WB/G SITREP: FEBRUARY 14, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000886

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: FEBRUARY 14, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)
-- GOI APPROVES PRISONER RELEASE; ONE PALESTINIAN KILLED IN
WEST BANK


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


1. (SBU) Summary: Palestinian militants launched three
shooting attacks at IDF and Israeli settler targets February
11-14, including one in which militants fired on Israeli
laborers who were putting up a fence along the Kissufim Road.
No injuries were reported. The GOI agreed February 14 to
the release of some 500 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom
must have served at least two-thirds of their sentences and
have no "blood on their hands" from direct attacks against
Israelis. The bodies of 15 Palestinian militants were to be
handed over in Gaza February 14 as a good will gesture to Abu
Mazen. In the West Bank, the IDF shot and killed a
Palestinian man February 14 who reportedly attacked an IDF
solider with a knife in Nablus. Abu Mazen named BG Mahmoud
Asfour as acting commander of Gaza and West Bank police on
February 12, according to Palestinian security sources,
replacing Sa,eb al-Ajaz, whose resignation, along with those
of eight other security commanders, was accepted last week
after the Hamas shelling of Gaza settlements. End Summary.

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


2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: The IDF shot and killed a Palestinian man who
reportedly attacked an IDF solider with a knife in Nablus on
February 14, according to an IDF spokesman.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested a PFLP activist in Bayt Rima,
north of Ramallah, on February 11, according to Palestinian
sources.

-- Arrests: The IDF arrested a Hamas activist in Hebron, a
Palestinian policeman in East Jerusalem, and three
Palestinians in Qalqiliya on February 13-14, according to
Palestinian sources.

-- Incursion: The IDF entered Salfit on Saturday, February
12, and checked IDs of several Palestinian men, but left
without making an arrest, according to Palestinian sources.


3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA sources said that Israel will officially turn over
security control of Jericho to the PA on February 15,
followed by Qalqiliya and Tulkarm next week.

-- Abu Mazen named BG Mahmoud Asfour as acting commander of
Gaza and West Bank police on February 12, according to
Palestinian security sources, replacing Sa,eb al-Ajaz, whose
resignation, along with those of eight other security
commanders, was accepted last week after the Hamas shelling
of Gaza settlements.

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


4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF did not report any rocket or
mortar fire February 11-14. UNRWA reported that IDF tanks
fired three shells towards the Egyptian border
with Rafah February 14, apparently towards suspected
smugglers.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
launched three shooting attacks at IDF and Israeli settler
targets February 11-14. UNRWA said that in one of these
attacks on February 11, militants fired on Israeli laborers
who were putting up a fence along the Kissufim Road. No
injuries were reported in any of these attacks.

-- Explosions: PA security forces found and, in coordination
with the IDF, safely deactivated two explosive devices: one
near Morag February 11 and a second near an IDF outpost west
of Rafah February 13.
-- Arrests: Israeli media reported that settlers from Gush
Katif blocked the Abu Khouli/Gush Katif interchange February
11, throwing stones at Palestinian vehicles in protest
against rocket and mortar fire on the settlements. IDF
troops arrested seven settlers and re-opened the checkpoint
after approximately two hours, according to UNRWA.


5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.


6. (SBU) INTRA-PALESTINIAN VIOLENCE:

-- UNRWA and Palestinian sources reported that the families
of two men killed February 10 in the attack on the central
prison in the Suraya complex in Gaza City (see February 10
SitRep) blocked the main coastal road near Nuseirat February
13, disrupting traffic for two hours until dispersed by PA
police.

-- Catch-up item: UNRWA reported that, in addition to the
three prisoners killed in the February 10 attack on the
Central Prison in Gaza City, four PA security officers were
also shot and injured.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic
artery, was open February 12-14, with a major detour at
Netzarim Junction. As of February 9, Abu Khouli checkpoint
is open 24 hours a day, although still subject to sporadic
closures due to security alerts. Private cars, however, are
still prohibited from crossing the checkpoint.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinian merchants February 12. On
February 13, Israel re-opened the crossing to Palestinian
laborers as well, and 207 laborers and 75 merchants crossed
into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was partially open, and 300
laborers entered the zone February 13.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers February
12-14, but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open for limited imports and exports
February 12-14.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures
February 12-14, except for men between the ages of 16-35.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed February 12-14.
Toufah checkpoint was open for female residents of
al-Mowassi, and for males under age 16 and over age 35.


8. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- Israeli media reported that the GOI agreed February 14 to
the release of some 500 of the approximately 7,600
Palestinian prisoners being held in Israeli jails. According
to a GOI communique, the prisoners who will be released must
have served at least two-thirds of their sentences and have
no "blood on their hands" from direct attacks against
Israelis. Media also reported that the bodies of 15
Palestinian militants were to be handed over in Gaza February
14 as a good will gesture to Abu Mazen.

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