The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Azun in a car with Palestinian license plates, surrounds a home, arrests 1 PSF mbr. who surrenders; conducts random ID checks in, fires on residential areas of Kafr Dan nr. Jenin; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin and Nablus, in Dahaysha r.c., nr. Bethlehem, Hebron; burns 70 d. of agricultural land btwn. the separation wall and the Green Line nr. Tulkarm (see 8/5). In Ramallah, 7 Palestinians working in the PC building are taken to the hospital with breathing difficulties after opening a suspicious letter addressed to PM Haniyeh; the building is evacuated. The PA head of military intelligence for n. Gaza dies of injuries received in an ambush in Jabaliya r.c. on 8/6; no group claims responsibility. (AP 8/7; WP 8/8; OCHA 8/9; PCHR 8/10)

Overnight, the IDF destroys the last remaining bridge over the Litani River linking n. and s. Lebanon; this cuts off access to Tyre. The IDF announces a 10:00 P.M. curfew on Tyre, saying that any movement there after dark and any vehicular traffic s. of the Litani River at any time will henceforth be considered Hizballah activity and a legitimate target. As UN mbrs. narrow differences on a cease-fire res., Olmert’s security cabinet discusses speeding up the IDF’s advance to the Litani River, escalating attacks on Lebanon’s civilian infrastructure. During the day, the IDF continues heavy air, artillery strikes on some 150 targets across Lebanon, hitting s. Beirut (including 47 killed, 70 wounded in the Christian-Shi‘i suburb of al-Shiyah, where Shi‘a are pro-Amal), the Biqa‘ Valley (including Baalbek, Masnaa), in and around Nabatiyya (including 7 civilians killed in air strikes on cars traveling in Qasmiyya; 15 killed, 20 wounded in an air strike on an apartment building in Ghaziyya), and across s. Lebanon (including demolishing a 4-building apartment complex in Tyre), killing at least 69 Lebanese civilians; continues ground operations across s. Lebanon that leave 3 IDF soldiers dead, 7 wounded in Bint Jubayl and include heavy fighting in Hula (the IDF claims to kill at least 15 Hizballah mbrs.); downs an unmanned Hizballah drone off the s. Lebanon coast. Hizballah fires 130 rockets into n. Israel, injuring 10 Israelis, hitting targets in Acre, Carmiel, Kiryat Shimona (70 rockets), Ma’alot, Nahariya, Safad. The ICRC says that the IDF has barred humanitarian aid missions to the south for 3 days. (BBC, NYT, WP 8/7; BBC, NYT, WP, WT 8/8; WP, WT 8/9; WP 8/10)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 150,000 members of Israel's Clerks Union begin week-long strike for higher wages [CSM 9/21; JPI 9/26]. Jewish settlers, with protection of soldiers and police, occupy 18 rooms in Jerusalem house leased by Walid Zurba. Settlers claim to have bought the house [FJ 9/27]. W. Bank waqf leaders meet in Jerusalem, decide to boycott anyone who sells, rents, evacuates, or permits other buildings on his property [FJ 9/27]. Board of trustees decides to close al-Najah University until 10/24 [FJ 9/27]. Curfew is imposed on Dahayshah refugee camp after stoning incidents [FJ 9/27].

Arab World: Representatives of all Palestinian factions meet with Amal representative in Tyre to discuss conditions in Rashidiyyahnd Buss refugee camps [FJ 9/27]. Sharif al-Din Birzadah, secretary general of Organization of Islamic Conference, expresses dismay at U.S. decision to close PIO [FJ 9/27]. Al-Husayn Brigade (Lebanon) threatens to attack U.S. and U.S. embassies unless Fawwaz Yunis, Lebanese Shi'i captured by FBI, is released [CSM 9/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF soldiers shoot 2 Palestinians at Damascus Gate in Jerusalem after quarrel [FJ 9/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: Tass denies Soviets approached Israelis in Paris with diplomatic deal [BG 7/20].

Military Action

Arab World: Sunni and Shi'ite leaders in Sidon announce confiscation of large arms shipments last week intended for Palestinian camps of 'Ain al-Hilweh and Mieh Mieh. Four pro-Arafat guerrilla leaders carrying large sums of money were also detained; their 7-day grace period to leave the city expires today. Order to leave was issued by People's Liberation Army (Sunni), Amal, prominent Sunnis in Sidon, and Palestine National Salvation Front. Southem Lebanese pledge not to allow Palestinians to rebuild presence in south following Israeli withdrawal. Amal has checkpoints in Tyre to prevent Palestinian arms from reaching the camps there [NYT 7/21]. In Beirut, the 7/9 Syrian-sponsored cease-fire is holding; the 7/16 agreement between pro-and anti-Jumayyil Christian forces in East Beirut is also holding [CSM 7/23].

Military Action:

LAF and Druze exchange artillery and RPG fire around Souq al-Gharb; heavy fighting in Tripoli between pro- and anti-Syrian militias, Syrian artillery shells Islamic Unification Movement positions; IDF position near Tyre attacked with small arms fire.

Casualties:

6 LAF soldiers wounded at Souq al-Gharb; 47 killed, 70 wounded in Tripoli; Islamic Unification Movement [IUM] forces occupy most positions of pro-Syrian militia in Tripoli; 1 IDF soldier wounded near Tyre.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Cease-fire security committee fails to meet as Amal delegate protests LAF arrest of Shi'ite soldiers returning home; Gemayel announces talks will begin on October 20 at undisclosed venue.

US and Other Countries: Reagan signs legislation authorizing Marines to remain in Lebanon for 18 months, but disclaims any concession of the constitutional authority of a President to deploy troops without Congressional approval.

Military Action:

Israeli and Phalangist forces link in Beirut, encircling PLO forces inside city; Israeli tanks push NE of capital, move on Syrian positions; IDF seizes control of Baabda; Beirut radio says IDF, with Phalangist support, moves to coast north of Beirut; Israeli navy closes Beirut port; Sharon visits Beirut for meetings with Phalangist leaders.

PLO leaders tour camps, hospitals, troop positions in Beirut; fighting flares between IDF and Syrians near highway; Phalangist officers, dressed in Israeli uniforms, are seen giving directions to Israeli tanks.

Casualties:

Reports from Tyre indicate no buildings untouched by shrapnel (Israeli military governor estimates only 30 percent of buildings destroyed); Palestinian Red Crescent Hospital in Sidon reports many patients dismem-bered in fighting (only one doctor remains to tend 58 patients after Israelis arrest Canadian, Norwegian, Palestinian doctors); all Sidon men aged 17-55, required to report to IDF for permits, many are arrested after going to IDF headquarters; 90 busloads of Palestinians reportedly taken away for questioning; Lebanese police report 9,583 killed, 16,608 wounded since Israeli air raids began 11 days ago (dead in Beirut estimated at 750); Israel now controls about half of Lebanon; Nabatiyeh reported "sanitized" by IDF before foreign correspondents allowed in; Israelis report 170 Israelis killed, 700 wounded, 10 captured, and 6,000 Palestinian guerrillas and 60 Syrians held; UK embassy advises nationals to leave.

Political Responses:

Israel/Occupied Territories: Israeli Defense Minister Sharon says IDF has "no intention" of taking Beirut; General Eitan says IDF mission is to smash PLO's political and military nerve center; Begin leaves for the US; Israeli agencies plan relief for Lebanon.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO vows to stand and fight; Lebanese President Sarkis, meeting with 10 Cabinet ministers at Presidential Palace (Israeli tanks 200 metres away), calls for setting up a Council of National Salvation; 3 appointees to Council, however, refuse to attend; Habib delivers Israeli withdrawal terms to Sarkis, and US Ambassador Dillon sends limousine to fetch Walid Jumblatt; Jumblatt demands wider representation of Lebanese leftists on Council-other members are Gemayel (Maronite Phalangist), Berri (Shiite Amal), Maalouf (Catholic), Foreign Minister Butros (Greek Orthodox), Prime Minister Wazzan (Sunni), and Presi-dent Sarkis (Maronite); Christians in Baabda reportedly welcome Israelis, guide them; Bashir Gemayel reportedly pushed as future president of Lebanon (election of new Lebanese president by Parliament scheduled for late August); Haddad tours southern Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Egypt relays Palestinian request for cease-fire in Beirut area to Israel; Mubarak meets with Saudi King Fahd (first contact since 1973 peace treaty signed).