WB/G SITREP: ISRAELI TROOPS RE-ENTER KHAN YUNIS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006504

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: ISRAELI TROOPS RE-ENTER KHAN YUNIS
KILLING ONE AND INJURING THREE PALESTINIANS: ONE ISRAELI
KILLED AND EIGHT PALESTINIANS ARRESTED IN THE WEST BANK:
DECEMBER, 22, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: One Palestinian was killed and three
others wounded as Israeli forces re-entered the Khan Yunis
refugee camp on December 22 in an effort to halt mortar and
rocket attacks on nearby settlements. Palestinian gunmen
shot and killed an Israeli security guard December 22 who was
protecting construction equipment near the separation barrier
in the southern West Bank. On December 21, the IDF arrested
eight Palestinians in the West Bank, including a leader of
the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in the Jenin area. End Summary.

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

(SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Palestinian gunmen December 22 shot and killed an
Israeli security guard who was protecting construction
equipment near a section of the separation barrier west of
Hebron. The IDF is conducting searches of Palestinian
villages in the area to apprehend the gunmen.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: On December 21, the IDF arrested a leader of the
Al-Aqsa Martyrs, Brigades in the Jenin area, Bassam Shayk,
according to Israeli and Palestinian reports.

-- Arrests: On December 21, seven other Palestinians were
arrested in different areas of the West Bank, according to
Palestinian media.

-- Explosions: On December 21, IDF soldiers found a box
containing explosives near the village of Ramin, east of
Tulkarm, according to Palestinian reports. The explosives
were safely detonated with no reported injuries.

-- Attacks: On December 21, Palestinian gunmen hurled Molotov
cocktails, and shot at IDF soldiers in Beit Forik village
near Nablus, according to Palestinian reports. No casualties
or injuries were reported.

(SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- Marking the end of the 40-day mourning period for Yasser
Arafat, thousands of Palestinians attended the memorial
service in Ramallah on December 21, according to Palestinian
newspapers. Similar memorial services were held in other
West Bank towns.

-- The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) will hold a
two-day session December 22-23 to deliberate the draft
election law, according to Palestinian dailies.

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

(SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Palestinian and Israeli media reported that a
20-year-old Palestinian was killed by Israeli gun fire in the
Khan Yunis refugee camp on December 22 (see "injuries.")

-- Injuries: Palestinian media reported that three
Palestinians, including two children, were wounded by Israeli
gunfire in Khan Yunis refugee camp on December 22 (see
deaths).

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF and Israeli media reported that
more than 15 rockets and mortars have been launched from the
Khan Yunis refugee camp at nearby settlements since December
18, prompting Israeli troops to re-enter the area on the
morning of December 22.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, Israeli troops shot at
three Palestinian suspects, severely injuring one and
moderately injuring the other two on December 21 (see
"injuries.")

-- Explosions: Nil.

(SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Israeli media reported that IDF
troops re-entered the Khan Yunis refugee camp on December 22
after previously withdrawing on December 18-19 (see "deaths"
and "injuries.")

(SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was closed on December 22, with a major detour at
Netzarim Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinians, with 16 merchants crossing
into Israel on December 22.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed, but 60 factory
owners were allowed entry on December 22.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers and
closed for the import of aggregates used in construction.

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

-- Rafah Terminal was closed December 22.

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


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