UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000651

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: PALESTINIAN YOUTH WOUNDED BY IDF
GUNFIRE IN ROCK-THROWING CLASH IN WEST BANK; SHOOTING
INCIDENTS, BUT NO INJURIES IN GAZA STRIP. FEBRUARY 3, 2005
(1500 HOURS LOCAL)



1. (SBU) Summary: In the West Bank, a Palestinian was shot
and wounded by IDF soldiers during stone-throwing skirmishes
near the village of Burqa south of Jenin. Two Palestinian
youths were injured during stone-throwing clashes with the
IDF in Nablus. Four Palestinians were arrested in various
areas of the West Bank. The IDF lifted the closure of the
village of Saida near Tulkarm. In the Gaza Strip, the IDF
reported that Palestinian militants engaged in three
instances of shooting at IDF soldiers and Israeli settlers
throughout the Gaza Strip. UNRWA reported that IDF soldiers
engaged in sporadic fire inside the Rafah refugee camp
throughout the day February 3. No injuries have been
reported from these incidents. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil

-- Injuries: According Palestinian sources, a Palestinian
student was shot and wounded by IDF soldiers during
stone-throwing skirmishes near the village of Burqa south of
Jenin on February 2.

-- Injuries: According to Israeli and Palestinian media, two
Palestinian youths were injured during stone-throwing clashes
with the IDF in Nablus on February 2.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian reports, three
Palestinians, including one Popular Front for Liberation of
Palestine (PFLP) member, were arrested by the IDF in Nablus
on February 2.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, the IDF arrested
a wanted Islamic Jihad militant near Qalqiliya on February 2.


3. (SBU) CLOSURES/CURFEWS:

-- According to Palestinian sources, the IDF left the village
of Saida near Tulkarm on February 2 concluding a nine-day
operation in the village.

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Gaza Strip
--------------


4. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
engaged in three instances of shooting at IDF soldiers and
Israeli settlers throughout the Gaza Strip February 2-3. No
injuries were reported.

-- Shootings: UNRWA reported that IDF soldiers engaged in
sporadic fire inside the Rafah refugee camp throughout the
day February 3. No injuries were reported.

-- Explosives: The IDF reported that IDF soldiers safely
confiscated three Palestinian-made explosive devices near an
IDF outpost close to the Rafah refugee camp February 2-3.


5. (SBU) CHECKPOINTS AND CROSSINGS:

-- Erez crossing was closed to Palestinians, but open to
diplomats and internationals on February 3.

-- Erez Industrial Zone was closed February 3.

-- Route 4 (Salahadeen Road) was open with a detour at Abu
Kholi February 3.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals, and open for
departures with the limitation that Palestinian males must be
over the age of 35 and have a foreign residence or be
traveling on a medical emergency on February 3.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed, and Tufa checkpoint
was open for residents of Al-Massawai on February 3.

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