The Palestine Chronology

Military Action:

Fighting between Sunni and Shiite militias in Tripoli; Chouf region tense following more clashes, IDF surrounds Brih and Kfar Nabrakh to stop fighting; Phalange calls on East Beirut residents to cooperate with Lebanese Army as it moves into center of East Beirut with support of French and Italian forces; US Marines postpone deployment into East Beirut; 6 Israeli Druze in IDF court-martialled for entering Lebanese Druze village without permission; Finland agrees to send 460-man battalion to replace Nepalese soldiers in UNIFIL in South Lebanon; grenade tossed at IDF vehicle in center of Sidon, following similar incidents along coastal road.

Casualties:

Estimates of 8 to 20 Lebanese killed, over 21 wounded in Chouf fighting; UPI reports death toll in Beirut massacre now estimated at 1,962; IDF concedes troops looted in Lebanon "in a number of isolated instances," but claims all looters were severely punished.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli foreign ministry official claims 2-3,000 PLO guerrillas have infiltrated into Bekaa since evacuation from Beirut in August, another 4-5,000 in camps around Tripoli; Shamir, in Knesset debate, defends Government policy in Lebanon against Labor Party attacks, says IDF will remain until "peace for Galilee" achieved, and berates Gemayel government for "negative tones"; aide Avi Dudai says Sharon personally gave order allowing Phalange to enter camp, in closed testimony before Commission of Inquiry; protests continue throughout Occupied Territories, leading to closure of Ramallah Teachers College; al-Fajr journalist Samaan Khoury gets one-year suspended sentence for possessing banned magazine; Jewish settlers hold emergency meeting to discuss growing attacks on settlers; Gush Emunim announces new yeshiva to be opened at site of Joseph's tomb in Nablus; Housing Minister David Levy announces plans for 5 more settlements on West Bank.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Gemayel meets with officials seeking to halt spread of fighting in Chouf; Wazzan says government has agreed on new measures to stop fighting.

Arab Governments: King Fahd visits King Hassan in Fez to discuss diplomatic campaign for peace settlement.

US and Other Countries: White House announces Begin to meet Reagan November 19 during "private" visit; Italian Prime Minister Spadolini, following meeting with Reagan in White House, says US and Italy exploring ways to increase presence in Lebanon.

Military Action:

Booby-trapped car explodes in Deir el-Qamar area of Chouf; despite IDF denials, Israeli forces advance into positions previously held by PLO in Bir Hassan area near Shatila refugee camp, sparking sporadic exchanges; Wazzan protests advance, seen as undermining Lebanese efforts to demilitarize streets of West Beirut; Muslim leaders fear IDF mine-clearing activities are pretext for armored IDF thrust further into West Beirut; Kurdish, Shiite militias battle each other in Kantari district with rockets and machine guns over personal feud.

Casualties: French UNIFIL officer killed, 3 Lebanese wounded in Bir Hassan; 3 IDF soldiers, 10 others injured in Chouf; Israeli sources estimate IDF might have had 2,000 casualties if it had entered West Beirut.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Four Palestinian youths injured by IDF soldiers who fired on demonstrators; Nablus Mayor Bassem Shakaa, other West Bank mayors view Reagan proposals as moderately positive; Labor Party supports Reagan proposals as basis for serious dialogue; Sharon calls proposals a "big mistake"; Defense Ministry leaks news of Begin-Gemayel meeting (greatly embarrasses Gemayel).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat arrives in Tunisia to warm welcome, is formally invited to attend Fez summit; Wazzan protests IDF advance to US Ambassador Dillon as violation of US-negotiated accord.

Arab Governments: Secret visit by State Department representative Nicholas Veliotes to Jordan days before Reagan speech reported; Jordan says consultations with PLO, commitment to Rabat summit resolutions essential; Jordan, Egypt, Kuwait cautiously positive toward proposals; Syria withholds reaction.

US and Other Countries: Mitterrand, in Greece, reiterates French support for Palestinian state; after meeting with Begin and tour of East Jerusalem in company of Israeli mayor, Weinberger reaffirms US determination to press ahead with proposals despite outright Israeli rejection, and flies to Cairo for talks.