WB/G SITREP: FATAH ACTIVISTS CLASH WITH PA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 003152

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: FATAH ACTIVISTS CLASH WITH PA
SECURITY IN RAMALLAH; MASS DEMONSTRATIONS IN GAZA -- MAY
24, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: Approximately 300 Fatah activists the
evening of May 23 attempted to enter the Muqata'a in Ramallah
in order to visit former Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman
Arafat's gravesite. Clashes erupted as PA security forces
blocked their entrance into the compound. The Fatah
activists responded by throwing stones at PA security, which
in turn responded with automatic gunfire that resulted in
serious wounds to one demonstrator. An IED exploded next to
an IDF on patrol west of Hebron May 23, and the IDF arrested
a Palestinian teenager carrying an explosive belt near the
Bethlehem District Coordination office the same day. Gaza
was largely quiet on the security front, although tens of
thousands of Hamas supporters demonstrated throughout the
strip to protest the PA court decision to re-run elections in
Rafah, Bayt Lahiya, and al-Bureij. End Summary.

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West Bank
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: Nil.

-- Clashes/injury: Approximately 300 Fatah activists the
evening of May 23 attempted to enter the Muqata'a in Ramallah
in order to visit former Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman
Arafat's gravesite. Clashes erupted as PA security forces
blocked their entrance into the compound. The Fatah
activists responded by throwing stones at PA security, which
in turn responded with automatic gunfire that resulted in
serious wounds to one demonstrator.

-- Explosion: A roadside bomb on May 23 exploded next to an
IDF jeep on patrol near Dura village, west of Hebron. There
were no injuries reported from this incident, but the IDF
jeep was damaged in the attack.


3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:

-- Arrest: The IDF on May 23 arrested a Palestinian teenager
carrying an explosive belt near the Bethlehem District
Coordination office.

-- East Jerusalem arrests: Israeli police on May 23 arrested
eight Palestinians from the East Jerusalem neighborhood of
Isawiya on suspicion of carrying out, as members of the PFLP,
a series of firebomb and stoning attacks against Israeli
vehicles.

-- Human shield allegation: According to Palestinian
witnesses and the Israeli daily Ha'aretz IDF soldiers used a
Palestinian youth from Dura village, west of Hebron, as a
human shield during clashes with Palestinians in the village
last week. According to the Ha'aretz report, the IDF has
denied the allegation.


4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- Fourteen Palestinian prisoners incarcerated in Jericho on
May 23 suspended their hunger strike following a visit from
members of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The
PLC has reportedly agreed to convene a session of the council
to address the prisoners, grievances, namely their continued
detention without charges or trial.

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


5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that three students of al-Aqsa
University were injured May 23 when a dispute between Fatah
and Hamas supporters broke out over the decision to postpone
the student council elections at the university.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian
militants fired one mortar shell at an IDF outpost west of
Khan Yunis in the early morning hours May 24. UNRWA reported
that responsibility for mortars fired May 23 had been jointly
claimed by PFLP, the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the
Popular Resistance Committees (PRC)

-- Shootings: The IDF reported two exchanges of fire May 23,
one near Rafiah Yam and the other near Rafah.


6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open May 24, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open May 23, and 4,773 laborers and 254
merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open May 23, and 615 laborers
entered Israel.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 24,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open May 24.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May

24.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 24. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.


7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- UNRWA and Palestinian sources reported that some 50,000
Hamas supporters demonstrated in Gaza City the evening of May
23 to protest the court decision to re-run elections in parts
of Bayt Lahiya, Rafah, and al-Bureij. Another 10,000 Hamas
supporters demonstrated in Rafah, 5,000-6,000 demonstrated in
al-Bureij, and 4,000-5,000 demonstrated in Nuseirat,
according to UNRWA.

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