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. -------------- West Bank -------------- ¶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. ********************************************* ******************** Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv You can also access this site through the State Department's Classified SIPRNET website. ********************************************* ******************** KURTZER