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. -------------- 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. -------------- 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. ********************************************* ******************** 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