WB/G SITREP: 19 PALESTINIANS INJURED IN WEST BANK

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004267 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: 19 PALESTINIANS INJURED IN WEST BANK BARRIER PROTESTS; FOUR QASSAMS FIRED INTO ISRAEL FROM GAZA -- JULY 8, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A total of 19 Palestinians were lightly injured on July 7 during stone throwing clashes that erupted with the IDF during a protest against the separation barrier in the village of Immatin, near Nablus. Also in the West Bank, the IDF arrested seven PIJ militants on July 7 during operations in Hebron. During one of the arrests, the IDF confiscated an M16 rifle and a small amount of ammunition. In Gaza, militants fired a total of four Qassam rockets into Israel July 7-8. No injuries were reported. End Summary. -------------- West Bank -------------- ¶2. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injury: Palestinian media sources reported that 19 Palestinians were lightly injured on July 7 during stone throwing clashes that erupted with the IDF during a protest against the separation barrier in the village of Immatin, near Nablus. -- Arrests: Israeli security sources reported that the IDF arrested seven PIJ militants on July 7 during operations in Hebron. During one of the arrests, the IDF confiscated an M16 rifle and a small amount of ammunition. -- Incursions: According to Palestinian security sources, the IDF entered Jenin city and the neighboring refugee camp, and imposed a curfew early on the morning of July 8. IDF forces are reportedly conducting raids and searching houses. Despite several brief exchanges of gunfire, there have been no injuries or arrests reported. -- Incursions: Palestinian media reported that the IDF entered the village of Marda, south of Nablus, early on the morning of July 8 and imposed a curfew. A protest against the separation barrier had been planned there for later in the day. ¶3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: -- Palestinian sources reported that representatives of PIJ, PFLP, and Hamas rejected President Abbas, call to join a national unity government during meetings in Damascus on July ¶8. -- The PA,s General Intelligence (GI) Chief, Tawfik al-Tirawi, admitted during a hearing before the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) July 7 that members of the GI had been involved in security incidents in Ramallah and Jericho, and pledged to take severe administrative measures against anyone proven responsible. Al-Tirawi revealed that the GI has dismissed 32 members of the GI for violating its rules and regulations. -------------- Gaza -------------- ¶4. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Nil. -- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants fired two Qassam rockets into Israel July 7. The rockets landed near Kibbutz Mefalsim, south of Sderot. Militants fired two more Qassams at Nativ Ha'asara and Yad Mordechai July 8. No injuries were reported in either attack. -- Mortars/Rockets/Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants fired three mortar shells and launched one shooting attack at IDF and Israeli settler targets in the Gaza Strip July 7-8. No injuries were reported. ¶5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: -- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic artery, was open July 8, with a major detour at Netzarim Junction. -- Erez Crossing was open July 7, and 4,322 laborers and 431 merchants crossed into Israel. -- The Erez Industrial Zone was open July 7, and 569 laborers entered the zone. -- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers July 8, but was open for the import of aggregates used in construction. -- Karni Terminal was open July 8.. -- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures July ¶8. -- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed July 8. 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