WB/G SITREP: JUNE 17, 2005 (1500 HOURS LOCAL) --

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002508

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: JUNE 17, 2005 (1500 HOURS LOCAL) --
TWO QASSAMS HIT SDEROT, NO INJURIES


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


1. (SBU) Summary. Palestinian militants fired two Qassam
rockets at the Israeli town Sderot on June 16, but caused no
injuries or significant damage. A Palestinian Preventive
Security (PSO) agent died in Ramallah June 16 from an
accidental discharge of his weapon. Two Palestinians were
shot and injured in Aida camp, near Bethlehem June 16 during
an IDF incursion. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: A PSO agent died in Ramallah June 16 from an
accidental discharge of his weapon, according to security
sources.

-- Injuries: Three Palestinians in Marda village were shot
and injured by rubber-coated bullets, and another injured by
a flying tear gas canister in anti-barrier clashes with the
IDF June 16, according to Palestinian newspapers.

-- Injuries: Two Palestinians were shot and injured by
rubber-coated bullets during an IDF incursion in Aida camp,
near Bethlehem, on June 16 according to Palestinians
newspapers.

-- Arrests: The IDF entered Tal village near Nablus on June
16 and arrested Muhammad Asayda, a senior PIJ activist,
according to Palestinian newspapers.

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


3. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Rockets: According to the IDF, Palestinian militants fired
two Qassam rockets at the Israeli town of Sderot June 16. No
injuries were reported.

-- Mortars: According to the IDF, Palestinian militants fired
four mortar shells at IDF soldiers and Israeli settlers June
16-17. Of these, three were fired near Netzarim settlement
and one was fired near Khan Younis. UNRWA reported two
mortars fired from Bayt Lahia at 1500 hrs June 16. No
injuries were reported from any of these incidents.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, Palestinian militants
shot at IDF soldiers west of Karni crossing at approximately
1430 June 16. No injuries were reported.


4. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS

-- According to UNRWA, at 0800 hrs June 17 the IDF announced
that all crossings into and out of the Gaza Strip were closed
indefinitely, due to a short-notice security alert. At 1100
hrs the IDF announced that Erez crossing was open for entry
into Gaza, but was still closed for exit.

-- Route Four (Salah Ed-Din Road),the main north-south
traffic artery, was open June 4-6, but closed at Netzarim
junction.

-- The Erez Crossing was open for entry into the Gaza Strip
for internationals and Palestinians, but closed for exit,June 17.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closedJune 17.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for labores and aggregates used
in construction June 17.
-- Karni Terminal was closed for the import and eport of
materials June 17.

-- Rafah Terminal ws closed June 17.

-- Tel al-Sultan and Toufa chckpoints were closed June 17.


5. (SBU) POLITICL DEVELOPMENTS

-- Israeli and Palestinian media, as well as GOI officials,
reported that early this week the GOI increased operating
hours at Karni terminal. Prior to the June 17 closure,
between 500-600 trucks were reportedly passing through the
terminal daily, an increase over the previous traffic of
50-100 trucks per day. Officials emphasized that trucks
originating in the West Bank were still waiting up to two
weeks to enter the Gaza Strip.
-- Gaza,s Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said in a June 17
public statement that Hamas will continue to abide by the
&period of calm8 as long as Israel does, and stressed that
Hamas,s position in government and its views on Hamas-GOI
talks will be clarified following the upcoming PLC elections.

-- Israeli media reported that the PA Housing Ministry plans
to construct high-rise housing on Neve Dekalim settlement
lands following Israeli withdrawal, in order to house
refugees currently based in Khan Younis.
PEARCE