Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05JERUSALEM2739
2005-06-30 13:50:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: JUNE 30, 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 002739 

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 30, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) --
CLASHES CONTINUE NEAR AL-MOWASSI IN GAZA; IDF FORCES MOVE
INTO NABLUS AFTER THREE SOLDIERS GO MISSING


UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002739

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 30, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) --
CLASHES CONTINUE NEAR AL-MOWASSI IN GAZA; IDF FORCES MOVE
INTO NABLUS AFTER THREE SOLDIERS GO MISSING



1. (SBU) SUMMARY: UNRWA and Israeli media reported that five
Palestinians were injured, one of them seriously, as
stone-throwing clashes between Palestinians, Israeli
settlers, and Israeli security forces continued for a fourth
day in al-Mowassi. A large IDF force entered Nablus after
three IDF soldiers were reported missing. The PA Ministry of
Interior denied Israeli media reports that Colonel Nabil
Tamous of the Preventive Security force in Gaza would head
the special security force to deal with Gaza disengagement.
END SUMMARY.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: In Aida refugee camp near Bethlehem, Palestinian
media sources reported that three youths were lightly injured
on June 29 in clashes with the IDF.

-- Arrests: In the West Bank, Palestinian sources reported
that six Palestinian Islamic Jihad members were arrested in
Hebron by the IDF on June 29.

-- Arrests: Palestinian media reported that unspecified
Israeli military sources confirmed that a Palestinian
policeman, Wisam Radi (age 30),was arrested on May 22 for
participating in the October 2000 lynching of two Israeli
soldiers.

-- Security Incidents: Israeli media reported that a large
IDF force had entered Nablus after an IDF jeep was found
empty in Nablus. Media reports stated that unspecified
Israeli and Palestinian security sources believed three
soldiers were missing.

-- Security Incidents: In Jenin, Palestinian police continue
to search for Saed al-Amin. Al-Amin is believed to be
responsible for the killing of a Palestinian policeman last
week in Jenin and the torching of a car belonging to Jamal
al-Shati, a PLC member.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- On June 30, the PA Ministry of Interior released a
statement denying Israeli media reports that Colonel Nabil
Tamous of the Preventive Security force in Gaza would head a
special security force to deal with Gaza disengagement. The

statement said that the special security force will operate
under the direct command of the Ministry of Interior and
National Security Nasir Yusif.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: Nil.

-- Injury: UNRWA reported that one Palestinian was injured
June 28 when IDF patrol boats opened fire on Palestinian
fishing boats operating offshore near Gaza City.

-- Injuries/Riots/Arrests: UNRWA and Israeli media reported
that five Palestinians were injured, one of them seriously,
June 29 as stone-throwing clashes between Palestinians and
Israeli settlers, and Israeli settlers and IDF troops and
Israeli Border Police continued for a fourth day in
al-Mowassi. According to reports, the situation deteriorated
rapidly after graffiti saying, "Muhammad is a Pig" was
discovered on the wall of the Palestinian home the settlers
occupied. Israeli media reported that journalists in the
scene dragged the critically injured Palestinian youth to
safety. The IDF subsequently evacuated the settlers from the
house they have been occupying; 35 settlers were arrested,
according to Israeli media, and IDF declared the area a
closed military zone. Following this confrontation,
Palestinian militants fired a barrage of rockets and mortars
on the area overnight (see "Mortars/Rockets/Shootings").
Hamas and DFLP claimed responsibility for the attack. Two
Palestinians were shot and wounded by IDF responsive gunfire,
according to UNRWA.

-- Mortars/Rockets/Shootings: The IDF reported that
Palestinian militants fired a total of 15 mortar shells in
nine separate attacks on IDF and Israeli settler targets in
the southern Gaza Strip June 29-30. UNRWA reported that a
total of 26 mortars and homemade rockets were fired in the
same period. Militants also launched four shooting attacks
in the same period. One Thai agricultural worker was
critically injured when a mortar landed near Gadid settlement
(see "Injury/Riots").

-- Mortars/Rockets: IAF helicopters fired a missile at what
Palestinians claim was a metal working shop in Bayt Hanoun
and that the IDF claims was a weapons cache. No injuries
were reported.

5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open June 30, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open June 28, and 4,365 laborers and 422
merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open June 28, and 569
laborers entered.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers June 30,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open June 30.

-- Rafah was open June 30 for both arrivals and departures.
Palestinians reported that only 100 or so Palestinians per
day are allowed to move each way and that there is a backlog
of some 1,000-2,000 people waiting to cross

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

--------------
Israel
--------------


6. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death/Injuries: The IDF and Israeli media reported that
Hizballah rocket fire killed one IDF soldier and wounded
three others in Har Dov June 29. The IDF responded by
attacking five Hizballah targets in Lebanon.

-- Clashes/Injuries: Israeli media reported that several
Israeli disengagement opponents were injured during an
attempt to block traffic on major thoroughfares and at major
junctions throughout Israel June 29. According to press
reports, drivers kicked and beat at least two teenagers lying
across the Ayalon freeway during the road-blocking action.
Elsewhere, rightwing activists scattered nails and spilled
oil on roads. Three policemen were lightly injured near
Safed, in northern Israel. It took police approximately 90
minutes to clear the roads completely.
PEARCE