The Palestine Chronology

Secy. Albright, envoy Ross, Asst. Secy. of State Martin Indyk arrive in the Middle East to prepare for talks in Washington beginning 10/15. Albright meets with Netanyahu, then travels to Gaza to meet with Arafat. (MM 10/5; HA [Internet], WT 10/6)

Turkish pres. Demirel postpones mtg. with Egyptian pres. Mubarak that was set for today. Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan phones Demirel to urge him to find a diplomatic solution to crisis with Syria. (MM 10/5; ATL, JT, RJ, RL 10/5 in WNC 10/6; IRIB Television, JTV, Petra-JNA, SATN 10/5, IRNA, Petra-JNA, Sabah 10/6 in WNC 10/7; CSM 10/6; MEI 10/16) (see 10/4)

In a mtg. with outgoing Lebanese pres. Ilyas Hrawi in Damascus, Syrian pres. Asad taps army chief Gen. Emile Lahoud as the next Lebanese pres. Lahoud is widely considered to be an incorrupt, popular "new face," untainted by politics and unlikely to draw the military into the government. (RL, SANA 10/5 in WNC 10/6; AFP, RL al-Safir, SANA 10/5, RL, VOL 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM, WP, WT 10/7; RL 10/7 in WNC 10/8; RL, RMC 10/8 in WNC 10/9; al-Watan al-Arabi 10/9 in WNC 10/15; Petra-JNA 10/11 in WNC 10/14; MM 10/12; MEI 10/16)

In s. Lebanon, Amal detonates 2 bombs as an IDF-SLA patrol passes, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 4. (AFP, RL, VOL 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

UN Human Rights Committee endorses resolution calling for Israel not to settle Soviet Jews in O.T. U.S. abstains (cf. 2/17) [ADS 2/18 in FBIS 2/20].

USSR has informed U.S. it will not allow direct Aeroflot flights from Soviet Union to Israel (cf. 2/19) [YA 2/16 in FBIS 2/16].

Soviet P.M. Nikolay Ryzhkov says USSR will consideresuming diplomatic ties with Israel only after Israeli-Palestinian dialogue is launched [RPP 2/16 in FBIS 2/23].

Yasir Arafat contacts the "parties concerned" in the intra-Christian fighting in E. Beirut, offers to mediate (cf. 2/19) [RMC 2/17 in FBIS 2/20].

Gaza Strip residents observe general strike [MET 2/27-3/5].

Israeli helicopters attack Amal post south of Sidon, S. Lebanon; no injuries UDS 2/16 in FBIS 2/20; MET 2/27-3/5].

DFLP has asked Red Cross to force Israel to give prisoner of war status to 3 DFLP members captured 2/15 [RMC 2/ 16 in FBIS 2/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli investigating officer finds that soldier who shot dead 22-year-old Palestinian on 12/28 violated army orders [MET 1/23].

Arab World: Arafat and Mubarak again meet in Cairo to discuss preparations for meeting with U.S., Israel [MET 1/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF troops shoot, wound 11 stone-throwing youths in various clashes in Gaza Strip [MET 1/ 23].

Arab World: Heavy fighting in Lebanon between Amal and Hizballah; Amal forces attack Israeli military vehicle, Israeli guns shell Tayr Harfa area [FBIS 1/16].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gaza City shops observe 1-day strike [WP 10/11]. Yigdal Shahaf is shot in head, seriously wounded by unknown assailant near Damascus Gate [WP 10/11; MET 10/24]. Caller allegedly from Force 17 later claims responsibility, charges Shahaf was Mossad agent [FJ 10/18]. Arab World: In speech to Jordanian Parliament, King Hussein blames Likud for dimmed prospects for peace conference, announces postponement of elections for lower house of Parliament for at least 2 years [WP 10/11]. PLO Executive Com. Chairman Yasir Arafat holds talks with Arab League Sec. Gen. Chedli Klibi in Tunis [FBIS 10/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In 3d consecutive day of violence in Gaza Strip, Israeli troops use live ammunition to disperse stonethrowing demonstrators at Gaza's Islamic University, injuring at least 3 students. In separate Gaza City incident, at least 8 Palestinians are wounded by Israeli troops firing live ammunition and tear gas at stone-throwing demonstrators [WP 10/11; FBIS 10/13].

Arab World: Hospitals near Sidon report 7 are killed, 10 wounded in daylong battles between Amal and Palestinian forces around 'Ayn al-Hilwah [WP 10/12]. IDF fighter planes strike PFLP target in Biqa' Valley [NYT 10/11; FBIS 10/13]. Lebanese fighters claim to down IDF helicopter during Biqa' raid; IDF denies allegation [FBIS 10/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Report on Gaza Strip, compiled by Meron Benvenisti's West Bank Date Base Project, is published, says "the situation is hopeless," calls territory "atime bomb" [LT 5/24].

Arab World: The New York Times reports President Mubarak and King Hussein met recently to discuss Egyptian-backed Palestinian self-rule in Gaza. Deposed Gaza Mayor Rashad al-Shawwa suggested idea, which would involve Egyptian consular services in East Jerusalem, Egyptian bank in Gaza, and legislative council [NYT 5/23]. Yasir Arafat declares to al-Bayan (Dubai) that PLO has decided to end its military presence in Tunisia.

Military Action

Arab World: New combat breaks out around Burj al-Barajinah, Sabra, and Shatila camps between Amal and Palestinians [OJ 5/24].

Military Action:

IDF patrol ambushed on perimeter of West Beirut; UN official charges Israel creating armed committees in 60 villages south of Litani, as part of plan to implement "Organization for a Unified South," with goal of 5,000 to 12,000 armed men; Amal forces and newly formed National Guard of Lebanon clash in coastal village of al-Ghaziyeh.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Foreign Minister Shamir arrives in Bonn for talks with West German leaders; Finance Minister Aridor to visit South Africa this week seeking increased economic aid; Ibna al-Balad (Sons of the Village) distributes leaflet calling for rejection of West Bank and Gaza groups supporting Reagan plan, police arrest some members on suspicion of having painted the walls of their club in the colors of the PLO flag; Uri Avnery, Matti Peled and Ya'acov Arnon, who met with Arafat in Tunis, leave Sheli party; Peace Now demonstrates outside Begin's office to protest continued Israeli presence in Lebanon; Defense Ministry says Israel will take all steps necessary for security of Galilee, even if this means a de facto division of Lebanon into spheres of influence; Village League head Mustafa Dudeen leaves for visit to US.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Issam Sartawi says previous Palestine National Council resolutions amount to recognition of state of Israel and that Arafat has accepted formula of Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza; 800 residents of South Lebanon meet under Israeli guard in Klea, form Organization for a Unified South (OUS), call for peace treaty with Israel and support for Saad Haddad.

US and Other Countries: US evangelical groups such as Moral Majority, Religious Roundtable increasing support for Israel.