The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 15,000 Jews and Palestinians form human chain for peace 2.5 miles long around walls of Jerusalem's Old City. At several points police try to break up crowds by firing water cannons, tear gas, and rubber bullets. At least 50 are arrested, 70 wounded [NYT, WP 12/31; FBIS 1/3; FJ 1/8].

Military Action

Arab World: At Arafat's instruction, PLO militiamen south of Sidon take up positions to prevent clashes between Hizballah and Amal from spreading to PLO-controlled areas [NYT 12/31; FBIS 1/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa begins Christmas pilgrimage to Holy Land, offers support for creation of independent Palestinian state as well as for Israel's "independence and t rritorial integrity" [NYT 12/24].

Arab World: Syrian Vice President Khaddam arrives in Cairo for meetings with Mubarak [FBIS 12/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Rafah Palestinians are killed in clashes with IDF troops; at least 20 are wounded. Military orders closing of 11 Gaza schools, most of them operated by UNRWA, for stonethrowing incidents [FBIS 12/27].

Arab World: Fierce fighting between Amal and Hizballah forces breaks out in southern Lebanon; police report 17 killed, 40 injured [NYT 12/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: D. M. Rabin says IDF efforts to control intifada have been unsuccessful, but that intifada accounts for "only 4 percent" of Israel's defense budget [NYT 12/5].

Arab World: Jordan's P.M. Zeid bin Shaker resigns and is replaced by Mudar Badran, who has held the office twice before. King Husayn asks Badran "to work with the PLO" and support the intifada [NYT, WP 12/5].

Arab Tripartite Committee on Lebanon concludes 2-day Riyadh meeting, issues communique calling on all parties involved to abide by Taif agreement [FBIS 12/5].

Other Countries: Arab nations at UN ask U.S. not to threaten UN with financial sanctions in future, and to allow PLO observer's seat to be placed near observer nations; in return Arabs will drop campaign to recognize Palestinian statehood [NYT, WP 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: 2 Israeli army reserve units made up of W. Bank settlers are deployed in Jericho and Ma'radah in W. Bank [FBIS 12/5].

General strike is observed in O.T. [FBIS 12/7].

Arab World: SLA and Amal forces exchange artillery fire in S. Lebanon [NYT 12/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Beginning at 4 am, hundreds of Israeli soldiers and Shin Bet agents raid Palestinian homes in Nablus, arrest "scores" of youths. In Gaza, IDF troops shoot, wound at least 36 Palestinians. In both incidents, Israeli soldiers are reportedly dressed as Arabs, driving vehicles with O.T. license plates [NYT, WP 12/3; FBIS 12/7; JP 12/9; MET 12/12].

Members of Israeli group Yesh Gval demonstrate to show solidarity with Palestinian residents of Bayt Sahur, attempto distribute leaflets, but are restrained by IDF troops [FJ 12/18].

Arab World: 3 killed and 9 wounded in artillery exchange between SLA and Amal forces in S. Lebanon [WP 12/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians observe general strike in O.T. [FJ 4/17].

Military Action Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Hebron soldier shoots, kills Palestinian. In Jabalya troops open fire, killing 13-year-old Palestinian, wounding 3others [FBIS 4/10, FJ 4/17]. In Gaza, at least 11 Palestinians are injured [FJ 4/17].

Arab World: Israeli gunboat, helicopters kill 4 Palestinian guerrillas attempting to cross into Israel via Mediterranean; Amal anti-aircraft batteries, artillery join battle firing on Israeli forces [FBIS 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Detainees of Ansar 3 begin hunger strike protesting conditions [FBIS 3/3].

Arab World: Israel, Egypt sign agreement giving Egypt control of Taba as of 3/15 [FBIS, WP 2/27]. Arafat visits Egypt [FBIS 2/27]. Amal accuses Fateh of violating agreement by reinforcing Fateh's military presence near Tyre; Fateh responds that it is protecting itself against possible Amal, Palestinian National Salvation Front attack [FBIS 3/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza troops shoot, kill 20-year-old Palestinian. In Rafah troops injured 25 Palestinians during clashes [FBIS 2/27].

Arab World: Syria fires 2 missiles at Israeli F-4 Phantoms flying over Beqa'a valley [FJ 3/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Hizballah, Amal end yearlong feud, agree to force Israeli army out of southern Lebanon [CSM, FJ 2/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 17 Palestinians are injured in Gaza. In Rujay 10 Palestinians are arrested. In Fasayil 3 homes are destroyed by Israeli troops. In Qalqiliyyah soldiers uproot 120 citrus trees [FJ 2/6].