WB/G SITREP: MAY 4, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001849 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 4, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) -- THREE IDF INCURSIONS IN WEST BANK; ABU MAZEN LEAVING FOR STATE VISITS MAY 7 This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. ¶1. (SBU) Summary. IDF forces conducted several incursions near Jenin, Nablus and Hebron in the West Bank on May 3, but no deaths or serious injuries resulted. PA President Abbas is expected to leave Ramallah May 7 for an international tour including Chile, Brazil, Japan and India. A PA Interior Ministry spokesman said May 3 that the PA will continue and expand efforts to prevent Qassam rocket firings in Gaza and other ceasefire violations. In Gaza, a mortar shell exploded west of Khan Yunis on May 4, and according to the IDF, there were four shooting incidents in Rafah and Neve Dekalim May 3, but no injuries resulted. End summary. -------------- West Bank -------------- ¶2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Nil. -- Arrests: The IDF arrested two alleged militants in Dura village, near Hebron, on May 3, according to Palestinian sources. -- Incursions: The IDF entered Jaba,a village south of Jenin on May 3, imposed a curfew on the village, searched several homes, and fired tear gas at residents, before leaving without making arrests, according to Palestinian newspapers. -- Incursions: The IDF entered Asira al-Qibiliya village near Nablus on May 3, and conducted searches of houses before leaving without making arrests, according to Palestinian newspapers, which quoted three Palestinian youths as saying IDF soldiers beat them during the incursion. ¶3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- PA President Abbas will leave Ramallah May 7 for an international tour of several countries, including Chile, Brazil, Japan and India, according to PA presidential office sources. -- A PA Interior Ministry spokesman said May 3 that the PA will continue and expand efforts to prevent Qassam rocket firings in Gaza and other ceasefire violation. -------------- Gaza Strip -------------- ¶4. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Nil. -- Mortars/Rockets: A mortar shell exploded west of Khan Yunis on May 4. -- Shootings: According to the IDF, four shooting incidents occurred May 3, but no injuries resulted. Two of these took place west of Rafah and two others occurred southeast of 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 4, with a major detour at Netzarim Junction. -- Erez Crossing was closed for Palestinians, but open for internationals May 3. -- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 3. -- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 4, but was open for the import of aggregates used in construction. -- Karni Terminal was open, but operating slowly May 4. -- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 4. -- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 4. Toufah checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males aged 16-30. ¶7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: --- Justice Minister Tzipi Livni announced on May 3 that the scope of the plan to resettle Gush Katif evacuees in the area between Ashdod and Ashkelon will depend on the number of settlers who agree to be resettled. According to Israeli media, the settlers will have to sign a letter to join the plan, which will be drafted by Deputy Attorney General Michael Balas and settler group representatives. Pearce