The Palestine Chronology

Lebanon asks U.S. to pressure Israel to allow aid to reach 415 Palestinian deportees, and refuses deportees' request to admit their sick and wounded to Lebanese hospitals. PLO reiterates support of Lebanese stance. (NYT 12/27)

Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghawshah strongly denounces Chmn. Arafat's 12/24 statement implying Israel should have executed the killer of the border policeman (Sawt al-Sha'b 12/27 in FBIS 12/28)

Israeli radio announces that 30 out of 44 Labor MKs support negotiations with the PLO. (Qol Yisra'el 12/26 in FBIS 12/28)

IDF shoots dead 15-year-old Palestinian during clashes in Shati' camp, Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 12/26 in FBIS 12/28)

SIA patrol clashes with Palestinian gunmen in the "security zone," southern Lebanon, killing 1. (Radio Lebanon 12/27, VOL 12/26 in FBIS 12/29)

Israel expels 415 suspected Muslim activists, 251 from the West Bank, 164 from the Gaza Strip to Lebanon. High Court of Justice temporarily blocks the expulsions, then votes 5 to 2 to permit them. UNIFIL forces try to block buses carrying deportees from traveling through their territory. Lebanese army blocks the deportees from entering govt.- controlled territory, leaving them stranded between Israeli and Lebanese checkpoints. (WP 12/17, 12/18; Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon, VOL 12/17, 12/18 in FBIS 12/18; NYT 12/18)

Eighth round of Arab-Israeli peace talks ends. Arab parties boycott 12/17 meetings to protest deportations. PLO announces talks suspended until deportees allowed back. (Tunisian Republic Radio 12/17 in FBIS 12/18; NYT, WP 12/18)

Pres. Bush meets separately with all delegations involved in peace talks for 20-25 minutes each; he meets with Palestinians and Jordanians together, then with Jordanians alone for 15 minutes. (Radio Jordan 12/17 in FBIS 12/18)

Hamas denounces the expulsions as "total war"; their legitimate targets, previously limited to soldiers, now include "every Zionist in Palestine." Arab MKs condemn deportation ruling, threaten to withdraw support of governing coalition. UNLU issues supplement to call no. 90 condemning the deportations. (IDF Radio 12/17 in FBIS 12/18; AFP 12/17, Sanaa VOP 12/18 in FBIS 12/21)

U.S. State Department "strongly condemns the action of deportation". Pres.-elect Bill Clinton is critical, though not condemnatory of the expulsion. UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali asks Israel to "rescind the expulsion order." (NYT 12/18

Israel seals o.t. (the 7th day for the Gaza Strip), conducts massive manhunt for kidnapped policeman, demands proof that he is still alive, arrests 1,000 suspected Islamic activists. (Qol Yisra'el 12/14 in FBIS 12/14; MM, NYT, WP 12/15; WP 12/16)

Israeli delegation presents Palestinian delegation with 19-page document on interim self-rule, affirming UNSCR 242 and 338 as the basis for negotiation, asserting "inner linkage" of interim and final phases. Appearing for the first time in writing is the proposal for tripartite land management in the interim phase: autonomy for Palestinian lands, Israeli management of lands used by IDF and settlers, and joint management of other lands. (HaAretz 12/15 in FBIS 12/15; MM 12/15)

Pres. Asad makes major speech on peace process to federation of trade unions. (MM 12/14; SARR 12/14 in FBIS 12/16; HaAretz 12/16 in FBIS 12/16)

Lebanon rejects Israel's 11/27 proposal to set up joint military working group (HaAretz, Radio Lebanon 12/15 in FBIS 12/15)

Israeli govt. submits proposed amendment to Knesset that would permit contacts with the PLO. (Qol Yisra'el 11/30 in FBIS 12/1)

Ramallah-based Palestinian Public Opinion Research Center releases poll of 1,000 o.t. residents on peace process. 68% said the negotiations have "a chance" for achieving peace; 25% see no hope in negotiations, whatever the terms. 76% accept autonomy if it leads to Palestinian sovereignty, 61% say rejectionists have no reliable agenda to confront the peace process. (al-Fajr 12/1 in FBIS 12/3)

Peace Now releases o.t. demographic survey, concluding that settlement movement in o.t. has failed, with inflated govt. investment over the years resulting in a small number of settlers who only provoke violence. Yesha Council (of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza) charges Peace Now with tailoring facts to fit their political orientation. (IDF Radio 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; MM 12/1)

Al-Quds al-Arabi publishes interview with Chmn. Arafat criticizing Syria for "adopting" the ten rejectionist factions, Iran and the Gulf states for supporting Hamas. (MM 12/1)

Katyusha rocket fired at IDF post in "security zone" (first such firing since 11/12), followed by bombardment of SLA positions north of zone. Israel, SLA shells Iqlim al-Tuffah region. (Radio Lebanon, VOL 12/1 in FBIS 12/1)

Israeli delegation presents Lebanon with proposal to establish a joint workingroup of military officers to discuss security arrangements on border. (Ha Aretz, Radio Lebanon 12/15 in FBIS 12/15)

IDF shoots Palestinian man dead in Gaza City. (Qol Yisra'el 11/27 in FBIS 11/30)

French Pres. Mitterrand meets with King Hussein in Amman. (JTV, Radio Jordan 11/27 in FBIS 12/1)

Palestinians demonstrate throughout o.t on 4th anniv. of declaration of the State of Palestine, are dispersed by IDF using tear gas and gunfire in Ramallah, Gaza, and Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

IDF uses antitank missiles to destroy 9 houses near Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. (Hadashot 11/16 in FBIS 11/19) 

Israeli FM Shimon Peres meets with Pres. Mubarak, FM 'Amr Musa in Cairo. (MENA, Qol Yisra'el 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Likud Cent. Comm. votes to hold primary to elect its leader and next PM candidate next March. Move is seen as a political gain for Benyamin Netanyahu and David Levy, who campaigned for the primary, at the expense of Benny Begin. (WT 11/17) 

Israel begins withdrawal of armor and artillery from "security zone," S. Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon 11/15 in FBIS 11/16)

Israeli delegation rejoins refugee talks in Ottawa, after receiving written U.S. assurances that Palestinian delegation head Muhammad Hallaj is no longer a member of the PNC. Palestinians begin talks with demand for discussion of right of return for all refugees, including those from 1948. (Qol Yisra'el 11/12 in FBIS 11/13; WP 11/13)

Bir Zeit University (near Ramallah, W. Bank) holds student council elections. Pro-Fateh faction "shelved their differences" over the peace talks with a pro-PFLP faction and a pro-DFLP (Hawatima wing) faction, to form a united pro-PLO front, which defeated the pro-Hamas candidates by 66% to 33% of the vote. In winner-take-all election, 5 seats go to Fateh, 3 to PFLP, 1 to DFLP. (WP 11/12)

Hizballah lose 1 gunman, kill 1, wound 3 IDF soldiers, kill 1 UN soldier, in rocket and machine-gun attacks in "security zone." Israel attacks from the air and heavily shells Hizballah target villages north of "security zone." (Qol Yisra'el 11/12 in FBIS 11/12; Radio Lebanon 11/12 in FBIS 11/13; WT, WP 11/13)

U.S. Amb. to Israel William Harrop delivers message to PM Rabin urging "continue[d] restraint" vis-a-vis Hizballah, as long U.S. diplomatic efforts to quell the violence continue in Beirut and Damascus. (MM 11/13)

IDF fatally shoots Palestinian youth in Hebron, W. Bank. IDF opens fire on Khan Yunis demonstrators, injuring 19; 2 suspected collaborators are killed in Gaza Strip, under curfew since 11/11 (MM 11/13)

King Hussein announces amnesty in honor of his 58th birthday (11/14) that will free 140 political prisoners, including those sentenced 11/10. (WP 11/13)

UN Development Program announces it will invest $20 million in W. Bank and Gaza Strip projects in the coming year, "hopefully" to be increased to $35 million the following year. Activities are to be coordinated with Israel. (MM 11/10)

IDF kills Palestinian gunman in Gaza Strip. (MM 11/10)

Hamas calls for "days of escalation" on 11/19 (date of 1935 death of Shaykh 'Izz al-Din al-Qassim), 11/22 (25th anniv. of UNSC 242), 11/25 and 27, general strike on 11/29 (date of 1947 UN partition res.). (QPAR 11/10 in FBIS 11/10)

Israel overflies, drops flares over S. Lebanon all night, shells targets, amasses armor and artillery along northern border, concentrates positions in eastern "security zone" overlooking Nabatiyya and Jazzin. Hizballah fires rockets into "security zone" and Israel, attacks Israeli patrol in Jazzin, 10 mi. north of "security zone." SLA detains Lebanese Army sergeant in Khiyam prison. (Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon, VOL 11/10 in FBIS 11/10)

IDF confirms 11/4 UN findings of Syrian disengagement violations, choosing, as they have in the past, to turn a"blind eye" to these longstanding violations. (Hadashot 1 1/1 1 in FBIS 11/13)

Jordan sentences 2 Muslim Brotherhood MPs to 20 years hard labor, 2 shopkeepers to 10 years hard labor, for membership in outlawed, Iranian-backed dissident orgs. (MM 11/10; NYT, WP 11/11

PLO pol. dept head Faruq al-Qaddumi says PLO and Arab states must carefully examine the proposal to hold next round of multilateral refugee talks in Tunis. Israel accepted the Tunisian offer, which he says is a "U.S. demand" (see 10/22). (SANA 10/31 in FBIS 11/2)

IDF kills Hamas mbr. in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip. Demonstrations erupt throughout Strip. (al-Fajr 11/9)

Lebanese PM-designate Rafiq al-Hariri meets with Pres. Asad, other Syrian officials in Damascus, then returns to Beirut to announce new govt. Chamber of Deputies speaker Nabih Birri criticizes the new cabinet, will travel to Damascus for consultations. (Radio Lebanon, VOL 10/31 in FBIS 11/2)

Hizballah mbr. is killed after exploding a roadside bomb near SLA patrol inside "security zone." Israel shells villages north of "security zone." (Qol Yisra'el 10/31, Voice of the Oppressed 11/1 in FBIS 11/3)

In interview with Middle East Insight magazine, Pres. candidate Bill Clinton says Arab states should end boycott against Israel. (WT 11/12)

Israel and Jordan agree on draft agenda for negotiations with a formal peace treaty as the eventual goal, within the framework of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli settlement. This first mutual written agreement between Israel and the Arab side includes discussion of the Jordanian territorial demand, and construction of the "Red-Dead canal" between the two seas (see 10/22). (Jordan Times 10/29 in FBIS 10/29; WT 10/30; Educational TV [Israel], ITV 11/1 in FBIS 11/2; NYT 10/29, 11/2)

SHAS withdraws demand for Ed. Min. Shulamit Aloni's ouster, calling instead for her apology and pledge to abstain from religious exhortation, as well as expanded powers for its own dep. ed. min. MAPAM demands 4th cabinet portfolio for Meretz coalition, of which it is a part, calls for no capitulation to SHAS demands. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 10/28 in FBIS 10/29)

Israeli district court orders govt. to pay $62,000 in damages to family of unarmed Palestinian killed in 1988 by undercover IDF unit, $20,000 to family of Palestinian wounded in same incident. Precedent-setting ruling "basically" rejected Shin Bet claim that soldiers were on a military operation, an act of state with no liability. (WT 11/6; al-Fajr 11/9)

Knesset comm. decides not to revoke the parliamentary immunity ofMKs Naomi Chazan (Meretz), 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha and Taleb al-Sana (Arab Democratic Party), and Hashem Mahamid (HADASH) for meeting with top PLO officials recently, by vote of 8 to 6. (IDF Radio 10/28 in FBIS 10/29; WP 10/29)

"Tens of thousands" of Palestinians in Syria and Jordan demonstrate against the peace talks (see 10/26). (QPAR 10/28 in FBIS 10/29, 10/30)

King Hassan of Morocco meets with King Hussein in Amman. (MM 10/29)

Lebanese UN rep. lodges complain to UNSC over recent Israeli attacks, calls for implementation of UNSC Res. 425. (Radio Lebanon 10/29 in FBIS 10/29)

Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal meets with Palestinian lawyers, agrees to minor concessions on prisoner demands (see 10/11), rejects the prisoners' major demands, including closure of some solitary confinement wards. Israel reports 240 prisoners are still on strike at Nafha jail; Palestinians claim figure is higher and that strike is still on at other jails. (Qol Yisra'el 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

Dozens of settlers from Kiryat Arba try to break into structures at "Giv'at Haharsina," a settlement they tried to establish 8/9 in defiance of IDF orders. IDF and Border Police seal roads to the site, declare "Judea district" a closed military zone, detain about 20 settlers. Hebron rabbis call on settlers to disobey army orders. (ITV 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

Palestinian gunman is killed, IDF soldier wounded in shootout in Khan Yunis. 13- year-old boy wounded in 10/10 clashes dies in Tel Hashomer hospital. Curfew remaining in force in most of Gaza Strip since 10/11 brings some quiet. (Qol Yisra'el 10/13 in FBIS 10/14; MM 10/15)

"Heavily armed" 3-man DFLP (Hawatima wing) squad is captured by IDF forces as they approach the Israeli border at the far eastern end of the "security zone" in southern Lebanon. (MM 10/14; Qol Yisra'el 10/14 in FBIS 10/16)

Rockets are fired into the air to celebrate arrival of PLO official Ahmad Mansur 'Azzam in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp, Sidon, Lebanon, who is on a mission to quell FRC-Fateh violence in the camps. Bombs explode outside the homes of 2 Palestinians in Sidon, 1 of whom is an FRC official. (VOL, Radio Lebanon 10/13 in FBIS 10/14)

PLO rejects all statements favoring permanent settlement of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, and reaffirms applicability of UNGA Res. 194. (Algiers VOP 9/23 in FBIS 9/25)

Palestinians stage general strike in o.t. to protest autonomy talks. Strike widely honored, in o.t., but response is strongest in Gaza Strip, Syria, and Lebanon; weaker in E. Jerusalem and W. Bank, negligible in Jordan. (MM 9/24; WP 10/14)

FM Shimon Peres and UN Secy. Gen. Butrus Butrus Ghali meet in New York, agree to raise UN from observer to participant status in multilateral negotiations. They also discuss the "extraneous and bizarre resolutions that the UN reaffirms year in and year out"; Butrus Ghali promises to help Israel "strike those... .off the agenda." (ITV 9/24 in FBIS 9/25)

In meeting with acting U.S. Secy. of State Eagleburger, Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara' refers to "total peace" in exchange for total Israel withdrawal from Golan Heights. (IDF Radio 9/23, SARR 9/24. in FBIS 9/24; MM 9/24)

Israeli education min. Shulamit Aloni says PM Rabin is prepared to return the entire Golan Heights in exchange for a peace agreement with Syria. Speaking to Golani settlers, PM Rabin refers to private "red lines" concerning the Golan, rules out leasing Golani territory, as that would concede its sovereignty to Syria. (MM 9/24; NYT 9/26; Yedi'ot Aharonot 9/25 in FBIS 9/25; Hadashot 9/25 in FBIS 9/28)

Test flight of Israeli Arrow antiballistic missile is deemed successful. (IDF Radio 9/23 in FBIS 9/24; MM 9/24)

Fateh mbr. Nimr Dib Shibli (Abu Kayyid) is assassinated in Sidon, Lebanon. (Radio Lebanon 9/23 in FBIS 9/25)

Pres. Bush announces that James Baker will leave his post as secy. of state 8/23 to become chief of staff at the White House. Baker will bring his 4 closest aides with him, will continue to direct the peace process, and will leave Lawrence S. Eagleburger as acting secy. of state. (WP 8/14)

In private meeting with top AIPAC executives, PM Rabin sharply criticizes the lobby for steering Israel toward an unneeded confrontation with the U.S. over the loan guarantees. According to the New York Times, Rabin said the organization "should not pursue their own initiatives, but rather take instructions from the Israeli embassy in Washington." (WP 8/16; NYT 8/22)

IDF shells Iqlim al-Tuffah, Litani River regions, overflies Nabatiyya and Sidon, S. Lebanon. (VOL, Radio Lebanon 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Rabin survives first no-confidence vote by 59 to 48, jointly dismissing 5 separate motions submitted by parties opposed to settlement policy, peace moves. (see 7/22). (MM 7/28)

Israeli undercover unit corners, shoots dead unarmed 17-year-old Palestinian activist in Khan Yunis. Three Palestinians are wounded by plastic bullets in clashes with IDF in Shati' camp. (MM 7/28)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab al-Darawsha sends letter to PM Rabin demanding that the office of Arab affairs advisor be disbanded, because of its negative effects on Jewish-Arab relations in Israel. (MM 8/6)

DFLP head Nayif Hawatima says he would reconsider his boycott of the peace process if the leadership insists on comprehensive Palestinian representation, linkage of any autonomy agreement to self-determination, right of return, and complete halt to settlement. (Al-Sharq al-Awsat 8/6 in FBIS 8/7)

Janin continues to protest Israeli burial of Black Panther leader Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini in military cemetary in Jericho, demands return of body; commercial strike enters 5th day (see 7/23). (MM 7/27)

Greece "strongly protests" 7/23 demoltion of Orthodox church in East Jerusalem. (MM 7/27)

Israeli armored force advances north of "security zone" into western Biqa' valley, clashes with Hizballah. Israel shells Kafr Rumman, Litani river basin. (Radio Lebanon 7/27 in FBIS 7/27; Voice of the Oppressed 7/28 in FBIS 7/28)

Secy. of State Baker holds news conference with FM Faruk al-Shara' in Damascus, urges negotiation by Israel and Syria on Golan Heights. Baker then travels by armored motorcade to pay surprise visit on Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi at his home in Zahle, where he affirms U.S. support of 10/89 Taef agreement, Syrian withdrawal by end of September in meeting attended also by FM Faris Buwayz and PM Rashid al-Solh. Lebanese leaders had earlier (7/15) stated their refusal to meet with Baker outside of Lebanon. (Radio Lebanon 7/23 in FBIS 7/24; WP 7/'24)

HaAretz details new National Master Plan for construction (NMP 31). Plan sets goal of 140,000 settlers in o.t. by mid-1990s, down from 250,000 of previous govt. For this increase, 10,000 housing units will be required in the o.t. (HaAretz 7/23 in FBIS 7/27)

Janin, other towns, villages, and refugee camps throughout the o.t. stage strike in solidarity with Palestinians in Israeli jails, called for by UNLU. (MM 7/23)

On Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem, an "unlicensed" Greek Orthodox church is demolished. Two Palestinian homes were demolished elsewhere in East Jerusalem on the same grounds. (MM 7/23)

Two Black Panther activists give themselves up to Border Police in the W. Bank, following 7/22 killing of Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini. (MM 7/23)

Fateh Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal) spokesman Walid Khalid is shot dead in Mar Ilyas camp, Beirut. (NYT 7/24)

Israeli fighter jets raid 13 villages, Hizballah bases in lqlim al-Tuffah, Jabal Safi regions, S. Lebanon, in 18th Israeli air raid this year. (IDF Radio 7/23 in FBIS 7/23; NYT 7/24)

PM Rabin meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, first meeting of Egyptian and Israeli heads of state in 6 years. Leaders exchange views on the peace process, bilateral relations; Mubarak accepts invitation to visit Israel. (WP 7/22)

Housing Min. Benyamin Ben-Eliezer and Fin. Min. Avraham Shochat expand 7/16 settlements freeze to cancel plans for total of 6,681 settlement units "in blueprint stage," but will proceed with construction of 10,467 units in more advanced stages. Work will definitely continue on the 1,686 of these that are in the "Greater Jerusalem" area, and the other 8,781 will be subject to "further review." Work was also halted on several "political roads"; no mobile homes may be moved into the o.t., nor may they be moved from current sites in the o.t. (Ha'Aretz 7/21 in FBIS 7/21; Davar 7/22 in FBIS 7/22; NYT, WP 7/24)

King Hussein meets with Secy. of State Baker in Amman, denies Jordan is shipping supplies to Iraq in defiance of UN sanctions. Leaders also discuss peace process. Baker says the U.S. opposes all settlements, but that "security installations are something different." (WP 7/22, 23)

Palestinian leadership continues meeting in Tunis, criticizes Rabin's "partial step" settlement halt; leadership sends messages regarding peace process to Pres. Mubarak and Asad, King Hussein. (Tunisian Republic Radio, MENA 7/21 in FBIS 7/22; Algiers VOP 7/22 in FBIS 7/23)

Palestinian man is killed by Border Police near Janin. (Qol Yisra'el 7/22 in FBIS 7/23)

Activists slated for deportation 1/2 appeal to PLO leadership to mobilize int'l condemnation of Israel's "voluntary exile" rulings used against them, as well as against 6 activists in al-Najah University siege compromise. Families of the 11 deportees have sent similar message. Israel's state attorney has asked High Court to delay appeal hearings of 11 deportees untilate August. (MM 7/30)

One IDF soldier is killed, 3 wounded as Islamic Resistance bomb explodes under an Israeli tank near north-central "security zone" border village of Bayt Yahun. Three nearby SLA outposts are mortared as fighting escalates in Bra'shit, Haddathah areas. Israel shells Wadi al-Akhdar, Jabal Safi, Malita areas. (VOL 7/21 in FBIS 7/22; Radio Lebanon 7/21, 22 in FBIS 7/22; IDF Radio 7/21 in FBIS 7/22; NYT 7/24)

As part of effort to disarm all factions in Lebanon, min. of state Nazih al-Bizri states that "time is not right" to collect weapons from the Palestinians. Palestinians in Lebanon possess mostly light weapons. (Radio Lebanon 7/21 in FBIS 7/22)

Israeli govt. declares 1-week freeze on signing contracts for govt.-subsidized housing, including those affecting construction i the o.t. Freeze also is called on planning and early proceedings of new roads in o.t. About 3,000 units in early stages in o.t. are affected by the freeze, and govt. is still unsure about what to do with 4,000 completed units unattached to infrastructure, 12,000 in various stages of construction, and about 500 completed units that have been populated in the o.t. About 60% of these 16,500 scheduled units are in "political settlements." Financial incentives encouraging settlement will be ended. (Qol Yisra'el, HaAretz 7/16 in FBIS 7/16; MM, NYT, WP 7/17)

The Jerusalem Report states that 100 of the 142 settlements in the o.t. are "political settlements" according to PM Rabin, and can therefore expect significant cuts in govt. aid. These include all 16 settlements inthe Gaza Strip, as well as large W. Bank settlements of Qedumim, Elqana, and possibly Ariel. (Likud MK and Ariel mayor Ron Nahman claims freeze will have "opposite result" in his settlement, plans to increase its pop. from 11,000 to 20,000 in a year.) (Al Hamishmar 7/16 in FBIS 7/16; HaAretz 7/17 in MM 7/17)

Fateh gunman shoots, wounds 3 unarmed Hamas supporters in Rafah, Gaza. Hamas gunmen shoot, wound 1 unarmed Fateh supporter. Some 1,000 Fateh supporters then raid mosque in Yibna camp, Hamas gunmen inside open fire, wound 8. IDF troops impose curfew on Yibna. Two-week total for Fateh-Hamas violence is 1 dead, about 150 wounded. (MM, WP 7/17)

Palestinians throughout o.t. stage commercial strike called for by PLO-backed UNLU to protest seige at al-Najah University. Palestinian-Israeli leaders including all 6 MKs meet to discuss strategy, form delegation to meet with PM Rabin concerning al-Najah. Some 250 prominent Palestinians begin hunger strike in Nablus to protest siege. (MM 7/16, 17; Qol Yisra'el 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

U.S. State Dept. calls for "restraint" from Israel in its handling of situation at al-Najah University, Nablus. IDF soldiers continue to surround campus, searching all students who leave; students refuse to leave until army withdraws. (WP 7/17)

Faisal Husseini announces Israeli defense establishment proposal to deport wanted men in al-Najah University for 3 years as step to lifting siege; Palestinians are drafting counter-proposal, and have sent a letter to PM Rabin to lift siege and curfew of Nablus. (Qol Yisra'el 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

PLO representative calls on UN Secy. Gen. Butrus Ghali to provide int'l. protection for Palestinians in o.t., implementation of res. 681 to deal with siege at al-Najah University. (Radio Algiers Network 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

PM Rabin agrees to meet with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo after U.S. Secy. of State Baker's upcoming visit; meeting would be first such visit since 1986. (WP 7/17)

Palestinian "rejectionist" groups - Hamas and the Palestine National Salvation Front (PFLP-GC, Fateh Uprising, Communist Revolutionary Party, and Sa'iqa) - meet in Damascus to discuss strategy of blocking the peace process and escalating the intifada. (MM 7/16)

King Hussein arrives in Damascus for visit with Pres. Asad. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 7/16 in FBIS 7/16)

Islamic Resistance attacks Israeli, SLA roadblock in Kafr Huna, S. Lebanon. Israel overflies Arqub region, strengthens positions in al-Qantara, al-Tayyiba with armored vehicles. (Radio Lebanon 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

Syrian VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam says Syria will not withdraw to eastern Lebanon in September, states that Taef accord requires withdrawal within 2 years of constitutional adoption of political reforms. (VOL 7/16 in FBIS 7/16)

Israeli soldiers surround al-Najah University in Nablus. Some 3,000-4,000 students and others refuse to submit to searches; IDF imposes curfew on Nablus and 4 nearby refugee camps. (WP 7/16; NYT 7/17)

PLO Exec. Comm. issues statement criticizing Rabin's "iron fist policy," and calling for int'l. action to lift the siege. (Algiers VOP 7/15 in FBIS 7/16)

Construction and housing min. Benyamin Ben-Eliezer "cancel[s] endorsement" of approved but unsigned contracts for 3,000 housing units in the o.t. Council of Jewish Settlements of Judea, Samaria, and Gaza considers this a "declaration of war." (Qol Yisra'el, IDF Radio 7/15 in FBIS 7/16)

Fateh official Abu-Nidal al-Asmar narrowly escapes death as a bomb destroys his car in Sidon. (AFP 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Israeli undercover unit shoots dead Hamas-'Izz al-Din al-Qassim faction mbr. in Gaza City. (MM 7/16)

Amal claims an attack on an SLA patrol in al-Qantara, S. Lebanon, kills 6 Israeli soldiers and 1 Amal militiaman. SLA responds by shelling "security zone" border villages of al-Qantara, al-Qabrikha. (VOL 7/15 in FBIS 7/15; Radio Lebanon 7/15 in FBIS 7/16)

PM Rabin "rules out" Palestinian legislative elections as outlined in Camp David Accords. (WP 7/16)

Pres. Herzog leaves for 2-day visit to Turkey, firstrip to Turkey by an Israeli president. (Qol Yisra'el 7/15 in FBIS 7/16)

Israeli Border Police capture suspected armed Palestinian activist near al-Najah University, Nablus. In pursuit of 20 "wanted" armed activists, IDF demands that everyone leaving university submit to body search; 200 students barricade themselves inside the university. Army says activists entered the university following campus elections (which favored Fateh over Hamas, 11 to 0). Leaders Faisal Husseini and Sa'ib 'Urayqat travel to Nablus to calm the situation. (Qol Yisra'el 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Outgoing PM Shamir meets privately with PM Rabin, formally hands over prime ministership. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Qalqiliya (W. Bank) Chamber of Commerce holds elections, PLO-identified National List wins 8 of 9 seats, Islamic List (Hamas) wins 1. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Israeli undercover unit shoots dead "wanted" Fateh Black Panther activist near Janin, W. Bank. (MM 7/14)

Arab and Palestinian leaders and delegates reject Rabin's invitation in 7/13 speech for meeting in Jerusalem before positive concrete steps are taken by new govt., express cautious optimism about peace process. (NYT, WP 7/14, 15)

IDF fires incendiary shells into Nabatiyya area, S. Lebanon. Islamic Resistance attacks Israeli patrol, IDF resumes shelling "security zone" border villages of Jaru, 'Ayn Bu Siwar. (Radio Lebanon 7/14 in FBIS 7/15; Voice of the Oppressed 7/15 in FBIS 7/15)

Pres. Mubarak sends cable of congratulations to PM Rabin. (MENA 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

PM Rabin addresses new Knesset, offering to travel to Arab capitals, inviting Palestinian delegation and Arab country leaders to Jerusalem, and calling for Palestinian acceptance of autonomy. Yitzhak Shamir addresses Knesset, offers praise for old admin., warnings and criticism for the new. Knesset approves new cabinet by a vote of 67 to 53, 17 new cabinet mbrs. sworn in. Pres. Bush congratulates Rabin, invites him to Kennebunkport, Maine, announces Secy. of State. Baker will travel to the region to meet with Rabin, Arab leaders. (ITV 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; NYT, WP 7/14)

Faisal Husseini, not considered part of the Palestinian negotiating team by PM Rabin because he is from Jerusalem, and therefore not among Rabin's 7/13 "invitees," offers counter-invitation fr Rabin to call him at home in Jerusalem. Husseini's position is seen as direct challenge to Syria, which sees Rabin as "carbon copy" of Shamir. (MM 7/14)

Fateh and Hamas sign new, more elaborate agreement to end violence in Gaza Strip as a result of NRC mediation (see 7/8, 10). Eightteen committees have been set up to enforce the agreement. (Qol Yisra'el 7/14 in FBIS 7/14)

Israeli undercover unit disguised as Arabs infiltrate, join 20 Hamas marchers in Gaza city. Hamas activist attacks 1 soldier, IDF opens fire; in ensuing confusion, 1 Hamas activist dies (from IDF bullets) as Hamas reportedly believes undercover IDF are Fateh activists. (Qol Yisra'el 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; MM 7/22)

Pres. Asad meets with Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi, joined later by VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam and FM Faruk al-Shara' in Damascus. (Syrian Arab TV 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

SLA commander Antun Lahd categorically rejects Lebanese elections given current circumstances. (MM 7/14)

Israel, SLA shells Hizballah target, UNIFIL village of Yatar killing 1 civilian, in response to Islamic Resistance mortaring of "security zone" village of Bayt Lif. (MM 7/13; Radio Lebanon 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; WP 7/14)

Fateh-Hamas violence escalates in Gaza Strip, over 1,000 involved, over 30 injured in clashes in Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Mughazi, Shati' camps-called worst Fateh-Hamas clashes since beginning of intifada. (Qol Yisra'el 7/7,8 in FBIS 7/8; MM 7/8)

Several rocket-propelled grenades are fired at IDF outpost in southern Golan Heights, near intersection of Israeli, Jordanian, and Syrian borders. IDF returns fire, conducts search, finding leaflets of Hizballah-Palestine. (Qol Yisra'el 7/8 in FBIS 7/9)

Lebanese govt. announces massive refugee resettlement plan to assist the estimated 800,000 people displaced from their homes since the civil war began in 1975; repatriation of refugees in key element of 1989 Taef agreement. (Radio Lebanon 7/7 in FBIS 7/8; NYT 7/9)

Shin Bet uncovers "Hamas squad" near Bethlehem, arrests 15 suspects, confiscate weapons. (Qol Yisra'el 6/29 in FBIS 6/30)

British construction co. Mivan is awarded 4.84 million Jordanian dinar contract to restore Dome of the Rock. Awqaf and Islamic affairs min. 'Izz al-Din al-Tamimi thanks King Hussein for his 4/29 $8.25 million donation for restoration, says UNESCO (financed with Saudi $10 million pledge) should not interfere with the work, scheduled to begin 7/10. (Jordan Times 6/28 in FBIS 6/30)

Israel resumeshelling around Nabatiyya and Litani river valley, S. Lebanon. Islamic Resistance detonates bomb near al-'Ayshiyya in northern "security zone" of S. Lebanon, wounding 4 IDF soldiers. Israel escalates shelling of Kafr Rumman area, killing 4, as well as sniper and machine-gun fire throughout Nabatiyya area. (Radio Lebanon, VOL, ITV 6/28 in FBIS 6/29)

Palestinian delegates hold first public meeting with PLO Chmn. Arafat in Amman. (WP 6/18)

Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) concludes 2-day emergency meeting in Istanbul, recommends international military action against Serbia, reaffirms three past resolutions supporting Palestinian people's struggle and Arab-Israeli peace process, and condemning Israeli attacks in S. Lebanon. (FBIS, MM 6/19)

UNRWA announces Japan's grant of Y900 million (about $6.9 million) for purchase of flour for Palestinians. Japan is one of UNRWA's leading donors, contributing over $27 million in 1991. (UNRWA News 6/24)

After shelling of and ground advance toward Nabatiyya, Israeli air force attacks targets in Siddiqin, north of S. Lebanon "security zone." Hizballah unit attacks IDF position in eastern zone, 2 IDF soldiers wounded; SLA expels 5 Shiite families from "security zone." (MM 6/19; Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon 6/18 in FBIS 6/19)

U.S. House of Reps. passes res. 113 hailing "reunification" of Jerusalem, "congratulating" its residents. The 72-cosponsor bill passed the Senate on 7/10. (MEPARC 7/92)

Israeli troops backed by tanks, artillery, and helicopters advance beyond the "security zone" in S. Lebanon and clash with Islamic Resistance Movement fighters, killing 2. UNIFIL sends reinforcements, urges forces to withdraw. (Radio Lebanon 6/12 in FBIS 6/12; NYT 6/13)

Steering committee of multilateral peace talks begins meeting in Lisbon to discuss results of 5 sets of talks held during May. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/28)

France announces it will provide $500 million in loan guarantees to Israel to assist in infrastructural development. (MM 5/28)

Police arrest 150 Jewish rioters in Bat Yam as anti-Arab riots continue. Rioters burn tires in the streets, attack police; 7 persons are injured. Faisal Husseini denounces 5/24 killing of Jewish girl which sparked the riots. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27, 5/28 in FBIS 5/28)

Gazan from Dayr al-Balah stabs and kills settler in Kfar Darom, Gaza. Settlers later rampage in Dayr al-Balah, damaging Palestinian crops and attacking residents. IDF evacuates schoolchildren after settlers besiege an elementary school. More than 100 settlers are arrested. IDF imposes curfew on Dayr al-Balah and extends travel ban imposed 5/24 for another 3days. (WP 5/28)

Bomb attack on IDF convoy near Arnun, S. Lebanon (near Beaufort Castle), kills 1 Israeli soldier. 3 guerrillas killed in subsequent gunbattle. Lebanese National Resistance Front claims associated fighters from PFLP, Syrian Social Nationalist Party-Higher Council (Da'ud Baz faction) carried out attack. IDF continue shelling S. Lebanese villages. (ITV 5/27, Radio Lebanon, AFP 5/27 in FBIS 5/28; WP 5/28)

Fateh, Hamas supporters clash in Qalqiliya, W. Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 5/28 in FBIS 5/28) Israel, Sierra Leone reestablish diplomatic relations. (Qol Yisra'el 5/27 in FBIS 5/27)