Occupied Palestine/Israel: 'Isam Rushdi alShawwa refuses appointment as Gaza City mayor, insists elections must be held for municipal council [FJ 4/26].
Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 more suspects arrested (one Kiryat Arba security officer) in connection with bus bombing plot (4/27/84). When asked in interview if ...
IDF shells Beirut periodically throughout day to "soften up" (mostly a one-way exchange; electricity, water and food selectivejy blockaded); IDF continues inching toward...
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Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: 'Isam Rushdi alShawwa refuses appointment as Gaza City mayor, insists elections must be held for municipal council [FJ 4/26].
Arab World: Morocco's King Hassan bans all contact between Moroccans and PLO officialsfter PLO invites Polisario Front to attend PNC [FJ 4/26]. PLO officials state Abu al-'Abbas has become "too much of an embarrassment and a political liability" and is being dropped from Executive Com. [LAT 4/23].
Military Action
Arab World: In S. Lebanon, Israeli jets drop pamphlets waming against supporting anti-Israel fighters; Iraeli helicopters said alleged PLO bases near Sidon, wounding 13 [WP 4/24].
Social/Economic/Political:
Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 more suspects arrested (one Kiryat Arba security officer) in connection with bus bombing plot (4/27/84). When asked in interview if practice of demolishing homes of terrorists will be applied to Jews, DM Arens refuses comment, but admits existence of "legal anomoly."
Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat tells Kuwait newspaper al-Qabas of hopes to establish base in Egypt. Lebanon announces formation of new national unity gov't.; Shi'ite leader Berri refuses to join cabinet, criticizing lack of important Druze and Shi'ite role.
Other Countries: Swiss Socialist Party issues May Day statement of full support and sympathy for the PLO and its struggle (as well as freedom movements in El Salvador, Turkey & for Polisario); Zionist MP Hurvitz resigns from Swiss parliament and Socialist Party in protest.
Military Action:
Beirut quiet as cease-fire holds; IDF exchanges light-arms fire with Syrians in the eastern sector near Yanta.
Casualties:
Over 10,000 Lebanese and Palestinians have sought refuge in Syria since the Israeli invasion began; according to Syrian relief committee all Damascus hospitals full; food and vegetables reaching W. Beirut despite blockade, as drivers pay guards at check-points $160 to let vehicles through; 3 IDF soldiers wounded near Yanta.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel asserts PLO is using stalled negotiations to fortify its political and military positions; Jerusalem police interrogate 57 West Bank students on suspicion of planning to incite merchants' strike; army spokesman says IDF underestimated PLO firepower; Labor MK Sarid charges Likud leaders and senior army officers of exaggerating PLO weaponry, says only 90 PLO tanks captured, not 500; only 120 artillery pieces captured; Sharon says Habib is running out of time in attempts to reach a negotiated settlement; group of 90 soldiers hold press conference in Jerusalem, refuse further service in Lebanon; Kimche meets Habib in Beirut; Sharon denies asking Uri Avnery to arrange a meeting between him and Arafat.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO hardens negotiating position in wake of Sunday bombard-ment, says it will only discuss evacuation once international force is in place; no progress on negotiations reported.
Arab Governments: Algeria refuses to take guerrillas; strong opposition by Morocco, fearing link-up with Polisario; Saudi Arabia opposed to PLO going to S. Yemen.
US and Other Countries: Reagan Administration officials to meet with foreign ministers Khaddam of Syria and Prince Saud of Saudi Arabia; Reagan reportedly threatens Israel with direct US-PLO talks unless Israel is more forthcoming in Habib negotiations.
Military Action:
IDF shells Beirut periodically throughout day to "soften up" (mostly a one-way exchange; electricity, water and food selectivejy blockaded); IDF continues inching toward Burj al-Barajneh; all traffic barred except for Lebanese doctors, police, as water and food intercepted; IDF fires at buildings, apartment complexes in Lailake and camp areas; joint IDF/Phalange checkpoints along coast as Phalange takes over security operations; IDF officers tell UN up to 1000 PLO guerrillas are at large in South Lebanon.
Casualties:
WAFA releases names of 381 IDF killed in war (100 higher than Israeli government figures)-compiled from private death notices published in 2 Israeli newspapers; ICRC recalls Lebanese delegate and sends temporary replacement (dispute over casualty estimates); 2 senior Fateh commanders killed recently in Sidon; 2 IDF wounded near Lake Karoun by mine.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet rejects peace proposal allowing any future political role for PLO in Lebanon, but will allow more negotiating time; Peres says Labor Party will support continuing negotiations after briefing by Begin; D. Kimche reports to Cabinet on weekend trip to Beirut (first time Israel has become directly involved in negotiations); Cabinet says it will ignore anti-war protests organized by Peace Now and Mapam; team appointed to assess whether Avnery meeting with Arafat was a brelch of state security; Agriculture Minister asks Sharon to investigate, prosecute IDF officers who engage in Peace Now activities while on active duty; West Bank Palestinians stage general strike to protest Beirut siege (9 injured, some by IDF gunfire); 2 Palestinians killed, 10 wounded in clashes near Ramallah between villagers protesting invasion and Israeli-backed Village League members; marches in Nablus and Ramallah against the war; headquarters of the Federation of Pales-tinian Working Women, observing a two-day strike to protest the invasion, raided by Israeli soldiers, 7 arrested, cultural exhibits damaged and confiscated.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Wazzan threatens to boycott negotiations unless siege lifted, refuses to cross checkpoint manned by IDF; Salam says Israeli rejection of PLO withdrawal proposal is prelude to thrust on Beirut.
Arab Governments: Morocco reportedly rejects PLO transfer to Algeria, fearing their support for the Polisario; Libyan leader Qaddafi says PLO should fight to the death in Beirut (provokes Arafat rebuke of Qaddafi's "despair" and a failure to support PLO); Syria strengthens its forces in eastern Lebanon (new observation posts set up); Mubarak receives Reagan's letter.
US and Other Countries: Tom Hayden and Jane Fonda visit IDF position to watch shelling of Beirut after visiting IDF soldiers (Hayden says invasion justified by PLO refusal to recognize Israel); USSR officials meet with PLO Kaddoumi and Arab League officials.
UN: Security Council approves resolution asking Israel to allow shipment of essential items to West Beirut (US votes for proposal by Jordan).
