The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinians in occupied territories strike in response to call for "day of confrontation" [WP 5/5]. Israel appoints 'Ali Jarrar acting mayor of Qabatiyyah, near Jenin [FJ 5/8].

Arab World: Baghdad sources report PLO Executive Com. has elected Mahmud 'Abbas (Abu Mazin) to replace Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) as chairman of Palestinian delegation to joint Palestinian-Jordanian com. on occupied territories affairs [FJ 5/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza Strip, 2 Palestinians are shot dead, another dies from tear gas during fierce clashes in Beach and Jabalya camps. Demonstrations erupt during funerals in spite of curfews; many are injured by tear gas, iron bars. In Salim village, 2 Palestinians are shot, wounded. Balatah camp is put under curfew. Demonstrations are reported in Ramallah district village of Silwad, Am'ari camp, Jenin, Bani Na'im, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm [FJ 5/8]. Army blocks 5 entrances to 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma' refugee camp with concrete-filled barrels [FJ 5/8].

Arab World: Israeli troops attack Lebanese village of Maydun and nearby villages, killing more than 40 Hizballah fighters, before pulling back to S. Lebanon security zone to end "Operation Law and Order"; 3 Israeli soldiers are killed and 17 wounded in fighting [WP 5/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel deports 8 Palestinians, including Gazan Islamic Jihad leader 'Abd al-Aziz 'Awdah, to S. Lebanon security zone. Expulsion orders are issued to 6 Bayta residents and 6 other Palestinians from occupied territories [WP 4/12; CSM 4/13]. In response to charges brought by Israeli civil rights group, Israeli High Court decides army should give at least 48 hours' notice before demolishing more homes in Bayta. Maj. Gen. Ehud Barak, deputy chief of staff, states 1 of 13 Bayta homes may have been demolished mistakenly, says 4,800 Palestinians activists are being held in Israeli prisons, including 900 in administrative detention. [WP 4/12].

Other Countries: At World Court in the Hague, UN argues that U.S. attempt to close PLO's observer mission to UN is violation of U.S. treaty obligations [WP, NYT 4/12]. In speech before Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Democratic presidential candidate Michael Dukakis blames Arab leaders for continued violence in Middle East, states support for Shultz peace initiative [WP 4/12]. In Cyprus, PLO officials negotiate with hijackers of Kuwaiti airliner in effort to free hostages in exchange for refueling plane [NYT, WP 4/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian is shot, killed in clash with Israeli troops in Kafr al-Ra'i, near Jenin; Palestinian sources report 3 killed, 5 injured [WP 4/12; FJ 4/17]. Curfews are in force in Balatah and 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma' camps. At least 2 protesters are seriously wounded by army gunfire in Gaza Strip clashes [FJ 4/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Yamun, near Jenin, 3 houses are demolished by Israeli authorities; owners are suspected of participating in demonstrations [FJ 4/10]. In Bethlehem, 10 stores are welded shut and owners' IDs confiscated because shops had opened during morning [FJ 4/10].

Arab World: Sec. of State George Shultz meets with King Hussein in Amman, flies to Damascus for talks with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad, and returns to Jerusalem [WP 4/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations are reported in several W. Bank and Gaza Strip villages and camps. In Zayat, in Tulkarm district, soldiers use live ammunition to disperse protesters, injuring 8. Curfews are in force in 6 W. Bank villages and cities as well as Qabatiyyah and Jenin camp. Balatah is under curfew for 14th consecutive day. Dayr Ghassana and Bayt Rima villages, near Ramallah, are among 6 sealed villages. Soldiers raid Sura village, near Nablus, and uproot olive trees. In Gaza Strip, curfew in Jalazun is lifted for 3 hours. In Dayr al-Balah camp, protesters stone car of settlers from Kiryat Arba; settlers flee and Palestinians burn car; camp is placed under curfew [FJ 4/10].

Arab World: In Israel's S. Lebanon security zone, Israeli soldiers kill 2 Palestinian commandos attempting to cross border. Palestine Liberation Front claims responsibility [WP 4/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian teenager is shot, killed by Israeli civilian in Baqa al-Sharqiyyah; civilian is released on bail [FJ 2/28]. General strike continues throughout W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 2/28]. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron reiterates policy of using physical force, including beatings, against Palestinian protesters; in letter to troop commanders, Shomron also states that beatings are not to be used against those already under arrest or those not resisting arrest. IDF spokesman confirms army is investigating accusations that soldiers beat and buried 2 Gaza Strip youths on beach near Khan Yunis; youths were later rescued [LAT 2/24]. Palestinian leaders from occupied territories confirm no Palestinians will meet with U.S. Sec. of State Shultz without PLO consent [LAT 2/24]. F.M. Peres dismisses reports suggesting Labor party was to receive bribe for promises not to interfere with proposed Iraqi pipeline [NYT 2/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military vehicle carrying Shin Bet agents is attacked with bombs and gunfire in Gaza; no one is injured and attackers escape [WP, LAT 2/25]. In Yamun village near Jenin, troops use live ammunition to disperse demonstrators throwing fire bombs; 1 Palestinian is killed, 2 soldiers and 5 villagers are wounded. Village is placed under curfew [FJ 2/28]. In al-Birah, troops arrest, beat demonstrators calling for resignation of Israeli-appointed mayor [FJ 2/28]. Soldiers use rubber bullets to disperse 2 marches protesting Shultz visit in 'Izariyyah and Abu Dis villages near Jerusalem; 6 Palestinians are arrested [FJ 2/28]. In Gaza Strip, demonstration erupts in Jabalya camp during visit of Australian F.M. William Hayden; soldiers fire tear gas. Soldiers teargas, arrest protesters in Beach camp [FJ 2/28]. Curfews are lifted in Qalqiliyyah town and Tulkarm-district village of Zanabah. Curfews in Jalazun and Am'ari camps remain in effect [FJ 2/28].

Arab World: Near S. Lebanon village of Barashit, inside Israeli security zone, 2 Israeli soldiers are killed, several others wounded in rocket attack [NYT 2/24]