The Palestine Chronology

Military Action:

LAF and militiamen exchange fire throughout the night in southern suburbs of Beirut; brief small arms and RPG battles in sectors of Tripoli bordering on Baddawi camp.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese government orders staff of Iranian embassy to leave Beirut within 3 days, estimated 800 Shi'ite Muslims stage protest march in Burj al Barajneh camp.

Arab Governments: Saudi and Syrian FMs announce that rival Palestinian forces have agreed to cease-fire and to withdraw from Tripoli within 2 weeks, Tripoli Higher Coordinating Committee to supervise.

Military Action:

PSP and LAF exchange heavy artillery fire around Suq al-Gharb; sporadic exchanges of artillery and RPGs around Baddawi, cease-fire holds generally; IDF patrol fired on north of Zahrani.

Casualties:

Car bombs kills 2 civilians in South Lebanon village of Tibnin; 6 Israeli POW held by PLO in Tripoli moved to safety.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 5 Jewish civilians enter Dheisheh camp, under curfew, shoot and wound 3 Palestinian men after breaking into house, IDF says those responsible were border police in plain clothes on undercover operation; Arens, dedicating new settlement near Hebron, calls on "Arabs of Eretz Israel" to negotiate coexistence with Israel.

Arab Govenments: Assad taken to hospital in Damascus, reportedly has appendectomy, tomorrow's meeting with Gemayel postponed.

US and Other Countries: Special envoy Rumsfeld arrives on first visit to Beirut, meets Gemayel; McFarlane warns Syria US will respond to fire at US aircraft over Lebanon, cites Grenada as example of US resolve to protect American lives.

Military Action:

LAF and unidentified gunmen battle near airport, main highway access closed; artillery duels between LAF and PSP forces around Souq al-Gharb; LAF bombards sniper position in Bun al-Barajneh; US officials say snipers appear to be from pro-Iranian Hisballah faction; IDF position in Sidon attacked with RPGs and bazookas; 3 Katyushas fired south of Zahrani river.

Casualties:

2 LAF soldiers, 2 civilians killed near airport; 2 IDF border police killed, 1 wounded in Sidon.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Fateh Central Committee ends 2-day meeting in Kuwait, says it will seek Arab-wide support to reconcile factional differences; commander of PLA forces in Syria defects to PLO rebels; Lebanese government announces start of reconciliation talks at Beirut airport tomorrow, PSP says site is completely unacceptable.

US and Other Countries: Joint Chiefs of Staff begin review of rules governing operations of Marines in Lebanon; Reagan meets National Security Council to review Middle East policy.

Military Action:

Small arms, machine gun and RPG fire hits Marine positions at airport and university science faculty building during 7-hour battle, Marines use Dragon missiles; LAF positions near airport also attacked; IDF patrol attacked, battles civilians during Shi'ite religious festival in Nabatieh.

Casualties:

1 Marine killed, 3 wounded by sniper fire in Beirut; 1 civilian killed, 7-10 wounded when IDF opens fire in Nabatieh, 4 IDF soldiers injured, 4 military vehicles burned, curfew imposed.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Estimated Im Israeli workers strike for 2 hours to protest government economic policies.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Officer of Higher Islamic Council of Lebanon calls on Shi'ite residents of South Lebanon to resist IDF occupation, warns Israel not to close bridges across Awali river.

Military Action:

LAF and Druze exchange artillery and RPG fire around Souq al-Gharb; heavy fighting in Tripoli between pro- and anti-Syrian militias, Syrian artillery shells Islamic Unification Movement positions; IDF position near Tyre attacked with small arms fire.

Casualties:

6 LAF soldiers wounded at Souq al-Gharb; 47 killed, 70 wounded in Tripoli; Islamic Unification Movement [IUM] forces occupy most positions of pro-Syrian militia in Tripoli; 1 IDF soldier wounded near Tyre.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Cease-fire security committee fails to meet as Amal delegate protests LAF arrest of Shi'ite soldiers returning home; Gemayel announces talks will begin on October 20 at undisclosed venue.

US and Other Countries: Reagan signs legislation authorizing Marines to remain in Lebanon for 18 months, but disclaims any concession of the constitutional authority of a President to deploy troops without Congressional approval.

Military Action:

Relatively light exchanges of fire between unidentified gunmen and LAF in southern suburbs; sniper fire directed at Deir al-Qamar; IDF patrol attacked with light arms, RPGs east of Tyre.

Casualties:

1 civilian killed, 1 wounded in Deir al-Qamar.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat says at least 2 Syrian brigades have surrounded his forces in Tripoli area; McFarlane returns to Beirut from Europe via Israel

Military Action:

Mortar and machine gun fire from unidentified sources directed at LAF position near Khaldeh; artillery and RPG fire exchanged in Beirut suburbs of Ain Rummaneh and Chiah; US Marines placed on highest state of alert as mortars fall near compound; car bomb explodes as IDF vehicle passes southeast of Tyre.

Casualties:

2 IDF soldiers wounded in car bomb explosion.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Cabinet meets in emergency session, states that efforts to arrange time and place for national reconciliation talks remain unsuccessful; 45 more LAF officers and soldiers join other "conscientious objectors" at Hammana Barracks, refuse to take part in LAF operations until national agreement on use of LAF is achieved, accuse LAF of giving US-provided weapons, ammunition, and artillery target coordinates to Phalange militia; 23 Fateh military staff officers in Damascus defect to PLO rebels.

US and Other Countries: Greek PM meets Jumblatt in Athens.

Military Action:

Cease-fire takes effect at 0600 hours, sniper fire near Souq al-Gharb and RPG attack on LAF post near Q3br Chamoun are only reported violations.

Casualties:

2 LAF soldiers killed at Kaifun; large numbers of pedestrians and motorists take to streets of East and West Beirut for first time in 3 weeks; Lebanese police estimate 806 killed, 1725 wounded in fighting since September 4.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PM Wazzan submits resignation, Gemayel asks him to remain until new government is formed in reconciliation talks.

US and Other Countries: Congressional Democrats and Republicans criticize Shultz statement that administration would not be bound by proposed legislation invoking War Powers Act.

Military Action:

Fierce fighting continues between Muslim militias and Lebanese Army throughout West Beirut; Mourabitoun occupies Union National Building, engage nearby Army garrison in rifle and RPG battle; Lebanese Army barracks at Fahr al-Deen, and positions at Murr Tower and Holiday Inn attacked; Druze militia occupies Holiday Inn; French Embassy compound hit by rockets, French convoy ambushed; British convoy attacked at Galerie Semaan crossing; Italian positions hit; 3 US Marine positions come under fire, respond with rifles, machine guns; hooded gunmen occupy points along Green Line; long-range artillery fire hits West Beirut; US aircraft carrier Eisenhower, other warships move to within 5 miles of shore.

Casualties:

4 French military personnel killed, 4 wounded in Beirut attacks; most Beirut shops closed, electrical blackouts frequent, lines form to buy bread, drinking water; 4 Ansar prisoners wounded when IDF opens fire after guards hit by stones.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin tells Likud coalition his decision to retire as PM and Herut party leader is final; process of selecting new Herut leader begins; McFarlane, in Jerusalem, obtains commitment to postpone IDF withdrawal from Chouf for few more days.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese government officials and Muslim leaders meet.

US and Other Countries: Reagan tells Congress Marines will remain in Lebanon, resists pressure to invoke provisions of War Powers Resolution requiring withdrawal of troops in 60-90 days without Congressional approval; White House says US troops are not conducting combat operations; West German Chancellor Kohl postpones visit to Israel.

Military Action:

Sporadic shellfire hits Christian areas north of Beirut; RPG fired at IDF patrol east of Tyre; IDF patrol and guerrilla unit engage in battle near Jebel Barouk.

Casualties:

3 wounded in Jounieh; 1 guerrilla killed, IDF soldier wounded near Jebel Barouk.

Military Action:

Rival militias exchange RPG and machine gun fire in Tripoli.

Casualties:

2 killed, 1 wounded in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Heavy fighting resumes between PLO factions around Taanayel, Saidnayel, and Fateh training camp near Baalbek.

Arab Governments: Celebrating Syria's Armed Forces Day, Assad says US cannot be fair mediator between any Arab party and Israel when it has been backing Israel's continuous aggression against the Arabs.

US and Other Countries: State Dept. acknowledges reports that Reagan is considering increasing US aid to Israel.

UN: 2nd UN Conference to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination opens in Geneva, US and Israel boycott.

Military Action:

Heavy fighting between rival militias in Tripoli as Syrian troops pull back from 7 positions in the city.

Casualties:

Christian villages near Sidon and Nabatieh hold demonstrations to protest IDF order that 3 Phalangist barracks and offices in South Lebanon be closed, IDF says only Kfar Falus base affected, Phalangist forces refuse to remove bases; truck loaded with fresh fish from Israel blown up in Beirut.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens, in Washington, says IDF move in Lebanon is contingent on nothing except Israeli security interests, will occur in one step rather than phases.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Artillery, RPG and machine gun exchanges continue between rival PLO factions near Shtawra.

US and Other Countries: Reagan meets Shamir, Arens; Shultz describes IDF redeployment as step in direction of total withdrawal, not part of effort by Israel to stay in Lebanon; US officials say IDF pullback does not comply with actual provisions of Lebanese-Israeli agreement but it is being accepted as consistent with its spirit.

Military Action:

2 rockets land near IDF HQin Sidon; IDF checkpoint at Damour comes under fire from gunmen in car.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Arens and Shamir travel to Washington at Reagan's invitation for 3 days of talks.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat travels to Saudi Arabia for meeting with King Fahd; rival PLO units engage in artillery and RPG battles near villages of Taanayel and Jdita, loyalists reportedly hold positions; Gemayel meets Mitterrand in Paris, calls for UN plebiscite in Syrian and IDF held areas.

Military Action:

Druze forces attack Beirut airport, Lebanese Army positions, with rockets and artillery; remote-controlled bomb explodes near IDF patrol in Aley.

Casualties:

22 killed, 65 wounded, including 3 US military personnel, in Beirut shelling; cumulative statistics on Chouf fighting in past year show more than 420 killed, 600 wounded, 700 kidnapped or detained; 11 IDF soldiers wounded in Aley explosion.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 2 IDF reservists court martialled for refusing to serve in Lebanon, total now 72.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee begins 2 days of meetings in Tunis.

US and Other Countries: Reagan meets Gemayel, says US is committed to full withdrawal of all foreign forces; Deputy National Security Affairs Adviser Robert McFarlane replaces Habib as special envoy to Middle East, Draper also replaced

Military Action:

4 attacks on IDF positions reported: 2 shells fired near Amiq in eastern sector, RPGs fired at roadblock south of Sidon, light arms fire at convoy near Jezzine; fighting continues in Chouf.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat expelled from Syria, escorted to Damascus airport by Syrian security officials, placed on flight to Tunis; Abu Jihad also declared persona non grata in Syria and Syrian-controlled areas of Lebanon.

US and Other Countries: Habib and Draper begin visit to Middle East in effort to persuade Syria to withdraw its troops; GAO issues heavily censored report on US aid to Israel, says US likely to come under more pressure to provide grants and concessions as Israel's debt grows.

Military Action:

IDF patrol attacked with RPGs near Zahrani River, WAFA reports joint Lebanese-Palestinian force responsible.

Casualties:

1 Border Policeman killed, 3 soldiers wounded in ambush near Zahrani, village of Arab Salim sealed; several residents arrested; 6 killed, 9 wounded as gunmen attack worshippers in Tripoli mosque.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Fateh rebels, supported by PFLP-GC and Syrian troops and tanks, overrun 8 loyalist positions in eastern Lebanon, take control of Palestinian positions along highway between Syrian border and Shtawra; commander of loyalist Yarmouk brigade reportedly held by Syrian Army; Arafat travels from Damascus to Tripoli, says he will not return to Damascus until Syria ends support of rebels; Syrian news agency SANA carries full text of rebel statement for first time.

Military Action:

Artillery fire exchanged between Phalangist and Druze militias in Souk al-Gharb and Aitat villages; IDF reports 3 attacks, no casualties: RPGs fired at convoy, small arms fire at military police HQ and roadside bomb as convoy passes near Ansar prison camp; fighting in Tripoli between pro- and anti-Syrian groups.

Casualties:

1 person killed, 15 injured in Tripoli fighting.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese parliament approves troop withdrawal agreement by 65-2 vote, with 4 abstentions.

US and Other Countries: Weinberger says US-Israel memorandum of understanding on strategic cooperation against Soviet threats in Middle East, suspended since December 1981, could be restored any time Israeli government wishes.

Military Action:

IDF imposes indefinite curfew on 11 towns and villages in South Lebanon, begins house-to-house search for arms and guerrillas, eventually detains 200 civilians on suspicion of involvement in terrorist activities; 2 rockets hit port of Jounieh, north of Beirut; fighting continues in Chouf mountains.

Casualties:

2 IDF soldiers killed, 2 wounded, 4 civilians, 1 policeman wounded by Beirut car bomb; 2 killed in Jounieh; 3 killed, 2 wounded in Chouf mountains; 1 killed, 2 wounded in Aley; protests continue for 4th day at Ansar detention camp, Gemayel reportedly pressing IDF for release of prisoners.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Knesset votes 55 to 47 against Labor Party motion for immediate pull-back of IDF; reports circulate that Begin is in gloomy state of mind, avoiding most public appearances.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat meets Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, receives support for unity in PLO, travels to Qatar.

US and Other Countries: Reagan meets Lebanese Foreign Minister Salem.

Military Action:

IDF on state of alert as Syrians begin military maneuvers near Israeli lines in Golan Heights and eastern Lebanon; Palestinian guerrillas attack IDF patrol in Bekaa; IDF tank hits mine south of Karoun dam, RPG fired at IDF vehicle near Sil, no casualties reported; artillery exchanges in Chouf.

Casualties:

1 IDF soldier killed, 2 wounded, 1 Palestinian guerrilla killed in Bekaa battle.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin briefs opposition leaders on military situation in Bekaa; High Court orders attorney general's office to answer Arraba resident's complaint of beating and electric shock treatment; Justice Ministry official says some Israeli companies are buying and selling private land on West Bank that is not officially registered; trial in Haifa of 5 Arrabe residents accused of trying to poison water supply, blowing up water pipe, damaging road leading to Jewish settlement in western Galilee; Foreign Minister Shamir travels to Europe for meetings in Belgium, Italy and Luxembourg.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: President Gemayel calls for Arab summit or Arab League meeting to discuss Lebanese troop withdrawal agreement; Arafat tells PLO forces in Bekaa that only war can break the present stalemate; PLO military council member says all PLO forces should be returned to Lebanon from the 8 Arab countries to which they were moved last year.

Military Action:

IDF patrol attacked in Chouf; RPG fired at IDF position near Amik in Bekaa; 2 IDF patrols attacked near Sidon; Syrian forces shell IDF positions in eastern Bekaa.

Casualties:

1 IDF soldier killed, 1 wounded in Chouf attack.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Defense Minister Arens says Reagan statement on F-16s is unprecedented in 35 years of US-Israel relations, forces re-evaluation of sources of arms, reduction of reliance on outside sources and build up of domestic arms industry; Arens also says Haddad must be commander of army in South Lebanon; kibbutz Sde Yoav votes to instruct its members to return Lebanon campaign ribbon; IDF sergeant who refuses Lebanon ribbon sentenced by military court to 6 days imprisonment, reduction in rank; Begin, Arens and Shamir meet Habib; journalist and publisher arrested in Ramallah for possessing large quantities of illegal literature; 6 Gaza students detained for 30 days on charges of incitement while visiting patients in Jenin hospital; IDF limits number of Peace Now protesters at Upper Nablus site to 15.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Stockholm, meets Swedish PM, Social Democratic leaders, says he is ready to resume talks with Hussein; negotiations continue in Khalde, Habib leads US delegation; after meeting with Hussein, FM Salem says Jordan-PLO talks have not collapsed, have reached crucial milestone; Issam Sartawi buried in Amman.

US and Other Countries: US Ambassador to Israel says Reagan Administration is determined to improve and rebuild basic confidence between the two countries; Israel Bonds dinner in NY, attended by Israeli Finance Minister, raises $8.8m.; British Foreign Secretary says West Bank settlements are illegal and completely contrary to Reagan plan, might soon make a negotiated peace impossible.

Military Action:

Grenades, mortars, rockets fired in Tripoli fighting between Lebanese Communist Party rnilitia and Soldiers of God militia; land mine explodes near Khiyam; Italian MNF patrol attacked with RPGs near airport; remote-controlled bomb explodes near IDF vehicle outside refugee camp near Tyre, area closed and searched; IDF surrounds town of Barja, arrests 3 Lebanese suspected of involvement in ambushes.

Casualties:

2 killed, 7 wounded in Tripoli fighting, schools and shops closed in old quarter of city; 9 Italian MNF wounded in 2 Beirut attacks, 2 vehicles destroyed; Lebanese Army informs residents of Burj al-Barajneh camp in Beirut that government prohibits repairs of bombed-out roofs, arrests 15 on charges of abusive construction, threatens to arrest additional 34 tomorrow.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Defense Minister Arens orders drastic cuts in ministry's National Security Unit, expanded by Sharon to proportions of alternative general staff; Arens tells Knesset Foreign Affairs committee there is no need to freeze West Bank settlements to entice King Hussein to enter peace negotiations; Cabinet selects Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Moshe Levy to replace IDF Chief of Staff Eitan; Central Bureau of Statistics says inflation rate is 130% a year; 3 suspects in attempt to take over Temple Mount released on bail; Nazareth municipal employee sentenced to 3 months in jail for participating in illegal Land Day demonstration in 1982; two new Chief Rabbis elected for 10-year terms, say that West Bank and South Lebanon are part of Israel; Bedouins call off hunger strike after Agriculture Ministry official agrees to meet them; curfews remain in force in Halhoul, Dheisheh, Aida, Jalazon and Ein Beit Alma, new curfew imposed on Balata camp; IDF seizes house opposite al-Amari camp for lookout post; 5 Village League members armed with automatic rifles enter village of Nuba, threaten to destroy it unless alleged demonstrators are turned in, IDF later arrests 3 residents,on charges of calling Hebron Village League head a traitor.

Arab Governments: Syrian officials say troops will not be withdrawn from Lebanon if any Israeli-Lebanese agreement provides for Israeli troops in Lebanon and formal trade, tourist, or diplomatic ties; Egyptian and Israeli officials hold second round of talks in Cairo on reviving trade relations.

US and Other Countries: State Department announces progress after third day of talks between Shultz and Shamir, emphasizes proposals for increased US responsibility for security, including training and equipping elite Lebanese force to patrol border, expansion in size and responsibility of MNF, and creation of a joint Lebanese- Israeli-US military commission to oversee security zone in South Lebanon; US officials say incentives to Israel such as high aid levels and release of F-16s are likely to accompany agreement to troop withdrawal accord; in statement read to conference on Soviet Jewry, Reagan says plight of Soviet Jews who are denied right to emigrate will remain in forefront of US foreign policy and human rights concerns.

Military Action:

Three hours of machine gun and RPG battles in Tripoli between PFLP-GC and anti-Syrian Lebanese militia; Saad Haddad, accompanied by IDF, occupies Jubb Jannin, northern-most Israeli position in Bekaa valley; IDF increases patrols in Sidon area; IDF APC detonates mine near Khamed al-Luz in northern Bekaa, no injuries.

Casualties:

3 bodies found earlier this week in Sidon area; PLO says Israel has offered, through Austrian mediation, to release 800 prisoners for 8 IDF captured in Lebanon; IDF says it holds 293 Syrian prisoners, 5,099 Palestinians and Lebanese at Ansar.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Foreign Minister Shamir criticizes Reagan for use of word homeland with reference to resolution of Palestinian question, says it is not by accident that this term does not appear in the Camp David accords; 3 Israeli officers, including a Captain, and three soldiers are currently serving prison terms for refusing to serve in Lebanon; police detain 6 persons for harassing Peace Now demonstration on February 10; members of Ramallah area Village League to face charges of aggravated assault and illegal detention and interrogation as a result of complaints by Ramallah residents over incident occurring a year ago.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: 18th session of Lebanese-Israeli-US talks in Khalde results in initial agreement on security arrangements; Habib meets with President Gemayel and other Lebanese leaders.

Arab Governments: Jordanian Foreign Minister, after talks in Beirut with President Amin Gemayel, says Israel must first withdraw from Lebanon and agree to settlement freeze before comprehensive negotiations can take place; Saudi Arabia, principal export market for Lebanon, bans all imports to prevent flow of Israeli goods.

US and Other Countries: Defense Secretary Weinberger denies Israeli reports that US Marines ordered not to have direct liaison with IDF, but says current system of liaison through a military council is satisfactory; Weinberger also says number of Marines in MNF may have to be increased if withdrawal of Israeli, Syrian and Palestinian forces is achieved; Shultz rejects Israeli position, reiterated yesterday by Arens, that a Palestinian state and homeland exists already in Jordan; US Gallup Poll taken in January 1983 finds American public sympathy toward Israel has returned to level of July 1981, following sharp drop after Beirut massacre.

Military Action:

IDF has blown up five vehicles suspected of being booby-trapped in past two weeks; Lebanese Army blocks IDF patrol at new checkpoint south of Beirut; IDF Merkava tank hit by RPG fired near Beirut-Damascus highway, Phalange radio attributes attack to Druze militia, says artillery and small arms fire continued for hours; Lebanon reportedly will introduce compulsory military service on April 18.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: David Kimche, head of Israeli delegation to Lebanon negotiations, meets Habib.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: At PNC, 29 new members added to council, of whom 23 are reportedly senior PLO officers loyal to Arafat; Saiqa leader Isam al-Qadi calls for rejection of Reagan plan and struggle to thwart it; smuggling of vegetables from Israel to Lebanon increasing, valued in January at about $300,000; value of Israeli goods sold to Lebanon since invasion estimated at $50 million; in Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiations, Israel agrees to Habib proposal for first-stage withdrawal of frontline forces.

US and Other Countries: Pentagon says it plans to sell Lebanese Army 107 armored troop carriers, .50-caliber machine guns and other equipment valued at about $25 million.

Military Action:

Artillery exchanges between Phalange and Druze militias cause damage in Beirut for first time since September; car bomb explodes near Italian troops, no injuries.

Casualties:

1 IDF soldier killed, 3 wounded by rocket-propelled grenades while patrolling outskirts of Beirut; 4 civilians killed by IDF retaliatory fire; 7 killed, 13 wounded in artillery battles.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 5000 acres of land seized for settlement purposes in West Bank; curfew continues in Dahariyeh, south of Hebron; a physician in Tulkarm arrested for allegedly inciting official village heads to withdraw from the Village Leagues.

US and Other Countries: Shultz says Israel demanding more than Lebanon is willing to accept in security and normalization measures, and that US trying to close the gap.

Military Action:

Explosion 400 yards from Lebanon Beach Hotel in.Khalde delays talks for 30 min., Israel charges was 107mm Katyusha rocket fired from behind Marine lines in Hay el-Sellom, Phalange says was rocket-propelled grenade, Lebanon state radio says was 120mm mortar, Lebanese Army says shell was detonated by explosives on the spot; IDF tries to use road under MNF jurisdiction.

Casualties:

1 IDF at checkpoint near hotel wounded; IDF detains 4 Lebanese in Khalde area, cuts off road.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Government defeats 2 no-confidence motions on social policies put forward by Labor and Democratic Front following release of survey that shows 300,000 Israelis live under poverty line; General Amir Drori criticizes US Marines for failing to prevent guerrilla infiltration from its sector; General Yaacov Even, IDF chief spokesman, says Marines are buffer for PLO's hit and run attacks, that since Dec. 22, 9 incidents near US lines resulted in 1 IDF killed, 25 wounded; Government denies reports that relations with Ethiopia have improved and Israeli advisers are now in Addis Ababa; week long Canal Founders Conference of Israel Bonds begins, attended by 200 Jewish leaders from US and Canada; security forces arrest 2 from Gaza who admit to Jan. 8 Tel Aviv grenade attack, say they are members of Fateh and were trained in Egypt.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: After 6 hours, negotiations stalled on Israel's demand to have IDF remain in security installations in Lebanon and nature of future relations, with Lebanon proposing protocol accord to regulate ties.

Arab Governments: King Hussein returns to Jordan from tour of Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman.

US and Other Countries: State Department denies press reports that Reagan is prepared to sign document drafted by National Security Council, State and Defense Departments to cut off military aid to Israel; Reagan Administration says it is extremely concerned over slow pace of Lebanon negotiations, following Habib's return to US, with 2 stumbling blocks of normalization and surveillance stations; National Executive Committee of the Zionist Organization of America is told by Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) that Reagan Administration is not a mediator in the Middle East but coddles Saudi Arabia and entices King Hussein to peace table with airplanes and missiles, that it was never disclosed publicly that intelligence officials told the State Department that armed PLO members remained in Beirut; ZOA President Ivan Novick says Reagan Administration uses West Bank settlements to divide American Jews, but Jewish settlements are valid based on right to security and self-defense, historical connection, and according to international law Israel holds better title to this land; British press reports that secret documents accidently released recently indicate that Britain dissuaded Jordan, Syria and Iraq from concluding peace agreements with Israel in 1949.

Military Action:

IDF bus in Kfar Sil ambushed by Lebanese National Resistance using rocket propelled grenades and machine guns, IDF returns fire into groves alongside road; artillery, rocket and hand-to-hand fighting in Tripoli.

Casualties:

21 IDF wounded in ambush, bringing total IDF casualties in 3 weeks to 25 wounded, 6 dead, and since Sept. 1, total IDF casualties are 104 killed, 203 wounded; one attacker killed by IDF; 19 killed in Tripoli fighting.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: MK Charlie Biton, at lunch hosted by PLO in New York, calls for Palestinian state on the West Bank, urges US to negotiate directly with the PLO, Israel to cut military spending; Bedouin whose herds were seized in December win order nisi from Israeli High Court calling for Defense Ministry, Chief of Staff and Nature Reserves Authority (Green Patrol) to give reason within 10 days why the herds should not be returned; Palestinian union activists, journalists, writers and poets from Nablus, Tulkarm and Hebron arrested and detained by military authorities now number over 300 in Fara'a prison.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Chairman Arafat in Kuwait calls on Arab states to exert economic pressure on US, then goes to Damascus for celebration of 18th anniversary of Fateh; Lebanese and Palestinian women from Bourj al-Barajneh protest detention of relatives; 3-week training by US Marines of Lebanese Army air assault battalion completed with display of heliborne hit and run attacks; $10 million worth of US military equipment, including 24 APCs, trucks and spare parts, for Lebanese Army arrives at Beirut port.

Arab Governments: Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz says Iraq is encouraging the PLO to negotiate with Jordan, and does not oppose peace negotiations between Israel, the PLO and Arab partners.

US and Other Countries: US expresses official concern to USSR over construction of SA-5 missile sites in Syria, as USSR Ambassador Anatoly Dobrynin is called to the State Department to meet with Undersecretary for Political Affairs Lawrence Eagleburger; Senator Paul Tsongas (D-MA) meets with Begin, then Hussein, tells reporters if Syria is obstacle to peace and troop withdrawal from Lebanon, this obstacle must be removed, and that Begin told him he accepts Hussein in the peace process but will never freeze settlements