WB/G SITREP: THREE KATYUSHA ROCKETS LAND IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002996 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: THREE KATYUSHA ROCKETS LAND IN ISRAEL; SETTLERS BEAT ELDERLY PALESTINIAN IN THE WEST BANK -- MAY 13, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Israeli settlers beat and lightly injured an elderly Palestinian man working in fields near Salem village on May 12, and IDF soldiers arrested 22 settlers for entering Palestinian villages near Nablus the same day for a demonstration and refusing IDF orders to leave. The arrestees were taken to Ariel police station for questioning and then released. In Gaza, some 45,000 Israelis joined settlers in the Gush Katif bloc to celebrate Israeli Independence Day and to demonstrate their opposition to the GOI plan to evacuate the Gaza settlements. Three Katyusha rockets, reportedly fired from Lebanese territory, landed near Har Dov and Shlomi May 11-12. No injuries were reported and the IDF did not respond militarily. End Summary. -------------- West Bank -------------- ¶2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Israeli settlers beat and lightly injured an elderly Palestinian man working in fields near Salem village on May 12, according to Palestinian sources. -- Injuries: Four Palestinian youths were lightly injured in clashes with the IDF in Dura village, near Hebron, on May 12, according to Palestinian sources. -- Arrests: The IDF arrested 22 settlers for entering Palestinian villages near Nablus on May 12 for a demonstration and refusing IDF orders to leave, according to Israeli media. The arrestees were taken to Ariel police station for questioning and then released. -- Arrests: The IDF arrested three Palestinians in Tubas for suspected militant activity on May 12, according to Palestinian sources. -- Arrests: The IDF arrested a Palestinian youth at Huwwara checkpoint for carrying a pistol, according to Palestinian security sources. ¶3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- According to the Israeli newspaper Ha'aretz on May 13, the PA has collected weapons from all fugitives in Jericho and has collected weapons from most fugitives in Tulkarm. -------------- Gaza -------------- ¶4. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Nil. -- Mortars/Rockets: Palestinian militants fired a total of five mortar shells at IDF and Israeli settler targets in the Gush Katif settlement bloc May 11-13. No injuries were reported. -- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinians launched a total of four shooting attacks against IDF outposts around the Gush Katif settlement bloc May 11-13. No injuries were reported. ¶5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: -- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic artery, was open May 12-13, with a major detour at Netzarim Junction. -- Erez Crossing was closed for Palestinians May 11-12, but open for internationals. -- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 11-12. -- Sufa Crossing was closed May 12 for Israeli Independence Day. Sufa re-opened May 13 for the import of aggregates used in construction. -- Karni Terminal was closed May 12 for Israeli Independence Day, but re-opened May 13. -- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 12-13. -- Tel al-Sultan and Toufah checkpoints were closed May 12-13. ¶6. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- Some 45,000 Israelis joined settlers in the Gush Katif bloc to celebrate Israeli Independence Day and to demonstrate their opposition to the GOI plan to evacuate the Gaza settlements, according to Israeli media. -------------- Israel -------------- ¶7. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Israeli media reported that a Katyusha rocket, reportedly fired from Lebanese territory, impacted near the town of Shlomi May 11. The rocket landed in an industrial zone to the north of the town and damaged a bakery, but no injuries were reported. Two more Katyusha rockets were fired the evening of May 12, landing near an IDF outpost on Har Dov. IDF troops did not respond to either attack. The GOI lodged a formal protest of these events with the United Nations. ********************************************* ******************** 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