Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04TELAVIV6276
2004-12-10 16:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: 29 PALESTINIANS ARRESTED IN THE WEST

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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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 006276 

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: 29 PALESTINIANS ARRESTED IN THE WEST
BANK; AT LEAST SIX PALESTINIAN MILITANTS WOUNDED IN GAZA:
DECEMBER 10, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)


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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006276

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: 29 PALESTINIANS ARRESTED IN THE WEST
BANK; AT LEAST SIX PALESTINIAN MILITANTS WOUNDED IN GAZA:
DECEMBER 10, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: The IDF arrested 29 Palestinians in the
West Bank, including presidential candidate Bassam Salhi,
December 9-10. In Gaza, at least six Palestinian militants
were reportedly wounded in two incidents involving the firing
of missiles in the northern Gaza strip and another near the
Sufa crossing. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: Nil.


3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:

-- Arrests: The IDF December 10 entered al-Dhahiriya village
and arrested four Hamas candidates running for the village
council in the upcoming December 23 municipal elections.

-- Arrest: The IDF December 10 arrested presidential
candidate from the Palestinian People,s Party Bassam Salhi
after he attempted to enter Jerusalem without a permit.
Salhi was still under Israeli detention in Jerusalem as of
1500 hours.

-- Arrest/Clashes: The IDF the evening of December 9 entered
Tulkarem refugee camp and arrested a senior Fatah activist.
Clashes erupted between the IDF and Palestinians in the camp
and two explosive devices detonated in the vicinity of IDF
soldiers during the arrest operation, but there were no
injuries reported from the incident.

-- Arrests/Clashes/Injuries: The IDF December 9 entered Bayt
Liqya west of Ramallah and arrested two Palestinians. The
IDF used tear gas to disperse Palestinians throwing stones
during the arrest operation, causing some injuries.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested 12 Palestinians, the majority
associated with Hamas, the evening of December 9-10 in
several West Bank localities including Nablus, Bethlehem,
Qalqilya, and the Ramallah area.

-- IDF soldiers December 9 discovered three pipe bombs
weighing together more than 40 kilograms near an Israeli

settlement north of Ramallah. The IDF has initiated an
investigation.


4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- The Palestinian leadership has concluded its visit to
Lebanon and is scheduled to arrive December 10 in Jordan.

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


5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: According to UNRWA and Israeli media, four
Palestinian militants affiliated with the Popular Resistance
Committee were wounded December 9 when an Israeli aircraft
fired a missile at a car near Sufa crossing in the Gaza
strip. According to UNRWA, four Palestinian militants
belonging to the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC),were
wounded in the attack, including the primary target, PRC
leader Jamal Abu Samhadana.

--Injuries: According to UNRWA, the IAF also fired a missile
at a house containing munition production facilities --
Qassam rockets -- in Bayt Lahiyah December 9, injuring
several people. The house belonged to Mahmoud al-Madhouri, a
local Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade leader.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Israeli media reported that Palestinians
fired a Qassam rocket at the perimeter fence near the Sufa
crossing and a mortar round at a settlement near Gush Qatif
on December 10. No injuries were reported in either
incident.
-- Shootings: The IDF reported two shooting incidents on
December 9, one near Gush Katif and the other one in Rafah
Yam, but no injuries resulted.

-- Explosions: Nil.


6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open with a major detour at Netzarim Junction.
-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and diplomats
and for a limited number of Palestinians. According to
UNRWA, 200 Palestinian laborers crossed on December 10.
UNRWA reported that the IDF announced it would now allow
national staff of UN organizations to cross at Erez in
vehicles, rather than on foot, with prior coordination
through COGAT, but has not yet implemented the new policy.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed, except for
factory owners, on December 10.

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

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

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures
December 10. 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 10. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi.


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