The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to wounds sustained from Israeli forces last week in Tura. 2 Israeli settlers were injured in what was said to be an attack by Palestinians near the Rimonim settlement north of Wadi as-Seeq. Israeli settlers assaulted 5 Palestinians during raids in Deir Jarir, Qusra, Bethlehem, and Taybeh. Israeli settlers also vandalized homes, stole items, and assaulted Palestinians in Shaab al-Buum and Khirbet Saddet al-Tha’leh in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers left leaflets in Deir Istiya warning Palestinians to flee to Jordan before they are forcefully expelled in the “great Nakba.” Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian child and injured another during a raid in Jalazone refugee camp. Nearly 100 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Biddu, Kobar, Arora, al-Mughayyir, al-Bireh, Bethlehem, Hebron, Sanour, and Marda. In Gaza, Israeli attacks killed at least 481 Palestinians, including 209 children. Israeli tanks entered Gaza, killing several people and damaging buildings. Israel also said it used combat helicopters to assassinate 4 Hamas members, Shadi Barud, Tareq Ma’ruf, Rafat Abbas, and Ibrahim Jadbah in Gaza City. Rockets were fired at Israel; no new injuries were recorded. In South Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked Ayta al-Shaab. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/26; HA, UNOCHA 10/27)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 7,028 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 4,000 women and children, and 18,482 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,600 people, including 900 children, were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 104 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 30 children. More than 1,956 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. As of 10/23, at least 27,781 housing units had been destroyed and 150,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. 12 truckloads of aid entered Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA 10/26; UNOCHA 10/27)

The Gaza Ministry of Health published the names and ID numbers of more than 7,000 Palestinians killed, including 2,665 children, in Israeli attacks since 10/7. The publication of the names comes 1 day after U.S. president Joe Biden questioned the reliability of the ministry’s data. (AJ, NYT 10/26)

PA minister of public works and housing minister Mohammad Ziyara said 200,000 housing units have been completely or partially destroyed by Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. Israel said that 224 people are being held captive in Gaza.  (AJ, WAFA 10/26)

Hamas leaders Bassem Naim and Moussa Abu Marzouk and Iranian deputy foreign minister Ali Baghiri Kani met with Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow. Israel condemned Russia for hosting members of Hamas. Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida said Israeli airstrikes have killed around 50 captives. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a speech that Israeli attacks on Gaza will “destabilize the entire region” and that the resistance in Gaza was “doing well.” (AJ, HA 10/26; AP, HA 10/27)

At the UN Security Council, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said Israel was waging “a war of revenge” with no real objective. Al-Maliki also met with ICC prosecutor Karim Khan in The Hague. The UN General Assembly also convened an emergency session. (REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/26)

The UAE, Jordan, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, and Morocco released a joint statement, condemning the targeting of civilians, forced displacement, and collective punishment of Palestinians in Gaza. (AJ, HA 10/26)

EU leaders agreed on a final communique after a 7-hour-long meeting on the Israeli attacks on Gaza, calling for “humanitarian corridors” and “pauses.” (AJ 10/26)

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said of Israeli attacks on Gaza, “it is not war, it is a genocide that has killed 2,000 children.” (AJ 10/26)

A venue in Israel canceled a Palestinian-Jewish conference after Israeli police warned the venue’s owner of “consequences.” The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee said Israel is “persecuting the Arab public, trying to prevent political meetings and silence them.” (HA 10/25; HA, HA 10/26)

The U.S. said it attacked 2 facilities with links to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps in Syria. The U.S. also deployed 900 troops to the Middle East. A Pentagon spokesperson said that they were not going to Israel. (AJ 10/26; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT 10/27)

The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution denouncing anti-Semitism on campuses. In related remarks, senators conflated criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. The Anti-Defamation League sent 200 letters to campuses in the U.S. requesting that they investigate Students for Justice in Palestine for possibly violating a law prohibiting support for a foreign terrorist organization. (Congress, HA 10/26; INT 10/27)

A Gallup poll found that U.S. president Joe Biden lost 11 percentage points among Democrats since September and that his overall approval rating has dropped from 41 to 37. (AJ, HA 10/26)

Switzerland suspended financial support for 6 Palestinian and 5 Israeli NGOs, including Adalah, Al-Shabaka, Gisha, 7amleh, HaMoked, Jerusalem Legal Aid and Human Rights Centre, MIFTAH: The Palestinian Initiative for the Promotion of Global Dialogue and Democracy, Palestinian Center for Human Rights, Palestinian NGO Network, Physicians for Human Rights, and the Women's Centre for Legal Aid and Counselling. Switzerland said it would analyze the feasibility of the programs. (HA 10/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid in Dura al-Qara’. Israeli settlers also shot and injured a Palestinian in Shufa. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Burqa, injuring a Palestinian woman. Israeli settlers also opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle near Bizarya, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized olive trees near Tell. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, during raids in Shuqba and Jamma’in. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, Tarqumiyah, and Dar Salah, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina. 65 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus. Around 750 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed around 100 Palestinians, including several people sheltering at an UNRWA school in Khan Yunis. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Haifa, Israeli police violently dispersed anti-war protesters, arresting 4 and injuring others with batons. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at Israeli soldiers in Shtula, injuring 5. Israel fired artillery shells and conducted drone strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah said 2 of its members were killed. Protesters demonstrated outside of the German and U.S. embassies in Beirut. In Syria, Israel conducted airstrikes in the Quneitra province. In Turkey, 60 people, mostly police officers, were injured after protesters in Istanbul attempted to storm the Israeli consulate. There were also demonstrations in Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Iran, and the West Bank. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 3,500 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 853 children, and 12,500 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 65 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 15 children. More than 1,284 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,562 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 11,887 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The number is likely much higher as the latest data is from 10/14. The Palestinian civil defense team said that more than 1,000 Palestinians were under the rubble of buildings in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

Palestinians in the West Bank observed a general strike in protest against the Israeli airstrike that killed 471 people at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on 10/17. (WAFA, WAFA 10/18)

The Israeli military again called on Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate south to the al-Mawasi area. (AJ 10/17; HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

The PA leadership held an emergency meeting chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming a July 2023 decision to end security coordination with Israel and reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense. (WAFA 10/18)

The Knesset approved temporary legislation to allow Israeli prisons to admit new inmates beyond their legal capacity, allowing worsening conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including reducing living spaces and forcing prisoners to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The bill will be in effect for 3 months. Israel prisons have received 500 new Palestinian prisoners since 10/7, including 118 who crossed from Gaza to Israel in relation to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The Israeli High Court of Justice ruled in 2017 that prisoners must be given at least 37.7 square feet of space. The Knesset ethics panel also voted to suspend Jewish Hadash MK Ofer Cassif from the Knesset for 45 days and revoked his salary for 14 days over his anti-war stance. (AJ, HA 10/18; HA 10/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden landed in Israel for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and the war cabinet. Biden was supposed to travel to Amman for meetings with President Abbas, Jordanian king Abdullah II, and Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, but the meetings were cancelled by the 3 leaders after Israel bombed al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing 471 people. Biden told Netanyahu during a meeting that “it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you” in reference to the hospital bombing. Biden cautioned Israel not to be consumed by rage, saying the U.S. made mistakes after 9/11. Biden also announced $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians as the Senate was working on passing a bill providing $10 billion in extra military aid to Israel. Biden said aid to Gaza could start arriving on 10/20, as Egypt needs to “patch the road” to the crossing. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) blocked an attempt by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) to prevent the Biden administration from dispersing the $100 million in aid to Palestinians. 33 Democratic senators urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lead efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. Around 300 Jewish Americans were arrested at the U.S. Capitol while protesting Israel’s war in Gaza. The protest was arranged by Jewish Voice for Peace. (HA 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 10/18; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 10/19; AJ 10/20)

After President Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Israel will not allow aid from its territory to enter Gaza until the captives are returned. The statement also said Israel demands that the Red Cross be able to visit the captives and that Israel will not “thwart” humanitarian aid from Egypt as long as it only consists of food, water, and medicine. (AJ 10/17; AJ, HA 10/18)

President el-Sisi said during a press conference with German chancellor Olaf Schulz that Israel could allow Palestinians in Gaza to stay in the Naqab desert until Israel can “do what they wish to do with the militant operatives in the Gaza Strip.” El-Sisi also spoke with President Biden about aid coming through the Rafah crossing. Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan met with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in the sidelines of an OIC meeting in Jeddah, discussing the situation in Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian called on the OIC members to sanction Israel and expel Israeli ambassadors. The OIC called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to lift the siege of Gaza. (AP 10/16; AJ 10/17; AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; WAFA 10/19)

The U.S. blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for humanitarian access to Gaza, protection of civilians, and condemning Hamas’ operation in Israel. The resolution, introduced by Brazil, was approved by 12 members of the Security Council, while Russia and the UK abstained. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called “for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East.” (AJ 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU 10/18)

U.S. State Department director of the office of public and congressional affairs Josh Paul resigned in protest over the Biden administration’s policy toward the Israeli assault on Gaza and its “impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia.” (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, NYT 10/19)

Jewish Currents reported that the Palestinian academics and analysts Noura Erakat, Yousef Munayyer, and Omar Baddar had their interviews cut from segments on CBS and CNN. MSNBC last week temporarily removed 3 Muslim hosts, Mehdi Hasan, Ali Velshi, and Ayman Mohyeldin, who is Palestinian, from their programming. (JC 10/18)

In the West Bank, Palestinians threw stones at an Israeli settler vehicle, setting it on fire after the settler couple fled the scene. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd near Yatta, injuring his foot. Israeli settlers also set up a mobile home and water tanks near Nabi al-‘Awja. Israeli forces issued orders that it will seize 20 dunams (4.95 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for a military zone near Ni‘lin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Kafr Ni‘ma, Beit Liqya, Nablus, and Hebron; 6 were injured during the raids in Dheisheh refugee camp and Kafr Ni‘ma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently removed Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including in al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring 19, including 3 with baton rounds and arresting 450. 397 of the Palestinians detained were released by 4/6 but banned from entering the compound for 1 week, 47 were transferred to the Ofer prison, and 6 continued to be held in Jerusalem. Israeli police also caused damage to property inside of the mosque, including at the health clinic, smashing windows and causing damage from stun, tear gas, and smoke grenades. Israeli police claimed that 1 officer was injured in the leg by a stone thrown at him. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor near Silwan. In Israel, 2 Israeli soldiers were stabbed and injured near an army base at the Tzrifin junction, 1 Palestinian man was arrested for the attack. (ALM, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFAv 4/4; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, MDW, MEE, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; PCHR 4/6; HA, HA, HA, MEE 4/7; AJ 4/8; HA 4/10; UNOCHA 4/20)

The PA, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Turkey, and the UAE condemned the Israeli raid (see above). Several European countries, the UN, and the U.S. expressed concern about the events. (HA 4/4; AJ, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; WAFA 4/7; WAFA 4/8; WAFA 4/9; MEMO 4/11)

HaMoked reported that the number of Palestinian administrative detainees had passed 1,000 for the first time since 2003. (AP 4/4; WAFA 4/8)

In Syria, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes over Damascus, killing 2 civilians and causing damage. (AJ, ALM 4/3; HA 4/4; AP 4/5; AJ 4/10)

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak acknowledged in a since deleted tweet that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. (MEE 4/7)

Israel’s Channel 12 reported on a leaked phone call between Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and police commissioner Kobi Shabtai in which Shabtai tells Ben-Gvir that it is in the nature of Palestinian citizens of Israel to kill each other. Shabtai told Ben-Gvir that there is nothing they can do about the high murder rate among Palestinian citizens of Israel, “[t]hey kill each other. That is their nature. That is the mentality of the Arabs.” MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the Hadash party, called on Shabtai to resign while MK Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, called on him to apologize. (TOI 4/4; MEMO 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers destroyed 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Asira. Israeli authorities issued 2 military orders to seize 100 dunams (24.7 acres) of land in Qaryut and Jalud south of Nablus. Israeli forces also raided Bayt Umar, leading to clashes with Palestinians; several suffered tear gas inhalation and 1 vehicle was seized. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested on separate occasions, including 1 after he and his mother were pepper-sprayed by Israeli police near Shu‘fat refugee camp; and 1 at his workplace in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands near the Gaza fence on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/12)

According to the Israeli military, 1 missile was fired from Gaza toward Israel but landed inside of Gaza. A delegation of Egyptian security officials also met with Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine members after days of rocket fire between Gaza and Israel. (HA 9/8)

Hezbollah forces downed an Israeli drone in the Lebanese town of Ramyah. It was also reported that missiles were fired from Syria toward Israel, but they failed to penetrate Israeli territory. (AJ, HA, HA 9/9)

In the West Bank, 10 Palestinians were reported arrested by Israeli forces. In East Jerusalem, clashes between Israeli police and Muslim worshippers erupted after 120 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound on the Israeli-celebrated Jerusalem Day, which included a flag march through the Old City. 1 Palestinian was injured with a head injury after being beaten by Israeli police and others suffered from tear gas inhalation. The march also left much of East Jerusalem closed to Palestinians. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids and throughout the day. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2)

The Israeli state comptroller criticized the Israeli and Jerusalem authorities for neglecting social services in East Jerusalem such as garbage disposal and street cleaning. The state comptroller also criticized the waiting time for East Jerusalem Palestinians seeking Israeli citizenship. (HA 6/2)

An Israeli police officer was charged with fracturing the leg of a Palestinian citizen of Israel and assaulting 7 others detained at a demonstration in Haifa in 2018. (HA 6/2)

Israel struck targets in Syria for the 2d day in a row. 2 people were reportedly killed and 2 others injured when Israeli missiles hit buildings at a Syrian military base in Homs. (HA 6/3; HA 6/4)

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said of the still-unannounced U.S. peace plan that Egypt would not accept terms against Palestinian wishes. (HA 6/3)

U.S. president Donald Trump said of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s failure to form a government that he is “not happy” with the outcome and that Israeli politicians “should get their act together.” (HA 6/3)

U.S. special adviser and son-in-law to President Donald Trump Jared Kushner said, when asked if he believed that Palestinians were capable of governing themselves, that “we’ll have to see. The hope is that they, over time, will become capable of governing.” Kushner would also not confirm if the U.S. peace plan includes 2 states. “I do think they should have self-determination. I’m going to leave the details until we come out with the plan.” (AJ 6/3)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in al-‘Arub r.c., al-Fawar r.c., and 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Salfit at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries (except in Kafr Qaddum where 3 are struck by tear gas canisters). In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces raid the al-Aqsa compound and disperse worshippers with stun grenades, after Palestinians threw stones at plainclothes policemen who entered the area. Fifteen Palestinians are arrested, while Israeli police say 2 officers are injured while an al-Aqsa medical official says 55 injuries were treated among Palestinians. (MNA, REU 9/6; PCHR 9/12)

PA Minister of Prisoner Affairs Issa Qaraqe announces that the remaining prisoner releases by Israel will take place on 10/29, 12/29, and 03/28. (MNA 9/6)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry travels to Europe on a trip intended to lobby for support for a strike on Syria, as well as discuss the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and meet with PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas in London, before returning to Washington. The itinerary also takes him to Lithuania—current holder of the presidency of the Council of the EU—and France. (AFP 9/5; AP 9/6)

U.S. Pres. Obama persuades 10 other leaders from the G20 nations to co-sign a statement urging a strong international response to the alleged use of chemical weapons by the Syrian govt., though the text does not explicitly endorse military action. Meanwhile, an unnamed State Dept. official tells the media that a strike on Syria would not fundamentally alter the balance of forces on the ground in the country’s civil war. (NYT, REU 9/6)

Supporters of ousted pres. Morsi clash with security forces and those who back the military in protests across Egypt. Two are killed nationwide, and dozens injured. There are demonstrations in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Fayoum, Damanhour, and a number of other towns and cities. (AFP, REU 9/6)

On the anniversary of the Nakba, 1,000s of Palestinians fr. the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria stage marches (mostly nonviolent, though some stone throwing) toward the Israeli border. In Lebanon, though troops, riot police, and UNIFIL soldiers deploy to prevent marchers fr. reaching the border, a large group succeeds in reaching the border fence nr. Hizballah-controlled Maroun al-Ras village, where they throw stones at IDF troops. IDF troops open fire into Lebanon, leaving 10 Palestinians dead and at least 112 wounded. Palestinians refugees marching fr. Syria knock down the border fence into the Golan Heights, enter the Druze village of Majdal Shams, and rally in the village square, erecting Palestinian flags. IDF troops open fire to drive them back across the border, killing 4 Palestinians and wounding around 200. On the border with Jordan, Jordanian troops fired tear gas and scuffle with some 800 Palestinians, preventing them fr. reaching the border, leaving 14 demonstrators and 3 police officers lightly injured. In Egypt, govt. forces reinforce their border, preventing some 250 Palestinians fr. marching to the Rafah crossing. In Cairo, riot police fire tear gas, disperse protesters converging on the Israeli embassy, injuring around 120. On the Gaza border, IDF troops fire live ammunition and artillery at Gazans marching toward the border, wounding at least 125. In the West Bank, IDF troops fire tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets to disperse around 1,000 stone-throwing Palestinians marching toward the Qalandia crossing (injuring 10s) and violently beat scores of Palestinians marching fr. Palestinian-controlled area A toward Israeli security-controlled area B in Hebron (injuring 10s). A large peaceful rally commemorating the Nakba is held in Ramallah. Numerous smaller and protests clashes are also reported in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; rights groups say some 185 Palestinians have been injured in these clashes over the past 3 days, 153 of them in Jerusalem. Netanyahu accuses the demonstrators of “incitement” and challenging “the very existence of Israel.” Other Israeli officials accuse Iran and Syria of instigating the Palestinians, noting that Syrian security did nothing to prevent Palestinians fr. approaching the border. (DS, IFM, IsRN, JAZ, JP, MA, YA 5/15; Christian Science Monitor, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/16)

Unrelated to the “March to Palestine,” IDF troops fired across the border into Gaza, killing a Palestinian who allegedly was planting an explosive device. Inside Israel, an Israeli Palestinian drives his truck into several cars, a bus, and pedestrians in Tel Aviv, killing 1 Israeli and injuring 17 in what Israeli police say was a deliberate terrorist attack; the driver, who is arrested, strongly denies deliberately harming anyone, saying he lost control of his vehicle when a tire blew. The IDF also patrols in 2 village nr. Qalqilya (arresting 1 Palestinian teenager for throwing stones) and 2 nr. Tulkarm; sends undercover units into Nur al-Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm late at night, surrounding and raiding a house and arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts other late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around al-‘Arub r.c. and Hebron, and nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron throw 4 Molotov cocktails at a nearby Palestinian home, causing minor damage. Israel resumes transferring VAT taxes to the PA (see 5/1), having received PA assurances that none of the money would be accessible to Hamas under the new Fatah-Hamas unity deal, but warning that it would reconsider suspending transfers if Hamas was allowed to join a PA govt. (NYT 5/16; PCHR 5/19; OCHA 5/20)

At quarter’s end, fierce fighting is ongoing in Libya and NATO intervention continues. Rebel-held areas increasingly report shortages of food and medical supplies. No reliable figures on casualties are available since independent media access and communications are extremely difficult. Deaths are thought to be well into the 1,000s and perhaps as high as 10,000. (WP 5/16; REU 6/9)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue but are less severe, largely because overnight the IDF deployed tanks on access roads to and around PA cities, sealing areas A, limiting movement. During the day, 2 Palestinians are killed by Israeli gunfire, over 160 are injured. Israel prohibits Palestinians under 45 fr. attending Friday prayers in Jerusalem, prompting scuffles with those denied access but preventing the full-scale rioting of 9/29, 10/6. In Jerusalem, cameramen record footage of Israeli police disguised as Palestinians seizing 2 Palestinian youths, beating them while holding them in a choke hold. Armed Jewish settlers rampage through Husan, fire on Palestinian homes in Artas, Bayt Inun, al-Khadir. In Gaza City and Shati camp, 100s of Palestinians hold rallies denouncing the PA for the failed peace process. The rallies devolve into riots, with demonstrators torching cars, bars, hotels, restaurants; the PA police arrest 16. (AP, IsRN, LAW 10/13; ADM, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/14; HA [Internet] 10/15)

Oman closes its trade office in Tel Aviv, Israel's trade mission in Muscat. Morocco recalls its envoy to Israel. In Cairo, 10,000 Egyptians hold anti-Israeli, anti-U.S. demonstrations. In Lebanon, the army keeps Palestinians away fr. the blue line, where they want to hold demonstrations. However, 6,000 Palestinians in `Ayn al-Hilwa camp, 3,000 in Beddawi camp, 5,000 in Nahr al-Barid camp, 7,000 in Rashidiyya camp demonstrate against Israel. In Amman, 8,000 Jordanians attend a government-sanctioned rally; a smaller, unauthorized demonstration takes place spontaneously following Friday prayers. In the U.S., rallies are held in Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Las Vegas, New York, Petaluma (CA), Philadelphia, Santa Ana (CA), San Francisco, Washington. Similar demonstrations are held in Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia, Canada, Djbouti, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Pakistan, Scotland, Sudan, Syria. (AFP [Internet], BBC, Los Angeles Times [Internet], MM, Omani News Agency [Internet], REU, UPI 10/13; AFP, BETA [Belgrade], MENA 10/13, MENA 10/14 in WNC 10/16; Daily Star [Internet], NYT 10/14; HA [Internet], NYT 10/15; MM 10/17; WJW 10/19; WP, WT 10/20; MM 10/24, 10/25; WJW 10/26; MEI 10/27)

International mediation efforts continue, with UN Secy.-Gen. Annan, Russian FM Ivanov, EU foreign policy dir. Javier Solana each meeting separately with Arafat, Barak. Egypt's Musa flies to Damascus to confer with Syrian pres. Asad, who phones Arafat to express Syrian support. Mubarak also phones Arafat and rejects Clinton's proposal (10/8) for a summit in Egypt, saying Israel must 1st agree to pull its troops back fr. PA areas, stop threatening Lebanon and Syria (see 10/8), bar official Israeli visits to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, agree to an international inquiry. (ATL, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, MENA, XIN 10/10 in WNC 10/12; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 10/11; Milliyet 10/11, al-Quds 10/12 in WNC 10/13; CSM, WJW 10/12)

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes abate somewhat. Inside Israel, Israeli Jews stab to death 2 Israeli Arabs nr. Tel Aviv, set fire to 3 Arab apartment buildings in Jaffa, and set fire to 3 Palestinian homes and a Jewish-owed restaurant that employed Palestinians in Tel Aviv. Clashes btwn. Israeli Jews and Arabs are also reported in Haifa, Tiberias, and Acre, where Israeli police intervene, firing tear gas and live ammunition, wounding 1 Israeli Arab. (Israeli police say they have arrested some 400 Israeli Arabs, 200 Israeli Jews since clashes began.) Jews fr. West Jerusalem damage Palestinian property in East Jerusalem. In Gaza, the IDF demolishes another apartment building in Netzarim Junction, which was evacuated earlier because it had been hit by IDF shells. Jewish settlers reportedly attack Palestinians in Hebron, Khan Yunis, Rafah and outside Jinin, Nablus, Ramallah; some incidents involve settlers firing automatic weapons. In Rafah, a 12-yr.-old Palestinian is shot dead by the IDF. Nr. Ramallah, IDF soldiers wound a Palestinian ambulance driver with live ammunition. (ADM, BBC, MM 10/10; ADM, MM, NYT, WP 10/11; AFP 10/10, MA 10/11, Le Monde 10/12 in WNC 10/12; MM, WJW, WP 10/12; MEI 10/13; WP 11/30)

Protests in solidarity with the Palestinians are held in Brussels, Cairo, Madrid. In the U.S., rallies are held in Ann Arbor, New Haven. (RL 10/10 in WNC 10/12; WT 10/11)

Citing "compelling national security interests," the State Dept. restores Amb. to Israel Indyk's security clearance. (NYT, WT 10/11; WJW 10/12) (see 10/4)

U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Walker arrives in Egypt for a mtg. with Pres. Mubarak. This is Walker's 1st stop a 15-day trip to Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, Yemen, and the UAE to urge Arab leaders to put pressure on Arafat to accept compromises on Jerusalem. (MM 7/31; MENA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MM 8/1; WT 8/2; WJW 8/3; DUS 8/6 in WNC 8/7)

PM Barak survives Knesset votes (50-50, with 8 abstentions, 12 MKs absent; 53-48) on 2 no-confidence motions. (MM 7/31; NYT, WT 8/1)

The Knesset elects (63-57) the relatively obscure Iranian-born Likud MK Moshe Katsav over One Israel MK Shimon Peres, a 3-time PM and Nobel laureate, to replace Weizman as pres. Israeli public opinion polls prior to the vote showed Peres as the popular choice over Katsav by 63% to 20%, with 17% undecided. Katsav captured the votes of Sephardic and Russian MKs (with Shas voting as a bloc for him) because of his Sephardic background and of ultra-Orthodox MKs, who voted for him as a protest to Barak, who openly favored Peres. (MM 7/31; ATL 7/31 in WNC 8/1; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/1; ATL 8/1, SA 8/2 in WNC 8/3; WJW 8/3; JP, WP 8/11)

Acting on a tip, Israeli police arrest a Jewish resident of Jerusalem found with 3 rifles and a great deal of ammunition in his car. Police suspect he was en route to the West Bank to sell the arms, ammunition to settlers planning an attack on Palestinian targets. (MA 8/1 in WNC 8/2)

The 1st round of PA-Israeli FAPS talks at Bolling ends. The State Dept. says the teams spent this round "attempting to achieve a better understanding of each other's needs and requirements." No progress was made on narrowing the gaps in their positions. Teams agree to open a 2d round of talks at Bolling on 4/6. (NYT, WP, WT 3/29; AYM, al-Quds 3/29 in WNC 3/30; AYM 4/1 in WNC 4/6)

Barak phones Egypt's Mubarak in Washington to brief him on Israel's views on the 3/26 Clinton-Asad mtg. in Geneva. Egyptian FM Musa phones Syrian FM Shara` to discuss Syria's view of the 3/26 mtg. (MENA 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MEI 4/7)

In Washington for talks on bilateral relations, Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. Clinton to discuss the peace process. Clinton calls for "intensifying" PA-Israeli negotiations, says that "the ball is in [Asad's] court" regarding movement on the Syrian-Israeli track. (MENA 3/28 in WNC 3/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29; MENA 3/29 in WNC 3/30; MM 3/30; DUS, MENA 3/30 in WNC 3/31; MM 4/3; MEI 4/7)

Jordan indicts 28 Arabs allegedly linked to Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden on terrorism charges for conspiring to attack U.S., Israeli targets during New Year's celebrations. 15 suspects are in custody; 13 others are at large. Most of the suspects are Jordanian, others are Algerian, Iraqi, Palestinian, Yemeni. (DUS 3/28 in WNC 3/29; NYT, WP 3/29; DUS 3/29 in WNC 3/30; NYT 4/11)

After a 7-mo. investigation, Israeli police recommend that fmr. PM Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara be indicted on criminal charges of fraud, bribery, theft of 700 state gifts worth $100,000, obstruction of justice. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/29)

Bowing to Washington, OPEC agrees to boost oil output. (Iran refuses to sign the agmt. in protest to the U.S. but agrees to comply in effect.) Clinton calls the move "good news . . . for the American consumer," but many OPEC officials complain that the heavy-handed U.S. pressure (especially fr. Energy Secy. Bill Richardson, who hopes to be chosen as VP Al Gore's running mate for the 11/00 U.S. elections) makes their own political and economic situations more awkward. (CSM, NYT, WP 3/29; WP 3/30; MEI 4/7) (see 3/24)

U.S. special envoy Ross confirms that Israel, Syria have recently been holding an indirect dialogue on resuming negotiations. (WT 6/23)

Acting Likud leader Sharon tells his party that he has held 2 mtgs. with Barak in the past 24 hrs., he expects Likud to take a central role in the next government. (MM 6/22; AYM 6/22 in WNC 6/28; MM, NYT, WP 6/23)

EU approves partnership agmt. with Egypt. (JUM 6/23 in WNC 6/25)

In Lod, Israeli police open fire with rubber-coated bullets on Palestinians demonstrating against the demolition of a Palestinian home on 6/20. Israeli Arab MK Azmi Bishara, 16 other demonstrators are wounded. Meanwhile, the IDF demolishes another Palestinian home in East Jerusalem. (MM 6/22; MM, NYT. WT 6/23)

In s. Lebanon, Amal attacks an IDF-SLA post, wounding 1 IDF soldier. (VOL 6/22 in WNC 6/23)

In `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in Lebanon, Fatah mbrs. loyal to Arafat clash with mbrs. of the al-Ansar Islamic League (also known as Abu Muhjin Group) over control of security functions in the camp. (al-Diyar 6/23, WA 6/25 in WNC 6/29) (see 5/21)

FMs of Egypt, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Yemen hold mtg. in Hurghada, Egypt, to coordinate their positions in advance of the 1/24 Arab League special session on Iraq. (MENA 1/3, 1/4 in WNC 1/5; MM 1/5; MENA 1/6 in WNC 1/7; SATN 1/8 in WNC 1/12)

An Egyptian court sentences Israeli David Mineu to life with hard labor for smuggling drugs into the country. (MENA 1/7 in WNC 1/8)

Israeli police detain for deportation 14 American mbrs. of a Denver-based apocalyptic cult who were allegedly planning to mark the millennium by committing suicide or provoking their own killings in the streets of Jerusalem. Israel fears more such incidents as 2000 approaches. (NYT, WP, WT 1/4; MA 1/5 in WNC 1/6; WT 1/5; PR 1/8; WJW 1/7; WJW 1/14; JP 1/15)

Long-time Netanyahu ally Avigdor Lieberman launches new party, Yisrael Beitainu, aimed at rallying support of Russian immigrants for the PM before 5/99 elections. (MM, WP 1/4; MA 1/4 in WNC 1/5; NYT, WP 1/5)

The Israeli Housing Min. says that 7 contractors have submitted plans to build at Jabal Abu Ghunaym/Har Homa settlement site in Jerusalem. (WP 1/4; JP, PR 1/15)

Israeli television reports that 1,100 housing units are being constructed in a new West Bank settlement, Tal Tziyon, n. of Jerusalem, nr. Ramallah. A total of 7,000 units are planned. (ITV 1/3 in WNC 1/5)

IDF attacks suspected Hizballah bases in s. Lebanon not far fr. Syrian-held positions, wounding 5 Lebanese civilians, 1 Syrian soldier. (MM, WP 1/4; RL, VOL 1/3, AFP, RL 1/4 in WNC 1/5; MM 1/5)

Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden tells Time Magazine that he "instigated" the 8/7 bombings of the U.S. embassies in Kenya, Tanzania. (CSM 1/4)

U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk briefs ambs. of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE on the Wye agmt. (al-Akhbar, al-Ba'th, al-Jumhuriyya, MENA, RL 10/26, AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; al-Ba'th 10/28 in WNC 11/2; al-Quds 10/28, SA 10/30, al-Ahram 11/2 in WNC 11/6; MM 10/29, 10/30; MM 11/2; WP 11/6)

In the Knesset, PM Netanyahu survives no-confidence motion, but Knesset Law Comm. agrees (9-7) to hear 1st reading of bill calling for the dissolution of parliament, new elections in 100 days. MKs criticize Netanyahu for linking Pollard with the peace process. (CSM, WP, WT 10/27)

In Gaza, the Arab Liberation Front, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Islamic National Salvation Party, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) issue statement denouncing the Wye agmt. (MENA 10/26 in WNC 10/27; PR 10/30)

200 Jewish settlers hold rally outside PM Netanyahu's office in Jerusalem, protesting the Wye agmt. At least 24 are detained by Israeli police. (ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; WP 10/27; YA 10/27 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/28)

Jordan, Israel begin long-delayed $1.65-m. joint project to build the `Adasiyya diversion wall to diver Yarmuk River water. (JT, RJ 10/27 in WNC 10/28; JP 211/9)

An Israeli settler is killed in Israeli-controlled Hebron in an apparent attack by Palestinians. IDF places curfew on Palestinians in Hebron's Israeli-controlled zone. Later, the body of a Palestinian is found outside Itamar settlement nr. Nablus. An anonymous caller claims Palestinian was killed to avenge the settler's death. (IDF Radio, ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/27; ITV 10/26 in WNC 10/28; CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP 10/27; MM 10/28; WJW 10/29; PR 10/30)

In Ramallah, Palestinians observe general strike, 100s of Fatah mbrs. march to protest 10/25 events, call on Arafat to punish security services. (NYT, WP 10/27; PR 10/30)

International experts submit final report Iraqi missile fragments to the UNSC, say results are inconclusive. Tests by Switzerland show no traces of VX; 1 sample in the 3d test by France shows traces of nerve agent that could be VX. French, Swiss, U.S. tests all show traces of unknown compound that could mask biological agents. (NYT, WP 10/27; MEI 10/30) (6/22)

U.S. says that a UN proposal to try the Pan Am bombing suspects in the Hague under Scottish law, tentatively agreed to by all parties, is in jeopardy because of Libyan demands that the 2 suspects not be imprisoned in Scotland if found guilty. (WP 10/27; WT 10/28) (see 9/29)

After a weekend mtg. with Pres. Asad in Damascus, EU special envoy Miguel Moratinos says that Syria wants to rejoin the peace process. (WT 9/3)

Israel, Turkey, U.S. announce plans to hold joint naval exercises in the Mediterranean 11/15-25. Egypt, Syria protest; Turkey says that they may send observers if they like. (MM 9/4)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian laborers, lay down in the street to distrupt work on a U.S.-financed project to renovate al-Shuhada street, which was outlined in the Agreed Minute attached to the Hebron Protocol. David Muirhead, the American overseeing the project, says that the Israel police responded to the needs of the settlers only, did not come to the aid of the Palestinians, beat him and others, threw him into a van and detained him until the U.S. Consulate intervened. State Dept. calls on Israel to ensure security for the workers, calls incident"simply unacceptable." (NYT, WT 9/3; PR 9/12; JP 9/13)

In s. Lebanon, an Israeli explosive device detonates, injuring 2 Lebanese civilians. (RL 9/2 in WNC 9/4)

In Paris, U.S. special envoy Ross, UN Coordinator Terje Larsen open 2 days of mediation aimed at scheduling a Netanyahu-Arafat mtg., reaching a firm timetable for Israeli redeployment in Hebron (see 8/22). Ross also meets with Netanyahu adviser Gold, Egypt's Baz. (MM 8/27; MA, YA 8/27 in WNC 8/30; MM 8/28; HA, QY 8/28 in IL 8/28; NYT, WP 8/29; WT 9/5; JP 9/7 WT 9/10)

Israeli police hoist bulldozer over Old City walls into East Jerusalem, demolish Palestinian building which they claim was being constructed without a permit. Israel says building was to be a social club for the PA. Palestinians say it was to be a clinic for the disabled, home for the elderly, funded by $30 m. fr. Canada, Sweden. (LAWE, MM 8/27; NYT, WT 8/28; MM, NYT, WP 8/29; MM 8/30; MEI, PR 9/6; PR 9/13)

Israel approves construction of new 1,806-unit neighborhood inside the West Bank settlement of Kiryat Sefer. 1st stage of construction will incl. 900 housing units and bring as many as 15,000 new settlers. (MA 8/27 in WNC 8/30; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 8/28; NYT, WP 8/29; PR 8/30; MEI 9/20)

PA released al-Damir Exec. Dir. Muhammad Dahman, who was arrested 8/12 on charges of fabricating a news story about the death in custody of Naher Dahlan 8/11. (PR 8/30)

In Beirut, U.S. Amb. to Lebanon Richard Jones, Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group (ILMG) U.S. coordinator David Greenlee meet with Lebanese Speaker Nabih Birri to discuss Lebanon's assessment of the 1st ILMG sessions 8/8, 8/15. (RL 8/27 in WNC 8/29; RL 8/29 in WNC 9/3)

In Beirut, fmr. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Ja`Ja` is charged with killing PM Rashid Karami in 1987. (NYT 8/28) (see 7/13)

Delegation led by Iranian Trade M Yahya Al-e-Eshaq begins 3-day visit to Syria. (IRNA 8/28, 8/29 in WNC 9/3) (see 8/18)

In Izmir, Turkey, Iraq discuss developing trade, industrial cooperation. (INA [Baghdad] 8/27 in WNC 8/30) (see 8/22)

PA cabinet approves draft interim agmt. with Israel. (CSM 8/17; JP 8/26) (see 8/11)

In Gaza, Egypt-Israel-Jordan-PA technical comm. on refugees opens 2-day mtg. on 1967 displaced persons. (HA 8/16 in FBIS 8/16; QY 8/16 in FBIS 8/17)

In Damascus, PLO's Faruq al-Qaddumi begins 3 days of mtgs. with Syrian officials (incl. FM Faruq al-Shara`), Palestinian opposition leaders fr. DFLP (Nayif Hawatmeh), Fatah (Hani al-Hassan), Hamas (Abu-Muhammad Mustafa), PFLP (George Habash), PFLP-GC, Saiqa; briefs them on his blueprint for political change, discusses rejuvenating the PLO, rallying the PA's opposition in light of the 8/11 agmt. (SARR 8/16 in FBIS 8/17; MM 8/17; Al-Hayat 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; MM 8/18 Al-Hayat 8/18, 8/20 in FBIS 8/25; MM 8/22)

Swedish Dep. FM Mona Sahlin postpones return visit to Israel after Israel again refuses her request to meet with Palestinians in Orient House. (JP 8/26; WT 8/30) (see 5/15)

IDF solider is court-martialed, jailed for refusing to evict Jewish settlers fr. illegal West Bank camp. (QY 8/16 in FBIS 8/16)

Israeli Atty. Gen. Mikhael Ben-Ya'ir approves regulation giving responsibility for security inside settlements to Israeli police only, leaving IDF to handle security around settlements and intervene inside only in emergencies. (MA 8/16 in FBIS 8/16) (see 8/6)

Special Israeli ministerial comm. (led by PM Yitzhak Rabin, Police M Moshe Shahal) overrides the orders of Atty. Gen. Ben-Ya'ir, Justice M David Liba'i, extends Shin Bet's authority to use physical force on Palestinian suspects during interrogation for 2 mos. (HA 8/16 in FBIS 8/17; NYT 8/17; JP 8/19, 8/26)

2 Israeli historians announce findings that Israeli troops carried out several mass killings in the Sinai in 1967 in which about 1,000 Egyptian prisoners were killed. (WP, WT 8/18; WP, WT 8/19; NYT, WT 8/21; JP 8/26)

In Gaza, PA arrests 4 Hamas mbrs on charge of plotting an attack inside Israel. IDF extends closure of o.t. begun 8/9 to 8/18. (QY 8/16, IDF Radio 8/17 in FBIS 8/17; MA 8/18 in IL 8/18)

U.S. envoy Ross, Arafat meet in Gaza; discuss closure, economic aid, Israeli security and settlement construction; leaves for Damascus. (MM 4/7; VOP 4/7, 4/8 in FBIS 4/10)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Syria's Pres. al-Asad should meet in Cairo to assess the situation in the region, progress on Syrian and Lebanese tracks, evaluate international environment, discuss enhancing joint Arab action, esp. in the Arab League. (MENA 4/7, 4/9 in FBIS 4/10)

PA police arrest Shaykh Ahmad Bahar after he gives anti-PA sermon at Friday prayer service. (MM 4/7)

Israeli police arrest sr. Orient House official Kamal Shwayka for operating Palestinian police force in Jerusalem. (JP 4/15)

IDF shells Hizballah positions in s. Lebanon in retaliation for Hizballah attack on IDF, SLA positions. 1 SLA mbr., 1 civilian killed. (WP 4/9)

At ceremony in Washington, Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan, Israeli FM Peres announce trade initiatives to develop Jordan Rift valley, involving transportation, water, desalinization, energy, exploitation of minerals. Plans inc. $1.5 b. canal, free-trade zone btwn. Eilat an Aqaba, Red Sea Marine Peace Park. U.S. says it will send business leaders "to help develop trade." (JTV 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/4; RJ 10/6 in FBIS 10/7; MEI 10/7)

Syrian FM al-Shara` gives speech to UNGA saying Syria wants peace, but return of Golan is not open to compromise. (Syrian Arab Television 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; SARR 10/3 in FBIS 10/5; MM 10/4; WT 10/5; ITV 10/6 in FBIS 10/7)

Israeli PM Rabin presents policy statement to Knesset, outlines components of peace with Syria, hints that agmt. with Syria would lead to mutual reduction in regular forces. (QY 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; MM 10/4)

PM Rabin wins nonbinding 53-41 Knesset vote in favor of his foreign policies, inc. Israeli request for U.S. troops to monitor any peace accord with Syria; marks effective end of Labor party rebellion started 9/7. (MM, WP 10/4; WT 10/5; WJW 10/6)

After mtg. with U.S. Secy. of State Christopher, Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz says Lebanese track will not be activated until "features of the Syrian track become clear, not before." (Al-Hayat 10/3 in FBIS 10/5)

PNA Local Affairs M Erakat, Israeli negotiator Danny Rothschild meet in Cairo for talks on elections, expanding PNA authority in the West Bank. (MM 10/3; MENA, VOP 10/4 in FBIS 10/5; WT 10/4; JP 10/8)

Arafat, angry over PSF head Col. Rajub's conflicts with Israeli police, sends Rajub to Egypt for cooling-off period. (JP 10/3 in FBIS 10/3) (see 9/16)

Arab League criticizes GCC states, Tunisia for "hasty" normalization of relations with Israel. (SARR 10/3 in FBIS 10/5)

Palestinian prisoners appeal to Pres. Clinton to intercede with Israel to gain their release. Israel says most of remaining 4,000 prisoners are mbrs. of leftist, Islamist groups opposed to peace and cannot be released now; others have attacked Israelis and will never be freed. (WT 10/4)

Military Action:

1,300 Syrian-controlled Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) troops travel to Syria in first overland evacuation (760 PLO guerrillas leave by sea for Tartus); US Marines patrol port; PLO turns over weaponry to LNM forces in Beirut; Lebanese Army redeployment delayed by continued Muslim opposition to Gemayel.

Casualties:

2 IDF soldiers wounded by stray bullets during evacuation; 1 IDF soldier killed, 5 wounded by land mine explosion under their bus near Tyre; Radio Beirut reports 1 Lebanese soldier, 3 civilians wounded near Green Line.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon continues fundraising in US, meets with Weinberger and Shultz (indicates Israeli unwillingness to share military information with US while sanctions imposed); Israeli police violently disperse Palestinian women demonstrating in front of US Consulate in East Jerusalem to protest US involvement in Lebanese war (several arrested, including an Israeli woman journalist); Israeli judge exempts Israeli companies from paying income tax on their operations in the occupied territories.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat praises PLO resistance; Gemayel, Sarkis praise Arafat agreement on evacuation, discipline of evacuation; West Beirut Muslims continue to refuse cooperation with Gemayel unless he prioritizes Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon, returns to consensual decision-making.

Arab Governments: Foreign Ministers conference begins preparations for September 6 Arab summit; Libya charges Arab summit aims to recognize Israel. 

US and Other Countries: US reaffirms commitment to Jordanian sovereignty, security; White House announces Defense Secretary Weinberger to visit Lebanon, Israel, Egypt next week; Senator Percy, in visit to Beirut, meets Habib, Sarkis, Gemayel.

Military Action:

Cease-fire appears to hold, despite minor clashes near airport; WAFA says 5 Israelis tried to move on the airport and failed; IDF jets fly over Beirut in mock raids; PLO commander Salah Taamari reportedly surrenders to IDF in Sidon.

Casualties:

IDF soldier reported wounded in fighting with Syrians along highway.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israelis fear PLO gains from talk delays; Shamir says government will give Habib more time for negotiations, after consultations with Begin and Sharon; Israeli media cites Egyptian pressures, Reagan's letter of last week, and European threats of sanctions as restraining Israeli options; Mapam distributes leaflet questioning whole operation; Begin asks attorney general to investigate if Mapam has committed a crime in circulating the document; Abraham Burg, son of Interior Minister, and two other reserve officers met with Begin recently to urge him to halt the war; British employee at Bir Zeit University asserts she was beaten while in detention, foreign ministry refuses to accept a UK diplomatic protest of the incident; Argov regains consciousness in London hospital; Israeli police detain dozens of students "suspected" of being students at Bir Zeit University; police also arrest 4 staff members of newspaper al-Fajr.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Issue of where guerrillas can go holds up negotiations; Arafat expects large IDF operation in near future, says guerrillas can withstand long siege; Sarkis reportedly ill; 2 Druze Cabinet Ministers disavow declaration of yesterday; PLO formally asks Syria for haven if agreement is reached; Fuad Shemali, military commander of right-wing Lebanese militia "Guards of the Cedars" announces support for Bashir Gemayel for president of Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Renewed Iran/Iraq hostilities reportedly slows negotiating process; Damascus Radio calls on other Arab countries to ensure PLO does not move from Lebanon to other countries; Egypt calls for Arab summit, urges direct US-PLO negotiations.

US and Other Countries: West German foreign minister visits Egypt, harshly criticizes IDF invasion of Lebanon; US urges Arab countries to help resettle surrounded PLO; Reagan contacts Saudi, Syrian governments regarding haven for PLO; former US official George Ball strongly criticizes Israeli invasion and lack of strong US response; Congressional leaders and foreign policy experts say Israel violated US restrictions on use of cluster bombs but disagree on US response; Mitterrand of France meets PLO leader Kaddoumi.