Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV103
2005-01-06 16:12:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: TWO GUNMEN KILLED IN ATTACK ON THE

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000103 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
DRL FOR A/S CRANER; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN;
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR DEWEY/GREENE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: TWO GUNMEN KILLED IN ATTACK ON THE
EREZ CROSSING: JANUARY 6, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000103

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
DRL FOR A/S CRANER; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN;
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR DEWEY/GREENE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: TWO GUNMEN KILLED IN ATTACK ON THE
EREZ CROSSING: JANUARY 6, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)

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


1. (SBU) Summary: The body of second Palestinian gunman was
found late on January 5 near the Erez Crossing, both men
having been shot and killed after they succeeded in
approaching the crossing overnight January 4-5 along with a
group of pilgrims leaving to go on the Hajj. The militants
used small arms, anti-tank missiles, and hand grenades
against the soldiers, who responded in kind, calling in an
IAF helicopter gunship for support. In addition to the two
militants killed, three PA security officers were also
reportedly injured and the crossing itself was damaged in the
attack (although it re-opened for Hajj travelers and
diplomats January 6). One of the militants was reportedly
associated with Fatah, the other with PIJ. A total of 12 PA
security officers were arrested. Elsewhere in Gaza, at least
one Palestinian militant threw hand grenades at an IDF patrol
after he infiltrated Ganei Tel settlement January 6. In the
West Bank, Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an IDF
headquarters near Jenin on January 5, but no casualties were
reported. The IDF arrested a total eight Palestinians
January 5, mostly near Nablus and Salfit. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Attacks: Palestinian gunmen opened fire on an IDF
headquarters near Jenin on January 5, according to Israeli
and Palestinian media, but no casualties were reported.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested eight Palestinians, mostly near
Nablus and Salfit, in the West Bank on January 5, according
to Palestinian sources.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- A coalition of civil society organizations issued a
statement January 5 calling on the PLC to take action to pass
draft laws establishing a mixed majoritarian and proportional

representation system.

-- Abu Mazen was to visit Nablus and Salfit January 6, attend
morning Orthodox Christmas celebrations on Friday, January 7,
and may hold a rally in al-Ram, near Jerusalem, on January 7,
according to Palestinian political sources.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: Israeli media reported that at least one
Palestinian militant threw hand grenades at an IDF patrol
after he infiltrated Ganei Tel settlement January 6. A
gunfight erupted between the soldiers and the militant, with
the soldiers calling in an IAF helicopter. One militant was
killed, with a possible second attacker remaining at large.
Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

-- Deaths/Injuries/Arrests: UNRWA and Israeli media reported
that the body of second Palestinian gunman was found late on
January 5 near the Erez Crossing (see January 5 SitRep).
Both gunmen were shot and killed after they succeeded in
approaching the crossing overnight January 4-5 along with a
group of pilgrims leaving to go on the Hajj. The militants
used small arms, anti-tank missiles, and hand grenades
against the soldiers, who responded in kind, calling in an
IAF helicopter gunship for support. In addition to the two
militants killed, three PA security officers were also
reportedly injured, according to UNRWA, and the crossing
itself was damaged (although Erez re-opened for Hajj
travelers and diplomats January 6. See "Border Crossings").
One of the militants was reportedly associated with Fatah,
the other with PIJ. A total of 12 PA security officers were
arrested, according to media reports.

-- Injury: UNRWA reported that a Palestinian woman was shot
and wounded January 5 during an exchange of fire between IDF
soldiers and Palestinian militants in Rafah.
-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that five militants were wounded
January 5 near Bayt Hanoun when a mortar they were attempting
to fire exploded prematurely.

-- Injury: UNRWA reported that one Palestinian was shot and
wounded January 5 during an exchange of fire between IDF
soldiers and Palestinian militants in Rafah. The man, a
teacher at the UNRWA boys school, was shot while inside the
school with his class. A second Palestinian was shot and
wounded in exchanges later the same day, according to UNRWA.

-- Catch-up item: Injuries: UNRWA reported that eight
Palestinians were treated for tear gas inhalation in Khan
Yunis January 4 after IDF soldiers fired gas grenades, in
response to rocket fire at Neve Dekalim.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian
militants fired a total of eight mortar shells and two
anti-tank missiles January 5 at IDF and Israeli settler
targets in the Gaza Strip. Militants fired one Qassam rocket
at Dugit settlement January 5. No injuries were reported.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
launched a total of six shooting attacks at IDF soldier and
Israeli settler targets January 5-6.

-- Explosions: The IDF reported that soldiers discovered and
safely deactivated an explosive device near the Erez Crossing
the morning of January 5 and a second near an IDF outpost
south of Rafah later the same day. No injuries were reported.


5. (SBU) ARRESTS:

-- UNRWA reported that IDF soldiers arrested one Palestinian
north of Bayt Lahiya January 6.

-- UNRWA reported that IDF soldiers arrested three men in
Rafah January 5. The three are accused of digging tunnels
used to smuggle arms.


6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS:

-- UNRWA reported that the Erez checkpoint re-opened January
6 after closing January 5 following an attack by Palestinian
militants (see"Deaths/Injuries/Arrests"). PA security forces
were allowed to return to their posts, although IDF
bulldozers continued excavations in the area near the
industrial zone.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open January 6, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- The Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinian merchants and Hajj travelers
January 6. A total of 50 merchants crossed into Israel
January 6.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed to laborers
January 6, although 62 factory owners were authorized to
enter.

-- Sufa Crossing remained closed for Palestinian laborers
January 6, but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open January 6.

-- Rafah Terminal was closed January 6.

-- Tel al-Sultan and Toufah checkpoints were both closed
January 6.

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