Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|
04TELAVIV1395 | 2004-03-05 16:47:00 | UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY | Embassy Tel Aviv |
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available. |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001395 |
1. (SBU) Summary: The IDF imposed a total closure on the West Bank and the Gaza Strip March 5 for the Purim holiday, preventing even Palestinians with permits from entering Israel. The IDF said it would make exceptions only in cases of medical emergency. The closure is expected to last until March 9. In Gaza, a total of four Palestinians were shot and wounded March 4 in two separate incidents: one near the border fence with Egypt and one on the Karni-Netzarim Road. End Summary. -------------------------- West Bank -------------------------- 2. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Death: Nil. -- Injury: Nil. 3. (SBU) SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS: -- The IDF imposed a total closure on the West Bank March 5 for the Purim holiday, preventing even Palestinians with permits from entering Israel. The IDF said it would make exceptions only in cases of medical emergency. The closure is expected to last until March 9. -- The IDF entered Hebron on March 4 and raided the Hebron University, arresting two members of the Islamic bloc of the student body. The pair was later released from custody. After leaving the university, the IDF raided a Palestinian police station in Hebron. -- IDF soldiers entered Nablus on March 4 and arrested two PA policemen and two PA military intelligence officers before withdrawing. -- IDF forces entered Kfur Haris in search of what they said was a would-be suicide bomber, but later withdrew from the city without arresting anyone. -- Israeli troops left a home in the Huwwara village on March 4 which they had turned into an IDF observation post. The soldiers had reportedly forced the owners of the house to live on only the first floor. 4. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS/CONFISCATIONS: -- The IDF began clearing land for the separation barrier near Salfit and Dayr Qadis on March 4. The land near Salfit will be used to construct an "elbow" around the Ariel settlement. -- Settlers in Hebron seized a home belonging to the al-Batsh family on March 4, before being evacuated by Israeli police. -------------------------- Gaza Strip -------------------------- 5. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: UNRWA reported that two Palestinians were shot and injured March 4 in Rafah during an exchange of gunfire between an IDF force and Palestinian gunmen near the border fence with Egypt. -- Injuries: UNRWA reported that two Palestinians were injured during an exchange of gunfire that took place on the Karni-Netzarim Road March 4. -- Catch-up item: Injuries: a Palestinian woman was wounded in the knee March 3 when an IDF tank fired into the Brazil Quarter of the Rafah refugee camp, according to UNRWA. -- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that a total of four mortars and one anti-tank missile were fired March 4-5 in the vicinity of Khan Yunis. Three anti-tank missiles were fired near Netzarim March 4, according to the IDF. -- Shootings: The IDF reported one shooting attack near Rafah March 4 and one near Morag March 5. 6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: -- UNRWA reported that one house was destroyed and 12 more were damaged during the March 4 incursion into the Zorub area of Rafah. Water, electricity and phone lines in the area were also destroyed, and a mosque was also damaged. -- UNRWA reported that three tanks and three bulldozers demolished eight greenhouses and uprooted 12 dunams of fruit trees near Morag March 4. 7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS -- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic artery, was open for Palestinians March 5. -- Erez Crossing was closed March 5 for all Palestinians, but open for internationals to cross into Israel. The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 5, but the number of workers who entered the Zone was unavailable. -- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian workers and for the import into Gaza of aggregates used in construction March 5. -- Karni Terminal was closed for the import and export of goods into the Gaza Strip. -- Rafah Terminal was open for Palestinian travelers March 5. -- Tel al-Sultan and Tofah checkpoints were closed March 5. 8. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- UNRWA reported that a demonstration of approximately 100 people took place March 3 on Nasser Street in Gaza City. The people called on the PA to impose the death penalty on the murderers of a girl killed in Gaza three months ago and whose body was found near the landfill on the east side of the city. -- On March 4, approximately 500 women from the Palestinian Association of Women's Committees for Social Work organized a demonstration in Gaza City protesting the continued construction of the West Bank separation barrier, according to UNRWA. The women dispersed peacefully after presenting a letter addressed to the UN Secretary General at the UNSCO compound. -------------------------- Israel -------------------------- 9. (SBU) Israeli media reported that a 22-year-old Jewish man, Eliran Golani, was indicted March 4 in Haifa for allegedly planting 12 explosive devices against Arabs in the Khalissa Quarter of Haifa. A total of three people, including one child, were lightly injured in his various attacks. The police claimed that Golani was the head of an extremist, right-wing group, and had planted bombs under cars, in a mosque, and had also intended to target Israeli-Arab MKs. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** KURTZER |