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.

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West Bank
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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.

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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