The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 6 rockets were launched at Israel from Gaza; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes near Nuseirat refugee camp, causing damage. In Kafr Qassim, Israelis burned 2 Palestinian-owned cars and sprayed hateful graffiti. Israeli police also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the Israeli raids on the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/4 and 4/5 in Umm al-Fahm, Haifa, Nazareth, Kafr Kanna, and Arraba; 4 were arrested in Umm al-Fahm. In Lebanon, rockets and mortar shells were launched at Israel; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conduct airstrikes in Lebanon, causing damage near Rashidieh refugee camp and al-Kalila. (AJ, HA 4/5; AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, MDW, REU, WAFA 4/7; PCHR 4/13; AP 4/14; UNOCHA 4/20)

The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, saying Israel caused the escalation with its attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound. It was reported that France was seeking to mediate between Lebanon and Israel while Egypt was in talks with Hamas and Israel to deescalate the situation. (AJ, HA, HA 4/7)

The U.S. prevented a UN Security Council statement condemning the rockets fired between Israel and Lebanon upon request by the Israeli government. (HA, MDW, WAFA 4/6)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin threatens to use "all forms" of punishment allowable against W. Bank residents in wake of attacks against Israelis, including expulsion, administrative arrest, destruction & sealing of homes [LAT 2/9]. 2 Jewish squatters at Tal Rumeida, Hebron, charged with 2/3 vandalizing of Arab-owned trees [JP 2/10]. IDF warns W. Bank leaders Bassam al-Shak'a, Karim Khalaf, Elias Freij, Abd al-Nabi Natshe, Rashad al-Shawwa and others not to attend memorial service for Fahd Qawasmeh scheduled 2/9 in Nazareth [JP 2/10]. Jerusalem Grand Mufti Sheikh Saad al-Din al-Alami threatens Muslims who sell land to Jews with excommunication [JP 2/7].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: SLA base fired upon near Tyre; no injuries. RPG, shots directed at IDF outposts in Rashidieh, Ansar; no injuries. One SLA soldier injured by roadside bomb, unreported location [JP 2/10].

Military Action:

IDF exhanges artillery fire with Katyushas and mortars fired from Syrian-controlled territory in Beqaa; artillery and rocket exchanges in Chouf.

Casualties:

2 IDF soldiers wounded by small arms fire in Beqaa; 3 killed, 6 missing in Chouf fighting; IDF arrests 20 at Rashidieh camp.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: After meeting with Habib, Begin tells Knesset committee that US does not oppose redeployment under certain circumstances; military government lifts closure order on parts of central Hebron, imposed 2 weeks ago following grenade attack on building occupied by settlers.

US and Other Countries: Reagan signs legislation authorizing $251 m. military and economic assistance to Lebanon; Defense Dept. to provide Lebanese Army with $57 m. worth of military gear.

Military Action:

Artillery fire between rival militias in Chouf mountains.

Casualties:

General strike in most Muslim-dominated areas of Lebanon marks first anniversary of Israeli invasion; demonstrations in Nabatieh and Rashidieh camp; one man killed in exchange of fire between townships south of Beirut; detainees at Ansar continue protest, burn 20 tents.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Labor Party calls for judicial inquiry into government's handling of Lebanon war; Deputy PM Ehrlich says Sharon gave inaccurate information to Cabinet to justify military operations.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Fateh rebels want formation of provisional committee, election of new leaders; Arafat meets Saudi leaders in Jeddah; Habash seeks support for end to armed confrontations, settlement of Fateh dispute by Central Committee and senior PLO leaders; Lebanese FM travels to Washington for talks with Reagan, Shultz.

Arab Governments: Syrian official says Shultz will not be welcome in Damascus; efforts to mediate PLO dispute made in Damascus by Algerian President Benjedid and Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah.