Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05JERUSALEM2670
2005-06-28 14:48:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: JUNE 28, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) --

Tags:  PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC 
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This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002670 

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 28, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) --
PALESTINIAN MILITANTS LAUNCH MORTAR ATTACKS IN GAZA; IDF
CONVICTS SOLDIER IN DEATH OF UK PEACE ACTIVIST


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002670

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 28, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) --
PALESTINIAN MILITANTS LAUNCH MORTAR ATTACKS IN GAZA; IDF
CONVICTS SOLDIER IN DEATH OF UK PEACE ACTIVIST



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Palestinian militants launched a total of
six mortar shells and one Qassam rocket from the southern
Gaza Strip. Erez Crossing was open June 27, and 4,200
laborers and 405 merchants crossed into Israel. An IDF
military court has convicted a former IDF soldier of
manslaughter, obstruction of justice and perjury in the death
of UK peace activist Tom Hurndall. The PA cabinet met in
Gaza on June 27 and discussed a number of steps that will be
implemented to control the security situation. END SUMMARY.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: Palestinian media reported that the IDF arrested
three Palestinian minors who were carrying firebombs and a
knife.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, three
Palestinians were hit with rubber-coated bullets and a fourth
was arrested during a protest against the building of the
security barrier In the village of Yatta, south of Hebron, on
June 27.

-- Attacks: Shots were fired at an IDF outpost outside the
settlement of Kadim, near Jenin, on June 27. The IDF did not
retaliate, while PA police combed the eastern section of the
city from which the shots were fired. No arrests were
reported.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA President Abbas met with heads of the PLC committees
and discussed the introduction of a PA vice president
position. No decision was made during the meeting, but
public statements by the leadership supported the idea. The
Fatah Central Committee (FCC) will discuss the idea when it
meets in Amman on June 30.

--------------
GAZA
--------------


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Mortars/Rockets/Shootings: The IDF reported that
Palestinian militants fired a total of six mortar shells and
one Qassam rocket, and launched three shooting attacks in the
southern Gaza Strip overnight June 27-28. No injuries were
reported in any of these attacks.

-- Tunnels: The IDF on June 26 discovered a tunnel between
Khan Yunis and Neve Dekalim. According to the IDF, a PIJ cell
based in Khan Yunis dug the tunnel.


5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was closed at Abu Khouli June 28.

-- Erez Crossing was open June 27, and 4,200 laborers and 405
merchants crossed into Israel. As of June 26, female PA
security officers are assigned to the crossing to search
female Palestinians seeking to cross into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open June 27, and 553
laborers entered.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers June 28,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open June 28.

-- Rafah was open June 28 for both arrivals and departures.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed June 22. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.


6. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- UNRWA reported that some 1,300 PIJ supporters, including
some 300 masked and armed men, protested in Nuseirat camp the
evening of June 27.

-- According to Israeli media, an IDF military court on June
27 convicted a former IDF soldier of manslaughter,
obstruction of justice and perjury in the death of UK peace
activist Tom Hurndall. Hurndall, a member of the
International Solidarity Movement (ISM),was shot in 2003
while escorting children from an area of IDF and militant
activity. In a coma for the next 18 months, Hurndall died in
January 2004.
-- The Palestinian media reported that the PA cabinet met in
Gaza on June 28 and discussed a number of steps that will be
implemented to control the security situation.
PEARCE