Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05JERUSALEM3683
2005-08-11 14:53:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: AUGUST 11, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --

Tags:  PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 003683 

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 11, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --
TEN PALESTINIANS INJURED IN BARRIER-RELATED CLASHES; ABBAS
CALLS FOR FACTIONS OT ENSURE CALM AND ORDERLY GAZA
WITHDRAWAL


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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 003683

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 11, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) --
TEN PALESTINIANS INJURED IN BARRIER-RELATED CLASHES; ABBAS
CALLS FOR FACTIONS OT ENSURE CALM AND ORDERLY GAZA
WITHDRAWAL


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


1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In the West Bank on August 10, ten
Palestinians were injured during clashes with the IDF over
construction of the separation barrier west of Ramallah. In
Gaza, Israel radio reported August 11 that two Palestinians
in Rafah were injured when an improvised hand grenade
exploded. PA President Abbas and the PLO Executive Committee
met in Gaza City August 10 and issued a statement calling
Gaza disengagement a &historic test for the Palestinian
people,8 and urging that all factions take action to ensure
a smooth, orderly Israeli pullout from Gaza. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Ten Palestinians were injured August 10 in
clashes with the IDF in Liban al-Gharbiya village, west of
Ramallah. The IDF was protecting Israeli workers building the
separation barrier, according to Palestinian newspapers.

-- Arrests: The IDF entered Bethlehem and arrested three
Palestinians on security charges, according to Palestinian
security sources.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- 14 PIJ and al-Aqsa prisoners being held by the Palestinian
Authority (PA) in the Jericho prison declared a hunger strike
starting August 12 if the PA does not release them. The
prisoners have not been prosecuted/tried, but are jailed for
allegedly committing serious security offenses.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: According to the IDF, a Palestinian source
claimed that one Palestinian was wounded August 10 when the
IDF initiated warning shots near the Kissufim Crossing.

-- Injuries: Israel radio reported August 11 that at about
0930 two Palestinians in Rafah were injured when an
improvised hand grenade exploded.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported three shootings by

Palestinians in Gaza August 10: two shootings near the
Netzarim settlement that targeted IDF patrols, and one near
the Rafiah Yam settlement that targeted IDF soldiers. No
injuries resulted.

-- Mortars: The IDF reported one mortar shell fired August
10, 16:05 hrs in the vicinity of an IDF outpost near Netzarim
settlement. No injuries were reported.

-- Explosive Devices: According to the IDF, Palestinian
police found two explosive devices near the Sufa Crossing
August 10, one at 1355 hrs and the other at 1600 hrs. They
were both dismantled by the IDF. No injuries resulted.

-- Explosive Device: The IDF reported that the Palestinian
police located an explosive device August 10 at 1655 hrs near
the Elei Sinai settlement. It was dismantled by the IDF. No
injuries resulted.

-- Fire: Israel Radio reported August 11 at 1352 that a fire
had broken out in a factory in the Erez Industrial Zone.


5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/INTERNAL CHECKPOINTS:

-- Erez crossing was open for Palestinians August 11 with 164
Palestinian laborers and 130 Palestinian merchants used the
crossing.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open August 11, with 404
Palestinian laborers admitted.

-- Rafah Terminal was open in both directions, but closed to
Palestinian males between the ages of 16 and 35 on August 11.
UNRWA reported that the IDF allowed Palestinian males in
this age group to cross provided they had coordinated their
travel with Israeli authorities through PA officials.

-- The Karni terminal was partially open August 11.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers but open
for construction materials August 11.

-- Netzarim Junction at Salahadeen Road was closed August 11.

-- The Netzarim Coastal Road was open August 11.

-- The Abu Houli internal crossing was open during most
daylight hours August 11.

-- Salahadeen Road was open at Sufa/Morag August 11.

-- The Abu Al-Ajeen bypass road was closed August 11.

--- The Toufah checkpoint was closed on August 11.


6. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA President Abbas and the members of the PLO Executive
Committee met in Gaza City August 10 and issued a statement
calling Gaza disengagement a &historic test for the
Palestinian people,8 and urging that all factions take
action to ensure a smooth, orderly Israeli pullout from Gaza.
Abbas separately met with DFLP chief Saleh Zaidan August 10
to reach agreement on maintaining calm throughout Israel,s
disengagement from Gaza, and on setting a date for PLC
elections. Abbas met with Hamas representatives yesterday,
and will meet with PFLP and PIJ delegations August 11 on the
same topics, according to PA political sources.

-- An Israeli military court sentenced Wahid Taysir, a former
IDF soldier, to eighth years in prison August 11 for the
fatal April 2003 shooting of Tom Hurndall, a British national
who was working with the International Solidarity Movement in
Gaza.

-- Israeli media reported August 11 that the Palestinian
Islamic Jihad announced it would continue attacks on Israel
after the pullout.
WALLES