The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Palestinian militants handed the body of a Druze citizen of Israel to Israel after negotiations between the PA and the militant group. Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the PA all called for the release of the body. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling west of Ramallah, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian students with live ammunition during a raid at the Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie in Tulkarm; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 3 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor before arresting him in Nil’in. Israeli forces also seized 2 caravans, demolished 1 agricultural structure, and razed land in Atara. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during late-night raids in al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Qaddura refugee camp, ‘Anata, Arab ar-Rashayida, Beit Umar, Dura, Khirbet Qilqis, Azzun, and Huwwara. 2 were arrested at a flying checkpoint near the Halamish settlement. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian fisherman west of al-Sudaniyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at agricultural lands east of Gaza City and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Hebron were kidnapped in Yarka by Druze citizens of Israel seeking revenge for the kidnapping on 11/22 (see above). The 3 Palestinians were hospitalized after they were released. (HA, HA 11/23; AP, CNN, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; ALM, MEMO, UNOCHA 11/25; MEMO 11/27; PCHR 12/1; UNOCHA 12/16)

Israel revoked 200 of the 15,500 work permits for Palestinians in Gaza, saying that a laborer had admitted that he planned to plant a bomb on a bus on behalf of Islamic Jihad. The man was arrested on 10/30. (REU 11/24)

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: IDF receives instructions to avoid contact with multi-national force in Beirut; following eighth round of Lebanese-Israeli-US negotiations in Kiryat Shemona, Lebanon says Israel will not be permitted to operate electronic surveillance stations on Lebanese soil, all agree to forming 4 subcommittees for timetable of withdrawal, security arrangements, future Israeli-Lebanese relations, guarantees to final agreement, with subcommittees to meet 2 days per week in Khalde and Herzliya; public opinion poll shows, if Knesset elections today, Likud would win 52 seats against 42 with a Labor list headed by former President Navon; Matti Peled, Uri Avnery and Yaacov Arnon, members of the Israeli Council for an Israeli-Palestinian Peace, announce meeting with PLO Chairman Arafat last week; Israel lodges formal complaint that 2 Egyptian tractors crossed into no-man's-land near disputed Taba region of Sinai; Sheikh Kamal Maade of Yarka announces Israeli Druze fundraising campaign for Lebanese Druze will be renewed; Israeli intercommunal committee to foster peace between Druze and Christians in Lebanon calls on IDF not to withdraw until a reconciliation is reached in the Chouf; Defense Minister Sharon leaves Zaire after signing a series of military agreements; documents presented at courtmartial of Israeli soldiers show Chief of Staff Eitan recommended punishment by expulsion to curb unrest among Palestinians in the West Bank, also suggested detention/exile camp, such as the one for teenage detainees built at Fara'a, near Nablus.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Prime Minister Wazzan blames Israel for the near-stalemate in talks, rules out monitoring station in South with either Israeli or US personnel; Phalange official tells Western diplomats and journalists that suspected assassin of Bashir Gemayel, Habib Shartouni, was manipulated by Nabil Alam of pro-Syrian Syrian Social National Party (PPS), but results of official inquiry into Bashir's death not released.

Arab Governments: Egyptian Government withdraws tractors, saying it was an accident they strayed into disputed Taba territory; Syria condemns Lebanese-Israeli-US talks, complains to UN that Israel is threatening to attack.

US and Other Countries: US contacts Israel through diplomatic channels to express concern over incidents involving IDF and Marines in Beirut, total of 5 such incidents in January.