The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Body of stabbed Palestinian policeman is found in refugee camp north of Jericho [WP 3/9]. In Biddu village, Israeli authorities demolish houses belonging to 2 Palestinians allegedly involved in December murder of collaborator [FJ 3/13].

Arab World: Fateh Revolutionary Council [Abu Nidal organization] releases 2 Oxfam officials "taken into custody" 3/4 in 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp in Sidon [WP 3/9]. Syrian pres. al-Asad voices opposition to U.S. peace proposals but says he will not interfere with Arab governments wanting to support plan [WP 3/9].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz meets with former Israeli ambassador to U.S. Moshe Arens. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy leaves for Moscow to discuss Middle East peace plan with Soviet F. M. Eduard Shevardnadze [WP 3/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian shopkeeper from Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah is shot, killed [WP 3/9]. Army sentences 4 officers whose car was seized 3/7 by Palestinian hijackers to 35 days imprisonment for not carrying weapons while traveling off base [WP 3/9]. Military Court of Appeals releases 2 soldiers charged with burying alive 4 Salim village residents [FJ 3/13]. According to Palestinian reports, 3 babies died from effects of tear gas in Dayr al-Balah refugee camp. Israeli troops use tear gas, rubber bullets to disperse women marchers marking Intemational Women's Day in several cities; many are arrested [FJ 3/13]. Army imposes curfew on al-Mazra'ah; curfews remain in force in 'Arrub camp, Bani Na'im village, Idna village, Qabatiyyah village, Habla village, and Saylat al-Harthiyyah village [FJ 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Negev desert, 3 Palestinian gunmen hijack Israeli commuter bus. Israeli troops storm bus, killing hijackers; 3 passengers are killed, 8 injured [WP 3/8]. Jewish settler whose van is halted by road block in W. Bank village of Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah opens fire, killing Palestinian bystander [WP 3/28].

Arab World: Fateh claims responsibility for Negev desert hijacking [WP 3/8]. PLO officials Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) and 'Abd al-Rahim Ahmad arrive in Amman for meetings of Palestinian-Jordanian Joint Com. [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Paestinian attacks IDF patrol with gunfire and hand grenades, slightly wounding 1 soldier. Soldiers respond with live ammunition, wounding 7 [WP, LAT 3/8]. Palestinian is killed after being hit in face by tear gas canister. Soldiers impose curfew in Idna village after violent clashes in which at least 7 were injured. IDF uses half-tracks, live ammunition to disperse large demonstration in Nablus [FJ 3/13]. In Hebron-region village of Dura, protesters set fire to municipal building and car belonging to Israeli-appointed mayor. Army demolishes 2 houses in Biddu village near Ramallah [FJ 3/13]. Soldiers prevent faculty members and students from entering Bethlehem U. campus [FJ 3/13].