Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV571
2005-01-31 17:41:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: IDF ARRESTS FIVE PALESTINIANS IN THE

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000571 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR
DEWEY/GREENE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: IDF ARRESTS FIVE PALESTINIANS IN THE
WEST BANK, INCLUDING AN AL-AQSA MEMBER; IN GAZA, THE IDF
KILLS A 10 YR-OLD PALESTINIAN AND WOUNDS A 7 YR-OLD IN
RAFAH; JANUARY 31, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)


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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000571

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR
DEWEY/GREENE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: IDF ARRESTS FIVE PALESTINIANS IN THE
WEST BANK, INCLUDING AN AL-AQSA MEMBER; IN GAZA, THE IDF
KILLS A 10 YR-OLD PALESTINIAN AND WOUNDS A 7 YR-OLD IN
RAFAH; JANUARY 31, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: Despite the absence of incursions or
demolitions in the Gaza strip, the IDF accidentally shot and
killed a 10 year-old girl and wounded another 7 year-old
Palestinian child in Rafah January 31. As many as 32
Palestinians, including passersby, were injured in violent
clashes that broke out between Hamas and Fatah supporters
January 29 in al-Maghazi camp, one of the few areas won by
Fatah during the election. In the West Bank, the IDF
arrested five Palestinians, including one al-Aqsa Brigades
member. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Death: Nil

-- Injury: Nil.

-- Clashes: Israeli and Palestinian demonstrators clashed
with the IDF January 28 in the vicinity of Iskaka village,
near the Israeli settlement of Ariel.

-- Curfew/Arrest: IDF soldiers January 29 imposed a curfew
and conducted searches of Palestinian homes in the village of
Seida east of Tulkarm. The IDF arrested a senior al-Aqsa
Brigades member.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested the evening of January 29 four
Palestinians in Hebron.

-- Arrests: The IDF January 30 arrested two Fatah activists
in a refugee camp near Nablus.

-- Shooting: Unknown gunmen fired upon an IDF vehicle January
29 traveling in the vicinity of Hebron. There were no
injuries reported from the incident.

-- Shootings: IDF soldiers January 30 came under gunfire in
two separate incidents in Nablus. There were no injuries
reported from the two incidents.

-- Prisoner Release: The IDF January 29 released from custody
a senior Preventive Security Officer from Nablus arrested
last week. Mohammad Dahlan had requested the PSO officer's
release in advance of Dahlan's meeting with Israeli Defense

Minister Mofaz.


3. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS:

-- The IDF January 31 announced plans to demolish
approximately 74 buildings, including homes, constructed
without permits in the Sur Baher neighborhood of East
Jerusalem. The buildings are located within 500 meters of
the separation fence.


4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- Senior PA officials met with their Israeli counterparts
the evening of January 29 to discuss the handing over of West
Bank cities to Palestinian control. The parties discussed
the handover of Ramallah, Tulkarm, Qalqiliya, and Jericho.

-- Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmud Abbas is
scheduled to return to Ramallah February 2 following overseas
visits to Jordan, Russia, and Turkey.

-- Prime Minister Abu Ala'a arrived January 29 in the Gaza
Strip for meetings with PA officials and members of the
various Palestinian factions. Palestinian press reports
speculated on possible cabinet appointments including
Mohammad Dahlan as Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Nabil Amr as
Minister of Information, and Nasir Yusif as Minister of
Interior.

-- The Palestinian Legislative Council commenced
deliberations January 29 over the amended general elections
law, retirement law, and several other draft laws. These
deliberations will continue until February 3.

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


5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: A 10 year-old Palestinian girl was killed by IDF
fire in the southern Gaza Strip on January 31, according to
Israeli media (see "injury").

-- Death: The IDF reported that one Palestinian suspect was
killed on January 30 near Rafah (see "shooting").
-- Injury: According to Israeli media, a 7 year-old
Palestinian girl was injured by IDF fire in Rafah January 31
(see "death").

--Injuries: UNRWA and Israeli media reported that as many as
32 Palestinians, including passersby, were injured in violent
clashes that broke out January 29 in al-Maghazi camp, one of
the few areas won by Fatah during the election. The clashes
were reportedly provoked by Hamas supporters who entered the
camp chanting slogans. Shots were fired and both sides used
IEDs, small arms, knives, rocks and clubs in their dispute
until the fight was broken up community leaders, according to
UNRWA.

-- Mortars/Rockets: According to the IDF, two mortar shells
exploded January 29-30 at Netzer Hazani, but no injuries
occurred.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported two shooting incidents, one
near Rafah (see "death") and one near Khan Yunis January
29-31.

-- Explosive devices: According to the IDF, four explosive
devices, none of which detonated, were discovered between
January 29-31. Two of these were discovered near Sufa
crossing, one at Kissufim and one at Atzmona.


6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open January 29-31, with a major detour at
Netzarim Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and diplomats,
but closed for Palestinians January 29-31.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed January 29-31.

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

-- Karni Terminal was closed January 29-31.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals January 29-31, but
not departures.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed January 29-31. Toufah
checkpoint was open for departures only for residents of
al-Mowassi January 29-31.


8. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- Israeli media reported that approximately 150,000 people
demonstrated peacefully in Jerusalem January 30 against the
PM Sharon's Gaza disengagement plan.

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