UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006225

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
DRL FOR A/S CRANER; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN;
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR DEWEY/GREENE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: FIVE PALESTINIANS KILLED IN GAZA;
ONE PALESTINIAN INJURED AND EIGHT OTHERS ARRESTED IN THE
WEST BANK: DECEMBER, 8, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)


This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable.


1. (SBU) Summary: IDF forces killed five Palestinians in the
Gaza strip December 7-8, while the number of injured
Palestinians was reportedly as high as 11. One Palestinian
was injured in Hebron on December 7, while the IDF arrested
eight Palestinians December 7-8 in the West Bank. End
Summary.
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West Bank
--------------


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: A Palestinian in Hebron was seriously injured the
evening of December 7 by the premature detonation of an
explosive device he was throwing at an Israeli vehicle.


3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested eight Palestinians December 7-8,
during arrest operations in Nablus, Jenin and the Ramallah
area.

-- Clashes/Arrests: Approximately 700 Israelis and
Palestinians participated in demonstrations December 7 in
Budrus village to protest the building of the separation
barrier. Several protestors suffered tear-gas inhalation
during clashes with the IDF. Israeli troops arrested at
least 40 demonstrators during the clashes, but all were
eventually released from custody.

-- The IDF December 8 raided the Hebron office of a Hamas
charitable organization. The IDF reportedly ransacked the
office and took away several items including computer
equipment before leaving.


4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PLO Chairman Abu Mazen, Prime Minister Abu Ala,a, and
Palestinian Authority (PA) Minister Nabil Sh,ath were
scheduled to meet with Lebanese officials December 8
following a two-day visit to Syria.

-- Hasan Khraishah, the acting Speaker of the Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) and candidate for PA President,
announced December 8 that he would be withdrawing from the
pre

sidential race, after facing the prospect of having to
resign as acting PLC speaker if he chose to remain a
candidate.

--------------
Gaza
--------------


5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: Israeli media reported that a Palestinian youth was
killed by IDF fire overnight December 7-8 on the outskirts of
Gaza city.

-- Deaths/Injuries: The total number of Palestinian
casualties resulting from clashes that erupted between IDF
soldiers and Palestinian militants following the December 6-7
IDF incursion into the area west of Karni crossing is four
dead, 11 injured, according to UNRWA. The IDF reported that
four Palestinians were injured in the same clashes.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Israeli media reported that two antitank
shells were fired at Nissanit settlement in the Gaza strip
and a mortar shell was fired at Neve Dekalim in the southern
Gaza strip December 8. No injuries or damage occurred in
these incidents, although two Israeli children reportedly
suffered from shock in Nissanit. The IDF reported four
incidents in which a total of five mortar shells exploded on
December 7, near the Nahal Oz crossing and Neve Dekalim. No
injuries were reported. According to the IDF, Palestinians
launched a Qassam rocket at Kibbutz Saad December 7, but no
injuries occurred. Palestinians also launched an anti-tank
missile at an IDF bulldozer south of Rafah on December 7, but
no injuries occurred.

-- Explosions: Nil.


6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open December 8, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open for diplomats, international
workers and a limited number of Palestinians on December 8.
The exact number of Palestinians crossing into Israel was
unavailable.
-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed December 8,
except for visits by a small number of factory owners.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed December 8 for Palestinian
laborers, but open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open December 8, but was reportedly
operating slowly.

-- Rafah Terminal was open December 8 for arrivals and
departures. Although the IDF no longer prohibits the exit of
male Palestinians age 16-35 from the Gaza Strip, lengthy
checks at the border mean that few Palestinians in this
category are actually able to exit. There are no age
restrictions for entry into Gaza.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed December 8. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi December 8.


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