The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians near Salfit; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also planted crops on Palestinian-owned land in Taqqua. Israel approved the seizure of 147 dunams (36 acres) of land in Nahalin and Husan. Israeli forces handed temporary eviction orders for Palestinian residents of Khirbet Ibziq, saying they had to leave their homes for 4 days due to a military exercise. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in and around Ramallah and Hebron; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint in Bayt Jala. In East Jerusalem, a mob of several hundred Israeli settlers and right-wing Israelis attacked Palestinians in several parts of East Jerusalem, injuring at least 105 Palestinians, 22 of whom were hospitalized; Israeli police said that 50 people were arrested, including Palestinians and Israelis; 1 Israeli settler was reported injured by Palestinians. The mob was summoned by the Israeli organization Lehava and was chanting “death to Arabs” as they were ravaging the city. 1 Israeli settler was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound for planning to stab Palestinians. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Rafah. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya. In Israel, 1 Palestinian from the West Bank was arrested at his workplace. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/22; AP, BBC, HA, TOI, WAFA 4/23; PCHR 4/24; HUFF 4/25; HA 4/26; PCHR 4/29)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh urged UK cabinet office minister Michael Gove to pressure Israel in allowing Palestinians in East Jerusalem to partake in the upcoming Palestinian elections, during a meeting in Ramallah. (WAFA 4/22)

Syria fired anti-aircraft missiles at Israeli fighter jets, which missed and landed near Dimona in the southern part of Israel. Israel subsequently attacked a location near Damascus, wounding at least 4 and causing damage. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, REU 4/22)

21 senate Republicans called on U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken to condition aid to the UNRWA on reforming the organization. The leader of the group, Senator Jim Risch (R-ID), claimed that the UNRWA textbooks include anti-Semitic content and that the UNRWA employs people affiliated with Hamas. The group also criticized that descendants of Palestinians displaced in 1948 are categorized as refugees, a talking point also used by Israel and the Trump administration. 331 members of the House of Representatives also signed a letter to the chairwoman of the appropriations committee, saying they oppose any conditions on U.S. aid to Israel. (JP 4/22; ALM, TOI 4/23; FOX 4/25)

Estonia, France, Ireland, Belgium, and Germany issued a statement after a UN security council meeting on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, saying that Israel must “facilitate the holding of elections across all of the Palestinian territories, including in East Jerusalem, in line with commitments made in the Oslo Accords as well as to facilitate the participation of international observers across all of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem.” During the meeting, the UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland also said that Palestinians in East Jerusalem must be allowed to partake in the Palestinian elections and called on Israel to stop arresting candidates and disbanding election-related meetings. The UK, Irish, and French ambassadors to the UN expressed similar sentiments. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/22; JP 4/23)

The Danish government said it had expressed concern about settler vandalism on Danish-funded agricultural projects to the Israeli government. Danish development minister Flemming Møller Mortensen said that “[a]ny form of violent acts committed by settlers in the West Bank is unacceptable,” and that the Danish government frequently reminds Israel of that. (HA 4/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 Palestinian-owned truck in Kafr Malik. Palestinians protested Israeli-inflicted electricity blackouts in Jiftlik. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 Palestinian who was arrested after being summoned for interrogation, and 4 teens were arrested in Hebron for throwing snow at Israeli forces. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Issawiyya; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets, others suffered tear-gas related injuries, and 2 were arrested. 10 other Palestinians were arrested, including 9 who allegedly threw snow at Israeli police in Shu‘fat, Jabal Mukabir, and the Old City, and 1 was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound and reportedly beaten by Israeli police. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Dayr al-Balah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/18; WAFA 2/19; PCHR 2/25)

The PA said the UAE is sending a shipment of 20,000 Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine doses to Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israel allowed on 2/17 2,000 doses of the same vaccine to enter Gaza from the West Bank after refusing to let them enter Gaza. (AP, HA 2/18)

Israel announced that Palestinians from the West Bank working in Israel will be allowed to return to the West Bank from 2/21 after having to stay in Israel from the beginning of the 3d Israeli lockdown on 12/27/2020. The Palestinian workers have not and will not be offered a COVID-19 vaccine by Israel, according to a statement by the Israeli health ministry on 2/10. (HA 2/18; WAFA 2/20)

Nasser al-Kidwa, a member of the Fatah central committee, said he is involved in forming an alternative slate to Fatah and called on Marwan Barghouti, who is imprisoned in an Israeli jail, to join him. Al-Kidwa said the new slate is meant to change the PA, not to reform it. The Palestinian Central Elections Commission also warned that its website could have been hacked and asked Palestinians to verify their data and report anything unusual. (PCHR 2/18; HA 2/21)

Israel extended its ban of inbound and outbound flights until 3/6 to avoid the spread of COVID-19 mutations from other countries. (HA, JP 2/18)

Russia mediated in a prisoner swap between Israel and Syria where 1 Israeli woman who had entered Syria a couple of weeks prior was released to Israel in exchange for 2 Syrian nationals, nullifying a sentence given to a Druze woman in the Israeli-occupied Golan heights. According to Axios, Israel had meant to exchange 1 Syrian prisoner who had 14 years left of a sentence, but he opted to finish his sentence in Israeli jail rather than going to Syria. Israeli forces then arrested 2 Syrian shepherds in the buffer zone who were then released in the prisoner swap. Haaretz reported that the prisoner exchange deal included an undisclosed clause which could potentially anger the Israeli public. Later reports suggested that Israel has promised to provide hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines to the Syrian government as the undisclosed clause. 2 days later, the Israeli military removed a gag order revealing that the secret clause was that Israel would pay for millions of the Russian-made vaccine Sputnik V on behalf of the Syrian government. (AJ, AP 2/17; AP, AX, HA, HA 2/18; AJ, HA, HA, TOI 2/19; AJ, HA, HA, NYT 2/20; AP 2/21)

Israel announced that it and the U.S. have started developing a 4th missile shield called Arrow 4 to counter potential threats of ballistic missiles from Iran. The International Panel on Fissile Material (IPFM) said that Israel is expanding the Dimona nuclear facility, believed to be used for manufacturing material for nuclear weapons. IPFM made the discovery using satellite images. (GDN, HA, JP 2/18; JP 2/21; AP, HA 2/25)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said the U.S. would return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement if Iran came back to full compliance with the deal. Iran has gradually stopped complying with the agreement after the Trump administration left the deal in 2018. Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded that Iran would “immediately reverse all remedial measures” if the Biden Administration lifted all sanctions. Iran has told the U.S. and the other JCOPA partners that if the U.S. doesn’t start reversing sanctions by 2/23, Iran will ban short-notice inspections by UN officials. The U.S. announcement came after Secretary Blinken had a meeting with JCPOA partners the UK, France, and Germany. (AJ, REU 2/16; AJ, AJ, AP, REU 2/17; AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, VOA 2/18; AJ, AP, HA, REU 2/19)

For the 1st time since the wave of violence began, Gazans gather en masse to protest the recent Israeli violence. Israeli forces open fire on more than 3,000 protesters in 5 locations along the border fence, killing 6 Palestinians and injuring 67 others (2 more Palestinians will succumb to their injuries on 10/10 and 10/16, respectively). Late at night, unidentified Palestinians fire 3 rockets toward Israel. After the rocket fire and the morning’s deadly clashes, the IDF deploys Iron Dome missile defense batteries nr. Beersheba and Ofakim. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 10/9; HA, MNA 10/10; PCHR 10/15)

Stabbing incidents continue in the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Israel, with 3 such incidents throughout the day. First, Israeli forces shoot a Palestinian after he stabs an Israeli border police officer outside the Kiryat Arba settlement nr. Hebron (the Palestinian attacker will succumb to his injuries later in the day). After the attack, Israeli settlers assault Palestinians and their property across Hebron and Nablus, including several journalists. In c. Jerusalem, a Palestinian stabs and lightly injures an Israeli youth with a vegetable peeler, then Israeli police arrest him. In Israel, an Israeli youth stabs and injures 4 Palestinians, including 1 bedouin employee of the municipal govt., in Dimona. Relatedly, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian woman claiming that she stabbed an Israeli security guard in Afula. (After a video of the incident is released, the Israeli Justice Ministry will find [10/28] that she had no intention of attacking Israelis.) After the incident in Afula, Palestinian youths protest throughout the surrounding areas, throwing stones at Israeli police. Similarly, a private security officer shoots and injures a Palestinian at a settlement outpost, then the IDF detains the Palestinian when they find a knife and gun on his person. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, YA 10/9; PCHR 10/14; MNA 10/28)

Meanwhile, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians throwing stones and protesting throughout the West Bank and East Jerusalem, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring hundreds more. Palestinians throw stones at Israeli vehicles nr. Ramallah, lightly injuring 5 Israelis. The IDF also conducts raids and patrols in the Hebron area and East Jerusalem, arresting 11 Palestinians including 1 journalist. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities bar Palestinian men under 45 from Haram al-Sharif today and close all but 5 entrances to the sanctuary in an effort to deter clashes at the site amid rising tensions in the oPt. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 10/9; HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 10/10; PCHR 10/14; MNA 10/16; MNA 10/28)

The IDF strikes targets across the Gaza Strip on the 2d day of OPE, killing 39 Palestinians. Fatal strikes take place in al-Maghazi r.c., Bayt Hanun, Gaza City, Nussayrat r.c. and Bayt Lahiya. Among the dead is an Islamic Jihad commander, killed in a strike on his home in Bayt Hanun along with 5 civilians. Palestinians fire 82 rockets and mortar shells into Israel, with 48 rockets striking Israel and 21 intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. There are no injuries directly caused by projectile fire, but there is some damage to property. Rockets land in and around Dimona, Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem. M-75 rockets are fired at Tel Aviv, as well as Nevatim military airport, 44 mi. away from Gaza City. Al-Qassam Brigades, al-Quds Brigades, and Ali Abu Mustafa Brigades (PFLP) all claim responsibility for rocket and mortar fire. Al-Qassam Brigades fighters attempt an attack via the sea, emerging close to Kibbutz Zikim for the 2d day in a row. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, YA, WAFA 7/9; PCHR 7/10)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that “we have decided to further intensify the attacks on Hamas and the terror organizations in Gaza” and that “Hamas will pay a heavy price for the firing of rockets at Israeli civilians.” Hamas leader Khalid Mish‘al, in a press conference in Doha, Qatar, says that calm can be achieved through “an immediate halt to the aggression and bombings.” He also reiterates that he does not know who carried out the killing of the 3 Israeli settler teenagers in the West Bank. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas accuses Israel of a “genocide” in Gaza and “a war against the Palestinian people as a whole.” He also describes diplomatic efforts at avoiding further hostilities, saying that Palestinian officials are talking to Egypt’s Pres. al-Sisi and UN Secy.-Gen. Ban. Egyptian foreign ministry spokesperson Badr Abdelatty says that “there is no mediation, in the common sense of the word,” but that Cairo is making “diplomatic efforts” aimed “at immediately stopping Israeli aggression and ending all mutual violence.” (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, YA, WAFA 7/9)

In Dimona in s. Israel, a Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a device in a mall, killing 1 Israeli, wounding 11; an off-duty Israeli policeman identifies, fatally shoots a 2d bomber who allegedly planned to set off a 2d device as rescue workers gathered. (For discussion of the dispute over the bombers’ identities, see Quarterly Update.) At the Rafah crossing, Egyptian border police try to block about 700 Egyptians and Palestinians attempting to cross the border in both directions; travelers throw stones at policemen who respond with tear gas and by firing in the air; as the riot escalates, Hamas mbrs. inside Gaza apparently fire on the Egyptian troops to force a retreat, wounding around 20. In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike on Bayt Lahiya, assassinating PRC mbr. ‘Amr Qarmout, wounding 1 bystander. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron throw stones, empty bottles at a Palestinian father and his 12-yr.-old son, moderately injuring them. Jewish settlers fr. Havat Gilad outpost nr. Qalqilya uproot 200 Palestinian olive trees in nearby Jit. (HA, IFM, JAZ, REU 2/4; OCHA 2/6; PCHR 2/7)

In Ramallah, PA, Israeli teams start talks on a framework agmt. on final status. Mtg. focuses on procedures for future talks, which will be held 2-3 times per wk., alternating btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah. (MM 11/8; AFP 11/8 in WNC 11/9; al-Quds 11/8, 11/9 in WNC 11/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/9; ITAR-TASS 11/10 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/12)

In Paris, Arafat holds separate mtgs. on the peace process with French pres. Chirac, Egyptian pres. Mubarak. PM Barak discusses Syrian track with French PM Jospin. Arafat, Barak are in France to attend the 21st congress of the Socialist International. (MM 11/8; AFP, MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9)

Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, which rarely makes public statements, releases a announcement saying "an employee died in a 12-foot fall while preparing scaffolding for a welding job at the nuclear research center [Dimona] in the Negev." The agency may have been seeking to prevent speculation about the cause of death. (NYT 11/9)

Jordan arrests leading Hamas activist `Abd al-Aziz Umary (also known as Izzat Rushuq), the 22d Hamas mbr. to be detained since the government crackdown began in 8/99; 2 other individuals are arrested, released on $5,000 bail each for "harboring" Umary. Hamas considers the arrests an escalation of hostilities. (MM, WP, WT 11/10; JT 11/10 in WNC 11/12; NYT 11/11; DUS 11/12 in WNC 11/15)

On a trip to Washington btwn. treatments at the Mayo clinic, King Hussein meets with Asst. Secy. of State Pickering for talks on the peace process, regional issues. (RJ 8/11 in WNC 8/12)

On a 3-day visit to South Africa, Arafat meets with Pres. Nelson Mandela. (SAPA [Johannesburg] 8/11 in WNC 8/12; WT 8/12, 8/13)

Lebanon announces plans to reopen its embassy in Iraq for consular, trade activity. (Iraqi News Agency 8/11 in WNC 8/12)

Under U.S. pressure, Israel drops its opposition to UN talks on halting production of nuclear weapons material. Israel was the only mbr. of the 61-mbr. UN Conference on Disarmament to oppose discussion of the Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty. PM Netanyahu emphasizes that the decision "does not mean we are taking a position on the treaty and its contents," which could force Israel to open Dimona to inspectors or face sanctions. (MM 8/11; MA 8/11 in WNC 8/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/12; Muslim [Islamabad] 8/13 in WNC 8/14)

Israel rounds up 2,000 Palestinians caught working inside Israel illegally. All but 2 are released, returned to the West Bank in a few hours. (WT 8/12)

YESHA council announces plans to place 100 "temporary structures" in settlements across the West Bank to be uses by schools in the fall. The Israeli Civil Administration fears the trailers will be used to expand settlements. (IDF Radio 8/11 in WNC 8/12)

A Hizballah mbr. armed with a Kalashnikov infiltrates the IDF's Sujud outpost in s. Lebanon, ends up in fist fight with soldiers in a tent, who manage to restrain him. Critics decry lax security at the base, question why soldiers did not kill the infiltrator. (IGPO 8/11; MM 8/13)

In Amman, Jordan's FM Tarawnah, Israel's Amb. to Jordan Eran discuss peace process. Israel pledges not to violate 10/94 peace treaty, particularly articles pertaining to security. (RJ 10/12 in WNC 10/15; al-Quds, al-Ra'i 10/15 in WNC 10/16)

Israel opens official inquiry into botched assassination of Hamas's Mishal. (NYT, WP 10/13; JP 10/18; ITV 11/2, 11/3 in WNC 11/4)

Jordan, Iraq discuss expanding bilateral trade under UN oil-for-food deal. (RJ 10/12 in WNC 10/15)

In the 1st legal judgement against Israel's nuclear reactor, a Tel Aviv court finds Dimona managers guilty of negligence by allowing least 3 radioactive leaks since the 1960s. (YA 10/12, QY 10/13 in WNC 10/15; WT 10/13)

PA temporary election commission extends deadline for accepting nomination applications for president, Palestinian Council to midnight 12/23. (VOP 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

Arafat issues presidential decree forming the Central Election Commission (CEC) to replace the temporary election commission. Groups such as the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights immediately criticize the high percentage of Fatah mbrs. on the CEC, which is supposed to be entirely independent, with mbrs. chosen fr. among judges, academics, lawyers. (VOP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

PM Peres says Israel would be prepared to close its nuclear program if there was a regional peace in the Middle East, but does not admit Dimona is a nuclear facility. (NYT 12/23; ITV, QY 12/22, ITV 12/23, ITV, QY 12/24 in FBIS 12/26; QY 12/26 in FBIS 12/27; JP 12/30)

IDF kills 2 Hizballah mbrs. in clash in s. Lebanon. 2 SLA soldiers are killed in separate incident. (QY, VOL 12/22, RL 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

Jordan's Press and Publications Dept. cautions newspapers that it is illegal to publish proceedings of the Shubailat case (see 12/9). Press law states papers may only write on proceedings of a case once the court has issued a verdict, given permission for the article. (JT 12/19 in FBIS 12/19) (see 12/18)

UN comm. in charge of distributing reparations to Israelis who were injured by Iraqi missiles during the Gulf War transfers $307,500 in damages to 93 persons who submitted claims of serious physical, emotional suffering. 430 claims have yet to be assessed. (IL 12/20)

Rand Institute, working on behalf of the U.S. Defense Dept., estimates Israel could build 70 nuclear weapons with its estimated 770 lbs. of weapons-grade plutonium produced by Dimona since 1964; estimates Dimona is producing 35 lb./yr. of plutonium (or 3 bombs/yr.). (HA 12/19 in FBIS 12/21; WT 2/7)

SLA soldier is wounded by roadside bomb in s. Lebanon. (IDF Radio 12/20 in FBIS 12/20) 

Israeli FM Peres, Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, FM Amr Musa meet in Cairo, discuss NPT dispute, fail to reach compromise. Both say disagreement will not harm overall political, economic relations. Rabin turns down Musa's request to tour Dimona. (MM 2/23; IDF Radio, MENA, QY 2/23 in FBIS 2/23; ITV, MENA, QY 2/23 in FBIS 2/24; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 2/24; JP 2/25, 3/4)

PM Rabin, 13 MKs, top military commanders tour Israel's self-declared security zone in s. Lebanon. Rabin says peace deal could be cut with Lebanon in 9 mos. Syria accuses Israel of trying to drag Lebanon into separate peace. Lebanese Pres. Ilyas Hrawi reiterates importance of Syria-Lebanon alliance. (MM 2/24, 3/1)

Reports say Syria, Lebanon held detailed discussions about amending Lebanese constitution to renew Pres. Hrawi term in office or extend it for 3-4 yrs when it runs out 11/95. (MM 2/23)

PA begins using Palestinian postage stamp. Arab states permit its use; other states will follow once 2/3 of Universal Postal Union approve it. Mail fr. self-rule areas to Arab states will go through Egypt. (VOP 2/23 in FBIS 2/24)

Israel extends naval blockade of s. Lebanon fr. Tyre to Sidon, fires warning shots at Lebanese fishermen. Move raises Lebanese fears that Israel may carry out large-scale operation in the area. (VOL 2/23 in FBIS 2/23; MM 2/24; RL 2/25, IDF Radio 2/26 in FBIS 2/27; ITV 2/25 in FBIS 2/28; MM 3/1) (see 2/14)

Arafat arrives in Cairo to discuss with Pres. Mubarak; his mtgs. with King Hussein, peace process, relations with Egypt. (JTV, MENA 1/27 in FBIS 1/27)

PA disarms 60 Palestinian policemen belonging to Hamas, Islamic Jihad, gives them administrative duties. (QY 1/27 in FBIS 1/27)

1,000 IDF soldiers raid College of Science and Technology at Abu Dis, West Bank, arrest 30 Palestinians for suspected membership in Hamas, Islamic Jihad. Damage estimated at $33,000. (QY 1/27 in FBIS 1/27; WP, WT 1/28; MEI 2/3; JP 2/11)

Shin Bet requests greater leeway in fighting terrorism, incl. right to enter any West Bank area without permission, control of electricity and water, reestablishing network of informers, rejection of joint patrols with PA. (JP 1/27 in FBIS 1/30) 

U.S. State Dept. Historian releases documents on Middle East, incl. memo on 1/1961 closed-door mtg. of Near East subcommittee mbrs., discussing Israel's Dimona plant, atomic projects. Memo shows senators agreed that "it would be unfair to publicly brand Israel as a villain," doing so would encourage Arab states to take actions against Israel. (WT 1/28)

Palestinian National Authority holds 1st cabinet mtg. in Gaza City.  Weekly sessions are to alternate btwn. Gaza and Jericho.  (WT 6/29)

Israeli Commission of Inquiry into 2/25 Hebron massacre issues report, concludes settler Baruch Goldstein acted alone in killing 29 Palestinian Muslim worshippers at Haram al-Ibrahimi.  Report clears govt., IDF of any responsibility for attack but notes lapses in security at site, previous provocations by Goldstein.  Commission recommends Jewish worshippers be barred fr. carrying weapons, separation of Jews and Muslims.  Panel also urges IDF to clarify open-fire regulations.  Palestinians including Hebron Mayor Mustafa al-Natsha, Meretz MK Dedi Zucker criticize report, saying massacre took place because of "climate of threats and violence," double standard applied to settlers.  (MM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 6/27; WJW 6/30; JP 7/9)

Israeli Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) denies broadcast allegations that radiation escaped during 1966 accident at Negev Nuclear Research Centre in Dimona, site of Israeli nuclear-weapons program, but admits accident, death of 1 employee.  Frmr. Dimona technician, 1 of 20 suing AEC for contracting cancer after incident, alleged radiation release in 6/24 Israel TV interview.  (WT 6/27)

PFLP, DFLP activists issue communique in o.t. calling for 12/4 strike to protest reconvening of peace talks. (AFP 11/30 in FBIS 12/2)

Some 50 anti-nuclear activists demonstrate outside Israeli nuclear reactor at Dimona. Demonstration, organized by supporters of Mordechai Vanunu, Israeli nuclear technician imprisoned five years ago after he leaked details of the top-secret plant to European press, was first such demonstration ever held at site. (MM 12/2)

Iranian sources claim UN convenes secret, multilateral meeting in Damascus to discuss comprehensive hostage-prisoner exchange. (NYT 12/4)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli cabinet votes to cancel 7-year-old Lavi jet fighter project. Demonstrating Israeli Aircraft workers block highway near factory [LAT 8/31]. In Rafah, Palestinian child is shot in leg by Israeli truck driver who alleges he opened fire after group of children threw stones at him [FJ 9/6]. Trial of Mordechai Vanunu begins under extraordinarily heavy security; Vanunu faces life imprisonment for selling The Times of London information about Israel's nuclear facility at Dimona [WP, LAT 8/3 1]. In Jenin area, 5 people are injured when 2 gas bombs are thrown at Arab bus. In Gaza, Israeli police order 30 stores closed after gas bomb is thrown at Israeli car [FJ 9/6]. Palestinian-owned poultry farm in Nablus-area village of Naqura is demolished by Israeli bulldozers. It is the 3d farm destroyed in the past week [FJ 9/6]. Israeli authorities reopen Rafah crossing to Egypt after 4-day closure. The crossing was closed after acollaborator was attacked [FJ 9/6].

Arab World: Jordanian Ministry for Occupied Territories Affairs agrees to allocate JD 140,000 for development projects in Gaza Strip [FJ 9/6].

Military Action

Arab World: Shi'i guerrillas claim 4 Israeli soldiers were killed in overnight clash in S. Lebanon security zone. Israeli sources state 4 Shi'i fighters were killed north of the security zone [CSM 8/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli officials refuse comment on report on nuclear weapons factory (JP 10/6).

Other Countries: In London, Sunday Times reports Israel secretly manufactures nuclear weapons at Dimona in southern Negev and has stockpiled at least 100 nuclear weapons, making it sixth-ranked nuclear power in the world. Story is based on testimony of Mordechai Vanunu (ST 10/5; NYT 10/7; WP 10/6).

Military Action

Arab World: Amal and Palestinians fight for sixth consecutive day. Later in day, fighting eases as cease-fire is announced. Representatives of Amal and Palestinian National Salvation Front meet with Syrian V.P. Khaddam (NYT 10/6).

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jewish underground defendant Yossi Edri concludes plea bargain with prosecution; charges against him are reduced [JP 3/15]. Several hundred students demonstrate outside Haifa U. protesting police action during 3/10 sit-in on campus [JP 3/15].

Other Countries: After meeting with British PM Thatcher in London, Pres. Mubarak fails to get UK support for his 2/24 peace proposals, although Thatcher affirms British support for direct negotiations [MG, FT 3/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Green Patrol seizes 45 goats belonging to Bedouin shepherds near Dimona; goats later sold by Green Patrol officers [JP 3/31].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF kill 3 resistance fighters near Tyre. Roadside bomb south of Qasmiya Bridge explodes near IDF vehicle; no casualties.

Military Action:

Israeli truck driver kidnapped and killed near Damour, bomb thrown at IDF near Hadath, Lebanese National Resistance claims responsibility; artillery and gunfire resume in Tripoli one hour after 3 PM cease-fire announced by Rashid Karami.

Casualties:

2 IDF wounded near Hadath; press reports indicate 23 psychological injuries for every 100 casualties in IDF during Lebanon war, of which 2/3 do not return to combat.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon urges patience and perseverance on demand for normalization with Lebanon; High Court rejects petition of Negev Bedouin families to remain on land near Dimona designated a military area; Israeli papers publish photos of special jeeps equipped with army-supplied radios and 2 armed settlers used by Gush Etzion regional council to search for illegal Arab buildings.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Assad Germanos, Military Prosecutor heading Lebanese investigation into massacre, says he has made 3 visits to Sabra and Shatila, and hopes to finish his report by March or April; Rashid Karami, returning from Damascus, says Syrian Deputy Defense Minister Ali Aslan is in Tripoli to arrange cease-fire.

Arab Governments: Qatar, UAE and Oman call off visit of British Foreign Secretary Pym, causing him to cancel his trip.

US and Other Countries: President Reagan receives Israeli President Navon at White House, affirms that security of Israel is inescapably connected to peace in the Middle East; Reagan announces Special Envoy Habib will return to Middle East.