On his way fr. Gaza to the weekly PC session in Ramallah, Arafat's helicopter is forced to hover for 45 mins. before being permitted to land. At the PC, Arafat accuses Israel of "declaring a state...
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Peres and Shamir reach compromise on new government, ending three-day deadlock (WP, NYT 10/17). Israeli Foreign Ministry delivers...
IDF jets attack in Bekaa (claims 3 Syrian SAM-8 batteries south of Chtaura, 1 F-4 destroyed; Syria claims IDF loses 24 tanks, 4 rocket launchers, admits it loses 16 tanks...
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On his way fr. Gaza to the weekly PC session in Ramallah, Arafat's helicopter is forced to hover for 45 mins. before being permitted to land. At the PC, Arafat accuses Israel of "declaring a state of war against the Palestinian people," rejects U.S. appeal for an Abbas-Gold meeting. For 1st time since 1993, he calls for 1-day general strike 8/29, prayer rally in Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque for 8/30. PM Netanyahu warns Arafat against an escalation of rhetoric, violence. (MM 8/28; ITV 8/28 in WNC 8/30; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/29; ITV 9/2 in WNC 9/4)
UN Coordinator Larsen leaves Paris for Israel immediately after Arafat speech to attempt to "serious crisis" btwn. PA, Israel. (WP 8/29)
Israel, Turkey sign defense industry deal, stepping up military cooperation. Agmt. includes technology exchanges, is expected to pave way for $650-m. deal for Israel to overhaul 54 Turkish F-4 Phantom jets. Iran expresses concern. (CSM, MM, WP 8/29; VIRI 8/29, TDN 8/30 in WNC 9/3; VIRI 8/29 in WNC 9/4; RJ 9/4 in WNC 9/6 JP 9/7)
In Tulkarm, IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes built without permits. (PR 9/6)
Israeli police release Human Rights Watch employee Tarabiyya, arrested 8/19. (IDF Radio 8/28 in WNC 8/30; JP 9/7)
Unidentified gunmen open fire on an Israeli bus traveling on a Israeli-only bypass road to the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba in the West Bank, slightly wounding 2. (MM, NYT, WP 8/29; MA 8/30 in WNC 9/5)
Israeli police arrest 3 Palestinians who pitch tents at site of clinic in East Jerusalem which was demolished 8/27. (WT 8/29)
Amal attacks 2 SLA patrols in s. Lebanon, killing 1 soldier, wounding 5. (RL 8/28 in WNC 8/30)
Iran, Turkey connect electricity grids in keeping with agmt. signed by Turkish PM Erbakan during his 8/11-13 visit. (VIRI 8/18 in WNC 9/3)
In n. Iraq, KDP, PUK fighting intensifies, with the PUK gaining the upper hand. Iran calls for talks to end fighting, is generally seen as being the winner of the current crisis. (MM 8/27) (see 8/25)
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Detainees of Ansar 3 begin hunger strike protesting conditions [FBIS 3/3].
Arab World: Israel, Egypt sign agreement giving Egypt control of Taba as of 3/15 [FBIS, WP 2/27]. Arafat visits Egypt [FBIS 2/27]. Amal accuses Fateh of violating agreement by reinforcing Fateh's military presence near Tyre; Fateh responds that it is protecting itself against possible Amal, Palestinian National Salvation Front attack [FBIS 3/2].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza troops shoot, kill 20-year-old Palestinian. In Rafah troops injured 25 Palestinians during clashes [FBIS 2/27].
Arab World: Syria fires 2 missiles at Israeli F-4 Phantoms flying over Beqa'a valley [FJ 3/6].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Peres and Shamir reach compromise on new government, ending three-day deadlock (WP, NYT 10/17). Israeli Foreign Ministry delivers protest to Egyptian ambassador on PLO statement of involvement in 10/15 bombing in Jerusalem announced from Cairo (NYT 10/17). Israeli police arrest two Palestinians in connection with 10/15 bombing (JP 10/20). Israel bans suspects (residents of West Bank) from crossing Jordan River into Jordan (NYT 10/17).
Military Action
Arab World: Israeli Phantom jet shot down over Lebanon, while IDF warplanes launch large-scale attack on Palestinian camp of Mieh Mieh, 13th and reportedly largest raid this year (4 are killed, 12 wounded). Warships bombard camp from Sidon coast. Israeli helicopters rescue one of the crewmen 90 minutes after plane was shot down; other crewmen are reportedly held by Shi'i militiamen (WP, NYT 10/17; WP 10/18).
Military Action:
IDF jets attack in Bekaa (claims 3 Syrian SAM-8 batteries south of Chtaura, 1 F-4 destroyed; Syria claims IDF loses 24 tanks, 4 rocket launchers, admits it loses 16 tanks); jets also attack Palestinian targets in Beirut after mock air raids, reconnaissance flights (Fakhani, Bir Hassan, Ramlet el-Baida, Sabra, airport areas hit, 1 jet reportedly hit); shelling of airport, Burj al-Barajneh, Sabra, Shatila, as IDF warships shell Burj al-Chatila, as IDF wat ships shell Burj al-Barajneh and Ouazi (2 IDF armored cars, 1 tank, 1 mortar position reportedly knocked out) .
Casualties:
Four Syrian soldiers killed, 6 wounded in IDF raids; WAFA reports 51 wounded, killed in today's raids; Lebanese officials report 11 IDF soldiers killed in Wednesday's guerrilla attack in Sidon; PLO reports two IDF soldiers killed, four wounded last night near Sidon as halftrack hits landmine; 12 IDF casualties reported near Aley; IDF troops enter Karantina power station in East Beirut, turn off electricity to West Beirut at 11 PM (results in loss of all water to West Beirut as water pumps are halted; cutoff interrupts Bashir Gemayel TV address in which he nominates himself as Lebanese president); Sidon authorities begin bulldozing remains of Ain el-Hilweh (IDF disclaims any responsibility for plight of camps' refugees, refuses to allow tents to be brought in).
Political Responses:
Israel/ Occupied Territories: Cabinet gives diplomatic process more time, is reportedly split over all-out attack on Beirut; Minister Yitzhak Moda'i says Israel rejects linking PLO-IDF withdrawals, accepts linking only Syrian-IDF withdrawals.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Bashir Gemayel nominates self as Lebanese president; PLO opposes withdrawal until safeguards arranged for 650,000 Palestinian civilians in Lebanon, acceptable host countries found, and Palestinian right to self-determination affirmed by US or UN; two-hour battle between Phalange and Druze flares in Aley (two killed; IDF separates forces); Sarkis and Cabinet hold emergency meeting to discuss IDF undermining of government authority in southern Lebanon using Haddad militia (Sarkis publicly condemns IDF occupation of southern Lebanon for first time); Wazzan says Lebanese government rejects proposals for interimpartial withdrawal of PLO from all of Lebanon.
Arab Governments: Syria threatens major response, with new weapons, if IDF continues attacks.
US and Other Countries: Habib meets Saudi leaders, then flies to Cairo; Habib's consultant status with Bechtel Corporation initiates call by Senator Pressler (R-SD) for him to resign (rejected strongly by White House); US AID says $850,000 in aid for American University Hospital to be flown to Cyprus for shipment.
UN: UN delays Security Council meeting sought by France, Egypt to discuss Lebanese situation.
