WB/G SITREP: JULY 27, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 003250

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 27, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --
TWO PALESTINIANS KILLED, SENIOR PIJ MILITANT ARRESTED IN
THE WEST BANK; PALESTINIANS INJURED IN A RIOT IN GAZA


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


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In the West Bank, a Palestinian teenager
was killed when hit by a car driven by an Israeli settler
near Karmi Tzur settlement. According to PA security
sources, an unarmed Palestinian teenager was shot and killed
by the IDF during an incursion in Jenin July 27. The IDF
arrested a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militant
during an operation near Tulkarm July 26. In Gaza,
Palestinian media reported one or two Palestinians injured
when IDF troops attempted to control a mob at the Khatif
junction. End Summary.

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West Bank
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, a
15-year-old Palestinian was killed after having been hit by
an Israeli car near the settlement of Karmi Tzur, north of
Hebron, July 26. A settler driver of the vehicle was taken
into custody by Israeli police for questioning.

-- Deaths: According to PA security sources, an unarmed
Palestinian teenager was shot and killed by the IDF in Jenin
during an ongoing incursion into the city July 27.

-- Injuries: According to PA security sources, five
Palestinians and two IDF soldiers were shot and injured in a
gunbattle in the same operation in Jenin July 27.

-- Injuries: According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, an
IDF officer was lightly wounded when a car broke through a
roadblock at Azzun village, near Qalqiliya, July 26.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian and Israeli media, the
IDF arrested a senior Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
militant, Tamer Hussein Ja'ar, during an operation in the
village of Ilar, near Tulkarm, July 26. Ja'ar was linked to
the suicide bombings in Netanya in July and in Tel Aviv in
February of 2005. According to Israeli media, Muhammad Bada,
assistant to Ja'ar, and a member of Palestinian security
forces, was also arrested in the raid.

-- Arrests: Palestinian newspapers reported that the IDF
arrested a Palestinian at the "container" checkpoint near
Bethlehem after his name appeared as "wanted for questioning"
on an IDF list July 26.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian and Israeli
sources, IDF troops discovered a cave with military equipment
near the village of Azzun, near Qalqiliya, July 26. The IDF
uncovered a stockpile of IDF uniforms, ammunition, and a
number of rifles.


3. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS/CONFISCATIONS:

-- According to Palestinian sources, the IDF demolished three
Palestinian houses in the al-Khadr village area, west of
Bethlehem, July 27. The structures, which reportedly lacked
building permits, were home to approximately 30 Palestinians.

-- Palestinian media reported that Israeli bulldozers on July
26 demolished a house in the Jabal Al Mukaber neighborhood of
East Jerusalem because it did not have a required building
permit.

-- According to Palestinian newspapers, the IDF on July 26
demolished two houses that did not have the required building
permits, one in Funduq and one in Burqin, near Nablus.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: None reported.

-- Riot/Injuries: The IDF reported a riot by Palestinians on
July 26 at the Khatif junction. Palestinian press claimed
that one child was wounded when the IDF used tear gas and
stun grenades. Other Palestinian press reported that one
Palestinian was wounded by live fire.

-- Mortar: The IDF reported one shell fired on July 25 at an
outpost northwest of Khan Yunis.

-- Rocket: UNRWA reported five rockets launched: one at
Morag, one at Ganei Tal, and three at Tel Qatif.

-- Anti-tank Rocket: UNRWA reported on anti-tank rocket fired
at an Israeli APC near Zurub.

-- Explosive Device: The IDF reported that soldiers found and
dismantled an explosive device on July 26 approximately 1.5
km northeast of the Nachal Oz crossing.
-- Shootings: The IDF reported shots fired on July 26 at
soldiers near Rafah Yam. UNRWA reported that IDF troops
fired from an operation post into the Zurub area.
-- Molotov Cocktail: The IDF reported that Palestinians threw
one Molotov cocktail at Israeli civilians in Gadid on July 26.

-- Demonstrations: According to UNRWA, a small demonstration
took place at the UNSCO compound in the northern Gaza Strip,
where approximately 1,000 Palestinians gathered in the
Nuseirat Camp for a festival. One hundred of the festival
participants wore facemasks.

-- Incursion: UNRWA reported that an IDF tank and bulldozer
cleared an area opposite Abu Sarfya on July 26 and then
withdrew.

-- Arrests: None reported.


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 closed again on July

26.

-- 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:

-- Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz met with PA Minister
of Civil Affairs Muhammad Dahlan on July 26. According to
press accounts, the two discussed the construction of a
seaport in Gaza as well as transit options for Palestinians
between the West Bank and Gaza.

-- Defense Minister Mofaz told reporters that he believes
that the IDF may be able to redeploy from the Philadelphi
Strip by the first week in October.
WALLES