The Palestine Chronology

Election rerun is held without incident in 2 voting districts in North Gaza. (VOP 1/31 in FBIS 2/1; VOP 2/1 in FBIS 2/2) (see 1/24)

2d round of Syrian-Israeli talks closes in Maryland. (QY 1/31 in FBIS 1/31; ITV, SARR 1/31, QY 2/1 in FBIS 2/1; SARR 2/1 in FBIS 2/2; MM 2/1, 2/2; NYT 2/7; JP 2/10)

IDF appoints its 1st imam to provide religious services to Muslim soldiers stationed in n. Israel. (IL 1/31)

IDF closes off Ramallah to Israeli traffic after Palestinians throw stones at passing vehicles. (QY 1/31 in FBIS 1/31)

PSF launches manhunt for 2 men possibly affiliated with Abu Nidal who illegally entered Gaza with 1st 54 policemen allowed in fr. Egypt 1/30; 3d man is arrested immediately. IDF freezes entry of remaining policemen until issue is resolved. (VOP 1/30 in FBIS 1/31; HA 1/31, QY 2/1 in FBIS 2/1)

CEC decides to rerun voting at 2 polling sites in Gaza on 1/31 because of disputes over initial results and recount. International supervisors will be present. (VOP 1/24 in FBIS 1/24) (see 1/22)

Syrian, Israeli teams (incl. military experts) resume exploratory talks in Maryland. (MM, WP 1/24; IDF Radio, ITV, al-Hayat, SATN, SARR 1/24, SARR 1/25 in FBIS 1/25; WJW, WT 1/25)

IDF detains 9 Lebanese citizens in s. Lebanon, releases 3. UNIFIL demands release of remaining 6. (RL 1/24 in FBIS 1/24; RL 1/24 in FBIS 1/25)

In special ceremony, Israeli Interior M Hayim Ramon signs passport and certificate of citizenship of Jonathan Pollard, officially making him an Israeli citizen. U.S. Amb. to Israel Martin Indyk says U.S. will continue to consider Pollard an American. (QY 1/24 in FBIS 1/25; Davar 1/26 in FBIS 1/26) (see 12/6, 12/11)

Voter and candidate registration for Palestinian elections closes. (JP 1/6; CSM 1/19; WT 1/20)

2d round of Syrian-Israeli talks closes in Maryland. (MM 1/5; ITV, MBC, SATN 1/5, SARR 1/6, ITV, RMC, SARR 1/7, QY, SARR 1/8 in FBIS 1/11; NYT, WP, WT 1/6; WT 1/8)

In Gaza, no. 1 on Israel's most wanted list, Yahya Ayyash, thought to be behind many of Hamas's major bombings, is killed when his booby-trapped cellular phone explodes. Hamas, PA blame Mossad. Israel neither confirms or denies responsibility. Arafat pays condolences to Hamas's Zahhar. (IDF Radio, QPAR, QY 1/5 in FBIS 1/5; NYT, WP, WT 1/6; MM 1/8; WP, WT 1/9; ITV, QPAR 1/5, RMC 1/6, IDF Radio, HA, MA, MENA, QY, RMC 1/7, QY, RE, 1/8, QY 1/9 in FBIS 1/11; MM 1/9; WJW 1/11; JP 1/13; NYT 1/14)