WB/G SITREP: JULY 26, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 003181

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: JULY 26, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --
PLANS FOR NEW JEWISH SETTLEMENT IN OLD CITY JERUSALEM; ONE
PALESTINIAN WOUNDED IN HEBRON, THREE ISRAELIS WOUNDED IN
SDEROT.


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


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: IDF soldiers shot and seriously injured a
wanted Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) member in Hebron July

26. The local planning and construction committee in
Jerusalem approved July 25 plans to build a new Jewish
settlement inside the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of
Jerusalem. Three Israeli civilians were lightly injured by
rocket fire from the Gaza Strip into the Israeli town of
Sderot. UNRWA reported one Palestinian wounded by IDF fire
from Rafah Yam in the direction of Tel al-Sultan. End
Summary.

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West Bank
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2Q(SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil

-- Injuries/Shooting: According to Israeli and Palestinian
sources, IDF soldiers shot and seriously wounded a wanted
Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) member in Hebron July 26.
Sufian Qanaba, 31 years old, reportedly attempted to flee the
building where he was hiding when the IDF surrounded it and
opened fire. Qanaba was transported to a hospital in
Jerusalem.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, the IDF arrested
PIJ member Samer Abu Hakam in Thinaba village, near Tulkarm,
July 25. IDF soldiers found three rifles and a pistol in his
possession. Five other Palestinians were arrested in the
course of the same operation.

-- Arrests: Palestinian newspapers reported that the IDF
arrested a Palestinian carrying a knife at Qalandiya
checkpoint July 25.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian sources,
Palestinian militants threw a firebomb at an Israeli car near
Hebron July 25. No casualties were reported.

-- Security Incidents: Palestinian media reported that
Israeli settlers close to the village of Bala, near Tulkarm,
beat a 70-year-old Palestinian man July 25.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- Israeli daily Ma'ariv reported that the local planning and
construction committee in Jerusalem approved July 25 plans to
build a new Jewish neighborhood inside the Muslim Quarter of
the Old City of Jerusalem. According to the original plan,
which was drafted by the Housing and Construction Ministry,
30 housing units are to be built in the Muslim Quarter on a
three-dunam (almost one acre) plot near Herod's Gate.
Palestinian officials, including PLO Negotiations Chief Sa'eb
Erekat, criticized the Israeli plan on July 26.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries/Rockets: The IDF reported that three Israeli
civilians were lightly injured on July 26 when a Kassam
rocket detonated in Sderot. Israeli newspaper reports said
that five people suffered shock.

-- Injury/Shooting: UNRWA reported one Palestinian wounded
after IDF soldiers fired from Rafah Yam in the direction of
Tel Es Sultan.

-- Rockets: In addition to the explosion noted above in
"Injuries/Rockets," UNRWA reported an additional seven rocket
attacks: two at Nisanit (one of which detonated on liftoff),
one from east of Maghazi over the central Green Line area,
and four additional rockets fired at Sderot (one of which
detonated on liftoff).

-- Mortars: The IDF reported three mortar shells fired
overnight: two at IDF outposts west of Khan Yunis and one at
civilians in Gadid. UNRWA reported one mortar round launched
at Ganei Tal.
-- Explosive Devices: The IDF reported that Palestinian
police located two explosive devices, one about 1.5 km south
of Erez and one near Slav, on July 25. Israeli sappers
disarmed the bombs. UNRWA reported that one IED detonated
near Rafah.

-- Incursion/Shooting: UNRWA reported that one IDF tank and
two bulldozers entered Palestinian areas opposite Hay el
Salam and that the tank fired into the built-up area.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported three shootings on July 25:
one at the Toufah Crossing, one at an IDF outpost north of
Rafah, and one at an IDF outpost south of Atzmona. UNRWA
reported firing by Hamas at other Palestinians near Khan
Yunis (see also Injury/Shooting" and "Incursion/Shooting"
above).

-- Arrests: Nil.


5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/INTERNAL CHECKPOINTS:

-- No Palestinians except those holding Jerusalem ID cards
are currently allowed to use the Erez crossing. The crossing
is open for international travelers.

-- The Abu Houli internal crossing was reopened in the
evening of July 25.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed.

-- The Karni terminal was partially open.

-- Rafah Terminal was open in both directions, but closed to
Palestinian males between the ages of 16 and 35.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers but open
for construction materials.

-- Netzarim Junction at Salahadeen Road was closed.

-- The Netzarim Coastal Road was open.

-- Salahadeen Road was open at Sufa/Morag.

-- The Abu Al-Ajeen bypass road was closed.

--- The Toufah checkpoint was open in both directions, except
for males between 16 and 30.


6. (SBU) Political Developments:

-- ISA Chief Yuval Diskin told the Israeli press that there
have been 1,500 attempted terrorist attacks in Israel, the
West Bank and Gaza in 2005.

-- UNRWA told its staff that serious injuries from either
Palestinian attacks or IDF fire could quickly escalate the
violence.

-- International media reported on a survey of the
Palestinian security forces conducted by the Strategic
Assessments Initiative. According to the IHT, the report
describes the PA's forces as "weak, overstaffed, badly
motivated and under-armed," although it also notes that the
PA has initiated significant reforms.
WALLES