WB/G SITREP:7,000 FATAH SUPORTERS RALLY IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001538

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PTER ASEC PHUM CASC KPAL
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP:7,000 FATAH SUPORTERS RALLY IN
JABALIYA:MARCH 16(1700 HRS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: The IDF arrested two Palestinians March
14 when the men tried to infiltrate the border fence into
Israel east of Dayr al-Balah. The men reportedly intended to
enter Israel in search of work. Fatah organized a rally of
some 7,000 people March 14 in Jabaliya in honor of
"Palestinian martyrs" from the camp. The IDF wounded two
Palestinians near Tulkarem. IDF troops arrested two Hamas
members near Bir Ziet. End Summary.

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Gaza
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Palestinian militants fired one mortar
shell at Neve Dekalim March 14, according to the IDF.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
launched one shooting attack targeting an IDF APC March 14
west of Rafah. UNRWA reported a second shooting attack on
an IDF vehicle patrolling near Neve Dekalim the same day.

-- Explosions: The IDF reported that soldiers discovered
and safely detonated March 14 an explosive device near the
border fence with Egypt, opposite Block J in Rafah.


3. (SBU) ARRESTS:

-- UNRWA reported that the IDF arrested two Palestinians
March 14 when the men tried to infiltrate the border fence
into Israel east of Dayr al-Balah. The men reportedly were
in search of work.


4. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south
traffic artery, was open March 15, with a major detour at
Netzarim Junction. As of March 13, private vehicles are
allowed to transit Abu Khouli checkpoint.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinians March 14, and 1,075 laborers
and 140 merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 14, and 583
laborers entered.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers March
15, but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open March 15.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures
March 15.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed March 15. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except for
males between the ages of 16-35.


5. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- UNRWA reported that Fatah organized a rally of some
7,000 people March 14 in Jabaliya in honor of "Palestinian
martyrs" from the camp.

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


6. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian media, IDF soldiers
opened fire and lightly wounded two Palestinians near Tulkarm
while they were working in farm fields on March 14.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, the IDF
arrested a Fatah member in Khatam Kapisha village, near
Hebron, on March 14. During the arrest, IDF troops
reportedly found five pipe bombs.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, IDF soldiers
arrested two armed West Bank settlers suspected of opening
fire in the Palestinian village of Kufur Arik, near Nablus,
on March 14.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, Israeli
security forces seized a Palestinian truck carrying stolen
tank parts, and arrested four Palestinians at al-Hamra
checkpoint, in the Jordan Valley, on March 14.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian reports, IDF troops
arrested two members of Hamas in the village of Bir Zeit on
March 14. The two were arrested when the IDF erected a
flying checkpoint at the entrance to Bir Zeit University.
IDF set up a roadblock at the entrance to the campus on March

14. Students threw stones while IDF troops responded with
tear gas.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian sources,
shots were fired at an IDF vehicle near Nablus. No injuries
were reported.

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