The Palestine Chronology

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah attacks an IDF patrol, killing 1 soldier. For the 2d time in 24 hrs., Israel responds with airstrikes against civilian sites, Hizballah bases, wounding 2 persons. Claiming that Hizballah launched strikes fr. civilian areas, PM Barak says Israel will no longer honor the 1996 April Understanding prohibiting all parties in s. Lebanon fr. involving civilians in violence. (AFP, MENA, RL 2/8, RL 2/9 in WNC 2/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/9; AYM, al-Quds 2/9 in WNC 2/11; WJW 2/10; MEI 2/11; JP 2/18)

In Jericho, PA police using a bulldozer force their way into a disputed Russian Orthodox monastery in an apparent effort to divide the property btwn. the 2 branches of the church, but U.S. consular officials intervene, persuading the PA to halt the action at least temporarily. (WP 2/9) (see 1/15)

In Cairo, Egypt, Iran hold talks on expanding agricultural cooperation. (MENA 2/8 in WNC 2/10)

PA police attempt to seize control of a monastery in Jericho that is the subject of a dispute btwn. 2 branches of the Russian Orthodox church, but 2 nuns refuse to leave. Police leave the building surrounded, refusing to evict the nuns by force. The PA claims it is acting at the request of Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow. (WT 1/18; WP 1/28)

Jordanian PM Rawabida reshuffles the cabinet, bringing 7 technocrats into the new government. (JT 1/16 in WNC 1/19; MM 1/17, 1/27; MEI 1/28)