WB/G SITREP: ONE ISRAELI SETTLER AND ONE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001561 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA FOR SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE; NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; 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: ONE ISRAELI SETTLER AND ONE PALESTINIAN INJURED IN WEST BANK; ONE MORTAR SHELL EXPLODES IN GAZA, BUT NO INJURIES-- MARCH 16, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: One Israeli settler was injured in a shooting incident perpetrated by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, and one Palestinian was injured by IDF fire in the West Bank March 15-16. Gaza was quiet, except for one mortar shell explosion near Neve Dekalim, but no injuries resulted. End Summary. -------------- West Bank -------------- ¶2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: -- Deaths: Nil. --Injuries: According to Palestinian and Israeli media, an Israeli settler was wounded in a shooting attack in the Hebron city center on March 15. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades took responsibility for the attack. -- Injuries: According to Palestinian sources, a Palestinian man was shot and injured by the IDF near Habla village, Qalqilya governorate, when he attempted to flee from soldiers at a checkpoint on March 16. -- Shootings: According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, shots were fired at an Israeli car near Bracha settlement, near Nablus, on March 15. No injuries were reported. -- Shootings: According to Palestinian sources, three Palestinians were arrested by the IDF in Nablus, and two in Kharbtha village, west of Ramallah, on March 15. -- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, two Palestinians were arrested by the IDF in Taysir village in the Jordan Valley on March 15. Two assault rifles were confiscated. -- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian and Israeli sources, an explosive device detonated at an Israeli bus stop near al-Aroub camp, north of Hebron, on March 15. No injuries were reported. ¶3. (SBU) CLOSURES/CURFEWS: -- According to Palestinian sources, the IDF opened roads between Tal village, Sura and Iraq Burin, all near Nablus, on March 15. ¶4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- According to Palestinian sources, the Arab American University in Jenin held elections on March 15. The Fatah youth bloc won 15 seats, Hamas/Palestinian Islamic Jihad won 14 seats, the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) won 3 seats, and Democratic Front for Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) won 1 seat. -------------- Gaza -------------- ¶5. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Nil. -- Mortars/Rockets: One mortar shell exploded near Neve Dekalim on March 16, but no injuries resulted, according to the IDF. -- Shootings: Nil. -- Explosions: Nil. ¶6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil. ¶7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: -- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic artery, was open March 16, with a major detour at Netzarim Junction. -- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a limited number of Palestinians March 15, and 1,050 laborers and 188 merchants crossed into Israel. -- The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 15, and 572 laborers entered. -- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers, but was open for the import of aggregates used in construction March ¶16. -- Karni Terminal was open, but operated slowly March 16. -- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures March ¶16. -- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed March 16. Toufah checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** KURTZER