The Palestine Chronology

SociallEconomic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Death sentences of Maher & Karim Yunis [conferred 12/271/84] for killing Jewish hitch-hiker (1980) commuted to life in prison by Lydd court. El Al airline announces $14.3 million loss in fiscal 1984.

Arab World: Christian Lawyer Joseph Hashem announced to replace deceased Pierre Gemayel as Lebanese Health and Communications Minister.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities demolish power station and grid belonging to Jerusalem Electric Co. at Ain al-Sultan camp claiming that construction was not licensed. About 50 armed Israeli squatters storm and take possession of Palestinian home near Herod's Gate, Old Jerusalem. 3 Dheisheh camp nationalists injured in stabbing by anti-nationalist group members after week of confrontations; nationalist supporters respond by demolishing Young Men's Muslim Assoc. headquarters.

Arab World: IDF engineer corps commander Cohen says IDF spending $17 million to fortify eastern front in Lebanon for winter. IDF release 45 detainees from Ansar concentration camp in S. Lebanon, where about 800 remain.

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Kach demonstrators march on Umm al-Fahm trying to establish Arab "emigration" office there; counter demonstration joined by local Palestinians and Jewish sympathizers; police intervene to forestall violence.

Arab World: Pierre Gemayel dies of heart attack in Lebanon.

Other Countries: UN Security Council hears Lebanon's case against Israeli actions in S. Lebanon.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF reveals new upgraded Soviet T-54 & T-55 tanks adapted from those captured in wars with Arab armies.

Arab World: IDF armored convoys advance north of Awali River in new offensive against resistance. 3 IDF troops wounded by roadside bomb near Marjayoun.

Military Action:

IDF convoy hit by explosive device near Amiq, IDF artillery units maintain systematic fire at guerrilla positions in Syrian-controlled area; IDF combat units in Chouf reduced to minimum, removal of logistical and support facilities completed; Lebanese, Israeli and US officers reconnoiter Chouf positions to be occupied by Lebanese Army.

Casualties:

4 IDF soldiers wounded by explosion near Amiq.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: World Zionist Organization publishes $1.5 b. plan to triple West Bank settlers to 100,000 by 1986.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Pierre Gemayel says Phalange Party will not start discussion of entente before all foreign armies leave; Camille Chamoun criticizes government for contacts with National Salvation Front.

Military Action:

First contingent of 22 British troops arrives to join MNF, will patrol road south of airport.

Casualties:

17 killed, 34 wounded as artillery duels continue in the Aley and Chouf areas; 7 murdered in Sidon area as Phalange pursues campaign to force Palestinians to leave area or concentrate in Ain el-Hilweh camp.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin in Knesset rejects Reagan plan and says settlements cannot be frozen; Israel Aircraft Industries signs contract to repair and maintain helicopters for US Army in Europe.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiating teams meeting in Netanya step up frequency of meetings, disagree over Israeli demand for 28 mile deep security zone; Phalangists reported to agree in principle to President Gemayel's plan to extend control of regular army into East Beirut and surrounding suburbs; Prime Minister Wazzan meets Arafat in Tunis regarding withdrawal of PLO; Pierre Gemayel accuses Israel of trying to partition Lebanon and divide Muslims and Christians

Military Action:

Several hundred Shiite militiamen attack Lebanese Army barracks in Baalbek for two hours before retreating, in first armed protest of Amin Gemayel's government; Lebanese Army fortifies position around barracks.

Casualties:

Three militiamen killed in Baalbek fighting, several wounded, two Lebanese soldiers wounded; Maariv estimates 1,200 Palestinians have been killed in Lebanese Army sweeps through West Beirut, another 60,000 may have been sent to Syrian-controlled Lebanese territory and their homes destroyed; UNRWA officially decides to stop preparing cement floors for tents and giving out tents and to use money for refugees in other ways.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli defense ministry reportedly amending old work permit forms to include almost identical wording of loyalty pledge and note that permit can be withdrawn if holder helps the PLO; Israeli authorities order deportation of 9 lecturers at Islamic University in Gaza for "invalid" visas; curfew imposed on Nablus market and Askar refugee camp following attack on two Jewish settlers from Elon Moreh; Israeli authorities report 3-4,000 Lebanese visit Israel in last week since restrictions eased (Palestinians excluded); Israeli official says goods worth $20 m. arrived in Lebanon from Israel last month; Sharon and Zipori clash at Cabinet meeting; Sharon asks Cabinet to schedule full debate on state of PLO following invasion of Lebanon; Commission of Inquiry slates inquiry into discovery of IDF identity tag and card of IDF sergeant found inside Sabra camp, as Sergeant Benny Chaim twice fails to appear to testify; Israel accuses France of freezing economic relations since June invasion.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Army celebrates Independence Day for first time in eight years; Habib meets with Druze leader Majid Arslan and Pierre Gemayel in bid to ease Chouf tensions.

US and Other Countries: US State Department officials welcome Israeli decision to modify loyalty pledge requirements; Reagan Administration considering asking Congress for $500 million in aid for Lebanese reconstruction; Henry Kissinger says Jordanian participation in negotiations over West Bank essential.

Militarv Action:

Lebanese Army continues searches and bulldozing of squatter dwellings; Army seals off 3 refugee camps, bars photographers and film crews, makes street searches; camp residents lodge protests at French embassy as French forces patrol camps; Phalange transferring weapons outside city limits in expectation of East Beirut security sweep.

Casualties:

Men in civilian dress accompany masked informants into Sabra and Shatila, take away those pointed out (residents suspect Phalange); reporter for al-Safir arrested for reporting Army searches in camps, only released after protest from Lebanese press syndicate; Lebanese authorities refuse to release list of detainees; US, French, Italian envoys meet Gemayel to protest civilians arresting refugee camp residents (order later issued requiring all Lebanese Army men entering camps to do so in uniform); Lebanese military prosecutor says 328 bodies found, 991 missing, says most killed by gunshot or knife wounds; IDF casualties from Lebanon invasion put at 368 killed, 2,383 wounded between June 5 and October 10.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel displays captured PLO arms; Israeli Commission of Inquiry into massacres begins deliberations; Israel agrees to remove roadblocks checking student identification near West Bank universities; university administrators meet Yigal Karmon, who lifts Military Order 854 after protests by Pope and others (13 teachers from Najah University already expelled; 100 still threatened); West Bank surpasses US as Israel's major export market (excluding diamond trade).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Pierre Gemayel invites Lebanese Army to impose security measures on East Beirut.

Military Action:

Bashir Gemayel's election as Lebanon's President sets off jubilant celebrations in East Beirut, angry protests in West Beirut; houses of 3 West Beirut deputies, including Speaker Kamal Assad, who participated in election, are burned or blown up; explosions heard throughout city; 1,000 PLO members sail for South Yemen (transport to port held up by car bomb 1 mile away); IDF reinforces Central Lebanon forces with 220 tanks; Syrians reinforce men and ammuntion, send in an estimated 400 tanks.

Casualties:

IDF says 3 Palestinians killed while trying to infiltrate IDF lines near Aimmiq; IDF soldier dies from wounds received yesterday; 5 IDF soldiers wounded in ambush near Tyre.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin's congratulation to Gemayel on election is addressed to "my dear friend"; Sharon indicates he had several clandestine visits to East Beirut to prepare for invasion months in advance.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: 34-year old Bashir Gemayel, leader of Phalange militia, elected to 6-year term as Lebanon's president on second Parliamentary ballot (one-third of deputies do not vote, voting delayed 2 hours until Bashir's brother Amin rounds up 6 missing delegates for legal quorum); Jumblatt denounces Gemayel as "stooge of Israel"; Jumblatt and Muslim leaders meet at Salam's house in West Beirut to consider rejecting election, later issue statement demanding "ironclad guarantees" to preserve consensus politics; Salam and others agree to seek meeting with Phalange leaders; Pierre Gemayel calls election a victory for Lebanon and a "commando operation" because of risks getting to it; Bashir Gemayel, on radio, calls election a "big achievement for our democracy"; Murabitun radio calls election "day of shame" and "nomination of military governor for Lebanon by Zionist decree thanks to Israeli tanks"; PLO officials in Syria express concern for future of Palestinian civilians in Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Syria reacts with anger to election, fears new strife.

US and Other Countries: Reagan Administration officials view election as "positive development" that could facilitate withdrawal of all foreign troops; Reagan sends congratulations to Gemayel and to Parliament; Harris poll finds support for Israel in US still high, but criticism of casualty levels growing; USSR parliamentary delegation arrives in Syria for "working visit." President Spadolini of Italy, addressing troops, says peace will rest on "reciprocal recognition between Israel and the PLO."