Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV73
2005-01-05 15:44:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

WB/G SITREP: EIGHT ARRESTED IN WEST BANK; IN GAZA,

Tags:  KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS 
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051544Z Jan 05
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000073 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
DRL FOR A/S CRANER; 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: EIGHT ARRESTED IN WEST BANK; IN GAZA,
EIGHT PERSONS KILLED AND 19-20 PERSONS INJURED : JANUARY,
5, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)


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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000073

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
DRL FOR A/S CRANER; 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: EIGHT ARRESTED IN WEST BANK; IN GAZA,
EIGHT PERSONS KILLED AND 19-20 PERSONS INJURED : JANUARY,
5, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL)


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


1. (SBU) Summary: Violence continued in Gaza January 4-5
with 11-12 IDF soldiers reportedly injured by Qassam rocket
attacks and eight Palestinians, including six members of the
same family and one militant, killed by Israeli gunfire. In
the West Bank, eight Palestinians were arrested, including a
PIJ activist. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested PIJ activist Bilal Yasin near
Jenin on January 4, according to Palestinian sources. Yasin
escaped from an Israeli jail near Ramallah two years ago.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested seven other Palestinians on
security charges on January 4, according to Palestinian
sources.

-- Possible Kidnapping: The IDF set up roadblocks around
Ma,aleh Adumim after Palestinian sources said two IDF
soldiers were kidnapped, according to Israeli media. The IDF
later said that they doubted the reports were true.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA Foreign Minister Nabil Sha,ath said January 4 that
Fatah leaders had recently offered Hamas a meeting to discuss
stopping rocket launches from Gaza, but that Hamas has
refused the request.

-- Abu Mazen campaigned in Hebron January 5 and plans to do
so in Nablus on January 6, and Bethlehem, during the January
7 Orthodox Christmas, according to Palestinian sources.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Israeli media reported that seven Palestinians
were killed January 4, including six members of one family by
an IDF tank shell in Bayt Lahia (see "injuries").

-- Death: Israeli troops killed one Palestinian militant
January 5 near the Erez Crossing between Israel and Gaza
after he reportedly fired at IDF troops patrolling in the
area.

-- Injuries: Israeli media reported that eight Palestinians
were injured in Bayt Lahia on January 4 by an IDF tank shell
(see "deaths").

-- Injuries: According to Israeli news sources, 11-12 Israeli
soldiers were injured by Qassam rockets fired near the
Gaza-Israel border on January 5.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, there were seven shooting
incidents January 4-5 in Nisanit, near Rafah, at the Karni
crossing, Netzarim and in Rafiah.

-- Explosions: The IDF reported that it found an explosive
device in Rafah on January 4, which did not detonate.
Israeli troops also reportedly discovered another explosive
device and several hand grenades overnight near the Erez
Crossing. At least one device exploded overnight January
4-5.


5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: UNRWA reported that on
January 5, Israeli tanks and bulldozers entered the coastal
road in Northern Gaza and are reportedly bulldozing the area
around the Palestinian checkpoint at Erez.


6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open January 5, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was closed for both internationals and for
Palestinians January 5.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed January 5.

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

-- Karni Terminal was open, but reportedly operating slowly
January 5.
-- Rafah Terminal was closed for arrivals and departures
January 5.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed January 5. Toufah
checkpoint was closed for residents of al-Mowassi.


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