering Gaza, calling the aid screening process “unnecessarily cumbersome.” A congressional delegation visits Qatar, meeting with prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and discussing the situation in Gaza. (AJ, AP 1/6; AJ 1/7)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell meets with Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati in Beirut, discussing Israel’s attacks on Lebanon and Gaza. (AJ 1/6)

100 lawyers from Chile file a complaint with the ICC accusing Israel of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, blaming Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AJ 1/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off Ya‘bad, preventing Palestinians from entering and leaving the town. In East Jerusalem, Wafa reported that 100,000 Palestinians attended prayers at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Eid al-Adha Maghrib (sunset) prayer. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. In Israel, 2 rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon hours after Israeli forces attacked south of Aleppo in Syria on 7/19; there were no reports of damage or casualties. The Lebanese army said it had located 3 improvised rocket launchers on a beach near Tyre and neutralized them. Israel subsequently fired 12 artillery shells at the Wadi Hammoul area in Lebanon, causing neither damage nor injuries. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/29)

Chairman of former president Donald Trump’s inaugural committee Tom Barrack was arrested for not disclosing that he was a foreign agent paid by the UAE. During the Trump administration, Barrack tried to get a senior position so that he could further the UAE’s interest in the U.S. government. Barrack remained an informal advisor to several U.S. officials during the Trump administration. (AJ, AP 7/20; MEMO 7/21)

Overnight, Palestinians fire 11 rockets (including 1 manufactured Grad) fr. Gaza into Israel, retaliating for the 12/8 assassination, causing no damage or injuries. In the morning, Israel carries out more air strikes on 2 alleged Hamas training sites in Gaza City, killing a Palestinian bystander and his 12-yr.-old son and damaging a home, injuring 11 civilians (including 3 children, 2 women); Israel says it regrets the civilian casualties but blames Hamas for operating in densely populated areas. In retaliation, Palestinians fire another 6 rockets (including 1 Grad) fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night the IDF makes an air strike on a Hamas training camp in Rafah, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm (firing tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinian youths, causing no serious injuries) and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Ni’lin, and Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers beat and fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian and lightly injuring 4 others in Nabi Salih. The incident, in which a man throwing a stone at an armored personnel carrier is hit in the head with a tear gas canister at close range, is caught on camera. (JP 12/9; JP, NYT 12/10; IDFS, WP 12/11; PCHR 12/15; OCHA 12/16)

Unidentified assailants detonate a roadside bomb nr. a UNIFIL patrol nr. Tyre in s. Lebanon, wounding 5 French UNIFIL soldiers in the 3d such attack in 2011. No group claims responsibility. (NYT 12/10; WP 12/12)

In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike on a suspected rocket launching site nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries. In Dayr al-Balah, 4 Palestinian children are injured by IDF UXO. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in al-Tur nr. Jerusalem; orders the closure of a Palestinian barbershop in Hebron, stating it is too close to Beit Romano settlement; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba beat a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy. Jewish settlers fr. Otniel uproot another 100 Palestinian olive trees nr. the settlement as part of the expansion begun on 7/14. Jewish settlers beat a Palestinian farmer tending his land nr. Qalqilya. (OCHA 7/18; PCHR 7/19; OCHA 7/25)

Unidentified assailants detonate a roadside bomb targeting a UNIFIL convoy driving through Tyre, causing no injuries. Hizballah condemns the attack. (NYT 7/17) (see 6/24)

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Amal joins Palestinians, Muslim militiamen in battle against Lebanese Forces, SLA in Sidon area [BG 4/21]. Roadside bomb injures 2 IDF soldiers near Rashaya. SLA soldier wounded in central occupation sector. Roadside bomb explodes. near IDF patrol, Raihan; no injuries. RPGs fired at IDF patrol near Tyre; no injuries [JP 4/21].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: US State Dept. official Murphy meets with W. Bank leaders at US consulate in E. Jerusalem; group presents petition signed by 22 leaders from occupied territories stating their support of PLO as sole representative of Palestinian people, urging creation of Palestinian state [WP 4/14]. Palestinian artist Sulayman Mansour prevented from traveling across Allenby Bridge to attend European seminars on Palestinian art [FJ 4/19].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF, SLA raid Yater; 8 arrested, 7 homes destroyed; Irish UNIFIL troops forced to leave post in village by gunpoint; IDF later blocks other UNIFIL troops from entering village [PI, MG 4/17]. Roadside bomb explodes as IDF patrol passes near Burj al-Shamali camp; no injuries. 4 IDF troops wounded when vehicle hits mine E. of Tyre [JP 4/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: E. Jerusalem merchants strike in support of better prison conditions for Palestinian prisoners in Ashkelon prison [WP 4/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Poice arrest 132 after stones thrown, road blocked during protest at Ibrahimiya College, Jerusalem; demonstrators were protesting conditions for Palestinians in Ashkelon prison [NYT 4/5]. After protest by Association for Civil Rights in Israel, IDF reduces area in Ramallah under 24-hr. curfew (imposed after 3/31 killing of IDF soldier); central market area remains closed [LAT 4/6].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF raid Kawthariyat al-Siyad across front lines; 8 killed. 2 IDF soldiers injured by roadside bomb near Tyre; 3rd wounded by similar bomb near Qasmiya. IDF gunboat shells Rashidiya camp; 3 killed, 12 wounded [PI 4/5].

Other Countries: Rocket fired at Alia Royal Jordanian Airlines plane at Athens airport; no injuries; Black September suspected of attack [WP 4/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defying IDF curfew, 1,500 Palestinians attend funeral of Karim Khalaf in Ramallah [PI 4/4]. Min. of Police, Prisons Service indicate accused Jewish underground defendants now in custody will be released on 48-hr. leave for Passover holiday; 5 held for murder will not be released [JP 4/4]. New IDF SLA liaison chief asserts predecessor, Col. Avraham Hido (killed in 2/19 clash with resistance in S. Lebanon), may have been killed "in error" by SLA troops traveling with him UP 4/4]. Fight breaks out between Palestinian, Jewish students at Haifa U. (scene of several recent incidents) [P 4/4].

Other Countries: US State Dept. states Israel violated Articles 49, 76, 77 of 4th Geneva Convention in its 4/2 transfer of 1,100 Ansar inmates to Israel [NYT 4/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Border Police shoot and injure 18-yr.-old Sameh Sha'ar in Nablus during mock funeral for Karim Khalaf [PI 4/4, FJ 4/5].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF release 752 Ansar prisoners near Tyre [NYT, WP 4/4]. IDF raid Shihabiya; several arrested [NYT 4/4]. Roadside bomb explodes as IDF patrol passes near Douer; 1 injured. 2 IDF soldiers wounded by roadside bomb near al-Bazouriya. Katyusha, RPGs, shots directed at IDF liaison HQ, Nabatiya; no report of casualties. RPG fired at IDF HQ, Tyre; no reported injuries. IDF raid Deir Zabna [JP 4/4].

Other Countries: Anti-tank rocket fired at building housing Jordanian embassy in Rome; Black September claims responsibility [WP 4/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish underground defendant Yossi Edri concludes plea bargain with prosecution; charges against him are reduced [JP 3/15]. Several hundred students demonstrate outside Haifa U. protesting police action during 3/10 sit-in on campus [JP 3/15].

Other Countries: After meeting with British PM Thatcher in London, Pres. Mubarak fails to get UK support for his 2/24 peace proposals, although Thatcher affirms British support for direct negotiations [MG, FT 3/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Green Patrol seizes 45 goats belonging to Bedouin shepherds near Dimona; goats later sold by Green Patrol officers [JP 3/31].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF kill 3 resistance fighters near Tyre. Roadside bomb south of Qasmiya Bridge explodes near IDF vehicle; no casualties.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports 37% of occupied territories' work force employed in Israel during 1984: 50,000 from W. Bank, 40,000 from Gaza; 44,000 worked in construction, 13,000 in agriculture [JTA 3/7]. Housing Min. begins building permanent structures in 3 settlements formerly containing temporary housing: Atzmona in Gaza, Cadim in N. portion of W. Bank, and Na'ama in Jordan Valley [JP 3/6]. Haifa U. suspends Palestinian student leader Amir Makhoul, imposes sentences on 3 other Arabs, 1 Jewish student, for activities stemming from 1/17 disturbance at university during speech by MK Eitan [JP 3/7].

Arab World: After meeting with Pres. Mubarak in Hurghada, Egypt, King Hussein expresses support for 2/24 Mubarak proposal for talks between US, joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [NYT, WSJ 3/7].

Other Countries: Reagan administration defersending Israel's $2.6 billion aid request to Congress for approval; states Israel has not made sufficient progress toward solving economic problems [NYT 3/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Authorities bulldoze 2 homes "illegally" built in Shuyuh [JP 3/7]. Roadside bomb explodes as settler's car passes in Hebron area; nearby note claims DFLP responsibility [JTA 3/8].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: RPGs, shots fired at IDF, SLA posts in Shukin, Ansar; no casualties [JP 3/7]. IDF kill 2, wound 1 resistance fighter in Kafr Sir. SLA soldier wounded in Yatar. IDF raid Bidias; arrest 20 [DT, CSM, NYT 3/7]. IDF, Shin Bet agents arrest dozens in Tyre. Taxi driver killed by IDF near Tyre. IDF raid Burj Eliya; 12-yr. -old boy killed. Civilians in Teir Dibba forced to sit outside village during IDF raid [LT 3/7]. 7 Beirut-based journalists arrested by IDF near Tyre; later released [on 2/26 Israel issued ban on Beirut-based journalists in areas under IDF control] [NYT MG 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israelis, al-Fara'a refugee camp residents protest outside al-Fara'a prison, demand release of Dheisheh residents detained there after 2/1 raid on camp [FJ 2/15]. Authorities ask 4 unnamed Palestinians to become mayors of cities whose mayors were previously expelled [BG 2/11]. IDF reopen al-Bireh high school [closed 2/7] [FJ 2/15]. Interior Ministry forbids hajj to Mecca for Palestinians inside "Green Line" who are under 35, or who made hajj in the past [FJ 2/22].

Other Countries: France agrees to US request not to sell 2 nuclear reactors to Israel [PM Peres indicated 12/9 Israel sought to buy such reactors] [LAT 2/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at Israeli bus near al-Azariya; no injuries [JP 2/11].

Arab World: IDF jets attack DFLP base in Ta'lbaya, Lebanon; 2 injured [NYT 2/11]. IDF soldier injured 2/4 by roadside bomb near Tyre dies. 2 IDF soldiers killed by roadside bomb north of Israel-Lebanon border near Metulla. IDF convoy attacked north of Litani River, S. Lebanon; 1 killed, 3 wounded [WP 2/11]. RPG fired at IDF patrol near Burj al-Shemali camp, S. Lebanon; 1 wounded [JP 2/11]. IDF indicate prisoners held in Ansar prison will be transferred tonew site either in Israel or portion of S. Lebanon held by the SLA when IDF withdraws [JP 2/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin threatens to use "all forms" of punishment allowable against W. Bank residents in wake of attacks against Israelis, including expulsion, administrative arrest, destruction & sealing of homes [LAT 2/9]. 2 Jewish squatters at Tal Rumeida, Hebron, charged with 2/3 vandalizing of Arab-owned trees [JP 2/10]. IDF warns W. Bank leaders Bassam al-Shak'a, Karim Khalaf, Elias Freij, Abd al-Nabi Natshe, Rashad al-Shawwa and others not to attend memorial service for Fahd Qawasmeh scheduled 2/9 in Nazareth [JP 2/10]. Jerusalem Grand Mufti Sheikh Saad al-Din al-Alami threatens Muslims who sell land to Jews with excommunication [JP 2/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: SLA base fired upon near Tyre; no injuries. RPG, shots directed at IDF outposts in Rashidieh, Ansar; no injuries. One SLA soldier injured by roadside bomb, unreported location [JP 2/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gunman kills IDF soldier guarding local Interior Ministry office in Ramallah; curfew imposed on Ramallah, al-Bireh, al-Amari camp; lifted later after over 100 arrested; over 100 businesses and shops closed by IDF for failure to cooperate in search for gunman [NYT 2/5, TS 2/5, JTA 2/5, MG 2/6]. Rabbi Moshe Levinger [who has been holding a "protest vigil" outside Dheisheh camp for 3 mos.], Border Policeman enter Dheisheh camp, fire shots, after stones thrown at Levinger; IDF seals off camp, detains several youths [WP 2/5, LT 2/5]. Levinger later joined by several right-wing MK's [JTA 2/5].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: 2 IDF troops wounded in bomb explosion near Qlai'eh. Bombing near Jwaiyeh injures IDF soldier. Roadside bomb wounds IDF soldier north of Tyre [WP 2/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Jordanian officials hold talks with French DM Hemu in Paris, reportedly finalize major arms deal. Pres. Reagan promotes 1st rabbi (Israel Drazin) to Brigadier Gen. in US Army.

Military Action

Arab World: Roadside bomb explodes near IDF patrol east of Tyre; no injuries.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli border guards and archaeological dep't. officials escort settlers in constructing first structures on 100 dunums of Battir lands (near Bethlehem) owned by local families and recently confiscated by Israel as "state lands." Military court sentences 5 Village League members to 2 yrs. for arson and attacks on Palestinian nationalists in West Bank. Central Bureau of Statistics reports unemployment over past 9 mos. rose from 27,000 to 85,000. Israel radio reports caretaker gov't. plans to press US for early remittance of 1984 financial aid balance.

Arab World: Palestine National Alliance issues statement in Damascus criticizing PDA-Fateh proposal (8/19/84) to convene National Council before reaching national consensus.

Military Action

Arab World: IDF close only crossing point between S. Lebanon and rest of country for 3 days. Passing car fires grenades on IDF patrols near Nabatiya. Roadside bomb explodes as IDF vehicle passes Deir Kanoun. IDF vehicle at Burj Shemali refugee camp near Tyre ambushed with grenades and automatic weapons. [Casualty figures unavailable].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel gov't. rejects King Hussein's UN peace negotiations proposal. Finance Ministry refuses income tax amendment protecting workers from inflation.

Arab World: Representatives of Fateh and Palestinian Democratic Alliance (PDA) issue joint statement in Algiers proposing to convene 1 7th National Council session before mid-Sept.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF shoot Jabaliya camp (Gaza) resident on suspicion of stone-throwing, wounding him in leg.

Arab World: 3 IDF troops wounded by roadside bomb near Jezzine. Lebanese resistance fighters ambush IDF vehicle S. of Lake Karoun. Katyushas fired on IDF position near Tyre.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Abu Dis village mukhtar 'Issa Jaffal dismissed by occupation authorities for refusing to urge villagers to drop suit against confiscation of 2500 dunums of their land. Beitunia College students strike, hold peaceful march protesting Village League members vandalizing, firing and hurling stones at student dormitories over past week. Israel's foreign reserves fall $351 million in July to just over $2.6 billion. Ministerial Economic Committee decides to cut all gov't. contracts to 25% over next 3 mos. Pres. Herzog urges Shamir and Peres to meet to consider joint rule proposals. Herzog refuses to invite Meir Kahane for customary post-election consultations. Umm al-Fahm Village Council conference at Tel Aviv Press Club disrupted by Kach members.

Arab World: In Le Monde inteview, Syrian Pres. Assad rules out linkage between IDF withdrawal and removal of Syrian troops from Lebanon.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem municipal employees assault Palestinian women selling vegetables at Damascus Gate, then destroy produce. Arab World: Israeli helicopters, F-16s & gunboats shell and drop experimental phosphorous & helium bombs on Nahr al-Bared camp, N. Lebanon where 16,000 Palestine refugees live; [casualty figures unavailable]. IDF kill 2 suspected of planting roadside bomb near Sidon. Grenade tossed at SLA patrols in Tyre; no injuries reported; IDF close Tyre port.

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Labor candidate Peres tells World Jewish Congress that Camp David not only basis for negotiations between Israel and Jordan. Peace Now members end conference with decision to follow Labor Party platform in July elections. Israel Discount Bank announces 1983 loss of $17.2 million.

Arab World: Lebanese cabinet holds inauguration mtg. in absence of National Salvation Front leaders Berri, Jumblatt and Abdullah Rassi.

Other Countries: Israel asks US help in securing return of 3 Israelis seized yesterday in Syrian-held territory in Lebanon; claims they are diplomats. Before US Senate Appropriations Com., US amb. to UN Kirkpatrick slams criticism of Israel in Security Council. Addressing B'nai B'rith Caribbean District convention in Panama City, Costa Rican Pres. Monge responds to int'l. criticism for moving embassy to Jerusalem, vowing not to "give in to diplomatic terrorism."

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 IDF-trained Kiryat Arba settlers arrested in connection with 4/27/84 bombing plot confess to attack on Hebron Islamic College where 4 Arab students were killed and 33 wounded; 3rd man reportedly sought. Arab World: Syria reports 3 Israelis arrested (5/1/84) held in Syria. Israeli soldiers kill 1 and wound another suspected of planting roadside bomb south of Tyre.