The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement raided Burin, leading to a confrontation with Palestinian residents; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Huwwara checkpoint, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and 15 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries, and 4 were arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, causing tear-gas related injuries and 2 arrests. Palestinians also protested in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners that escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 in al-Bireh, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Sa‘ir, Hebron, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers in Isawiya, and Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet; 1 was arrested. 1 other Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in the Old City. In Gaza, for the 2d day in a row, 1 rocket was fired at Israel and was intercepted, and Israel conducted air strikes, hitting 4 different targets in Khan Yunis and Rafah, causing damage. In Israel, 2 of the 6 Palestinian prisoners who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6, Zakaria Zubeida and Mohammed Aradeh, were arrested near Umm al-Ghanam. 2 others were arrested on 9/10, while 2 are still free. (AJ, AP, MEE, REU 9/10; AP, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/11; AP, HA, REU, WAFA 9/12; AJ 9/13; PCHR 9/16)

The 4 Palestinian prisoners who were caught by Israeli forces after escaping Gilboa prison on 9/6 were at a court in Nazareth for a closed-off remand hearing. The Shin Bet asked the court to extend the prisoner’s detention with the Shin Bet for 13 days. The 4 have not been allowed to meet with a lawyer. 1 of the prisoners, Zakaria Zubeida, was later admitted to a hospital after receiving heavy beatings by Israeli interrogators. (HA 9/11; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/12; PCHR 9/14)

The UNGA passes (134-3, with 11 abstentions) a resolution condemning Israeli settlement construction. (NYT, WT 4/26; ITV 4/26, SANA 4/27 in WNC 4/29; MM 4/28, 4/29; MEI 5/2)

In New York, Hamas political leader Abu Marzuq signs an agmt. that he will not contest the terrorism charges against him, will give up his residency status; in return, the U.S. will drop exclusion proceedings, release him to Jordan, which has agreed to grant him asylum. (AFP, RJ 4/30 in WNC 5/1; NYT, WP 5/1; NYT 5/2; WP 5/9) (see 4/22)

Israeli police find bodies of 2 Israeli women in a West Bank nature reserve nr. Jerusalem, suspect Palestinian assailants, but offer no proof. (WP 4/26; MM 4/28; WJW 5/1; JP 5/10)

Israeli court extends by 10 days the remand of businessman Manbar while it considers whether to charge him with selling arms to Iran. (ITV 4/25 in WNC 4/28) (see 3/27)

For 3d time, Iraq violates the U.S. no-fly zone to ferry pilgrims fr. Saudi Arabia to Iraq. (WP 4/26; CSM, MEI 5/2) (see 4/23)

In Miami, Palestinian refugee fr. Lebanon who hijacked an Iberian plane fr. Madrid to Miami on 7/26/96 is found guilty of federal air piracy charges, will be sentenced 8/11/97. (WT 4/26) (see also 7/30/96)

2 IDF soldiers are wounded by mortar fire nr. the Israeli, s. Lebanon border. IDF claims soldiers were hit while in Israeli territory; Lebanon, SLA claim soldiers were in s. Lebanon. (MM 4/25; RL 4/26 in WNC 4/29)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Tel Aviv district court agrees to extend remand of 3 Israeli suspects under questioning in land fraud case for another 15 days to allow continuation of investigation [FJ 8/23]. Minister without Portfolio Ezer Weizman says he would be prepared to meet with Chairman Arafat if Arafat were ready to meet with him [JW 8/23].

Arab World: U.S. envoy Murphy makes unexpected return to 'Amman [WP 8/18].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb is thrown at Israeli military vehicle in the Gaza Strip between Jabalya refugee camp and Beit Lahiya village. No casualties are reported [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: Car bomb with 550 pounds of dynamite explodes outside a crowded supermarket in Christian East Beirut killing 54 and wounding 120. Most victims are women or children out shopping. No one claims responsibility [NYT, WP 8/18, DT 8/19].