31 May 1999
The South Lebanese Army, Israel's client militia in occupied south Lebanon, announces the first withdrawal from the "security zone" since it took its current shape in 1985. The decision to withdraw follows an electoral pledge by the new Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, to get Israeli troops out of Lebanon within a year.18 June 1999
Israel's prime minister-elect, Ehud Barak, announces an audacious plan to link the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip and the West Bank with an enormous bridge. The four-lane elevated road would stretch 25 miles (47km) to provide safe passage for Palestinians - allowing Israel to avoid dedicating a land corridor for this purpose.
5 July 1999
The new Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, ends seven weeks of political limbo with an effusive speech in praise of peace at the swearing-in of his cabinet, drawn from a relatively dovish coalition.
21 July 1999
Ehud Barak carries his message of peace to London, where he has talks with Tony Blair. Hopes are rising that Israel may open negotiations with Syria, as well as with the Palestinians and possibly the Lebanese.
27 July 1999
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, and the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, begin talks to determine both the spirit and the pace of the rekindled Middle East peace process. Their first working session comes some two months after Mr Barak was elected in a drive to bring a more pragmatic Israel back to the negotiating table.
3 September 1999
After weeks of detailed and often acrimonious negotiation, the Israelis and Palestinians sign a new peace agreement, setting the stage for finals talks on the shape of Palestine. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak meet in a luxury hotel in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for the signing.
13 September 1999
Israel and the Palestinians launch their final status peace talks, setting themselves a daunting series of deadlines. They also adopt tough opposing positions on the vexed issues of Jerusalem and refugees.
3 October 1999
The peace talks stall over the issue of Palestinians' right of free passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Israel wants to have retain full control of security arrangements. The negotiating hiccup is the first of many.
The South Lebanese Army, Israel's client militia in occupied south Lebanon, announces the first withdrawal from the "security zone" since it took its current shape in 1985. The decision to withdraw follows an electoral pledge by the new Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, to get Israeli troops out of Lebanon within a year.18 June 1999
Israel's prime minister-elect, Ehud Barak, announces an audacious plan to link the Palestinian-controlled Gaza Strip and the West Bank with an enormous bridge. The four-lane elevated road would stretch 25 miles (47km) to provide safe passage for Palestinians - allowing Israel to avoid dedicating a land corridor for this purpose.
5 July 1999
The new Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, ends seven weeks of political limbo with an effusive speech in praise of peace at the swearing-in of his cabinet, drawn from a relatively dovish coalition.
21 July 1999
Ehud Barak carries his message of peace to London, where he has talks with Tony Blair. Hopes are rising that Israel may open negotiations with Syria, as well as with the Palestinians and possibly the Lebanese.
27 July 1999
The Israeli prime minister, Ehud Barak, and the Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat, begin talks to determine both the spirit and the pace of the rekindled Middle East peace process. Their first working session comes some two months after Mr Barak was elected in a drive to bring a more pragmatic Israel back to the negotiating table.
3 September 1999
After weeks of detailed and often acrimonious negotiation, the Israelis and Palestinians sign a new peace agreement, setting the stage for finals talks on the shape of Palestine. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak meet in a luxury hotel in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh for the signing.
13 September 1999
Israel and the Palestinians launch their final status peace talks, setting themselves a daunting series of deadlines. They also adopt tough opposing positions on the vexed issues of Jerusalem and refugees.
3 October 1999
The peace talks stall over the issue of Palestinians' right of free passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Israel wants to have retain full control of security arrangements. The negotiating hiccup is the first of many.