The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue at a high level, leaving a total of 4 Palestinians dead; another 2 Palestinians die of injuries received earlier. In the 1st major Israeli ground assault into PA-controlled territory since 9/28, IDF tanks, bulldozers enter Khan Yunis camp (see 12/13) to remove an embankment and structures that Palestinian gunmen allegedly use for cover when firing on adjacent Jewish settlements, demolishing 28 Palestinian homes, part of an apartment building, and an olive grove. The operation clears a 400-yard strip of land, leaves over 360 Palestinians homeless, sparks fierce fighting in which 2 Palestinians are killed, 25-50 are injured. Arafat calls for a halt to mortar attacks across the Green Line. At U.S.'s urging, Israeli, PA security teams meet this evening at the home of U.S. amb. Indyk to discuss a cease-fire. They make no progress but agree to meet again on 4/16. After dark, Palestinians fire 4 mortars into Nisanit settlement in Gaza, damaging 1 house, causing no injuries. The IDF shells residential areas of Abu Sunayna, Bayt Hanun, al-Haria Valley. (AFP [Internet], BBC, HP, LAW, MM, PCHR 4/11; AFP 4/11 in WNC 4/11; Interfax, MENA 4/11 in WNC 4/12; HP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/12; JT, SA 4/12 in WNC 4/13; JP [Internet], NYT, WT 4/13; al-Quds 4/13 in WNC 4/16; MEI, WP 4/20; WP 4/21)

Donors hold an informal Ad-Hoc Liaison Comm. mtg. in Stockholm. The EU agrees to give the PA $9 m./mo. for 6 mos., urges Israel to release $120 m. in taxes owed the PA. (REU 4/13; see also AFP 4/2 in WNC 4/3; MM 4/6)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. In Gaza, a PA policeman opens fire on an IDF post outside a Jewish settlement, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 2, before being shot dead. In Khan Yunis camp, an explosion at a Force 17 building injures 4 Force 17 mbrs.; Israel denies PA claims that the IDF fired a missile at the building. The IDF tightens the closure on Palestinian villages in the West Bank; blocks, digs trenches across secondary roads frequented by Palestinians; bulldozes at least 65 dunams of Palestinian agricultural land along roads, especially in Gaza and nr. Tura in the West Bank. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian brick factories in Gaza. Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars on the Nablus-Ramallah road. (LAW 11/18; PCHR, NYT, WT 11/19; AIC, MEZ 11/20)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police break up peace march in Jerusalem by more than 3,000 Palestinian, Israeli, and European women, when at end of hour-long procession Palestinian flag is raised [NYT, WP 12/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian suspected of collaborating with Israeli authorities is found dead in Gaza's Khan Yunis camp [WP 12/30].

IDF declares Ramallah and al-Bireh closed military zones. 2 houses, 1 in Litwana village near Hebron and 1 in Gaza City, are destroyed [FBIS 12/29].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Civil administration in Gaza reports that since beginning of intifadah (12/9/87) Beach camp has spent 190 days (not consecutive) under curfew; Jabalya 164 days; Dayr al-Balah 116 days; Khan Yunis camp 105 days; Rafah's Shabura quarter 137 days; Rafah's G and O quarters 122 days; al-Shaja'iyah 40 days [FBIS 5/3].

Other Countries: Italian parliament upgrades status of PLO to "general delegation" of Palestine; new status is below full diplomatic recognition [FBIS 5/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian stabs, kills 2 Israelis, injures 4 others in Jerusalem [FBIS 5/3, MET 5/16]. In Duhayshah troops shoot, injure at least 25 Palestinians, demolish 5 homes. At least 10 Palestinians are injured throughout O.T. [FJ 5/8]. Israeli soldier disappears north of Gaza Strip [LAT 5/8].

Arab World: Israel shells S. Lebanon village of Nabatiyyah [FBIS 5/3]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: A federal judge in Brooklyn rules that an American citizen of Palestinian descent accused of taking part in 1986 bombing of a bus in the W. Bank cannot be extradited to Israel, due to the political nature of the offense [NYT 6/19, JP 6/21].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops shoot, kill a 17-year-old Palestinian in Khan Yunis camp. In Beach camp a 68- year-old man dies after being exposed to tear gas. In the Gaza Strip troops shoot, wound 20 people; another 30 Palestinians are beaten [FJ 6/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Former nuclear technician Mordechai Vanunu is sentenced to 18 years imprisonment for selling Israeli nuclear secrets to the Sunday Times (London) [WP 3/28]. Israeli soldier is sentenced to 18 months in military prison and 18 months suspended for fleeing his post during 11/25 hang glider attack on Israeli army base [WP 3/28; LAT 3/29].

Arab World: PLO statement terms meeting between U.S. sec. of state Shultz and 2 Palestinian American professors an "important political step" [WP 3/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians use axes, iron bars, stones, and cars in attack on Israeli troops conducting early morning raid in village of Maythalun, north of Tubas; 3 Palestinians are shot dead. At least 1 Palestinian youth is killed in Salfit; Israeli sources claim youth was killed when soldiers came to aid of tour bus that had mistakenly entered village [WP 3/28; FJ 4/3]. Army uses tear gas, rubber bullets to break up demonstration in Ramallah. There are also demonstrations inHebron, Bethlehem, Bayt Sahur village, and Burqa village. In Gaza Strip, Palestinians protest in Gaza City, Rafah camp, and Khan Yunis camp. Curfews are in force in Rafah, Beach, Dayr al-Balah, and Khan Yunis camps [FJ 4/3].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Peres confirms he wrote Atty. Gen. Edwin Meese III in 1985 about Iraqi oil pipeline project [LAT 2/22]. Peres states continued support for intemational conference but rejects role for U.S.S.R. [LAT 2/22]. UN officials charge Jerusalem police and border guards conducted 2 extensive raids in Shu'fat 2/20 and 2/21, beating residents and damaging property [WP 2/22]. Police reinforcements are deployed in Jerusalem in preparation for Sec. of State Shultz's visit [LAT 2/22]. Palestinian youth from Galilee is fined IS 1,500 and sentenced to 3 months imprisonment for raising Palestinian flag and participating in illegal demonstration 12/21 [FJ 2/28].

Arab World: According to diplomats in Cairo, PLO has withdrawn threat to abandon Cairo declaration (promising not to attack Israelis outside of Israel and the occupied territories) [NYT 2/22].

Other Countries: Palestinian journalist Hanna Siniora travels to Rome to meet with PLO officials about lifting ban on talks with Shultz [NYT 2/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dayr 'Ammar refugee camp near Ramallah, Palestinian is shot, killed; army says shots may have been fired by settlers [LAT 2/22]. Israeli soldiers shoot, wound Palestinian during apparent knife attack on Israeli patrol in Nablus; youth also allegedly involved in attack is killed and 4 others wounded. Army drops tear gas from helicopters to break up crowds at funeral [FJ 2/28]. At least 6 Palestinians are wounded by live ammunition during clashes in Jenin-area town of Qabatiyyah and Gaza's Khan Yunis camp [WP, LAT 2/22]. Khan Yunis is ordered under curfew. Gaza hospital officials report treating 50 for gunshot wounds, beating injuries [FJ 2/28]. Curfew remains in force in Idna; curfews are imposed in Faradis, Za'tara, and Ta'amrah villages in Bethlehem area [FJ 2/28].

Arab World: IDF units raid S. Lebanon village of Bayt al-Siyad in attempt to locate Lt. Col. William Higgins, U.S. marine kidnaped 2/17 [LAT 2/22]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel deports 4 Palestinians to S. Lebanon; PFLP takes the 4 to base in Biqa' Valley [CSM 1/15]. Child injured in demonstration dies [FJ 1/17]. Commercial strike continues in many W. Bank towns and cities; at least 23 shops in Tulkarm and Qalqiliyyah are welded shut for joining the strike [FJ 1/17].

Other Countries: Sir Crispin Tickell, pres. of UN Security Council, and International Com. of the Red Cross condemn Israeli deportation of 4 Palestinians. U.S. says it "regrets" Israeli action [NYT 1/14]. China announces its Red Cross Society will send medicine, food to PLO for Palestinians in W. Bank, Gaza Strip [CSM 1/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: All refugee camps are declared under curfew. Demonstrations continue. In Khan Yunis camp, protesters attack soldiers with clubs, knives before being arrested; 2 soldiers are reported injured. In Bayt Hanun, several Palestinians are injured after clash with soldiers. Military reports more than 500 Palestinians attack army vehicles in Rafah during visit of UN Undersec. Gen. Marrack Goulding [FJ 1/17]. Soldiers fire on crowd, killing 1, in Ramallah-district village of Kafr Ni'mah. Palestinian sources report that 2 children die from tear gas in village of Dayr 'Ammar, near Ramallah; Israel denies report. Jerusalem Post reports child is wounded in throat during clash between soldiers and about 40 stone-throwing demonstrators in Qalandiya camp [FJ 1/17]. Death toll of Palestinians killed since 12/9 is now at 34 [CSM 1/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Merchants in Ramallah, al-Birah, and Nablus observe commercial strike [FJ 12/20]. In Golan Heights, 1-day strike protests 6th anniversary of Israeli annexation [FJ 12/20]. Hebron U. administration closes university for 2 days because of recent demonstrations in occupied territories [FJ 12/20]. Palestinian wounded by Israeli gunfire 12/9 dies at Tel Hashomer Hospital [FJ 12/20]. Administration of Gaza's Islamic U. extends university closure for 2 days because of recent violence [FJ 12/20].

Other Countries: U.S., Israel sign new arms agreement that allows Israel to sell its weapons to U.S. Israeli Def. Min. Rabin meets with U.S. State Dept. officials [WP 12/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In clash near Khan Yunis refugee camp, Israeli soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian demonstrator; 4 other demonstrators are wounded. Troops later clash with Palestinians protesting earlier shooting death, killing at least 1, wounding 4. Gazan wounded in 12/9 clash with IDF troops dies in Israeli hospital [NYT, LAT 12/15]. Demonstrator is shot, wounded by soldiers in Jalazun refugee camp. Clashes between students and Israeli military are reported in Halhul [FJ 12/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet votes to examine Shin Bet interrogation methods [CSM 6/1]. Jewish settlers rampage through Gaza City stoning houses; thousands of settlers hold demonstration i Tel Aviv in memory of boy killed on W. Bank [BS 6/1]. Estimated 50 Jewish settlers attack 2 Palestinian truck drivers near Nahal Oz settlement in Gaza Strip [FJ 6/7]. Israeli troops declare Balatah refugee camp closed military area to conduct comprehensive search, interrogations; more than 60 residents are arrested, 10 served with administrative dtentions. Jihad Musaymi, a camp leader, is ordered deported to Jordan for inciting demonstrations [BS 6/1; FJ 6/7]. Khan Yunis refugee camp resident Ahmad Nasr is expelled to Jordan [FJ 6/7]. Reports indicate head of Arab Bank in Jordan has turned down Jordanian request to open branch of bank in W. Bank, said bank would only open office if it was located in Jerusalem [FJ 6/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Estimated 250 Islamic Resistance Front militiamen battle Israeli and SLA troops in S. Lebanon for more than 7 hours; reports indicate between 16 and 31 are killed [CSM 6/1; PI 6/2]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Communications Minister Amnon Rubinstein, head of Labor-aligned Shinui party, says his party is pulling out of national unity government in effort to force new elections [LAT, NYT 5/18]. Israeli cabinet votes to implement 2-tiered tuition scale charging army veterans lower tuition rate than non-veterans [FJ 5/24]. Israeli troops seal off rooms in Qalqiliyyah houses belonging to families of 3 men accused of throwing firebombs at military vehicles [FJ 5/24]. Ahmad Nasr, resident of Khan Yunis refugee camp, is arrested, served expulsion order on charges of leading Fateh youth movement in Gaza [FJ 5/24]. Town arrest orders are issued against 4 residents of W. Bank and Gaza Strip, bringing total number currently under town arrest in occupied territories to74 [FJ 5/24]. Three preparatory schools in Gaza Strip town of Rafah are ordered closed indefinitely [FJ 5/24].

Arab World: PLO Executive Com. statement indicates decision to pursue normalization of relations with Egypt. PLO delegation led by Faruq al-Qaddumi arrives in Tripoli, Libya [FJ 5/24].

Other Countries: Israeli F.M. Peres tells meeting of Am. Jewish Com. in New York that role of U.S.S.R. in proposed international peace conference needs clarification [NYT 5/18]; meets with Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin in Washington [WP, CSM 5/19]; in speech at AIPAC conference, says talks with Jordan might deny PLO role in peace process [BG, LAT 5/18]. Also speaking before AIPAC, U.S. Sec. of State Shultz officially endorses negotiations in preparation for international peace conference on the Middle East [WP 5/18].