Occupied Palestine/Israel: Some 50 Palestinians held in detention for suspected antiIsrael activities have been released because of overcrowding; some 200...
Syrian forces fire on two IDF bulldozers, accompanied by APCs, building fortifications in Bekaa; police dismantle small bomb found on campus of American University, third...
Lebanese Army increases security in Beirut, controlling access to American University campus and hospital; French, British, Italian and other embassies under heavy military...
IDF bombards PLO positions, residential areas in West Beirut by land, sea, air for 14 hours in fiercest fighting since invasion began; IDF makes only slight gains in...
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Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Some 50 Palestinians held in detention for suspected antiIsrael activities have been released because of overcrowding; some 200 Palestinians were arrested following assassination of Zafir al-Masri; 20 are still being held on suspicion of links with the PFLP. Over 60 Golan Heights Druze have been arrested following P.M. Peres' visit to the area [LT 3/10]. Five leading black American university officials visit Israel in pilot project aimed at creating an academic bond between their institutions in the American south and Hebrew University in Jerusalem [JTA 3/11]. Violence breaks out between participants at Herut party convention over struggle for chairmanship of the party [BG 3/11].
Arab World: An Iraqi deputy foreign minister reportedly recently met with Israeli Ambassador to the UN Binyamin Netanyahu, on Iraq's initiative, to seek advice on Iranian army's capabilities and intentions; Israeli Foreign Ministry officials deny the reports [JP 3/10].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian resident of Balata refugee camp is shot and killed after he refused to stop and identify himself, military spokesman says [LAT 3/11; LT 3/12].
Military Action:
Syrian forces fire on two IDF bulldozers, accompanied by APCs, building fortifications in Bekaa; police dismantle small bomb found on campus of American University, third one since US Embassy bombing.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Chief of Military Intelligence briefs Secretary Shultz on Soviet involvement in Syria, says submarines are based at port of Tartus, Soviet pilots fly transport and assault helicopters; Shultz meets Begin, foreign and defense ministers; 4 Israelis wounded by stones thrown at bus on Hebron-jerusalem road; 28 students from al-Najah University released from detention, no charges made.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: President Gemayel rejects any agreement that infringes on Lebanese sovereignty, Lebanese Parliament announces its unanimous support for Gemayel's position; Prime Minister Wazzan leads delegation to Riyadh for meeting with King Fahd.
Arab Governments: Syria has received estimated $1.5b. in advanced weaponry from Soviet Union since September, according to Israeli military sources.
Military Action:
Lebanese Army increases security in Beirut, controlling access to American University campus and hospital; French, British, Italian and other embassies under heavy military guard; Lebanese Army raids PLO Research Center in Beirut, reportedly confiscates weapons and explosives.
Casualties:
Bodies of 16 Americans killed in embassy explosion, accompanied by official delegation, flown out of Beirut under heavy security; Lebanese member of Saiqa charged by military prosecutor with March 16 grenade attack on US Marines.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Palestinian flags raised in place of Israeli flags in Galilee villages of Tamra, Sakhnin and Arraba; IDF detains 39 students from al-Najah University on charges of incitement as they prepare to carry out volunteer work in Hebron area village, 11 women students released.
Arab Governments: President Mubarak says Egypt supports 1974 Rabat agreement that PLO is sole representative of the Palestinian people, urges Palestinians to create linkage with King Hussein so that Americans can start working for peaceful settlement.
Military Action:
IDF bombards PLO positions, residential areas in West Beirut by land, sea, air for 14 hours in fiercest fighting since invasion began; IDF makes only slight gains in advances on PLO positions, refugee camps south of airport and along coastal highway from Ouzai; IDF occupies Beirut airport, approaches edge of Burj al-Barajneh camp; Eitan says operations tightened siege; IDF strikes hit Sabra, Shatila, Burj al-Barajneh, Corniche Mazraa, Museum and Galerie Semaan crossings, Salam's house, Muslim residential areas on east side of West Beirut not previously shelled; 150 IDF bombing runs across Beirut drop an estimated 260 tons of bombs; IDF attempt to land troops along coast repulsed; ninth cease-fire called at 5 PM; PLO shells 10 East Beirut neighborhoods; PLO claims 30 IDF tanks, troop carriers destroyed.
Casualties:
IDF says 9, PLO says 80, Israeli soldiers wounded in fighting; heavy damage to buildings; Lebanese radio station reports 55 neighborhoods hit, most distant from Palestinian camps; all hospitals except one reported hit, as well as ICRC offices; fires burn out of control as smoke blankets city; 15 Lebanese killed, 40 wounded by PLO barrages into Phalangist-held territory; lack of electricity to operate water pumps continues shortage of water (one hour after cease-fire, IDF cuts water again); Lebanese police estimate 200 dead, 400 wounded from IDF bombardment; 50 IDF soldiers serving in Lebanon sentenced for looting since invasion began (in some cases, stole items from prisoners being transported to Israel from Sidon, Tyre); while damage to Palestinian neighborhoods enormous, PLO military losses reported small; reports of IDF use of phosphorus shells in civilian areas growing; parliament building hit; one of West Beirut's two remaining fire stations is destroyed, leaving three trucks to cover 10 square miles and protect a population estimated at 600,000.
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon, in interview with David Brinkley, claims Beirut Airport under IDF control, reaffirms Israel's willingness to allow further time for mediation efforts, claims PLO seeks "immunity among the civilian population"; Israeli official, rejecting US appeals for military restraint, says IDF will respond maximally to PLO cease-fire violations, will not accept "war of attrition"; Cabinet meets, again postpones decision on whether IDF will enter city; Peace Now sends telegram to Begin claiming capture of West Beirut will not serve Israeli interests; Labor leader Danny Rosolio appeals for urgent meeting of Knesset's foreign affairs/defense committee; Shamir arrives in Washington for meeting with Reagan; Cabinet sets up ministerial committee under Mordechai Ben-Porat to work with Lebanese government on finding winter accommodations for thousands of Palestinian refugees left homeless in wake of invasion and to explore resettlement of refugees (must decide on UNRWA request to import tents for refugees); Mapam central committee urges government not to try to occupy West Beirut but to seek diplomatic solution; thousands participate in Rakah-sponsored demonstration against Lebanon war in Nazareth (participants include leaders of local Arab councils).
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Sarkis protests IDF moves when negotiations are moving ahead; Salam calls Habib 10 times trying to arrange cease-fire; Wazzan makes passionate appeal to world leaders to intervene, as sit-in by Lebanese Muslim women continues at American University of Beirut.
US and Other Countries: Reagan stresses need for cease-fire as State Department says fighting undermines chances for peaceful PLO withdrawal from Beirut.
UN: Security Council debates resolution calling for deployment of independent observers to monitor situation around Beirut; Council later unanimously demands immediate cease-fire throughout Lebanon, authorizes Secretary General to deploy military observers to check compliance (Israel reportedly withholding agreement, pending Cabinet decision, to deployment of observers around Beirut).
