Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Decapitated and badly decomposed body of al-Fajr journalist Hasan 'Abd al-Halim Fakia, missing since 10/3, is found outside Jerusalem. Police say grenade found near body indicates cause of death; al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora states 'Abd al-Halim was murdered for researching story on West Bank land fraud [MG 12/21; JP 12/22; FJ 1/3]. Jerusalem Post reports Ziyad Abu 'Ayn was charged in military court with sedition and planning terrorist atacks. (Abu 'Ayn was extradited from U.S. in 1981, sentenced, released in 5/20 prisoner exchange) [JP 12/20]. Al-Fajr reports 13 more Palestinians are placed under administrative detention, bringing total to over 100 since September [FJ 12/20]. Al-Fajr reports Israeli troops closed al-Najah University 5 out of 8 days during the past week [FJ 12/20]. U.S. State Dept. announces Israel has dismantled unit which handled Jonathan Pollard, has returned all documents Pollard supplied, has taken action "to prevent any repetition of such activities"; intelligence sharing between U.S.and Israel will resume [NYT, WP 12/21].
Military Action
Other Countries: Three gunmen who took hostages during robbery trial in France surrender to police; police state they belong to Abu Nidal faction [NYT 12/21].