The Palestine Chronology

EC grants ECU 29 million (about $35 million) for o.t. housing projects to Palestinian delegation's Housing Council. Accord sets precedent of intl. actor dealing directly with the o.t. as a distinct political entity. EC rep. Thomas Dupla meets with Dani Rothschild, coordinator of Israeli govt. activities in the o.t., who indicated that state-owned lands may be for the firstime allocated for Palestinian housing needs. (Al Hamishmar 7/9 in FBIS 7/9; MM 7/9)

Ten Palestinians are hospitalized in Gaza Strip as a result of Hamas-Fateh violence. IDF imposes curfew on Rafah. (WP 7/10)

Reps. of National Reconciliation Committee (NRC-4 Fateh and Hamas mbrs. each, 3 W. Bank leaders, 3 Palestinian Israelis) meet with Hamas leaders at Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi's home in Gaza, meet later with Fateh leaders at Red Crescent Society to investigate and halt violence in Gaza Strip. (MM 7/9)

Undercover IDF soldier is killed accidently by another undercover unit near Barta, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 7/9 in FBIS 7/9)

Outgoing Fin. Min. Yitzhak Modai rejects all demands by housing min. officials to expedite his signature on 1,000's of new o.t. contracts-does not want to "impose a fait accompli" on new govt. Move rescinds 7/5 agreement with housing min. (IDF Radio 7/8 in FBIS 7/8)

Islamic World League issues statement in Mecca urging end to Fateh-Hamas violence in Gaza Strip. (SPA 7/8 in FBIS 7/9)

Fateh, PFLP, Arab Liberation Front, DFLP, and Palestinian People's Party issue statement warning Hamas to halt "attacks and excesses." (Algiers VOP 7/9 in FBIS 7/10; Sanaa VOP 7/10 in FBIS 7/13)

Number of military officers purged and/or executed by Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein since 6/29 reported coup attempt estimated at 200. (NYT 7/9)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Spokesman says Pres. Herzog intends to commute life sentences of 3 Jews convicted of murdering Palestinian students during 1982 raid on Islamic College in Hebron [NYT 3/18].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Arafat arrives in Algiers to inform Pres. Ben Jadid formally of agreement between Fateh, DFLP, the Palestinian Communist party, the Arab Liberation Front, and the Palestine Liberation Front to hold the 18th session of the Palestine National Council in an effort to reunite the PLO [NYT 3/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Al-Fajr reports 5 major PLO factions (Fateh, DFLP, the Palestinian Communist party, the Arab Liberation Front, and the Palestine Liberation Front) recently agreed in Tunis to convene the PNC within 45 days [FJ 8/8].

Military Action

Arab World: Car bomb explodes in West Beirut, kills 17, wounds over 50 [WP 8/9].