The Palestine Chronology

Hamas's political wing and Qassam Brigades issue leaflet denying responsibility for 2/25 bombings, call for a cease-fire with Israel through 3/8 to negotiate a truce. Israel rejects offer. Since the 2/25 bombings, PA security forces have detained over 250 people; most are Hamas affiliates. (QY 2/29 in FBIS 2/29; QY 2/29, al-Hayat, QY, SA 3/1 in FBIS 3/1; MM, NYT, WT 3/1; WT 3/2; NYT 3/4)

Lebanese army imposes an 11-hr. country-wide curfew to prevent a series of protests planned by supporters of the Lebanese Confederation of Trade Unions (LCTU) angry about the government ban on demonstrations, plans to tighten control over the press. The government had threatened to cut number radio stations fr. 150 to 10 and television stations fr. 50 to 6. 1,600 are arrested for braking curfew. (RL 2/28, VOL 2/29 in FBIS 2/29; NYT 2/29; AFP, RL 2/29, VOL 3/1 in FBIS 3/1; WT 3/2; MM 3/4) (see 2/27)

According to the French Press Agency, 200 of the SLA's 3,000 mbrs. have deserted since the beginning of the year. (CSM 2/29)

Third round of Syrian-Israeli "exploratory" talks convene in Maryland. (MM, WT 2/28; JP, MA, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; NYT 2/29; QY 2/29 in FBIS 2/29; MA, QY 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)

Arafat demands Islamists turn in unlicensed weapons, explosives before the PA security forces begin house-to-house searches 3/1 or risk 15-yr. sentences for possession. PA detains 70 more Hamas supporters in Gaza. (VOP 2/28 in FBIS 2/29; WP, WT 2/29; QY 2/29 in FBIS 2/29)

Arafat convenes military field court comprising the heads of Nablus security branches to try the Qalqilya PA Preventive Security Force (PSF) head Col. `Abd al-Rahim Abu `Awn, PA police head Col. Musa Jadallah for actions in violation of the Oslo agmts. for attending memorial rally for Yahya Ayyash. (QY, VOP 2/28 in FBIS 2/29)

Israel eases the closure on the West Bank, Gaza, allowing produce to cross the borders. (IGPO 2/28 in FBIS 3/1; NYT 2/29)

In Damascus, Iranian VP Habibi meets with Palestinian rejectionist leaders, incl. Hamas, Islamic Jihad officials. Habibi then heads to Beirut to meet with Lebanese Pres. Ilyas Hrawi, who tells him that Lebanon supports Hizballah, but Hizballah must conform to Lebanon's political stance. (MM 2/28; RL, VOL 2/28 in FBIS 2/29; MM 2/29; SARR 2/29, RL, SA 3/1 in FBIS 3/1; MENA 3/1 in FBIS 3/6)

Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Amnon Shahak meets with Arafat at Erez checkpoint, gives him list of 13 wanted Hamas men, instructs the PA to break the movement's organization, warns IDF may not withdrawal fr. Hebron if action is not taken. Arafat says he has no intention of attacking Hamas leaders or institutions not linked to the armed wing. (MM 2/27; Davar, IDF Radio, QY 2/27, JP, QY 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; MM, NYT, WT 2/28; WP 2/29)

In Gaza, 2 more leaflets signed by Hamas's Qassam Brigades are issued, 1 claiming and 1 denying responsibility for the 2/25 bombings, increasing speculation that there is a split within the movement. (AFP, PBC, RMC 2/27 in FBIS 2/28) (see 2/25)

In a ceremony televised on Israeli networks, a conservative MK awards a plaque of gratitude to one of the settlers who shot, killed Palestinian-American 2/26. (NYT 2/28)

A Palestinian woman dies when the ambulance taking her to a hospital outside Gaza is delayed at Erez checkpoint for 5 hrs. (MM 3/20)

In Damascus, Pres. Asad, Iranian VP Hassan Habibi discuss boosting bilateral ties. Habibi expresses Iran's support for armed struggle against Israel by Palestinian rejectionist groups, incl. Hamas. (MM 2/27; Voice of Iran 2/27 in FBIS 2/27; RMC, SARR 2/27, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; WT 2/28; AFP, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 2/29; WT 4/25)

The Lebanese Cabinet passes decree outlawing gatherings and demonstrations "in order to prevent any acts that could disturb security and public safety." (RL 2/28 in FBIS 2/29)

U.S. extends its travel ban on Lebanon for 6 mos. Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz protests. (RL 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; WT 3/2)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb nr. an SLA patrol, killing 1 SLA mbr. (RL 2/27 in FBIS 2/28)

In Jerusalem, car driven by a Palestinian-American rams into a crowded bus stop, killing 1, injuring 23. 2 Israeli settlers shoot, kill the driver. Israeli police are unsure whether the man lost control of the auto or deliberately crashed it. (IDF Radio, ITV, QY 2/26, HA 2/27 in FBIS 2/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 2/27; WP, WT 2/28; MEI, PR 3/1)

PM Peres convenes a special session of the Knesset to discuss recent attacks, vows to wage war on Hamas; hints that if there are any more attacks, Israel might delay its withdraw fr. Hebron. (ITV 2/26 in FBIS 2/27; NYT 2/27)

IDF raids the Hebron homes of the families of 2 missing men suspected in the 2/25 bombings. Hebron is still under Israeli military control. (NYT 2/28)

2 IDF soldiers are slightly wounded when Hizballah shells their outpost in s. Lebanon. (QY, RL 2/26 in FBIS 2/26)

Israel says Lebanese military intelligence officers have kidnapped a Lebanese national allegedly working for Mossad in s. Lebanon. Lebanon tried and convicted the man, Ahmad Hallaq, in absentia for the 12/21/94 bombing that killed the brother of a Hizballah leader. (ITV, MENA 2/26 in FBIS 2/27) (see 12/28/94)

Yusif Maggid Molqi, sentenced to 30 yrs. for killing Leon Klinghoffer during the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro, disappears while on furlough fr. an Italian prison. (WT 3/6)

Bus bomb explodes in downtown Jerusalem, killing 23 people (incl. 2 Americans), wounding 49. Second suicide bomb explodes at IDF hitchhiking post nr. Ashkelon, killing 2, wounding 29. Group calling itself The Yahya Ayyash Units, New Disciples claims responsibility in revenge for Ayyash's slaying 1/5 and to mark the 2d anniversary of the Hebron massacre. Israel seals West Bank, Gaza; halts all negotiations with the PA. (IDF Radio, JMCC, JTV, QPAR, QY, RJ, VOL, VOP 2/25, RJ, SARR, VOP 2/26 in FBIS 2/26; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/26; NYT 2/27; WJW 2/29; MEI, PR 3/1; PR 3/8)

Following bombings, PA police immediately detain 120 Hamas, Islamic Jihad supporters across the West Bank, Gaza. Hamas's Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades issues a leaflet saying it is not responsible for the bombings. (QY 2/25, IDF Radio, QY 2/26 in FBIS 2/26; IDF Radio, ITV 2/26 in FBIS 2/27; MM, NYT 2/27; QY 2/27 in FBIS 2/27; MM, NYT, WT 2/28)

In Ashkelon, an Israeli truck runs into a bus carrying Palestinian workers, injuring 20. (VOP 2/27 in FBIS 2/27)

After receiving reports of a possible attack on Israeli targets, Shin Bet proposes closing crossing points into Israel fr. Gaza. IDF decides instead to step up inspections at crossings. (QY 2/26 in FBIS 2/26, 2/27)

In s. Lebanon, 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed during an IDF assault. In Cairo, the Arab League denounces Israel's stepped-up attacks, calls for immediate withdrawal. (RE, RL 2/24 in FBIS 2/26)

IDF lifts closure on West Bank, Gaza imposed 2/12. (QY, VOP 2/23 in FBIS 2/23; MM, WP 2/26)

Israeli FMin. says that Israeli diplomat deported fr. Russia 2/6 will been given a senior government post. (YA 2/23 in FBIS 2/23; HA 2/27 in FBIS 2/29)

Lt. Gen. Hussein Kamel, his brother and fellow defector Lt. Col. Saddam Kamel Hassan, their brother and father are gunned down in Baghdad. 2 attackers, 3 bystanders are also killed in the shoot out. Iraqi government claims angry family mbrs. killed them. (NYT, WP, WT 2/24; JT, RJ 2/24, JT 2/25 in FBIS 2/26; NYT, WT 2/25; MM, WP 2/26)

Hizballah says it has the bodies of 2 IDF soldiers missing for the past decade, offers to trade them for Hizballah mbrs. in detention, incl. Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid, detained in 7/89, and Mustafa al-Dirani, taken by Israeli commandos 5/21/94. Israel refuses. (VOL 2/23 in FBIS 2/23; VOL 2/23, 2/24 in FBIS 2/26; NYT, WT 2/24)

Amal, IDF clash in s. Lebanon, leaving 3 Amal mbrs. wounded. Particularly heavy IDF shelling is reported throughout the Israeli self-declared security zone. (QY, RL, VOL 2/23 in FBIS 2/26)

Nation of Islam's Farrakhan returns to the U.S. without incident. House Rep. Peter King (R-NY) calls for an congressional inquiry into the legality Farrakhan's trip. (WP 2/24)

IDF declares the Palestinian village of al-Zahiriyya nr. Hebron a closed military zone after a soldier is lightly injured by rocks thrown at his jeep. IDF also bars Israelis fr. Qalqilya for security reasons; cancels entry ban on Nablus, Ramallah. (QY 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)

Israeli naval vessels stop, search Belgian ship transporting new cars to the port of Tyre, s. Lebanon. (RL 2/22, 2/23 in FBIS 2/23) (see 2/18)

A bill proposed by the Likud and other right-wing parties that would require a 2/3 majority vote to change the status of Jerusalem fails in the Knesset (52-55, with 2 abstentions). (QY 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WP, WT 2/22)

After further negotiations with the Israeli parties, PM Peres changes the date of elections to 5/29. (QY 2/20 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WP 2/21; NYT 2/22) (see 2/19)

Fmr. Likud mbr. and fmr. FM David Levy formally announces he will run for PM and his Gesher party will put up a list for parliament. This election will mark the 1st time Israelis will vote separately for the PM. (QY 2/20, JP 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WT 2/21)

Fearing a backlash after the Rabin assassination, Israel's YESHA settlers' council decides not to hold militant demonstrations before the elections. (WT 2/21)

Lt. Gen. Hussein Kamel and family return to Iraq, are met at the border by Uday Hussein, Saddam's son. (MM 2/20; WP, WT 2/21; MM 2/23)

Israeli security sources say a Hizballah mbr. attempted to hang glide into n. Israel fr. Lebanon today but crashed just n. of the Israeli self-declared security zone. Hizballah denies responsibility. (ITV, RL 2/20, IDF Radio, QY, RL 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM 2/21; QY 2/24 in FBIS 2/26)

In celebration of Id al-Fitr, Hizballah releases 3 SLA soldiers in s. Lebanon. 2 of the men were captured in 1992, the 3d in 1986. (VOL 2/20 in FBIS 2/20; WT 2/21)

First Lady Hillary Clinton hosts prominent Muslim-Americans for Id al-Fitr reception at the White House to mark the end of Ramadan. (MM 2/21; WJW 2/22)

Israeli PM Shimon Peres unilaterally sets the date of the upcoming Israeli elections for 5/20. (WP 2/20)

Israel test fires its Arrow-2 missile, calls launch complete success. (QY 2/20 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WT 2/21; HA 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)

In s. Lebanon, 1 SLA mbr. is killed, 3 are wounded in clash with Hizballah. (RL 2/19 in FBIS 2/20)

In Jordan, Iraqi defector Lt. Gen. Hussein Kamel Hassan announces he has requested, received permission from Pres. Saddam Hussein to return to Iraq with his family. (MM 2/19; AFP 2/19 in FBIS 2/20; MM, WP, WT 2/20; RJ 2/20 in FBIS 2/21) (see 8/10/95)

At Nahal Oz checkpoint, 100s of Israelis dump tomatoes, burn tires in protest against the import of cheap Palestinian-grown produce fr. Gaza. (WT 2/19)

Rear Adm. Ami Ayalon takes over as head of the Shin Bet. (MM 2/20; WT 2/21) (see 1/10)

Richard Jones arrives in Beirut to take up his position as the new U.S. ambassador to Lebanon, says one of his priorities will be to remove the travel ban. (WT 2/21; RL 2/29 in FBIS 2/29)

Israeli naval vessels off the coast of s. Lebanon chase 3 fishing boats back toward shore, sinking one; 3 fishermen on board escape. The blockade has been in place since 2/95. (RL 2/18 in FBIS 2/20) (see 2/5)

IDF declares Jericho a closed military zone after a settler is slightly injured by rocks thrown at his car. (QY 2/18 in FBIS 2/20)

Hizballah initiates a series of cross border raids into Israel fr. s. Lebanon. IDF attacks Hizballah positions in retaliation. (WT 2/18)

In Damascus, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan meets with Pres. Hafiz al-Asad. Farrakhan is on a controversial 27-day tour of the Middle East and Africa. Stops include, Libya, Iraq, Iran, the Sudan. State Dept. threatens to confiscate his passport upon his return. (WP, WT 2/18)

After a relative lull, Hizballah attacks 26 IDF outposts in s. Lebanon in response to IDF shelling overnight that wounded a number of civilians. 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed; 1 IDF soldier, 1 Lebanese civilian, 2 Hizballah mbrs., 5 South Lebanon Army (SLA) mbrs. are wounded. Despite the attacks, the SLA releases 32 Shi'ite prisoners as a good-will gesture to mark the last Friday of Ramadan. (MM 2/16; QY 2/16 in FBIS 2/16; VOL 2/17, RL 2/18 in FBIS 2/20; WT 2/18)

U.S. State Dept. says it will keep Syria on its 1996 list of nations supporting terrorism, due out in April. (MM, WP 2/16)

IDF eases closure on West Bank, allowing residents over age 30 to enter Israel. (NYT 2/16) (see 2/12)

At the initiation of MKs Beilin, Ramon, Haggai Merom, Labor party holds internal discussion on eliminating a clause fr. its 11/91 manifesto which opposes the establishment of a Palestinian state. (MM 2/15)

EU troika meets with Arafat in Gaza; Peres in Jerusalem. (VOP 2/14 in FBIS 2/15)

In Oslo, Israel, Jordan, PA initial agmt. on managing scarce water resources. (QY 2/13, JP 2/14 in FBIS 2/14; WT 2/14)

Egypt-Israel-Jordan-PA technical comm. on refugees opens 2-day mtg. in Cairo. (MENA 2/13 in FBIS 2/13; MENA 2/13 in FBIS 2/14; MENA, QY 2/14 in FBIS 2/15)

EU troika meets with Pres. Asad in Damascus. (MM 2/14) (see 1/22)

Arafat receives Congressional delegation in Jericho. (VOP 2/13 in FBIS 2/14) (see 2/8)

PA police arrest 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. in the West Bank on charges of plotting a bombing inside Israel. (QY 2/13 in FBIS 2/14)

Israeli gunboats fire on Lebanese fishing vessels off the coast of Tyre, s. Lebanon, sinking 1 boat. (RL 2/12 in FBIS 2/12) (see 2/5)

In Saudi Arabia, King Fahd resumes his full duties. (MM 2/13) (see 1/1)

Arafat is sworn in as pres. of the PA; takes his oath on the Qur'an in front of PNC head Salim Za'nun, while PA police band plays Palestinian national anthem. (CSM, NYT, WT 2/13; WJW 2/15)

U.S. State Dept. says start date of next round of Syrian-Israeli talks has been moved to 2/28 because of scheduling conflicts. (MM 2/13)

After 1st banning Palestinians fr. Qalqilya, Ramallah fr. entering Israel, the IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza until further notice, citing security concerns related to the end of the 40-day mourning period for Ayyash, coming end of Ramadan. (QY, VOP 2/12 in FBIS 2/12; VOP 2/12, 2/13 in FBIS 2/13; CSM, MM 2/13; NYT 2/14)

200 Palestinians protests IDF construction at Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem. (WT 2/13)

2 SLA soldiers are killed, 1 wounded in roadside bombing in s. Lebanon. (QY, VOL 2/12 in FBIS 2/13)

CEC releases final results of the 1/20 elections and recounts. (MM 1/12)

PM Peres announces early elections, tentatively set for 5/21. (ITV, QY 2/11, MA 2/12 in FBIS 2/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/12; CSM, WT 2/13)

King Hussein begins 2-day trip to Saudi Arabia. (RJ 2/11 in FBIS 2/12; MBC, JTV 2/12 in FBIS 2/13)

PA police bar Israelis fr. Bethlehem and the main road through the city in protest over the IDF unilaterally building wall, narrowing road in front of Rachel's Tomb as part of its security measures at religious site. PA says that the narrowed road is causing traffic problems, hindering tourists fr. visiting other Bethlehem sites. (NYT 2/12; WT 2/13)

IDF declares Qalqilya a closed military zone after a stone-throwing incident. (VOP 2/12 in FBIS 2/12; MEI 2/16)

Iraq, Syria open 6-day meeting on water issues in Damascus. (RMC, SARR 2/10 in FBIS 2/12; al-Safir 2/10, al-Hayat 2/13, al-Dustur 2/14 in FBIS 2/14; RMC 2/12 in FBIS 2/13; MM 2/15)

IDF bans Palestinians fr. entering Israel in private vehicles for 24 hrs., citing rumors of a car bomb attack; bans Israelis fr. entering Nablus for 24 hrs. because of rally scheduled by Hamas supporters. (MM 2/9; IDF Radio 2/9 in FBIS 2/9; WT 2/11)

Sweden, PA sign $26-m. aid agreement in Jericho. (VOP 2/9 in FBIS 2/9)

Syrian FM Shara` meets with Lebanese Pres. Hrawi in Beirut. (WT 2/14)

In Amman, King Hussein, PM Kabariti receives Congressional delegation, incl. Senators Claiborne Pell (D-RI), Charles Robb (D-VA), James Inhofe (R-OK). (RJ 2/8 in FBIS 2/9; RJ 2/8 in FBIS 2/12)

Israeli Agriculture, Internal Security Mins. order official inquiry into kibbutz debts to banks after initial study suggests such debts total $4.8 b., much higher than expected. The sum is considered problematic but not destabilizing since the debts were already considered bad debts by the banking sector and factored accordingly. (JP 2/8 in FBIS 2/9)

Hizballah and Amal commands hold unity and coordination meeting in s. Lebanon. (RL 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Arafat in Gaza, PM Peres in Tel Aviv. (MM 2/7; QY, VOP 2/7 in FBIS 2/8; MM, WP, WT 2/8) (see 2/6)

In s. Lebanon, 2 IDF soldiers are wounded in Hizballah attack. (QY, RL 2/7 in FBIS 2/8)

At close of a 2-day mtg. in El Arish, Egypt, PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs. delay indefinitely setting date for PNC mtg. to amend 12 articles of the PLO charter. (MM 2/6; MENA, RE, RMC 2/6 in FBIS 2/6; VOP 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; CSM, WP 2/7; WT 2/8)

In Damascus, Secy. of State Christopher, Pres. Asad hold 3 hrs. of talks after which Asad agrees to hold 3d round of talks with Israel in Maryland 2/26. (MM 2/6; SARR 2/6 in FBIS 2/6; SARR 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; NYT, WP, WT 2/7; WT 2/8)

PM Peres visits SLA Cmdr. Lahd in Marja'uyun, s. Lebanon, to check on the status of troops in the self-declared security zone. (QY 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; MM, WT 2/7) (see 1/23)

Lebanese military prosecutor files lawsuit against 89 fmr. Lebanese army soldiers for collaborating with Israel. (WT 2/7) (see 1/16)

Jordan's state security court sentences Atta Abu Rushteh, spokesman of the banned Islamic Liberation Party, to 3 yrs. in jail for slandering King Hussein by giving a statement critical of Jordan's normalization with Israel. (WP 2/7) (see 12/19)

U.S. Secy of State Christopher meets with PM Peres in Israel. (MM 2/5; IDF Radio, ITV 2/5 in FBIS 2/6; NYT, WP, WT 2/6)

As the likelihood of PM Peres calling an early election rises, Tsomet leader Rafael Eitan agrees to abandon his run for PM, endorses Netanyahu in exchange for no. 2 spot on Likud's ticket (usually considered a promise of the DM position if the slate wins). (MM 2/5; ITV 2/5 in FBIS 2/6; CSM, MM, WT 2/6; JP 2/6 in FBIS 2/7; MM 2/7, 2/8)

Israeli naval forces release 3 Lebanese fishermen detained 2/4, fire on other fishing boats off coast of s. Lebanon. (RL 2/5 in FBIS 2/6)

Arafat appoints comm. to draw up Palestinian constitution.  (al-Quds 2/4 in FBIS 2/5)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Jerusalem on his 17th tour of the region and his 2d shuttle btwn. Syria, Israel this yr. to bridge gaps btwn. the pair following their latest round of talks. (QY, SARR, YA 2/4, SARR 2/5 in FBIS 2/5)

In Jordan, King Hussein replaces PM Bin Shakir with FM Kabariti, who is fully supportive of the king's normalization with Israel; reshuffles cabinet, excluding the Islamic Action Front. (JT, JTV, RJ 2/4 in FBIS 2/5; MM, WT 2/5; RJ 2/5 in FBIS 2/6; CSM 2/6)

1,000's of Islamic Jihad supporters attend funeral of 2 mbrs. killed by PA police 2/3, call for revenge against Arafat. (MM 2/5)

Nr. Nablus, Palestinian boy is shot on his way to school allegedly by IDF. (CSM, WP, WT 2/5)

Israeli naval forces detain 3 Lebanese fishermen off the coast of Tyre, s. Lebanon; stop, search ship arriving fr. Europe. (RL 2/4 in FBIS 2/6) (see 11/19)

In Gaza, PA police shoot, kill 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. during an attempt to arrest them in connection with the 1/22/95 Beyt Lid bombing. (AFP, QY 2/3 in FBIS 2/5; WT 2/4)

Arafat announces that the 2 men who infiltrated Gaza 1/30 have been captured. (QY 2/2 in FBIS 2/2) (see 1/31)

Israel expels to Jordan Muhammad Rujub Salama Muhammad, a Palestinian fr. Bayt Jala, on charges of spying on military bases for Iran. (QY 1/31 in FBIS 2/1; IDF Radio 2/2 in FBIS 2/2; JT 2/3 in FBIS 2/5; JP 2/10)

Jordan signs agricultural trade deals with Iraq, Syria. Under the agmt. with Iraq, Jordan will export $250 m. of foodstuffs left over fr. its 1995 trade protocol's account, meaning food exports to Iraq will slightly increase for 1996 (see 1/22). (Akhbar al-Usbu` 2/1 in FBIS 2/1)