Secy of State Christopher meets Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Damascus, returns for U.S., noting "significant gaps" btwn. Israel and Syria, says he does not expect "any dramatic breakthrough in the nr....
IDF soldier shot and killed in Rafah, Gaza Strip, in attack claimed by Hamas as "swift and direct" revenge for 7/17 killing of 2 Palestinians in riot at Erez crossing. (MM 7/19; NYT, WP 7/20)...
4 IDF jets hit Syrian and PLO targets in Bekaa for first time since September 13 (1 SAM-9 missile battery destroyed at Dar el-Baideh along Beirut-Damascus Highway, targets...
Read more
Secy of State Christopher meets Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Damascus, returns for U.S., noting "significant gaps" btwn. Israel and Syria, says he does not expect "any dramatic breakthrough in the nr. future." Christopher says Asad "seemed relaxed" about upcoming Israeli-Jordanian summit. (SARR 7/22 in FBIS 7/22; MM 7/22; NYT, WP, WT 7/23)
Israel reopens Erez crossing, Gaza Strip, after 5-day closure. 10,000 Palestinians enter Israel for work; another 10,000, most mbrs. of opposition groups, hold rally in Gaza City in support of 7/17 rioters. (NYT 7/23)
IDF shoots Palestinian dead in Nablus, wounds 13. (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/25; NYT 7/23)
Palestinian killed in Yatta village, nr. Hebron, when bomb left by IDF at firing range explodes. (TJT 7/29)
Palestinian ambushes IDF patrol nr. settlement in Gaza Strip, wounds 1 soldier in attack claimed by Islamic Jihad. (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/22; MM 7/22; WT 7/23)
3 bombs explode in Hebron; no casualties reported. Clashes btwn. Palestinians, police erupt after explosions; 17 Palestinians wounded. (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/22; MM 7/22; NYT, WT 7/23)
Israeli intelligence tells Argentine authorities "Followers of God" (NYT--"Partisans of God") group claims responsibility for 7/18 bombing of Jewish center in Buenos Aires, 7/19 bombing of commuter plane in Panama. Death toll in Buenos Aires bombing now around 100--43 confirmed, 60 still missing. Group known only fr. communiqué issued 3 mos. earlier in Sidon, Lebanon, pledging "all-out war" against Israel. (NYT, WT 7/23)
IDF soldier shot and killed in Rafah, Gaza Strip, in attack claimed by Hamas as "swift and direct" revenge for 7/17 killing of 2 Palestinians in riot at Erez crossing. (MM 7/19; NYT, WP 7/20)
Israel-Jordan talks reach agreement to start negotiations for peace treaty on a "continuous basis" next month. (CSM, MM, NYT, WSJ, WT 7/20)
Palestinian-Israeli talks continue in Cairo on transfer of civilian powers to PNA. (MENA 7/19 in FBIS 7/19)
Secy of State Christopher holds talks with Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad in Damascus, says Israel-Syria dispute defies resolution, U.S. carrying no new proposals on Golan Heights. Christopher describes Asad as "very serious" about peace process. (CSM, NYT, WSJ, WT 7/20)
Commuter plane in Panama explodes, killing 21, including 12 Jews, of whom 4 are Israeli. Local Jewish leaders speculate bombing connected to 7/18 bombing of Jewish organizations in Argentina. (NYT, WP, WT 7/21)
Military Action:
Bitter clashes and artillery duels in Chouf, 11 towns/villages bombed, Phalange reports fires burning out of control; IDF closes nearby Beirut-Damascus road, refuses Lebanese Army command that IDF disarm both factions; IDF, Druze and Phalange militias agree to conduct joint patrols, and a Druze- Phalange committee will meet weekly or when necessary to resolve disputes in Aley; gunbattles continue in Tripoli; US Marines begin training special unit of Lebanese Army; IDF jeep hits mine near Ain Ata near Hasbaya.
Casualties:
25 killed in 24 hours in Chouf; 10 killed, 30 wounded in Tripoli; 1 IDF soldier wounded in jeep; UNRWA opens first tent in Ain el-Hilweh to use as classroom; Lebanese merchants complain that Israeli merchants are misleading them, demanding 100 percent down payments, etc.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel rejects shuttle diplomacy proposal; Commission will end staff questioning of witnesses this week; Shamir arrives in Argentina, says he will raise human rights-related issues; Israel withholding information about military lessons of the war until US agrees to seek Israeli approval before sharing with NATO, to allow Israeli expert to observe any tests and share American conclusions with Israel (agreement on sharing information on Soviet weapons performance initialed November 25 but still without Weinberger signature); IDF soldier charged with illegal use of weapon when he shot demonstrators in Halhoul; Israeli Druze decide against anti-IDF strike to protest IDF policy in Chouf.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Foreign Minister Elie Salem, in Washington, says Israel is prime source of continuing tension in Lebanon, suggests all "illegal" Palestinians should leave Lebanon, warns of renewed fighting unless foreign troops withdraw within next four weeks, seeks US support for expanding number of peacekeeping force; Amal militia threatens "bloodbath" if kidnapped commander, Yakub Daher, is harmed.
Arab Governments: Mubarak begins tour of Europe to push for peace process.
US and Other Countries: Shultz meets Pope and Mubarak, discusses Lebanon; France says it is willing to increase Beirut troops
Military Action:
4 IDF jets hit Syrian and PLO targets in Bekaa for first time since September 13 (1 SAM-9 missile battery destroyed at Dar el-Baideh along Beirut-Damascus Highway, targets at Ain Dara and Dhour Shweir hit; Syrian jets do not engage IDF jets); IDF sets up roadblocks near Aley, tightens regulation enforcement (cars may no longer drive alone through capital's suburbs), places forces on high alert.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet meets in emergency session, discusses military options, disagreement continues concerning withdrawal; US Jewish leaders in New York criticize Shamir for rejecting Reagan plan; "crisis of confidence" reported between army high command and Sharon; Draper arrives in Israel for talks with Begin on recent Habib visit to Syria; Daniel Timmerman, son of Argentine dissident and exile Jacobo Timmerman, goes to prison rather than do reserve duty in Lebanon.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel names Wazzan to head new government (seen as concession to Muslim leaders after secret weekend talk with Saeb Salam); Wazzan says all militias will be disbanded, favors "special status" for remaining Palestinian civilians but will take up issue with PLO.
US and Other Countries: US deplores Israeli attack on Bekaa; US vows to leave International Telegraph Union (meeting in Nairobi) if Algerian proposal to expel Israel from 157-member body is passed; for first time in over 20 years, China allows 2 Israeli professors with Israeli passports to enter the People's Republic.
