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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