Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV3127
2005-05-23 14:46:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: EIGHT PALESTINIANS INJURED IN WB

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 003127 

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: EIGHT PALESTINIANS INJURED IN WB
BARRIER PROTEST; GAZA MUCH QUIETER -- MAY 23, 2005 (1300
HOURS LOCAL)

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 003127

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: EIGHT PALESTINIANS INJURED IN WB
BARRIER PROTEST; GAZA MUCH QUIETER -- MAY 23, 2005 (1300
HOURS LOCAL)

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


1. (SBU) Summary: In the West Bank, eight Palestinians
protesting against the construction of the separation barrier
were wounded by the IDF near the village of Bil'in, near
Ramallah, May 20, and a 14-year-old Palestinian was wounded
by an explosion as he was playing in a valley near the East
Jerusalem village of Sur Baher May 22. Jerusalem police
believe that the boy had uncovered an unexploded mine.
Police arrested a total of 13 Palestinians and 32 Israelis in
the West Bank May 21-23. In Gaza, two Palestinian boys, ages
11 and 12, were injured in an explosion May 22 when they were
playing near the border fence with Egypt in Rafah. The
circumstances of the blast are under investigation, but the
blast may have been caused by unexploded ordinance. End
Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian and Israeli media,
eight Palestinians protesting against the construction of the
separation barrier were wounded by the IDF near the village
of Bil'in, near Ramallah, May 20.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian sources, a 14-year-old
Palestinian was wounded by an explosion as he was playing in
a valley near the East Jerusalem village of Sur Baher May 22.
Jerusalem police believe that the boy had uncovered an
unexploded explosive device.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian sources, a Palestinian
worker was moderately injured by IDF gunfire at a roadblock
near Tulkarm May 22. The incident allegedly took place after
the Palestinian failed to stop when ordered to do so by IDF
soldiers.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, IDF forces
entered Balata refugee camp, near Nablus, May 21 and arrested
seven Fatah activists.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, IDF troops
arrested three Palestinians in Yatta village, near Hebron,

for weapons smuggling May 21.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, Israeli police
arrested 32 Israeli leftist activists who entered the
Palestinian part of Hebron (H1) May 21.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, IDF troops
entered Nablus and arrested three Palestinian militants May

23. During the arrest, two Fatah gunmen were wounded.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian sources,
Palestinian gunmen fired on an IDF post near the settlement
of Kadim, in northern West Bank, May 20. No injuries were
reported.


3. (SBU) CLOSURES

-- On May 21, the IDF lifted the closures imposed on Nablus
and Jenin. These closures had been in effect since May 12.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that two Palestinians boys, ages
11 and 12, were injured in an explosion May 22 when they were
playing near the border fence with Egypt in Rafah. The
circumstances of the blast are under investigation, but the
blast may have been caused by unexploded ordinance.

-- Mortars/Rockets/Shootings: The IDF reported that
Palestinian militants fired a total of four mortar shells and
launched at least four shooting attacks in the Gaza Strip May
20-22. UNRWA reported that at least seven mortar shells were
fired during the same period, the majority of which were
aimed at Neve Dekalim. Another five were fired at Rafiah Yam
settlement on May 20, according to UNRWA.


5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open May 22-23, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction. Abu Khouli Junction was closed May 21.

-- Erez Crossing was closed May 20-21. It re-opened May 22,
and 4,707 laborers and 130 merchants entered Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 20-21. It
re-opened May 22, and 580 laborers entered the zone.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May
21-23, but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction May 22-23.

-- Karni Terminal was closed May 19-21 due to security
threats, but it re-opened May 22-23.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May
21-23.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 21-23. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.


6. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- Israeli media reported that the IDF has decided not to
collect weapons from Gaza settlers until closer to the actual
time of disengagement.

-- UNRWA reported that approximately 1,000 Fatah/al-Aqsa
Brigades supporters demonstrated in Gaza City May 22. Some
reports claim the demonstration was in response to a
demonstration May 21 by some 6,000 Hamas supporters
protesting the court decision to re-do municipal elections in
parts of Bayt Lahiya, Rafah and al-Bureij; others claim that
the demonstrators marched to demand jobs from the PA.

--------------
Israel
--------------


7. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- The IDF reported that Hizbullah fired eight mortar shells
from Lebanese territory into the Har Dov region May 21. No
injuries or damage were reported; the IDF returned fire.

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