WB/G SITREP: ONE PALESTINIAN DEAD, FOUR INJURED IN

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004244

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: ONE PALESTINIAN DEAD, FOUR INJURED IN
THE WEST BANK; TWO DEAD, FOUR INJURED IN GAZA -- JULY 7,
2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

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


1. (SBU) Summary: IDF troops shot and killed 17-year-old
al-Aqsa Brigades member Ahmad Masimi and lightly injured an
accomplice, Ahmad Sanakreh, on July 6 in Nablus. According
to Israeli security sources, the IDF returned fire after
shots were fired at several busloads of settlers who had
entered Nablus accompanied by an IDF protective force to pray
at the Tomb of Joseph. In a separate incident, Palestinian
security sources reported that an al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades
gunman was critically injured on July 6 in an exchange of
fire with IDF forces that entered into Balata camp earlier
that day. In the Gaza Strip, one PIJ militant was killed and
three others were injured July 6 near Morag, when IDF
soldiers responded to a mortar attack on the settlement with
heavy machine gun fire. An 8-year-old Palestinian girl was
also injured in the crossfire. A senior officer of the PA
General Intelligence service was found dead of a gunshot
wound to the head July 7 in Gaza City. The officer had
reportedly been kidnapped the night before, according to
UNRWA. End Summary.

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West Bank
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: IDF troops shot and killed 17-year-old al-Aqsa
Brigades member Ahmad Masimi and lightly injured an
accomplice, Ahmad Sanakreh, on July 6. According to Israeli
security sources, the IDF returned fire after shots were
fired at several busloads of settlers who had entered Nablus
accompanied by an IDF protective force to pray at the Tomb of
Joseph.

-- Injury: In a separate incident, Palestinian security
sources reported that an al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades gunman was
critically injured on July 6 in an exchange of fire with IDF
forces that entered into Balata camp earlier that day.

-- Arrests: Palestinian media reported that the IDF arrested
three Fatah activists in Yatta village outside Hebron on July

6. One of the Fatah activists was reportedly in possession
of an M-16 rifle and a small amount of ammunition.

-- Arrests: Israeli media reported that a Palestinian youth
carrying improvised explosives and a knife was arrested on
July 6 by the IDF with at a roadblock near the village of
Baqa Sharqiya north of Tulkarem.

-- Security Incidents: In Allar village outside Tulkarem, the
IDF raided the homes of two wanted PIJ activists on July 6,
according to Palestinian media. No arrests were made.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian security
sources, two Palestinian youths were lightly injured on July
6 in stone throwing clashes with the IDF in Ayda camp near
Bethlehem, according to Palestinian media.

-- Security Incidents: In the village of Imnaizel outside
Hebron, three Palestinians were lightly injured during
protests against the building of the separation barrier,
according to Palestinian media.

--Demolitions: Palestinian media sources reported that the
IDF, citing a lack of building permits, demolished two homes
in the Nablus area on July 6.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- The Palestinian Legislative Council will hold a closed
session in Ramallah on July 7. PM Ahmad Quraya and Minister
of Interior Nasir Yusif will brief PLC members on security.

-- President Abbas arrived in Damascus on July 6. Abbas will
meet with Syrian President Bashar al-Asad and representatives
of the Palestinian factions based in Damascus. He plans to
visit Lebanon on July 8 and arrive back in Ramallah on July

10.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death/Injuries: UNRWA reported that one PIJ militant was
killed and three others were injured July 6 near Morag, when
IDF soldiers responded to a mortar attack on the settlement
with heavy machine gun fire. An 8-year-old Palestinian girl
was also injured in the crossfire.

-- Death: UNRWA reported that a senior officer of the PA
General Intelligence service was found dead of a gunshot
wound to the head July 7 in Gaza City. The officer had been
kidnapped the night before, according to UNRWA.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian
militants fired one mortar shell each at Netzarim, Nissanit,
and Kfar Darom overnight July 6-7. UNRWA reported an
additional four mortars fired at Morag settlement the evening
of July 6

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinians launched a
total of five shooting attacks on IDF and Israeli settler
targets in the southern Gaza Strip overnight July 6-7.

-- Explosions: The IDF reported that IDF soldiers found and
safely disposed of an explosive device near the Kissufim
Crossing July 6.


5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open July 7, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open July 6, and 3,445 laborers and 361
merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open July 6, and 540 laborers
entered the zone.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers July 7,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open July 7.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures July

7.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint remained closed July 7. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.

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