WB/G SITREP: IDF KILLS AL-AQSA MILITANT IN NABLUS,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 002362

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: IDF KILLS AL-AQSA MILITANT IN NABLUS,
AS MANY AS 22 INJURED IN WEST BANK VIOLENCE -- APRIL 14,
2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

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


1. (SBU) Summary: In the West Bank, the IDF on April 14 shot
and killed an al-Aqsa Martyrs, Brigades militant during an
arrest operation in the Balatah refugee camp in Nablus,
according to Israeli media reports. Palestinian sources,
however, have termed the incident a targeted killing by the
IDF. On April 13 six Palestinians and as many as four IDF
soldiers sustained injuries in clashes with IDF troops north
of Hebron; another seven Israeli and Palestinian protesters
were injured the same day west of Ramallah when they clashed
with Israeli police during a demonstration against the
separation barrier the same day. In Bethlehem, five
Palestinians on April 13 sustained moderate injuries when a
hand grenade exploded in the city's main market. Palestinian
Legislative Council (PLC) member Ahmad al-Batsh on April 13
claimed that unknown assailants fired gunshots earlier in the
day at his home in village of Bir Nabala, north of Jerusalem.
There were no reported injuries from this incident.
Although the circumstances behind the shooting are unknown,
al-Batsh is known for his pro-reform positions and vocal
criticism of the PA. Gaza was largely quiet. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: The IDF April 14 shot and killed a member of the
al-Aqsa Martyrs, Brigades in the Balatah refugee camp in
Nablus. According to Palestinian sources, the IDF entered
the camp and surrounded the building where the militant was
hiding. The militant was reportedly shot as he exited the
building. Palestinians are labeling the incident a targeted
killing. Israeli media sources, however, reported that the
IDF killed the al-Aqsa militant after he opened fire on the
IDF.

-- Clashes/Injuries: Palestinians on April 13 clashed with
the IDF in Surif village, north of Hebron. Six Palestinians
sustained injuries. The clashes erupted after an IDF jeep
carrying four IDF soldiers overturned in the village. All
four soldiers sustained light injuries, according to press
reports. The IDF claimed that only two soldiers were
injured.

-- Clashes/Injuries: Palestinians and Israeli peace activists
on April 13 clashed with Israeli Border Police in Bil,in
village, west of Ramallah, to protest the construction of the
separation barrier. Seven protesters sustained light
injuries during the clashes.

-- Injuries: Five Palestinian minors on April 13 sustained
moderate injuries when an IED exploded in the main city
market in Bethlehem. The Palestinian police are
investigating the exact circumstances of the incident.


3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:

-- Incursion/Arrests: The IDF on April 14 entered Nablus and
arrested two Palestinian militants. The two militants,
associated with Hamas and the al-Aqsa Martyrs, Brigades, are
suspected of carrying out attacks against Israeli targets.

-- Police Raid: The Israeli Police on April 13 raided the
offices of a Palestinian civil society organization
associated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of
Palestine (PFLP) in the Old City of Jerusalem. The police
searched the premises and left after several hours.

-- Arrests: Israeli security officials on April 13 announced
the arrest last week of three members of a Fatah cell from
the Qalqiliya area that had planned to carry out an attack on
April 10.

-- Security Incident: Unknown individuals on April 13 threw
an explosive device at an Israeli military vehicle near
Bethlehem. There were no injuries reported from this
incident.

-- Shooting: Unknown individuals on April 13 fired gunshots
at an IDF position near Idhna village, west of Hebron. There
were no reported injuries from this incident.


4. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS:

-- Israeli settlers from the Qedumim settlement, southwest of
Nablus, on April 13 uprooted olive trees belonging to
Palestinian residents in a nearby village. The IDF searched
the area for suspects, but made no arrests.


5. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- Following an April 13 meeting of the Palestinian Authority
(PA) Ministerial Committee on Gaza Disengagement, PA Prime
Minister Ahmad Quraya, (Abu Ala,a) stated that the PA is
interested in coordinating the withdrawal of Israeli forces
and settlers from Gaza and the northern West Bank, according
to the Palestinian press.

-- Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member Ahmad
al-Batsh on April 13 claimed that unknown assailants fired
gunshots earlier in the day at his home in the village of Bir
Nabala, north of Jerusalem. There were no reported injuries
from this incident. Although the circumstances behind the
shooting are unknown, al-Batsh is known for his pro-reform
positions and vocal criticism of the PA.

-- Palestinian and Israeli media reported that approximately
30 Israeli and Palestinian mayors on April 13 held a special
conference in Jericho where they agreed to a symbolic
one-year civilian hudna (cease-fire). The PA Ministry of
Local Government and a number of Israeli mayors sponsored the
one-day conference.

-- A coalition of Fatah and Palestinian People's Party
candidates won 16 of the 31 seats in student council
elections held on April 13 at Bethlehem University. Hamas
and PIJ won a total of ten seats, while the PFLP won five
seats.

-- Palestinian prisoners incarcerated by Israel plan to go on
a hunger strike on April 17 to mark the beginning of a
week-long series of activities in the West Bank and Gaza
Strip to protest their imprisonment.

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


6. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian
militants fired one mortar shell at Morag settlement in the
early morning hours of April 14.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that militants launched one
shooting attack at an IDF outpost north of Netzarim April 13.

-- Explosions: UNRWA and the IDF reported that IDF soldiers
found and safely detonated an IED April 13 near an IDF
outpost west of Rafah, along the border fence with Egypt.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open April 14, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinians April 13, and 4,612 laborers
and 230 merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open April 13, and 674
laborers entered.

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

-- Karni Terminal was open April 14.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures April

14.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed April 14. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi.


8. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- UNRWA reported that the Islamic and National Powers
organization held a demonstration April 13 in Khan Yunis to
show solidarity with Palestinian prisoners being held in
Israel jails. In al-Maghazi camp, PFLP members demonstrated
April 13 demanding that the PA impose a death sentence on the
men accused of murdering PFLP leader Mohammad al-Aydi in

2003. On April 13 in Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya, family
members and sympathizers of the woman who was killed April 8
by armed men who attacked her vehicle in a robbery attempt
conducted demonstrations. The killers are reportedly Hamas
members; Hamas has issued statements disavowing the accused.

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