WB/G SITREP: MAY 5, 2005 (1500 HOURS LOCAL) -- TWO

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001859

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 5, 2005 (1500 HOURS LOCAL) -- TWO
PALESTINIAN TEENS SHOT AND KILLED BY IDF IN SEPARATION
BARRIER PROTESTS SOUTHEAST OF MODI'IN


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


1. (SBU) Summary. IDF troops shot and killed two unarmed
Palestinian teens near Bayt Liqya village (off Route 443) on
May 4, during stone-throwing clashes and protests against the
separation barrier. In Gaza, two mortar shells exploded May
4, one east of an IDF post near Khan Yunis and the other at
Ganey Tal, but no injuries resulted. According to Israeli
media, police have reportedly mapped all settlement houses
that will be evacuated during the Gaza pullout, and have
collected intelligence about the inhabitants' proclivities
towards violent protest. End summary.

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West Bank
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: IDF troops shot and killed two unarmed
Palestinian teens near Bayt Liqya village (off Route 443) on
May 4, according to Israeli and Palestinian media. The
youths were part of a large group of Palestinian protesters
against the separation barrier who began to throw rocks at
the IDF soldiers.

-- Injuries: Several Palestinians were lightly injured by
bullets or suffered from tear gas inhalation during the above
protests, according to Palestinian newspapers.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested a Palestinian youth carrying a
handgun near Hebron on May 4, according to Palestinian
sources.

-- Arrests: Israeli Border Police arrested nine anti-barrier
protesters in Bil'in (near Ramallah) on May 4 who chained
themselves to olive trees in an attempt to prevent clearing
for the barrier, according to Israeli and Palestinian
newspapers.

-- Incursions: The IDF entered Attil village (near Tulkarm)
and searched several houses on May 4, but left without making
arrests, according to Palestinian sources.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA President Abbas called Hamas political bureau chief
Khalid Mish'al to try to work out PA-Hamas disputes resulting
from the PA's arrest of three Hamas activists in Gaza for
preparing a Qassam launch, and confiscation of their weapons.

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Gaza Strip
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4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Two mortar shells exploded May 4, one
east of an IDF post near Khan Yunis and the other at Ganey
Tal, but no injuries.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, Palestinians shot at IDF
soldiers May 4 south of an IDF post at Rafah, but no injuries
occurred.

-- Explosions: The IDF reported that an explosive device was
discovered on May 4 northeast of Sufa crossing, but no
injuries occurred.


5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open May 5, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was closed May 4 for Palestinian laborers,
but open to internationals.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 4.
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 5,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was closed May 5, according to UNRWA, due
to a terror threat reported by the IDF.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 5.


-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 5. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.


7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- According to Israeli media, police have reportedly mapped
all the houses of the settlements that will be evacuated
during Gaza disengagement and collected intellig