Wednesday, May 18, 1994

Last IDF troops leave Gaza Strip self-rule areas, Palestinian civilians throwing stones at them as they leave.  IDF fires tear gas in response.  PLA police attempt to restrain stone-throwers by firing in air.  Firing turns to celebration after IDF leaves, with estimated 25,000 rounds shot.  (NYT, WP, WT 5/19; TJT 5/20)

Last day for inhabitants of collaborator village of Duhaynah in southern Gaza Strip to go to Palestinian self-rule area.  Under 5/4 accord, village will remain under Israeli control.  Reportedly, 55 collaborator families have already left.  (TJT 5/20)

Settler wounded by unidentified Palestinian in drive-by shooting in Gaza Strip.  In Jericho, armed settlers enter synagogue, raise Israeli flag.  Settlers leave after joint Israeli-PLO patrol arrives.  (WP 5/19)

TIPH "strongly" protests continued IDF closure of Hebron.  (MM 5/18; WP 5/19)

IDF, Israeli police demolish Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina, nr. Jerusalem, for being built without a permit.  (TJT 5/20)

Secy of State Christopher completes latest Middle East trip with courtesy call on Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak in Cairo, says "decisive action" on Syrian-Israeli agreement on Golan Heights withdrawal not likely in "near future."  (NYT, WP, WT 5/19)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, Israeli FM Shimon Peres hold joint news conference in Oslo.  Arafat claims "jihad" remarks in South Africa were about "a jihad to achieve real peace," reiterates personal and PLO rejection of violence.  Peres accepts Arafat's explanation, offers handshake.  (MM 5/18; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/19)

Jerusalem Post reports PLO is paying $500,00 to Nabil Shaath's Team International company for setting up computer system to transfer population records to self-government.  Shaath denies that contract, carried out by son `Ali, represents conflict of interest.  (MM 5/18)