The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sec. of State Shultz arrives in Israel [WP 2/26]. Stores and businesses remain closed in general strike to protest Shultz visit [NYT 2/26]. Near Nablus, camera crew working for U.S. network films 4 Israeli soldiers systematically beating, breaking arms of 2 bound Palestinians [WP 2/27].

Other Countries: Congressional committee investigating Iran-contra affair releases testimony revealing Lt. Col. Oliver North had budgeted $2.5 million to finance secret U.S.-Israel operations [WP 2/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military raids Qabatiyyah, arrests at least 100 villagers, destroys 2 houses [NYT 2/26]; village remains under curfew [FJ 2/28]. Israeli soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse stone-throwing demonstrators in Jenin; 1 Palestinian is killed, at least 4 wounded [WP 2/26; FJ 2/28]. In Nablus, Palestinian youth is shot dead by army gunfire; 4 others are wounded. Soldiers raid al-Ittihad Hospital in Nablus, beating patients and staff and breaking fumiture [WP 2/26]. Soldiers clash with Palestinian protesters in E. Jerusalem neighborhoods. At least 5 are wounded during clashes in Tulkarm, Balatah refugee camp, and Yatta village near Hebron [NYT 2/26]. Demonstrations are also reported in 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma', Ramallah, Mazra'ah al-Nubani village, 'Anata, Ram village, and Jabalya camp [FJ 2/28]. Yamun village and Nusayrat, Burayj, Beach, Jalazun, and Am'ari camps are under curfew [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bethlehem U. reopens after 3-month military-ordered closure and immediately receives new closure order [NYT 2/4]. Hebron Polytechnic Institute and Hebron U. are closed indefinitely. Israel postpones indefinitely reopening of schools in Nablus, Jenin, and Tulkarm [FJ 2/7]. In Nazareth, 50 Muslim, Christian, Druze, and Jewish leaders condemn Israeli measures in occupied territories, express support for uprising [FJ 2/7].

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'i coalition Islamic Resistance Front threatens to kill Israeli soldier held captive for 2 years [WP 2/2].

Other Countries: U.S. envoy Philip Habib meets with Egypt's Pres. Mubarak in Paris before returning to Washington [WSJ 2/2]. U.S. vetos UN Security Council resolution setting forth UN role in Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations and calling on Israel to abide by Geneva Convention terms [WP 2/2]. In Rome, Jordan's King Hussein visits with Pope John Paul II, meets with Egyptian F. M. 'Ismat 'Abd al-Magid [NYT 2/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In village of 'Anabta near Tulkarm, stone-throwing Palestinians attack army bus, settlers' cars, and police vehicle after blockading road. Israeli fires on demonstrators, killing 2, wounding 1. Officials are uncertain whether shots were fired by soldiers or settlers. Army patrol later disperses crowd with live ammunition, wounding 2 more. Settlers attack village during curfew, vandalizing houses, cars [WP 2/2; FJ 2/7]. Crowds throw rocks, bottles and block roads in cities, villages, and camps throughout W. Bank; 3 Palestinians are wounded in Jenin, and 2 are injured by army gunfire in Hebron-region village of Bani Na'im; village is placed under curfew. Violent disturbances are also reported in E. Jerusalem [WP 2/2; FJ 2/7]. Israeli authorities arrest 14 Palestinians during raid of Jerusalem's Thuri quarter [FJ 2/7]. More than 20 are arrested in early morning raid in Nablus [WP 2/2]. Balatah, new and old 'Askar, Duhayshah, Tulkarm, and Am'ari refugee camps and Nablus are under curfew [FJ 2/7]. In Gaza Strip, military imposes curfew on Burayj camp following violent stone-throwing demonstrations; curfew is lifted in Dayr al-Balah camp. Violent clashes are reported in Gaza Strip camps and cities; many Palestinians are injured by army gunfire and beatings [FJ 2/7]. At least 40 Palestinians have been killed since uprising began 12/9 [NYT 2/2]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Soldiers force stores in Jenin and Ramallah to open [FBIS 1/27]. Commercial strike continues in Gaza Strip and E. Jerusalem [FBIS 1/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In the W. Bank, Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta and Sa'ir remain under curfew [FBIS 1/28]. Curfew on Jalazun camp continues. Military lifts curfew on Gaza's Jabalya camp for a few hours [FJ 1/31]. Residents of Rafah camp stone military helicopter to prevent its landing; at least 10 are injured when ground patrol attacks demonstrators [FJ 1/31]. Soldiers leap from helicopter, round up protesters in Ramallah. Rioting is also reported in Qalandiya refugee camp [FBIS 1/29]. Am'ari camp youth beaten by Israeli soldiers 1/26 dies in Ramallah hospital [FBIS 1/28]; following funeral, camp residents stone soldiers, settlers' cars. Troops respond with live ammunition [FJ 1/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Commercial strike continues in E. Jerusalem. Stores open in Gaza City [WP 1/27]. Shopowners heed call of Unified National Command for the Uprising in the Occupied Territories, strike in many W. Bank cities and towns [LAT 1/27]. Trials of Gazans arrested during uprising slow to "standstill" as scores of defendants demand full hearings [FBIS 1/27]. Moshe 'Amirav leaves Herut Movement after being removed from its central com. [FBIS 1/27]. Israeli authorities order al-Fajr's Gaza office closed for 1 year [FJ 1/3 1]. Hebron U. reopens after 1-month military-ordered closure [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: In Beirut, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine says fate of 4 Beirut University College professors it is holding hostage is linked to Israeli arrests of Palestinians inoccupied territories [WP 1/27].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. announces Sec. of State Shultz will meet with al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora and Gaza attorney Fayiz Abu Rahmah. Egypt's Pres. Husni Mubarak arrives in Washington for 3-day official visit. Elyakim Rubinstein, Israeli cabinet sec., holds talks with Charles Hill, aide to Sec. of State Shultz [NYT 1/27].

Military Action Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators in Gaza Strip's Jenin refugee camp, wounding 1. Curfew on Jabalya is lifted but reimposed after crowds throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli patrol [WP 1/27; FJ 1/31]. In the West Bank, military imposes curfews on village of Qabatiyyah and Jenin camp following violent demonstrations. Curfews imposed on Tulkarm and Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta are lifted; military lifts curfew on Balata, declares camp closed military zone. Sa'ir village remains under siege and nearby village of al-Shuyukh is also blockaded. Israeli troops use rubber bullets to disperse stone-throwing crowd in Jalazun refugee camp, injuring 1; another Jalazun resident is severely beaten. Curfew is imposed on camp. Demonstrations are also reported in al-Birah and Ramallah [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes stage mock raids over Sidon, drawing anti-aircraft fire [FBIS 1/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike in Arab E. Jerusalem, most W. Bank towns continues; Israeli troops force some striking shopowners in Nablus and Ramallah to open [FJ 1/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers clash with rock-throwing demonstrators in Nablus and 'Askar refugee camp [FJ 1/3]. Demonstrators in Abu Dis village, near Jerusalem, are attacked with clubs; tear gas is dropped on crowds from helicopters. Violent clashes between soldiers and demonstrators are also reported in Ramallah, al-Birah, Am'ari camp, Balatah camp, and Jenin camp. In Gaza Strip, elderly woman suffocates when troops fire tear gas into Jabalya home; Nusayrat camp is placed under curfew [FJ 1/10].

Arab World: Israeli helicopters and fighter jets attack several Palestinian targets in S. Lebanon, including 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp and PFLP-GC base. At least 19 are killed, 14 wounded [WSJ, WP 1/4].