WB/G SITREP: JUNE 1, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) --

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002225

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR FO; NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: JUNE 1, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) --
PALESTINIAN SHOT BY ISRAELI SETTLER IN THE WEST BANK, FATAH
AND HAMAS AGREE TO DELAY ELECTIONS FOR SEVERAL
MUNICIPALITIES IN THE GAZA STRIP


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


1. (SBU) Summary: In the West Bank, an Israeli settler shot
and wounded a Palestinian near Itamar settlement, near
Nablus, May 31. In al-Fraides village, near Bethlehem, three
Palestinians were assaulted by Israeli settlers May 31. Five
Fatah and six Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) members were
arrested by the IDF in different areas of the West Bank May

31. Five Palestinian and foreign peace activists were
arrested May 31 in Bil,in village, near Ramallah, during a
rally to protest the construction of the separation barrier
in the area. According to Israeli and Palestinian sources,
the Jerusalem municipality plans to demolish 88
Palestinian-owned houses in the East Jerusalem neighborhood
of Silwan to create space for a national park. Up to 1,000
Palestinian residents of Silwan could be affected if the
demolitions take place. In the Gaza Strip, according to
UNRWA and media sources, Fatah and Hamas agreed May 31 to
delay repeat elections for several municipalities in Gaza.
End Summary.
--------------
West Bank
--------------


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: According to the Palestinian and Israeli media,
an Israeli settler shot and wounded a Palestinian near Itamar
settlement, near Nablus, May 31. The settler was arrested by
Israeli police, and said he opened fire when he saw the
Palestinian youth was setting fire to a field next to the
settlement. The settler claimed that he attempted to stop
the Palestinian from doing so, but the latter pulled out a
knife and attempted to attack him. Palestinian sources
reported that the wounded Palestinian, Yusif Bani Fadel, is
mentally handicapped.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian sources, in al-Fraides
village, near Bethlehem, three Palestinians were assaulted by
Israeli settlers May 31. The three suffered light to
moderate injuries.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian sources, a Palestinian
youth was attacked and lightly injured by settlers in the Old
City of Hebron, May 31.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, IDF troops
entered Nablus and arrested two Fatah activists May 31.
Palestinian gunmen opened fire at the IDF during the arrest
operation, but no injuries were reported.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, IDF troops
arrested three members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in
Deir al-Ghusun village, near Tulkarm, May 31.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, the IDF arrested
three PIJ members in Beitunia village, near Ramallah, May 31.
Palestinian youths threw stones at IDF soldiers, but no
injuries were reported. The three arrested were identified
as Labib and Samir Barghuti from Ramallah, and Mohammad
Radad, a prominent PIJ member from Saida village, near
Tulkarm.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, the IDF entered
Dura village, near Hebron and arrested three members of
Fatah, May 31. IDF soldiers set up an observation post on
the roof of a house at the entrance to Dura village.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, five
Palestinian and foreign peace activists were arrested May 31
in Bil,in village, near Ramallah, during a rally to protest
the construction of the separation barrier in this area.


3. (SBU) CLOSURES

-- According to Palestinian sources, on May 31, the IDF set
up a metal gate at the entrance to al-Khadr village, near
Bethlehem, which they claim blocks access to the main road
from the village. According to Israeli sources, the new gate
will allow for periodic access to al-Khadr, which has been
blocked by a dirt berm for several years. The IDF dirt
roadblock remains.

-- According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, the
Jerusalem municipality plans to demolish 88 Palestinian-owned
houses, reportedly for lack of building permits, in the East
Jerusalem neighborhood of Silwan, to create space for a
national park. Up to 1,000 Palestinian residents of Silwan
could be affected if the demolitions take place.

--------------
Gaza
--------------


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Clashes: Nil.

-- Shooting: The IDF reported a shooting May 31 north of the
Rafah crossing. No injuries were reported.

-- Shooting/Injury: The IDF reported that its troops
initiated a shooting May 31 near an IDF outpost south of the
Katif village in which, according to Palestinian claims, one
Palestinian was injured.

-- Shooting: Palestinians shot at Israeli vehicles near
Netzarim May 31, according to the IDF.

-- Shooting: The IDF reported that a shooting occurred near
an IDF outpost south of Rafah in the early morning of June 1
in which IDF soldiers were targeted. No injuries were
reported.

-- Mortars/rockets: Two mortars were fired at Israeli
targets in the vicinity of Khan Younis in the early morning
of June 1, according to the IDF.

-- Explosions: Nil.


5. (SBU) ARRESTS: Nil.


6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS:

-- Route Four (Salah Ed-Din Road),the main north-south
traffic artery, was open June 1, but closed at Netzarim
junction. The coastal road was open.

-- The Erez Crossing was open to internationals, diplomats,
and Palestinian laborers May 31. According to UNRWA, 3,832
laborers and 346 merchants crossed into Israel May 31.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open May 31. According to
UNRWA, 600 Palestinian laborers entered the zone May 31.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for laborers, but open for
aggregates used in construction June 1.

-- Karni Terminal was open for the import and export of
materials June 1.

-- Rafah Terminal was open without restrictions June 1.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed, and Toufa checkpoint
was open with restrictions on males age 16-30, June 1.


8. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- According to UNRWA and media sources, Fatah and Hamas
agreed May 31 to delay repeat elections for several
municipalities in Gaza.
Connelly