Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TELAVIV6238
2004-12-09 15:25:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: FOUR PALESTINIANS KILLED IN RAFAH:

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006238 

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: FOUR PALESTINIANS KILLED IN RAFAH:
DECEMBER 9, 2004 (1200 HOURS LOCAL)


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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006238

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: FOUR PALESTINIANS KILLED IN RAFAH:
DECEMBER 9, 2004 (1200 HOURS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: IDF soldiers shot and killed four
Palestinians in two separate incidents December 8-9 while the
men were attempting to smuggle weapons across the
Gaza-Egyptian border at Rafah. A fifth Palestinian was
seriously wounded. In addition to the small number of
laborers being allowed to enter Israel at Erez, the IDF
decided December 9 to allow national staff of UN
organizations, with prior approval from the IDF, to cross at
Erez in vehicles rather than on foot. In the West Bank, the
IDF demolished December 8 a house in the village of al-Jib
north of Jerusalem for lacking a building permit, and
arrested at least nine Palestinians during arrest operations
in the West Bank, including a PFLP activist in Ramallah. End
Summary.

--------------
West Bank
--------------


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: Nil.


3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:

-- Arrests: The IDF December 8-9 arrested at least nine
Palestinians during arrest operations in the West Bank,
including a PFLP activist in Ramallah.


4. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS:

-- The IDF demolished December 8 a house in the village of
al-Jib north of Jerusalem for lacking a building permit.


5. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- The Palestinian leadership is scheduled to begin December
12 a five-day tour of the Gulf states with meetings in
Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the UAE.

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


6. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: UNRWA reported that IDF soldiers shot and killed
four Palestinians, reportedly all armed, in two incidents
overnight December 8-9 as the Palestinians attempting to
smuggle weapons across the Gaza-Egyptian border at Rafah. A
fifth Palestinian was seriously wounded, according to the
IDF.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that IDF soldiers shot a
60-year-old man in the leg over December 8-9 when he wandered
too close to Netzarim settlement. The man was widely known
to be mentally disabled, according to UNRWA.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that a total of five
mortar shells were fired at Israeli settler and IDF targets
in the Gaza Strip December 8-9, and two anti-tank missiles
were fired at Nissanit settlement December 8, according to
the IDF.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
launched a total of three shooting attacks December 8-9, two
near Rafah and one near Neve Dekalim.

-- Explosions: The IDF reported that IDF soldiers found and
safely disposed of an IED discovered near an IDF outpost
south of Rafah December 8.


7. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS:

-- Catch-up item: UNRWA reported that IDF tanks and
bulldozers uprooted 40 dunams of
citrus and olive groves and destroyed roads and
infrastructure during the December 6-7 incursion into the
area west of Karni Crossing.


8. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open December 9, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinians December 8, and 237
agricultural laborers and 64 merchants crossed. UNRWA
reported that the IDF will now allow national staff of UN
organizations to cross at Erez in vehicles, rather than on
foot, with prior coordination through COGAT.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed December 9.

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

-- Karni Terminal was open December 9, but reportedly
operating slowly.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures
December 9. 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 open December 9. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi.


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