SABRA AND SHATILA 1982
Timeline of the Massacre
This is a reconstructed timeline of the events leading up to the massacre in the refugee camps of Sabra and Shatila, as well as the event itself. Most of the information is based on the findings of New York Times correspondent Thomas L. Friedman (as quoted in his article "U.S. PRESSES ISRAEL TO LET U.N. TROOPS MOVE INTO BEIRUT" in the September 20, 1982 issue of The New York Times), whose collection of credible personal witness-accounts as well as those of other reporters have greatly contributed to form this reconstruction of the actual timeline. In addition, information has been taken from Friedman's September 27th, 1982, New York Times article ("ISRAELI GENERAL IN BEIRUT SAYS HE DID NOT KNOW OF KILLINGS") as well as from the report issued by the Israeli Kahan commission of inquiry.
Tuesday, September 14th, 1982
Morning -��������������� President-elect Bashir Gemayel is assassinated
������������������������������ Ariel Sharon and Israeli Lt. Gen Eytan decide to send Phalange into camps
Wednesday, September 15th
Morning -��������������� Israeli tanks move into Muslim West Beirut�
������������������������������ Eytan orders Phalange to mobilize
Afternoon-�������������� Area around Sabra and Shatila surrounded by Israeli troops
������������������������������ Israeli checkpoints are set up
������������������������������ First sightings of Christian militiamen heading into Beirut from the airport
Evening-����������������� Exchanges of gunfire and shelling in the camps (slight number of casualties)
������������������������������ Trucks carrying Phalange militiamen reported heading towards the airport
Thursday, September 16th
Morning-���������������� Constant shooting and shelling in Shatila
������������������������������ Phalange commanders meet with Israeli Gen. Drori to coordinate entry of militia
Afternoon -������������� 1,200 to 1,400 Christian militiamen gathered together at the airport
Evening-����������������� Phalangist checkpoints are set up
������������������������������ Christian militiamen enter Sabra and Shatila refugee camps under command
������������������������������������� Of Phalange chief Mr. Hobeika, encounter little resistance, round up dozens
������������������������������������� Of civilians
������������������������������ Israeli forces receive information on atrocities from witnesses, intercepted
������������������������������������� Phalange radio transmissions
������������������������������ First wounded and casualties arrive at area hospitals with gunshot and shrapnel
������������������������������������� wounds in the head, chest and stomach; Patients specify Phalangist role
Night-��������������������� Israeli forces light flares over camps to provide light to militiamen inside
Friday, September 17th
Morning-���������������� Over 1,000 Palestinians from Sabra and Shatila seek protection around Gaza Hospital
������������������������������ Hundreds of Palestinians are reportedly rounded up by Phalange militia in Shatila
������������������������������ Gen. Drori calls for halt of operations
������������������������������ Arriving Phalange turned back at airport
Afternoon-�������������� Gen. Drori meets Gen. Eytan, does not discuss killings, orders 5 A.M. withdrawal
������������������������������������� Of Phalange militia
������������������������������ Trucks loaded with women and children leave camps
������������������������������ Bulldozers with scoops full of bodies are reported seen in camps�����
������������������������������ Israelis provide Phalange with provisions
������������������������������ Nurse on 8th Floor of Gaza hospital killed by sniper fire
������������������������������ 82 Patients flee hospital, Red Cross evacuates 6 babies
������������������������������ Christian militia takes over Akka Hospital, Palestinian nurse raped and shot, Two
������������������������������ Palestinian doctors and one patient taken out of hospital by militia, Two doctors
������������������������������ And two nurses killed by grenade
Evening-����������������� Shooting still going on inside Shatila
Saturday, September 18th
Morning-���������������� Phalange leave camps at 8 A.M.
������������������������������ Christian militia enters Gaza hospital, orders everyone out, shelter-seekers are
������������������������������ Rounded up, 600 Palestinian civilians are forced to march main street of Shatila
������������������������������ At gunpoint
������������������������������ Reporters are allowed to enter the camps
������������������������������ Lebanese army moves into camps
������������������������������ Recovery efforts begin
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