Occupied Palestine/Israel: Political sources indicate Israel will permit US to build Voice of America transmitter [12/24] for broadcasts to USSR, Afghanistan [NYT...
Israeli and Phalangist forces link in Beirut, encircling PLO forces inside city; Israeli tanks push NE of capital, move on Syrian positions; IDF seizes control of Baabda;...
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Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Political sources indicate Israel will permit US to build Voice of America transmitter [12/24] for broadcasts to USSR, Afghanistan [NYT 2/8]. MK Kahane prays at site where IDF soldier killed [2/5] in Ramallah [FJ 2/15]. IDF closes new al-Bireh high school after alleged stone-throwing incident [FJ 2/15].
Arab World: Responding to call from Nabih Berri, strike observed in Sidon, Tyre, Nabatiya and Shi'ite villages protesting 2/6 IDF raid, arrests [JP 2/8].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli taxi driver injured by stone near Dheisheh camp; curfew imposed on southern part of camp [JP 2/8]. Certain shops in Hebron and al-Bireh closed in response to stone throwing incidents [FT 2/8].
Arab World: Bomb explodes near SLA unit in vicinity of Qlai'eh, S. Lebanon; no injuries. Grenade thrown at SLA base near Sidon; no injuries [JP 2/8].
SOCIAL/POLITICAL:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: 40,000 join Peace Now demonstration in Tel Aviv against Israel's occupation of Lebanon.
Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite leader, Nabih Berri, calls on Muslim cabinet ministers to resign and Muslim LAF soldiers to quit army.
MILITARY ACTION:
Arab World: IDF position at Sidon port and patrol 8 miles north of Tyre subject to light weapons ambushes.
Military Action:
Israeli and Syrian forces fight along highway seeking better positions; Syrian, Pha-langist clashes reported as Israeli column, al-lowed through Phalangist territory, moves to dislodge Syrians from mountains overlooking coast and Bekaa valley; all roads into Beirut and coastal areas are reported held by Israelis; all resistance at Ain el-Hilweh near Sidon crushed (40-50 guerrillas reported taken); PLO bulldozes embankments around camps for anti-tank obstacles, mines; pockets of guerrillas halt Israeli vehicles, near Sidon.
Casualties:
More refugees pour into Beirut; chief sur-geon at Gaza Hospital in Sabra refugee camp says mortality rate is 30-50 percent (only 15-20 percent in 1978 fighting) because of weapons being used by Israel; high casualty estimates for Tyre (15,000 suffering effects of fighting, 8,000 Palestinians living in the open), Sidon (300,000 residents said to flee port city; streets full of bodies), Jezzine (normally 20,000, it now has 200,000 refugees), Damour (empty of life as Israeli tanks drive through); 73 dead in bombing of apartment building in working-class Lebanese district; Gaza and Acre Hospital administrators say 90 percent of patients are civilian, 60 percent women and children.
Political Responses:
Israel/Occupied Territories: Israel demands Syrians quit Beirut (Syrians refuse, citing Arab Deterrent Force mandate); Begin flies to US to sell idea of Christian-led government in Lebanon; Gen. Sharon reported to meet clandestinely with Phalangist leaders; Begin says Egypt's ties with Israel pass "test"; Nahum Goldman reported to condemn Israeli invasion last week; legal problems raised by 6,000 Palestinian detainees (some hold foreign nationalities, some are under age); Peace Now speaks out against the war, calls on the Israeli government to invite Palestini-ans to the peace process..
Palestinians/Lebanese: Bashir Gemayel claims ignorance of Israeli intention to drive through his territory; pressure mounts to have Lebanese Army move into Beirut; Berri refuses to serve on National Salvation Council unless Jumblatt does.
Arab Governments: Al-Ahram calls on Egyptians to boycott Israel for its "Nazi genocidal war," asks firm stand against invasion by government; Egypt plans to send medical supplies to Lebanon via ICRC.
US: Habib meets with Lebanese leaders to discuss solution; US asks dependents and officials to leave the country.
UN: Lebanese government asks UN for food/relief supplies for 600,000 people for 6 months.
Military Action:
Israeli and Phalangist forces link in Beirut, encircling PLO forces inside city; Israeli tanks push NE of capital, move on Syrian positions; IDF seizes control of Baabda; Beirut radio says IDF, with Phalangist support, moves to coast north of Beirut; Israeli navy closes Beirut port; Sharon visits Beirut for meetings with Phalangist leaders.
PLO leaders tour camps, hospitals, troop positions in Beirut; fighting flares between IDF and Syrians near highway; Phalangist officers, dressed in Israeli uniforms, are seen giving directions to Israeli tanks.
Casualties:
Reports from Tyre indicate no buildings untouched by shrapnel (Israeli military governor estimates only 30 percent of buildings destroyed); Palestinian Red Crescent Hospital in Sidon reports many patients dismem-bered in fighting (only one doctor remains to tend 58 patients after Israelis arrest Canadian, Norwegian, Palestinian doctors); all Sidon men aged 17-55, required to report to IDF for permits, many are arrested after going to IDF headquarters; 90 busloads of Palestinians reportedly taken away for questioning; Lebanese police report 9,583 killed, 16,608 wounded since Israeli air raids began 11 days ago (dead in Beirut estimated at 750); Israel now controls about half of Lebanon; Nabatiyeh reported "sanitized" by IDF before foreign correspondents allowed in; Israelis report 170 Israelis killed, 700 wounded, 10 captured, and 6,000 Palestinian guerrillas and 60 Syrians held; UK embassy advises nationals to leave.
Political Responses:
Israel/Occupied Territories: Israeli Defense Minister Sharon says IDF has "no intention" of taking Beirut; General Eitan says IDF mission is to smash PLO's political and military nerve center; Begin leaves for the US; Israeli agencies plan relief for Lebanon.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO vows to stand and fight; Lebanese President Sarkis, meeting with 10 Cabinet ministers at Presidential Palace (Israeli tanks 200 metres away), calls for setting up a Council of National Salvation; 3 appointees to Council, however, refuse to attend; Habib delivers Israeli withdrawal terms to Sarkis, and US Ambassador Dillon sends limousine to fetch Walid Jumblatt; Jumblatt demands wider representation of Lebanese leftists on Council-other members are Gemayel (Maronite Phalangist), Berri (Shiite Amal), Maalouf (Catholic), Foreign Minister Butros (Greek Orthodox), Prime Minister Wazzan (Sunni), and Presi-dent Sarkis (Maronite); Christians in Baabda reportedly welcome Israelis, guide them; Bashir Gemayel reportedly pushed as future president of Lebanon (election of new Lebanese president by Parliament scheduled for late August); Haddad tours southern Lebanon.
Arab Governments: Egypt relays Palestinian request for cease-fire in Beirut area to Israel; Mubarak meets with Saudi King Fahd (first contact since 1973 peace treaty signed).
