The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle driving near the Homesh settlement outpost, injuring 1 and damaging the car. Thousands of Palestinians partook in a funeral ceremony in Ramallah for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed by Israeli forces on 5/11 in Jenin refugee camp. PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke at the ceremony and awarded her the Al-Quds star of honor. Abu Akleh will be buried in East Jerusalem on 5/13. Israeli forces prevented Palestinians in the funeral procession from accompanying her casket through the Qalandia checkpoint from Ramallah to East Jerusalem. Israeli forces also demolished a water collection pond used for irrigation in Marj Na‘aj. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during a late-night raid in Hebron, Rumana, Qabatiya, and Burqin, and 2 at flying checkpoints in Hebron and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a house in Bayt Hanina, where friends and family of Abu Akleh were holding a memorial ceremony for her; Israeli forces confiscated Palestinian flags. Israeli police also raided Abu Akleh’s house on 5/11, confiscating Palestinian flags. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids. (AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, GDN, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/13; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

Israel’s higher planning council approved 4,427 new settlement housing units in the West Bank. 2,791 received final approval, while 1,636 were deposited for public comment before final approval. Among the new housing units are the retroactive legalization of the Mitzpeh Dani and Givat Oz VeGaon settlement outposts and expansion of the settlements of Negohot, Shvut Rachel, Dolev, Betar Ilit, and Kiryat Arba. According to Haaretz, the government’s meeting to approve the settlements was a condition by Yamina MK Nir Orbach to remain in the fragile government coalition. UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland condemned the settlement expansions. On 5/13, 15 European countries urged Israel to reverse its decision, including France, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, and Sweden. (PCN 5/9; ABC, AJ, AP, GDN, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA 5/12; AJ, ALM, F24, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/13)

Ecuadorian president Guillermo Lasso met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Jerusalem, saying he will open a representative office in Jerusalem and support Israel in votes at the UN. President Lasso also met with prime minister Naftali Bennett and foreign minister Yair Lapid. (HA 5/12)

The New York Times reported that the FBI stated in a 2018 letter to the Israeli government that it wanted to use NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware “for the collection of data from mobile devices for the prevention and investigation of crimes and terrorism” before purchasing the spyware later the same year. (NYT 5/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians protesting the incursion; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers with pepper spray east of Hebron. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 mosque, 3 houses, and 1 commercial structure in Marda. Israeli forces also forced Palestinian business owners to close their shops in Huwwara, claiming that stones had been thrown at Israeli settlers near the shops. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 water wells in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure in ‘Anata. Israeli military said that shots were fired from a car at Israeli soldiers near Nablus; no injuries were reported. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during late-night raids in Dahariya, Za‘atra, Silwad, and Zeita; 3 were arrested at checkpoints near Bethlehem and Nablus. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 2/3)

Haaretz reported that Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit authorized establishing an Israeli settlement on the evacuated Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita. Attorney General Mendelblit is leaving office this week. Palestinians have held weekly protests at the site since the outpost was erected in May 2021. The outpost was evacuated in June 2021, but the houses erected remained as the settlers struck a deal with the Israeli government that they could move back if Israel deemed that the land is state-owned. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz will have to declare the area state-owned, after which there will be a 45-day period to file objections. Several Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the past year while protesting the outpost. In a letter from Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Lapid warned that if the Israeli government legalized the Evyatar settlement outpost, it “could have serious diplomatic consequences and damage foreign relations, first and foremost from the United States,” saying that the U.S. has already made this clear to him. Labor and Meretz publicly opposed legalizing the settlement outpost. (AP, HA, IN 2/2; HA, JP, MEE, TOI, TOI, TOI 2/3; HA, HA, HA 2/4; UNOCHA 2/11)

The Shin Bet admitted to having threatened random Palestinians in Israel that it would “settle the score” if they had participated in protests related to the May 2021 uprising in Israel that coincided with Israeli attacks on Gaza and eviction threats against Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah. (HA, MEE 2/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Amnesty International’s secretary-general Agnès Callamard in Ramallah, discussing the report Amnesty released on 2/1 that charged Israel with the crime of apartheid. (WAFA 2/2)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, at a conference in Tel Aviv, that the Israeli military on 4 occasions had offered assistance to Lebanon. According to Gantz, the offers were made to strengthen the Lebanese army in facing “the strengthening of Hezbollah under Iran’s support.” Israeli military sources later denied that Israel had made such offers and that Israel had only offered humanitarian aid following the explosion in the Beirut port. (HA 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

Israel, Oman, and Saudi Arabia all took part in the International Maritime Exercise 2022, led by the U.S. and with the participation of nearly 60 countries. It was the 1st time that Saudi Arabia and Oman partook in a naval exercise with Israel, which they have no formal relations with. (AJ, ALM 2/2)

The FBI confirmed reporting from the New York Times published on 1/28 that the agency had bought the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, but claimed to never have used it. The FBI further stated that it had bought the spyware for “product testing and evaluation.” (ALM, AP, HA, REU 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized equipment worth around $30,000 in a quarry near Beit Fajjar, Israeli forces had earlier in the day sealed off a road leading to the quarry. Israeli forces also set up mobile structures on Palestinian-owned land in Khirbat Humsa. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned structures near al-Ramadin; 1 Palestinian journalist working for WAFA was assaulted and another Palestinian was detained during the demolition. Israeli forces also demolished 25 produce stands near al-Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin. 32 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids, including 21 in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, 1 Palestinian was also was bitten by a police dog. PA forces opened fire at a sit-in protest in front of the education directorate headquarters in Tubas, injuring 2 with live ammunition bullet shrapnel. The Palestinian students were peacefully protesting in Tubas, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Nablus, demanding that parts of the matriculation exams are removed due to the COVID-19 virus. The Tubas governor said that an investigation into the incident was underway and that it was the action of 1 individual. 11 others were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Qatanna, Tuqu‘, and Sa‘ir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home, in Shu‘fat refugee camp, of 1 Palestinian man who was killed after killing 1 Israeli settler and injuring 4 others in the Old City on 11/21/2021. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled agricultural land east of Khan Yunis and north of Bayt Lahiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the shore; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; MEMO 2/2; AJ, MEMO, PCHR 2/3; UNOCHA 2/11)

Israel’s interior ministry said it would start processing family unification requests from Palestinians over the age of 50 who had received residency permits within the last 5 years. The ministry said it would start with that age group because they pose less of a security threat. If a family unification request is approved, the Palestinian will be “upgraded” to “temporary resident” with social benefits. There are 1,680 requests waiting as the Israeli interior ministry has refused to process the requests despite a temporary ban on Palestinian unifications expiring in July 2021. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Hamoked, and Physicians for Human Rights said Israel should start reviewing all applications and not just those for Palestinians over the age of 50. (HA 2/1)

Amnesty International released a 280-page report named “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity,” prepared over the last 4 years. Amnesty said in its report that it had found that “Israel has imposed a system of oppression and domination over Palestinians wherever it exercises control over the enjoyment of their rights—across Israel and the OPT and with regard to Palestinian refugees. The segregation is conducted in a systematic and highly institutionalized manner through laws, policies and practices, all intended to prevent Palestinians from claiming and enjoying equal rights to Jewish Israelis within Israel and the OPT, and thus intended to oppress and dominate the Palestinian people.” Amnesty concluded that this institutionalized discrimination perpetrated by Israel is “the international wrong of apartheid, as a human rights violation and a violation of public international law wherever it imposes this system.” Its research was based on “relevant Israeli legislation, regulations, military orders, directives by government institutions and statements by Israeli government and military officials.” Amnesty said that “Israel must grant equal and full human rights to all Palestinians in Israel and the OPT in line with principles of international human rights law and without discrimination, while ensuring respect for protections guaranteed for Palestinians in the OPT under international humanitarian law. It must also recognize the right of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to return to homes where they or their families once lived in Israel or the OPT. In addition, Israel must provide victims of human rights violations, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law—and their families—with full reparations. These should include restitution of and compensation for all properties acquired on a racial basis.” The Israeli foreign ministry called the report anti-Semitic. Amnesty refuted the charged said that Israel is diverting attention away from its violations of Palestinians’ human rights. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. does not agree with Amnesty’s assessment “that Israel’s actions constitute apartheid.” Neither U.S. or Israeli senior officials commented on the evidence presented in the report. The UK and Germany also said they disagreed with the terminology of apartheid used in the report. The PA foreign ministry welcomed the report. (AP, HA, HA, JDF, WAFA 1/31; +972, AI, AJ, AP, CNN, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HILL, IN, JP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, POL, REU, SKY, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 2/1; HA, HA, JP, JP, MDW, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; +972, MEE, MEMO 2/3; TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/4; AJ 2/5)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said at a conference in Tel Aviv that Israel will start using lasers to intercept missiles “within a year.” (ALM, AP, HA, JP, MEMO, REU 2/1)

A vice president of the American telecommunications company Mobileum said that he had alerted the FBI to a meeting between the Israeli company NSO Group and Mobileum in 2017, saying that the NSO Group sought to buy access to the SS7 network. Mobileum did not deny the meeting but said that no deal was made with the NSO Group. The former employee who now works for Citizen Lab filed a whistleblower complaint about the meeting and presented evidence to the U.S. justice department, the securities and exchange commission, and the federal communications commission in June 2021. The former VP said that NSO Group senior employees explicitly said during the meeting that they would “drop off bags of cash in [the VP’s] office.” The former VP also said that if the NSO Group had gained access to the SS7 network, it would have “access to the home networks of operators around the world, access to millions and millions of users without bypassing any sort of security controls. That’s a very tantalizing capability for them to have.” (AJ, GDN, HA, MEE, WP 2/1)

The IDF assassinates senior Hamas mbr. Iyad al-Bik, whom Israel claims is tied to al-Qa‘ida, firing 3 missiles at his car as he drives through Gaza City, causing no other injuries. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian riding a donkey nr. Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, killing 1 Palestinian; fires on stone-throwing youths in Balata r.c., injuring 5; bulldozes 30 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis; raids the Ramallah central bus station, arresting a wanted Hamas mbr.; conducts additional arrest raids in Tulkarm, nearby refugee camps. A 13-yr.-old Palestinian dies of injuries received on 3/3/03; another Palestinian dies of injuries received in 4/29/03. Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF patrol nr. Kefar Darom, luring an IDF tank to the scene; a Palestinian suicide bomber drives up to the tank, detonates a car bomb, killing only himself; no IDF soldiers are injured in the incident; the IDF demolishes a PSF office in retaliation. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (BBC, HA, JP 5/8; HA, NYT, WP 5/9; AYM 5/9 in WNC 5/12; PCHR 5/15)

U.S. officials say that the 11/02 ruling by a secretive 3-judge federal appeals panel interpreting the 2001 Patriot Act as permitting the use of classified wiretaps and intelligence reports fr. foreign security agencies against terrorism suspects has allowed the FBI to intensify greatly its decades old investigations of alleged U.S. supporters of Hamas, Hizballah. Investigations reportedly have been focusing on U.S. mosques. (WP 5/8)

Bush prepares the U.S. for a long, sustained "war on terrorism." Admin. officials say they are considering lifting the 25-yr.-old ban on U.S. involvement in foreign assassinations, loosening restrictions on FBI surveillance and detention of foreigners. Iran, Hizballah spiritual leader Shaykh Fadlallah denounce the 9/11 attacks. (NYT, WP, WT 9/17; WP 9/18; MM 10/4)

The IDF announces that it is establishing an 18-mi.-long "closed military area," or buffer zone, along the Green Line btwn. Jinin and Tulkarm. In response to the 9/15 DFLP shooting, the IDF sends tanks into Bayt Hanun, al-Qarara, and Ramallah, shelling residential areas while helicopters fire missiles; 2 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are killed, 26 Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier are wounded before Israeli forces withdraws fr. areas A 4 hrs. later. In al-Qarara, the IDF confiscates 200 dunams of Palestinian land for a new settler bypass road to Gush Katif (see 9/12), confiscates a Palestinian home as an military post. The IDF also conducts an arrest sweep in Ramallah. (AFP, LAW, WP, WT 9/16; HP, NYT, PMC, WP, WT 9/17; NYT, WP, WT 9/18)

Arafat says he is ready to hold talks with Israel "any time, any place," but Sharon says he will only allow cease-fire talks to resume after 48 hrs. without a Palestinian attack. Sharon reiterates Israeli support for the U.S. effort to build a coalition but is "not prepared to pay the price" if it involves concessions to the PA. Arafat publicly reiterates his call on Palestinians to adhere to a cease-fire. (al-Quds 9/16, XIN 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM 9/17; NYT, WT 9/18; AFP 9/18 in WNC 9/19; NYT 9/19; ATL 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM 9/20; AYM 9/22 in WNC 9/26; MEI 9/28)

Arafat, Netanyahu agree to go to Washington next wk. to meet separately with Pres. Clinton. No 3-way mtg. is planned. Clinton last met with the 2 leaders in 1/98. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/29)

 On his 1st trip to the U.S. in 10 yrs., Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah meets with Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright, and various Treasury, State Dept., CIA, FBI officials. (RJ, SANA 9/25 in WNC 9/28; MEI 10/2)

 A small bomb explodes at a Jerusalem bus stop during rush hour, injuring 1 IDF soldier. (WP 9/25; PR 10/2)

IDF searches the Palestinian village of Arura nr. Ramallah, detains 30 alleged Hamas mbrs. for "being involved in hostile activities." (ITV 9/25 in WNC 9/29)

Saying it would be "useless," Arafat cancels scheduled mtg. with Israeli negotiator Molho. (HA [Internet] 8/18; WJW 8/20)

Hamas mbr. Imad Awadallah, jailed by the PA for the 3/29 murder of Hamas mbr. Muhieddin Sharif, escapes fr. PA jail in Jericho. PA police conduct house-to-house search in Jericho, Ramallah; place curfew on central Jericho, marking the 1st time the PA has placed a curfew on Palestinians. (CSM, WP, WT 8/17)

Jordan's parliamentary speaker arrives in Iran for 3-day visit; discussions on expanding bilateral economic, political, cultural relations. (IRNA, RJ 8/15, IRNA, JT 8/16, IRNA 8/17 in WNC 8/18)

Pakistan hands over to Kenya a suspect, Muhammad Saddiq Odeh, in the 8/7 U.S. embassy bombing in Nairobi, claiming that he admitted during interrogation that he helped carry out the Kenya, Tanzania bombings for Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden. In Nairobi, Kenyan, FBI officials question Odeh. (WP, WT 8/17; NYT 8/17)

In Dura nr. Hebron, Palestinians demonstrate following the funeral for 3 Palestinian laborers killed by the IDF 3/10; 32 Palestinians, 1 Israeli border policeman are injured. Palestinians also protest in Bethlehem and Ramallah, where IDF injures 9 Palestinians. Also nr. Ramallah, a Jewish settler whose car is hit by a stone opens fire with live ammunition, wounding 1 Palestinian. PA, Israeli security forces hold emergency mtgs. on containing the violence. (MM 3/11; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/12; WT 3/13)

PM Netanyahu appoints Reserve Maj. Gen. Meir Dagan as his adviser on intelligence affairs. The new position, recommended in the Ciechanover report (see 2/16), was created to enhance coordination btwn. the PM, the intelligence bodies. (YA 3/11 in WNC 3/12)

Based on legislation passed by Congress in 1996, U.S. district judge orders Iran to pay the family of Alisa Flatow, killed in an Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in Israel 4/95, $247.5 m. in damages. The court heard no evidence that Iran planned, carried out the attack, but lawyers presented testimony fr. fmr. FBI, Israeli intelligence officials that Iran has funded Islamic Jihad. Administration officials say "this case is not what we needed at this time" when the U.S. is trying to renew relations with Iran. (WT 3/12; MM 3/24) (see 2/26/97)

American Friends of Lubavitch (AFL) hosts its 5th annual Purim party for Capitol Hill staffers. AFL also hosts an annual Hanukkah party; plans to start bimonthly discussion groups, a mentoring program where senior Jewish staffers can help younger staffers just starting their careers. All projects are meant to "make politically minded Jews more politically involved." (WJW 3/26)

In Ramallah, the PC votes (56-1) to urge Arafat to dissolve the EA within 1 mo., appoint a new cabinet. After the session, Israel prevents 18 PC mbrs. fr. returning to their homes in Gaza. (CSM, WP, WT 8/1; LAW 8/7; PR 8/8)

With less than 24-hrs. notice, Syrian Pres. Asad travels to Iran as head of a delegation comprising his VP, FM, several senior military cmdrs.; discusses Syrian-Iranian relations with outgoing Pres. Rafsanjani. (MM 7/31; RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MM 8/1; SATN 7/31, IRIB Television [Tehran] 8/1 in WNC 8/4; MA 8/3 in WNC 8/5; MEI 8/8)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan, FM Tarawnah meet with EU special envoy Moratinos. (RJ 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

Following a mtg. with his inner cabinet, PM Netanyahu threatens to send commandos into PA areas to preempt any new anti-Israeli attacks, to halt transfer of all tax revenues to the PA, to jam all Palestinian radio and television broadcasts; calls on the U.S., international donors to halt aid to the PA. (MM 7/31; RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, WP, WT 8/1)

IDF detains 2 Palestinian families fr. the West Bank town of Dahariyya whose sons have been missing for over a yr., but they are unable to identify the 7/30 bombers' bodies. Israeli cabinet orders the arrest of PA's Gaza police cmdr. Brig. Gen. Jabali for encouraging attacks on Israeli settlements (see 7/23). PA police arrest 28 Hamas mbrs., including Rantisi. PA, Israeli security forces hold 2 mtgs. during the day. (MM 7/31; IDF Radio, QY, RMC 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

New York City police seize 5 pipe bombs, arrest 1 Egyptian, 2 Jordanians in a raid on a Brooklyn apartment. Police were tipped to the bombs by a Pakistani, Muhammad Shindli, who believed that his friends, Ghazi Ibrahim Abu Mayzar and Lafi Khalil (who both identify themselves as Palestinian), were planning to bomb the New York subway. Abu Mayzar had stated in his application for asylum in the U.S. that he had been arrested in Israel on charges of "being a mbr. of a terrorist organization." The 3d man, Egyptian `Abd al-Rahman Musabah, is detained as a witness. Hamas denies any connection to the men. (NYT, WP, WT 8/1; RJ 8/1 in WNC 8/4; NYT, WP 8/2; AFP 8/2 in WNC 8/5; NYT, WT 8/3; al-Hadath [Amman] 8/4 in WNC 8/5; NYT 8/5; WJW 8/7; MEI 8/8)

Unnamed Gulf diplomats reveal that Sidi al-Madani al-Ghazi Mustafa al-Tayyib, financial director for Saudi dissident and alleged "terrorist financier" Osama bin Laden, has been in custody in Saudi Arabia since 5/97. Saudi authorities have passed some of Tayyib's revealed information to the CIA, FBI to track militant groups in Detroit, New York. (WT 8/1)

Lebanese court sentences 5 Japanese Red Army mbrs. to 3 yrs. in jail on charges of forging official stamps, illegal entry into Lebanon, forging passports. (VOL 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, WP 8/1) (see 7/29)

FBI begins investigating whether a "senior U.S. government official" has been passing highly sensitive information to Israel. U.S. officials say that in 1/97, the National Security Agency intercepted a transmission btwn. 2 Israeli intelligence officers in Washington and Tel Aviv, discussing a request by Israeli Amb. to the U.S. Eliahu Ben-Elissar to activate a alleged mole code-named Mega to obtain the secret letter of assurances fr. fmr. Secy. of State Christopher to Arafat, which was attached to the Hebron protocol and has never been made public. The transmission suggests that Mega has provide information to Israel in the past. Israel denies spying. (WP 5/7; NYT, WP 5/8; MM 5/8; IDF Radio, ITV, YA 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WP, WT 5/9; SANA 5/12 in WNC 5/13; MEI 5/16; JP 5/17)

Arafat, Israeli pres. Weizman meet in advance of U.S. special envoy Ross's arrival 5/8. (MM, WT 5/6; ITV 5/6 in WNC 5/7; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 5/7; AFP, YA 5/7 in WNC 5/8; WJW 5/8; JP 5/10; MM 5/12)

After Arafat-Weizman mtg., an Israeli-PA-U.S. security mtg. is held to discuss resuming coordination. (MM 5/7; ITV 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak accepts Iran's invitation to attend the 12/97 OIC mtg. in Tehran but says that Egypt is not considering resuming diplomatic relations with Iran (severed after Egypt signed its peace treaty with Israel in 1979). (WT 5/7)

Iran's FM Velayati arrives in Beirut for mtg. with FM Buwayz. (VOL 5/6 in WNC 5/7; IRNA 5/7 in WNC 5/8)

Israeli police forcibly evacuate 30 Jewish settlers fr. a shack they had set up nr. Nablus in an attempt to expand Yitzhar settlement. (MM, NYT 5/7; IDF Radio 5/7 in WNC 5/8; PR 5/16)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem, Ramallah for being constructed without a permit. (LAW 5/6; PR 5/16) (see 5/5)

A bomb explosion in s. Lebanon blamed on Israel kills 2 civilians, injures 2. A 2d bomb at the same site is dismantled. In a separate incident, Israeli planes attack suspected Hizballah targets in the Biqa` Valley, injuring 1 civilian. (RL, VOL 5/6 in WNC 5/7; WP 5/7)

In a pre-dawn raid, IDF declares al-Fawwar refugee camp nr. Hebron a closed military zone, rounds up 1,000 men 16-64 yrs. old, arrests 30, seals homes of 2 suicide bombers. IDF also raids the Islamic College in Abu-Dis, arrests 14 students; arrests 10s of Palestinians in Hebron, Ramallah and holds them for questioning by Shin Bet. (MM 3/4, QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; IDF Radio, QY 3/4, QY 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; MM, NYT, WP 3/5)

Suicide bomber sets off explosion in Tel Aviv shopping district, killing 15, wounding 126. Bomber is identified as a man fr. Ramallah. A caller claiming to be fr. Hamas says Islamic Jihad is responsible. PM Peres vows to send IDF into self-rule areas to root out Hamas. U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton says he will allow the FBI, CIA to assist Peres in an antiterror campaign. (MM 3/4; IDF Radio, ITV, QPAR, VOP 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/5; WJW 3/7; PR 3/8 MEI 3/15)

After an emergency cabinet session, PM Peres announces formation of a special antiterror war headquarters which is authorized to "act everywhere, using all means, without any limitation on regions," incl. house demolitions, deportations, entry of IDF forces into zone B. (QY 3/4, MA 3/5 in FBIS 3/5)

Israel recalls its negotiating team fr. Washington. (IDF Radio, SARR 3/4 in FBIS 3/5; NYT 3/5; MM 3/5; IDF Radio 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; SATN 3/6 in FBIS 3/7) (see 3/3)

Hamas political leaders, Mahmud Zahhar, Muhammad Sham'ah hold a news conference; deny political wing is responsible for recent bombings; call on Qassam Brigades, Yahya Ayyash Units to halt all military actions. PA says it believes both 2/27 leaflets fr. Qassam Brigades are real; think the one denying responsibility came fr. cadres inside West Bank, Gaza and the one claiming responsibility came from cadres abroad. (MM 3/5; Der Spiegel, ITV 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; PR 3/8)

In Gaza City, Fatah rallies 1,000s of supporters, some carrying signs in Hebrew reading "yes to peace, no to violence" and "terrorism is our enemy," to protest against recent bombings. (MM 3/4; QY, VOP 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/5; WP, WT 3/5)

In Tel Aviv, over 1,000 Israelis hold violent protest outside the DMin. to denounce the Oslo agmts.; 100 rally outside PM Peres's home; some 200 protest at the site of the Tel Aviv bombing; 100 rally in Jerusalem. Israeli police detain 10s for questioning. (HA 3/5 in FBIS 3/5)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah mbrs. ambush an IDF convoy, killing 4 IDF soldiers, wounding 9. In 1st attack, IDF shoots back, killing 2 Hizballah mbrs. In a separate incident, a little-known Palestinian group, Islamic Revolutionary Army, ambushes a 2d convoy, wounding 1 IDF soldier. Peres sends 100s of troops fr. n. Israel into s. Lebanon to reinforce the border. (MM 3/5; VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; IDF Radio 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; WT 3/6; MM 3/7)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Hebron University, police use tear gas and live ammunition to disperse student demonstration marking 5th anniversary of Sabra and Shatila massacres. Demonstrators in Ramallah, al-Birah, and Gaza burn tires, construct barricades, and force stores to close [LAT, FJ 9/20]. Birzeit University administration voluntarily closes university following student demonstrations [FJ 9/20]. Police disperse demonstrators protesting detention of Faysal Husayni, arrest Ishaq al-Budayri, assistant director of Arab Studies Society [FJ 9/20]. Arsonists set fire to 25 dunams of Jewish National Fund forest near Jenin UPI 9/26]. At al-Najah U., Islamic Bloc says it will not accept new university rules governing campus mosque, religious celebrations. Other student groups accept new regulations [FJ 9/20]. Walid Zurba of Jerusalem wins court order preventing Israeli developer from buying rooms in his house [FJ 9/20]. Israeli Ministry of Trade renounces measures adopted by inner cabinet to sever some economic and cultural ties with S. Africa [WP 9/20].

Other Countries: Fawwaz Yunis, Lebanese Shi'i, pleads not guilty in U.S. court to charges related to June 1985 hijacking of Jordanian plane. Attorney Gen. Edwin Meese announces Yunis was captured 9/13 after being lured onto FBI-rented yacht in Mediterranean [WP 9/18; NYT 9/19]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: The Jerusalem Post reports Israel helped ship Polish rifles to the Nicaraguan contras; Israeli government denies the allegation [BG 5/7]. Curfew on town of Qalqiliyyah is lifted [FJ 5/10]. Birzeit U. Student Council Pres. Marwan Barghuthi withdraws appeal against his expulsion order [FJ 5/10]. Israeli High Court denies appeal of Ramallah amily trying to prevent sealing of more than half their house; military sealed the rooms because son living there was convicted of role in 1983 bomb attack on Israeli bus [FJ 5/10]. Estimated 2,000 elementary and secondary school students from Bayt Jann village in the Galilee demonstrate to protest conditions in the schools [FJ 5/10]. Palestinians held at Ansar II detention center charge brutal treatment by new Israeli commander [FJ 5/10]. Authorities extend closure orders for 4 secondary schools in Gaza Strip's Jabaliyyah refugee camp until 5/10 [FJ 5/10].

Other Countries: Mahmud Mahmud 'Ata, a U.S. citizen accused of firebombing an Israeli bus on the W. Bank in 1986, is arrested in New York by FBI agents after deportation from Venezuela [WP 5/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli fighter jets bomb 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp and 3 training bases near Sidon, killing 10, wounding 28 [WP 5/7].