Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV4213
2005-07-06 14:39:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: SETTLERS INJURE TEN PALESTINIANS IN

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004213 

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: SETTLERS INJURE TEN PALESTINIANS IN
GAZA -- JULY 6, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004213

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: SETTLERS INJURE TEN PALESTINIANS IN
GAZA -- JULY 6, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

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


1. (SBU) Summary: In the West Bank, the IDF arrested two
youths July 5 on suspicion of throwing a firebomb at an
Israeli car near Nilli settlement, east of Highway 443. IDF
forces demolished 17 structures in the West Bank villages of
Beit Furik and Ein al-Bida, both in the Jordan valley, on
July 5. The structures were reportedly built without permits
from the Israeli authorities. In Gaza, as many as 10
Palestinians were injured, one of them critically July 5,
after being run down by a settler vehicle just outside Kfar
Darom. According to UNRWA, the settlers entered the area in
order to obtain signatures from the Palestinians residents
validating the settlers' title to land in the area. A group
of Palestinians gathered and the settlers reportedly gunned
the engine, crashing their vehicle through the crowd and
escaping the area. The IDF arrived on the scene subsequently
to protect the Palestinian residents from further attack.
Following the incident, Palestinian militants fired a barrage
of seven missiles and mortar rounds on and around the
settlement. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: Nil.

--Arrests: Palestinian sources reported that the IDF arrested
two youths on July 5 on suspicion of throwing a firebomb at
an Israeli car near Nilli settlement, east of Highway 443.

-- Security Incidents: Palestinian media reported that shots
were fired at an Israeli car near Qalqilia on July 5. No
injuries were reported.

--Demolitions: According to Palestinian media, IDF forces
demolished 17 structures in the West Bank villages of Beit
Furik and Ein al-Bida, both in the Jordan valley, on July 5.
The structures were reportedly built without permits from the
Israeli authorities.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA Minister of Interior Nasir Yusif released a statement

describing his July 5 meeting with Israeli Defense Minister
Shaul Mofaz as positive and productive. The two sides
reportedly discussed security coordination for Gaza
disengagement and the handover of Bethlehem and Qalqilia. PA
sources, however, report that the Israelis plan to keep
certain parts of Bethlehem under their control. Yusif and
Mofaz are scheduled to meet again next week.

-- President Abbas departed for Syria July 6. He reportedly
intends to meet with Syrian President Asad and the heads of
the Palestinian factions based in Damascus. President Abbas
will visit Lebanon on July 8 before returning to the West
Bank on July 9.

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


4. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS

-- Demolitions: Israeli and Palestinian sources reported that
the IDF demolished four homes under construction in
Jerusalem's Beit Hanina district on July 5. The homes were
being constructed without building permits, according to
reports. The municipality issued the demolition orders.

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


5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that as many as 10 Palestinians
were injured, one of them critically, on July 5 after being
run down by a settler vehicle just outside Kfar Darom.
According to reports, the settlers entered the area in order
to obtain signatures from the Palestinians residents
validating the settlers' title to nearby land. A group of
Palestinians gathered and the settlers reportedly gunned the
engine, crashing their vehicle through the crowd and escaping
the area. The IDF arrived on the scene subsequently to
protect the Palestinian residents from further attack.
Following the incident, Palestinian militants fired a barrage
of seven missiles and mortar rounds on and around the
settlement (see "Mortars/Rockets").

-- Mortars/Rockets/Shootings: The IDF and UNRWA both reported
that Palestinian militants fired a total of five mortar
shells and two anti-tank rockets on southern Gaza settlements
neighboring IDF outposts overnight July 5-6. Militants also
fired five Qassam rockets into Israel during the same period.
No injuries were reported in any of these attacks.

-- Explosions: The IDF reported that IDF soldiers found and
safely disposed of an IED two kilometers south of Kissufim
Crossing.


6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open July 6, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open July 5. 4,398 laborers and 502
merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open July 5. 553 laborers
entered.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers July 6,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open July 6.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures July

7. As of July 6, the IDF increased the number of passengers
processed per day from approximately 150 to 500-600.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed July 6. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.

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