Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV4183
2005-07-05 13:40:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: CLASHES BETWEEN FATAH AND HAMAS

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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051340Z Jul 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 004183 

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: CLASHES BETWEEN FATAH AND HAMAS
ACTIVISTS INJURE SIX IN GAZA. -- JULY 5, 2005 (1400 HOURS
LOCAL)


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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 TEL AVIV 004183

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: CLASHES BETWEEN FATAH AND HAMAS
ACTIVISTS INJURE SIX IN GAZA. -- JULY 5, 2005 (1400 HOURS
LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: Israeli Press reported that six
Palestinians were injured July 4 in clashes between Fatah and
Hamas activists in Bani Suhelia, east of Khan Yunis. Hamas
leaders Mahmoud al-Zahar and Mushir al-Masri rejected PA
Prime Minister Abu Ala'a's call to form a national unity
government, saying that priority should be given to setting a
date for elections. According to Israeli media reports, PA
Minister of Interior and National Security Nasir Yusef will
meet Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz this evening to Tel
Aviv to discuss security coordination in Gaza. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: Palestinian security sources reported that an IDF
soldier and six activists were wounded on July 1 during a
protest against the separation barrier in the village of
Bil,in, west of Ramallah.

-- Security Incidents: Palestinian media sources reported
that unidentified gunmen opened fire at IDF soldiers in the
village of Dir Istia, southeast of Qalqilia, on July 1.

-- Security Incidents: On July 2, Palestinian militants
hurled an explosive charge and opened fire at IDF forces in
the village of Kalil, south of Nablus. No casualties were
reported.

-- Security Incidents: Palestinian media reported that shots
were fired at Qadim settlement near Jenin on July 1. No
injuries or damages were reported.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- According to Israeli media reports, PA Minister of
Interior and National Security Nasir Yusif will meet Israeli
Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz this evening in Tel Aviv to
discuss security coordination in Gaza.

-- Hamas leaders Mahmud al-Zahar and Mushir al-Masri rejected
PA Prime Minister Abu Ala'a's call to form a national unity
government, saying that priority should be given to setting a

date for elections. Mahmoud al-Zahar also said that he has
lost confidence in President Mahmud Abbas, leadership
because he has failed to fulfill his promises to the Islamist
factions.

--------------
Jerusalem
--------------


4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- A larger than usual number of Palestinian Authority
ministers and senior oficials attended the ConGen's July 4
celebration at the Notre Dame Hotel in Jerusalem. Among the
attendees were: Interior Minister Yusif, Foreign Affairs
Minister al-Kidwa, National Economy Minister Sinogrot,
Tourism Ministes al-Bendaq, Minister of State Khoury,
Palestinian Monetary Authority head Abed, Presidential
National Security Advisor Rajub, and Presidential Political
Advisor Abd al-Rahman. According to a number of Palestinians
in attendance, the better-than-usual turn-out is probably the
result of the GOI's more liberal approach to issuing travel
permits to Palestinian political leaders, and to a sense
among Palestinians tha the U.S. has become more engaged in
efforts to resolve the conflict.

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


5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: UNRWA reported that a 22-year old Palestinian
woman was killed on July 2 by her brother in Jabalia for
"honor" reasons.

-- Injuries: According to UNRWA reports, IDF soldiers fired
their weapons at the Zurub area and Tel el-Sultan quarter
July 1, injuring an 18-month old girl.
-- Injuries: IDF reported IDF soldiers shot at a Palestinian
suspect near the IDF outpost east of Rafiah Yam village on
July 1. Palestinians claimed the suspect was injured.

-- Injuries: Acording to IDF reports, IDF soldiers discovered
an explosive device near Morag Village on July 2.
Palestinians and UNRWA reported one Palestinian was injured
in a responsive shooting by the IDF.

-- Injuries: On July 2, an IDF tank fired on a Palestinian
trying to plant a bomb near Nitzarim, moderately injuring the
Palestinian.

-- Injuries: The IDF briefly entered the Rafah Brazil quarter
of Gaza on July 3. One Palestinian gunman was moderately
wounded.

-- Injuries: On July 3, the IDF reported its soldiers shot
and injured one armed Palestinian in the vicinity of Slav
settlement.

-- Injuries: Israeli press reported that six Palestinians
were injured July 4 in clashes between Fatah and Hamas
activists in Bani Suhelia, east of Khan Yunis. The
Palestinians were injured after members of the Iz a Din
al-Kassam Brigade, a Hamas military wing, deployed roadblocks
and began patroling the streets, reportedly in an attempt to
challenge Fatah and the Palestinian Authority.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported a Palestinian male was injured
when IDF soldiers opened fire in the al-Shouka Palestinian
area of Rafah on July 2.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that a 24-year old Palestinian
was shot and injured by IDF soldiers responding to light arms
fire at the Atzmona settlement on July 3.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Palestinians fired two mortars on July 3
at IDF postions in Gaza with no reported injuries.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The morning of July 5 saw a mortar shell
fired at Gush Katif. There was some damage, but no injuries
were reported.

-- Mortars/Rockets: IDF reported a total of 18 mortars were
fired July 2-July 5. No reports of injuries.

-- Shootings: Overnight on July 3, Palestinians opened fire a
total of six times on IDF positions. No casualties were
reported.

-- Shootings: IDF reported a total of 20 shooting incidents
July 2-July 5. No casualties were reported.

-- Explosions: A bomb exploded on July 2 near IDF troops in
the area of Gush Katif. No casualties were reported.

-- Explosions: An IDF patrol was targeted by a bomb on July 2
in the Muwassi area. There were no reports of casualties.
PIJ took credit for the attack.


6. (SBU) ARRESTS:

-- Israeli Border Police arrested nine Gaza residents on July
4 for attempting to infiltrate Israel from Egypt.

-- On July 2, the IDF arrested seven unarmed Palestinians in
two separate incidents as the Palestinians attempted to
infiltrate into Israel.


7. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS:

-- The IDF briefly entered the Rafah Brazil quarter of Gaza
on July 3. One Palestinian gunman was moderately wounded.

-- UNRWA reported that IDF tanks, APCs and bulldozers removed
the southern part of an Islamic cemetery in Rafah on July 3
in order to construct the separation fence on the Philadephi
Route and widen the buffer.


8. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and Palestinian
laborers July 1-4. On July 1, 2,440 laborers and 210
merchants entered Israel. On July 2, 164 laborers and 51
merchants entered Israel. On July 3, 5,958 laborers and 405
merchants entered Israel. On July 4, 4,328 Palestinian
laborers and 517 merchants entered Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed during the weekend.
On July 3, 589 Palestinians entered the zone. On July 4, 563
Palestinians entered the Zone.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers July 4,
but was open for construction materials.

-- Karni Terminal was open July 4.
-- Rafah Terminal was open for all Palestinians July 1 and 4.


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