WB/G SITREP: MAY 3, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001813

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 3, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --
WEST BANK QUIET; PA ARRESTS THREE HAMAS MILITANTS IN GAZA
PREPARING QASSAM, RELEASES THEM AFTER CONFISCATING WEAPONS

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


1. (SBU) Summary. The West Bank was quiet May 2-3. Fatah
will hold primary elections to determine PLC candidates on
May 27 or June 1, according to PLC speaker Rawhi Fattuh. In
Gaza, PA security forces arrested in Gaza City three Hamas
members suspected of preparing to fire Qassam rockets. Their
weapons and a rocket were confiscated, but the three were
later released after Hamas protests and negotiations. Three
mortar shells exploded overnight May 1-2 at Netzarim,
according to the IDF, but no injuries resulted. End summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: Nil.



3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- Fatah will hold primaries on either May 27 or June 1,
according to PLC speaker Rawhi Fattuh.

-- PA Interior Minister Nasser Yusif warned Palestinian
factions that attempting to force implementation of their
political agenda with arms will not be tolerated, and PA
security forces will impose law and order in all
PA-controlled areas.


--------------
Gaza Strip
--------------


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: PA security forces arrested in Gaza City three
Hamas members suspected of preparing to fire Qassam rockets.
Their weapons and a rocket were confiscated, but the three
were later released after Hamas protests and negotiations.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Three mortar shells exploded overnight
May 1-2 at Netzarim, according to the IDF, but no injuries
resulted.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, six shooting incidents
occurred May 1, but no injuries resulted. Two incidents took
place at Rafah Yam, just west of Rafah, one at Morag and two
at Neve Dekalim.

-- Explosions: Nil.


5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open May 2, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was closed May 1 for Palestinians, but open
for internationals.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 1.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 2,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open, but operating slowly May 2.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 2.


-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 2. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi May 2, except
males aged 16-30.


7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- According to Israeli media, the government informed
settler representatives on May 1 that it will agree to most
of the settler,s demands for disengagement in the Gaza
Strip, collectively known as the "Nitzanim plan." The only
demand denied was one to reopen the Evacuation Compensation
Law and amend its clauses. Other requests to which the
government has agreed include allowing the settlers to
establish four new communities in the area of Nitzanim and
permitting them to run an independent municipal entity to
replace the Gaza Coast Regional Council.

-- According to Israeli media, a ministerial meeting between
PM Sharon and six members of his cabinet on the future of
Gush Katif settler homes ended on May 2, with a majority
reportedly opposed to the demolition of the homes. The
government will make its final decision during its next
cabinet meeting the week of May 9, according to Israeli news
sou