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. -------------- West Bank -------------- ¶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. -------------- 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. ********************************************* ******************** 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