WB/G SITREP: AUGUST 10, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 003626 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/MUSTAFA E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: AUGUST 10, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) -- IDF ENTER TULKARM ON ARREST RAID, GUNMEN FIRE AT ISRAELI CAR NEAR HEBRON This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In the West Bank, the IDF entered Tulkarm for an arrest operation on August 9, seizing two alleged Hamas members and leaving three Palestinian youths injured in stone-throwing clashes during the operation. Gunmen shot and lightly injured two Israeli settlers in a car near Hebron on August 9. In Gaza, UNRWA reported that one rocket was fired at Tel Qatif overnight August 9-10. No injuries or damage were reported as a result. More than 300 armed and masked members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades demonstrated in Gaza City August 9, according to UNRWA, demanding salaries and the release of one of their members. End Summary. West Bank -------------- ¶2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Gunmen shot and lightly injured two Israeli settlers in a car near Hebron on August 9, according to Israeli radio. -- Injury: A Palestinian was beaten up and lightly injured at a checkpoint in al-Khadr village, near Bethlehem, August 9, after arguing with a soldier about being allowed to pass, according to Palestinian security sources. -- Injuries/Arrests: The IDF entered Tulkarm for an arrest operation on August 9 in which two alleged Hamas members were seized, according to Palestinian security sources. Three Palestinian youths were injured in stone-throwing clashes during the operation, the sources say. -- Arrests: The IDF arrested three alleged PIJ militants in Nur al-Shams Camp, near Tulkarm, August 9, according to Palestinian newspapers. -- Arrests: The IDF arrested three Palestinians in Hebron for possessing knives, according to an IDF press release. -- Arrest: Israeli police arrested a right-wing settler couple in Sa Nur settlement pursuant to an administrative detention order, according to Israeli media. -- Incursion: The IDF entered Bethlehem August 9 and conducted searches, but left without making arrests, according to Palestinian security sources. ¶3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- PA President Abbas met with Hamas leaders in Gaza August 9, with both sides agreeing to hold further discussions on a date for PLC elections, but with Hamas still arguing that Abbas, proposed January date is too late. -------------- Gaza -------------- ¶4. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: None reported. -- Injuries: None reported. -- Mortars/Rockets: UNRWA reported that one rocket was fired at Tel Qatif overnight August 9-10. No injuries or damage were reported as a result. -- Shootings: The IDF reported four instances of shooting at IDF soldiers in Gaza during the afternoon and evening of August 9. No injuries were reported. -- Explosions: None reported. -- Arrests: None reported. ¶5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: None reported. ¶6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: -- Erez Crossing was open for Palestinians. Approximately 300 Palestinian laborers entered Israel on August 10. -- The Erez Industrial Zone was open. -- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers, but open for the import of aggregates used in construction. -- Karni Terminal was partially open August 10. -- Abu Khouli internal crossing opened at 0600 on August 10 and was due to remain open until 2000. -- Rafah Terminal was open in both directions, but closed to Palestinian males between the ages of 16 and 35 traveling from Gaza to Egypt. ¶7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- More than 300 armed and masked members of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades demonstrated in Gaza City August 9, according to UNRWA. The demonstrators dem