WB/G SITREP: MAY 2, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) -- ONE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001792

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE
NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA; DRL FOR A/S CRANER
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FFP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG ASEC CASC IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: MAY 2, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) -- ONE
IDF SOLDIER, ONE PIJ GUNMAN KILLED IN TULKARM-AREA SHOOTOUT


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


1. (SBU) Summary. On May 2, one IDF soldier and one PIJ
gunman (Shawfiq Abd al-Ghani) were killed in a shootout
during an IDF operation in Saida village, by Tulkarm,
according to Israeli and Palestinian media. In Gaza, one
Palestinian was killed during a gunfight between members of
the Eddiri and El Khour families April 30, and two additional
Palestinians were injured. End summary.

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West Bank
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: On May 2, one IDF soldier and one PIJ gunman
(Shawfiq Abd al-Ghani) were killed in a shootout during an
IDF operation in Saida village, by Tulkarm, according to
Israeli and Palestinian media.

-- Injuries: Eight Palestinians and one American peace
activist were injured in clashes with Border Police during
protests against the separation barrier in Bil,in on May 1,
according to Palestinian sources.

-- Injuries: Seven Palestinians were injured in al-Fawar
camp, near Hebron, on May 1, in clashes after an IDF
incursion, according to Palestinian sources.

-- Injuries: The IDF shot and injured three Palestinians
during a raid and stone-throwing clashes in al-Khadr village,
by Bethlehem, on May 1, according to Palestinian sources.

-- Injuries: Settlers beat and injured an IDF commander in
scuffles during the IDF,s arrests of eight settlers in Har
Bracha settlement, according to Israeli newspapers (see
&Arrests8 below).

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested eight settlers from Har Bracha
settlement for throwing stones at Palestinian cars near
Nablus, according to Israeli newspapers, which started a riot
inside the settlement.

-- Incursion/Arrest: The IDF entered an area of Tulkarm that
had been handed over to PA security control on May 1, and
arrested a Palestinian alleged to be a PIJ militant preparing
for a suicide attack, according to Israeli/Palestinian media.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA Interior Minister Nasser Yusif met with Gaza security
chiefs on April 30 to discuss improving the security
situation, including stopping rocket/mortar firings, banning
armed demonstrations and halting drug trafficking.


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Gaza Strip
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4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths/Injuries: One Palestinian was killed during a
gunfight between members of the Eddiri and El Khour families
April 30, and two additional Palestinians were injured.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported four instances of shooting at
IDF soldiers April 29-May 1, of which three took place near
Neve Dekalim settlement and one took place west of Rafah
refugee camp. No injuries were reported.

-- Mortars: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants fired
one mortar shell at IDF soldiers near Khan Younis refugee
camp, and three mortar shells at Israeli settlers in Ganey
Tal and Rafah Yam settlements, April 29-May 1. No injuries
were reported.

-- Explosives: The IDF reported it found and safely detonated
a Palestinian-made explosive device north of Sufa crossing
May 1.


5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS:

-- According to UNRWA, two PA bulldozers escorted by PA
police demolished three large residential buildings under
construction in the Bayt Lahia area May 1. The buildings
were reportedly owned by PA officials and were illegally
built on government lands.


6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS

-- Route Four (Salah Ed-Din Road),the main north-south
traffic artery, was reopened at Abu Khouli on April 28.
-- The Erez Crossing was open to internationals and diplomats
but has been closed to Palestinians since April 25.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was has been closed to
Palestinians since April 25.
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian workers, but open
for the import of aggregates used in construction, April
29-May 2.

-- Karni Terminal was open April 29-May 2 for the import and
limited export of commodities.

-- Rafah Terminal was open without age restrictions April
29-May 2.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed, but Toufah checkpoint
was open, April 29-May 2.


7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- According to UNRWA, some 3,000 people demonstrated on the
Salah El-Din road late July 29 to show solidarity with the
residents of Bayt Hanoun and to protest the ongoing IDF
incursion there. The demonstration was reportedly organized
by Hamas, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and other factions
operating in the area.
Pearce