The Palestine Chronology

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) convenes in Lisbon. 54 mbr.-states attend. PM Netanyahu says that Israel will expand settlement construction in the West Bank; refuses Arafat's request to meet on sidelines of conference (Arafat does not attend mtg.); does meet with U.S. VP Al Gore, French Pres. Jacques Chirac. (MM 12/2; ITV 12/2, IDF Radio 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MM 12/3, 12/5)

PA releases Hamas's Shaykh Ahmad Nimr after a 9-mo. detention in Gaza Central Prison. (MEI, PR 12/13) (see 3/5)

Iranian FM `Ali Akbar Velayati arrives in Syria for talks on bilateral relations. Israel says it is concerned by the visit. (IRNA 12/2 in WNC 12/3; SATN 12/2, VIRI 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MA 12/5 in WNC 12/6)

Israel lifts closure on Janin, removes tanks surrounding Tulkarm, says closure will gradually be lifted if clashes do not erupt again. (NYT, WT 10/5)

Hamas issues leaflet fr. Beirut calling for resumption of protests. Gazan Hamas leader Mahmud Zahhar says call should be ignored. PA holds intensive talks with Hamas's West Bank, Gaza representatives to encourage them to refrain fr. taking any actions against Israel. (WP, WT 10/5; al-Ahram [Cairo] 10/6 in WNC 10/15)

Turkish PM Erbakan arrives in Libya for 3-day visit. U.S. criticizes Turkey for visiting a nation that sponsors terrorism. (WT, MM 10/5)

European Union (EU) FMs meet in Luxembourg to draft a policy statement, regarding the peace process, Middle East (HA 6/10 in FBIS 6/10)

Hamas spokesman Zahhar says that halt on attacks has expired now that elections are over. (HA 6/11 in FBIS 6/12) (see 5/18)

In Gaza, PA police rearrest human rights activist Sarraj; order him detained for interrogation for 48 hrs.; raid his office at the Gaza Community Mental Health Program; confiscate papers, tapes; arrest his secretary. Sarraj's lawyers say they have been denied permission to see him, do not know where he is being held. (NYT 6/11; WT 6/12; PR 6/14; MEI 6/21) (see 5/27)

Israel says it has begun construction of 100s of housing units for a new settlement on Hazayit Hill, nr. Efrat settlement; expansion, renovation of Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem. (QY 6/10 in FBIS 6/10) (see 7/17/95, 7/31/95)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah ambushes IDF patrol, killing 5 soldiers, wounding 8. IDF responds by shelling Nabatiyya, killing 1 Lebanese solider, wounding 1 civilian. (MM 6/10; QY 6/10, 6/11 in FBIS 6/11; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/11; WJW 6/13)

In Gaza, PC opens weekly 2-day session. Palestinian journalists strike for 2 hrs., refusing to cover PC mtg., to protest PA intimidation, mistreatment, bureaucratic stonewalling of their attempts to gather news. (VOP 5/23 in FBIS 2/24; VOP 5/23 in FBIS 5/28; PR 5/31; JP 6/1)

Israeli FM Dir. Gen. Uri Savir says Israel is ready to resume negotiations with Lebanon, Syria; says if Lebanon comes to the table, Israel could withdraw fr. the s. in 2+n3 mos. (QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/22)

PM Peres approves construction of 450 houses in Tsamarot settlement in the West Bank; approves money for plan without convening the special ministerial comm. on settlements, as required; gives oral promise to Oranit settlers' council mbrs. that Oranit will be annexed to the Jerusalem municipality. (MA 5/28 in FBIS 5/29)

In Amman, Jordan, PLO discuss activating the special follow-up comm. on Jerusalem, which was formed during the extraordinary Arab parliamentary session held in Amman 12/95. (JTV 5/22 in FBIS 5/23)

PLO Exec. Comm. holds 1st mtg. in Gaza, appoints Mahmud Abbas to replace Jamil Surani as secy., meaning Abbas would succeed Arafat as PLO head were Arafat to be incapacitated. (VOP 5/22 in FBIS 5/22)

Hamas officials Sayyid Abu Musamih, Muhammad Shamaa meet with jailed spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin in an Israeli prison hospital, obtain his support for their moderate political stand, ask him to call for a halt to Hamas military operations. (MM 5/23; PR 5/31; JP 6/1)

Israel allows more Palestinian workers to resume their jobs in the Erez industrial zone; permits 30 doctors to leave West Bank, Gaza for their jobs in East Jerusalem hospitals. (QY 3/21 in FBIS 3/21)

In Abu-Dis, the IDF bulldozes the home of Palestinian involved in attacks on Israelis in 10/94 and 12/94. Nr. Nablus, IDF demolishes home of 3d Palestinian connected with 8/21/95 bus bombing. (QY 3/21 in FBIS 3/21; CSM 3/22) (see 3/20)

IDF bans entry to Gaza of vaccines, other medicines through Hanun checkpoint. (PBC 3/21 in FBIS 3/21)

PA police arrest several Hamas mbrs. during a raid aimed at arresting Muhammad Daif, the new head of the Qassam Brigades following the assassination of Yahya Ayyash. (CSM 3/22)

Influential Lebanese Shi`ite figure Riyad `Abdallah announces formation of the Movement of Democratic Reformers, the Foundation Movement. Party will be based in s. Lebanon, have the objective of making "peace with Syria and Israel on the grounds of geographical continuity." Hizballah accuses `Abdallah of being an SLA agent. (AFP, MBC 3/21 in FBIS 3/22)

World Bank bars U.S. fr. bidding on $2.1 b. in International Development Association contracts after the U.S. falls $934 m. behind in meeting its pledges. (WT 3/22)

Hizballah Sec. Gen. Hassan Nasrallah says that since the beginning of the yr., Israeli shelling in Lebanon has left 2 civilians dead, 24 wounded, 92 homes and buildings (incl. a church and hospital) damaged. (MM 3/21)

At 6 a.m., Israel lifts restrictions imposed 3/5 confining Palestinians to their towns. Orders barring movement of residents in al-Fawwar camp, Burqa nr. Nablus--the homes of the recent suicide bombers--are kept in place, as is the closure preventing Palestinians fr. entering Israel. Palestinian workers are allowed to return to their jobs in the Erez industrial zone. Transportation of goods is permitted through Qarni crossing point fr. Gaza into Israel. Palestinian fishermen are permitted to go farther out to sea. (QY 3/15 in FBIS 3/15; QY 3/15 in FBIS 3/18; WT 3/16; QY, VOP 3/16, QY 3/18 in FBIS 3/18; MEI 3/29)

When Qarni crossing is not opened by noon, Israel files an official protest with the PA. Israeli Maj. Gen. Oren Shahor criticizes the PA, saying such "neglectful conduct harms the Palestinian residents, although Israel is trying to help them given the current security restrictions." (QY 3/15 in FBIS 3/15)

IDF announces that 3 soldiers will be courtmartialed for allowing a suicide bomber to slip past a checkpoint 3/4. (NYT 3/17)

Israel estimates that 95 percent of Hamas's $70-m. annual budget goes toward charities, hospitals, clinics, schools, with only a small proportion going to pay for weapons and military operations. (NYT 3/15)

German FM Kinkel meets with Arafat in Gaza. On his return to Israel, IDF soldiers at Erez checkpoint demand to search his car to ascertain that no "extremist elements" are "using" his entourage to carry out attacks inside Israel, delay car for half hr. before letting it pass unchecked. Kinkel protests to the Israeli FMin. Israeli officials complain the diplomats "failed to show understanding for Israel's security problems." (QY 3/9 in FBIS 3/11)

PA security forces expand crackdown on Hamas, raiding Islamic organization, clubs, welfare organizations; confiscating equipment; detaining anyone on hand. PA says it has arrested over 600 individuals in Gaza alone over the last wk. (NYT 3/10)

Hamas spokesman in Lebanon says Qassam Brigades will not disarm or halt attacks on Israel. (AFP 3/9 in FBIS 3/11) (see 3/5)

In Qalqilya, IDF delays ambulance at checkpoint for 1 hr., allowing Palestinian infant to die. IDF officials say officer in charge will be tried. (NYT 3/14)

Hizballah attacks IDF, SLA positions in s. Lebanon, killing 1 IDF soldier, 1 SLA soldier; wounding 2 IDF soldiers. IDF, SLA fire back, killing 2 Hizballah mbrs. (NYT 3/11)

In Gaza, the Palestinian Council (PC) meets for the 1st time to swear in its mbrs. (MM 3/7; QY, VOP 3/7 in FBIS 3/7; PBC 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/8; MEI 3/15)

Lebanon closes all the crossing points into the Israeli self-declared security zone in s. Lebanon to prevent entry of any Palestinians who might be deported by Israel in connection with the recent bombings. (VOL 3/7 in FBIS 3/7)

Israeli FM Ehud Barak warns Arafat that if he does not crack down on Islamists in Gaza soon, Israel will send troops into Gaza. (WT 3/9)

Israeli police detain Sulayman Ahmad Aghbariyya, an Israeli-Arab who is deputy mayor of Umm al-Fahm and head of the charity organization the Islamic Salvation Committee, on suspicion of transferring over $3 m. fr. abroad to relatives of Hamas mbrs. (QY 3/7 in FBIS 3/7) (see 3/6)

Hamas issues a leaflet dissociating itself fr. the 3/5 Qassam Brigades leaflet announcing it will disarm, fr. all Yahya Ayyash Units leaflets; calls them an attempt by Israel to undermine the movement. (JMCC 3/7 in FBIS 3/7)

Islamic Jihad takes responsibility for 3/4 Tel Aviv bombing. (VOL 3/7 in FBIS 3/8) (see 3/6)

The Pentagon announces that U.S. warplanes will be stationed temporarily in Jordan next mo. to carry out surveillance flights over s. Iraq. It will be the 1st time Jordan has allowed U.S. warplanes to use its territory to overfly Iraq. (RJ 3/8, RMC 3/9, JT 3/10 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/11; NYT 4/9; MM 3/15; JT 4/9 in FBIS 4/9)

IDF deploys throughout the West Bank; blockades 465 Palestinian villages, bars residents fr. leaving them until further notice; busses all Gazans studying in the West Bank back to Gaza; carries out mass arrests. Arafat protests. IDF Central Cmdr. Maj. Gen. Ilan Biran says scope of IDF targets has been widened to include Islamic Jihad, PFLP in addition to Hamas. In Hebron, the IDF seals the homes of 11 suspected Hamas mbrs.; closes several Islamic colleges, youth and charity societies connected to Islamic Jihad, Hamas, PFLP. Arrests at al-Fawwar camp rise to 120. (MM 3/5; QY, VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; IDF Radio, QY 3/5, QY 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/6; NYT, WT 3/7)

PA seizes 15 West Bank, Gaza mosques, several Islamic welfare associations run by Hamas, puts them under PA control; appoints imams to give Friday sermons. PA police raid Gaza's Islamic University, say it will be disbanded in its current form, reopened as a branch of Cairo University. For the 1st time, PA security forces made joint arrest sweeps with the IDF, arresting the relatives of 1 suicide bomber. (AFP, ITV 3/5, QY, VOP 36 in FBIS 3/6; MM 3/6; MM, WT 3/7; NYT 3/8; NYT 3/9; QY 3/12 in FBIS 3/12; CSM 3/25)

Qassam Brigades issues leaflet in the West Bank announcing it will disarm, halt all military operation against Israelis in response to the call made 3/4 by the political leadership; says it will not be responsible for any action that may be carried out against Israelis. (MM 3/5; VOP 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; AFP, JMCC, VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/7; AFP 3/9 in FBIS 3/11)

Israeli inner cabinet extends length of administrative detention to 12 mos. and, if necessary, longer; approves deportations for Palestinians connected with recent attacks. (WP 3/6; IDF Radio, MA, QY 3/6 in FBIS 3/6)

Pres. Clinton attends memorial service at the Israeli embassy in Washington for the victims of the recent bombings in Israel. (WJW 2/14)

Bus bomb goes of in Jerusalem, killing 19, wounding 10. Bomber is identified as a man fr. Hebron (see 2/26). Yahya Ayyash Units again claims responsibility, criticizes the Qassam Brigades for the 2/29 leaflet, offers its own 3-mo. cease-fire. PM Peres calls for total war on Hamas; reimposes full closure on West Bank, Gaza, incl. banning the entry into Israel of medical, humanitarian, VIP cases. Saying "not only Israelis will suffer from now on," he vows to seal or destroy the houses of the bombers' families, revives plan for national separation last suggested 10/19/94. (see also 10/19/94, 5/30/95). (WP 3/3; IDF Radio, ITV, JMCC, QPAR, QY, RJ, VOP, YA 3/3, QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 3/4; MM 3/5; PR 3/8; MEI 3/15; WJW 3/7, 3/21)

After the bombing, a mob of 100s of Israelis races toward the Old City, calling for revenge against Palestinians. Fearing a major clash, Israeli mounted police force the crowd back. Skirmishes between police, groups of angry Israeli youths erupt repeatedly throughout the day. IDF prohibits Israelis fr. entering PA areas. (QY 3/3, 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; NYT, WP 3/4)

Israel suspends indefinitely talks with Syria in Maryland in light of the bombing but leaves the negotiating team in Washington in hopes of resuming talks soon. (QY 3/3, HA 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; MM, NYT 3/4)

PA police arrest over 120 Hamas mbrs. in Gaza, bringing total number of Hamas men arrested in the past wk. to 380; raid Ramallah teacher's college. (MM 3/4; QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/4; QY 3/4 in FBIS 3/5; MM 3/5)

In Gaza, PA police raid homes of Hamas mbrs., confiscate unlicensed weapons. (JP 3/3 in FBIS 3/4)

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)

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)

Voter and candidate registration for Palestinian elections closes. (JP 1/6; CSM 1/19; WT 1/20)

2d round of Syrian-Israeli talks closes in Maryland. (MM 1/5; ITV, MBC, SATN 1/5, SARR 1/6, ITV, RMC, SARR 1/7, QY, SARR 1/8 in FBIS 1/11; NYT, WP, WT 1/6; WT 1/8)

In Gaza, no. 1 on Israel's most wanted list, Yahya Ayyash, thought to be behind many of Hamas's major bombings, is killed when his booby-trapped cellular phone explodes. Hamas, PA blame Mossad. Israel neither confirms or denies responsibility. Arafat pays condolences to Hamas's Zahhar. (IDF Radio, QPAR, QY 1/5 in FBIS 1/5; NYT, WP, WT 1/6; MM 1/8; WP, WT 1/9; ITV, QPAR 1/5, RMC 1/6, IDF Radio, HA, MA, MENA, QY, RMC 1/7, QY, RE, 1/8, QY 1/9 in FBIS 1/11; MM 1/9; WJW 1/11; JP 1/13; NYT 1/14)