WB/G SITREP: EIGHT PALESTINIANS AND THREE PA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001956

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/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: EIGHT PALESTINIANS AND THREE PA
POLICEMEN ARRESTED IN THE WEST BANK; PALESTINIANS SHOOT AT
IDF SOLDIERS IN THE GAZA STRIP, BUT NO INJURIES-- MARCH 30,
2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: The IDF arrested eight Palestinians and
three uniformed PA policemen in the West Bank March 29.
Palestinians shot at IDF soldiers east of Netzarim and near
Rafah March 29 in the Gaza strip, but no injuries occurred.
End Summary.

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West Bank
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested eight Palestinians from Nablus,
Hebron and Jenin March 29 in the West Bank, according to
Palestinian sources.

-- Arrests/Incursions: The IDF crossed into H1 (the area of
Hebron under PA security control) on March 29 and arrested
three uniformed PA policemen who were directing traffic in
the city center, according to Palestinian sources. The
sources said that the three were released a few hours later
and told by the IDF that they could not wear PA police
uniforms. The sources said, however, that the policemen will
continue to wear uniforms, as authorized under the Interim
Agreement and other PA-GOI arrangements.


3. (SBU) SEPARATION BARRIER:

-- Palestinian residents reported March 30 that Israeli
Border Police served property owners in al-Jib, northeast of
Jerusalem, with land confiscation orders for the construction
of the separation barrier.


4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- The Fatah Revolutionary Council (FRC),a key Fatah
governing body, issued a communiqu on March 29 supporting
PLC elections for July 17 and establishing a technical
committee to run Fatah primary elections before those
elections, according to FRC sources.

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


5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: According to Israeli media, the IDF arrested two
unarmed Palestinians March 30 in the northern Gaza strip.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Nil.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, Palestinians shot at IDF
soldiers March 29 at an outpost east of Netzarim and another
outpost north of Rafah, but no injuries occurred.

-- Explosions: Nil.


6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open March 30, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction. Abu Khouli checkpoint was open.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinians March 29, and 3,413 laborers
and 236 merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 29 and 616
laborers entered.

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

-- Karni Terminal was open March 30.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures March

30.
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed March 30. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi.

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