WB/G SITREP: FEBRUARY 15, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000916 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 15, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) -- PALESTINIAN VEHICLE NEAR NABLUS TARGET OF SHOOTING ATTACK; GAZA LARGELY QUIET This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. ¶1. (SBU) Summary: A Palestinian driver said that an Israeli car fired shots at his vehicle north of Nablus on February 14, damaging his vehicle but causing no injuries. The IDF arrested a total of eight Palestinians throughout the West Bank February 14-15. In Gaza, unknown assailants opened fire on the home of Sakher Bseiso, governor of northern Gaza, February 14, and Palestinian militants fired one mortar shell at Morag settlement the same day. End Summary. -------------- West Bank -------------- ¶2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Nil. -- Arrests: The IDF entered Silwad village, northeast of Ramallah, on February 14 and arrested four alleged Hamas activists. They arrested another three alleged Hamas activists in Kharbatha, west of Ramallah, the same day, according to Palestinian sources. -- Arrests: The IDF arrested a Fatah activist in Yatta village near Hebron on February 14, according to Palestinian sources. -- Shootings: A Palestinian driver said that an Israeli car fired shots at his vehicle north of Nablus on February 14, damaging his vehicle but causing no injuries, according to Palestinian media. -- Shootings: IDF radio reported that shots were fired at an IDF patrol north of Nablus on February 14, with no injuries or arrests. -------------- Gaza -------------- ¶3. (SBU) ATTACKS: -- Deaths: Nil. -- Injuries: Nil. -- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants fired one mortar shell February 14 at Morag village, in the Gush Katif settlement bloc. -- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinians militants fired on an IDF outpost west of Khan Yunis February 14. -- Shootings: Palestinian sources reported that unknown assailants opened fire on the home of Sakher Bseiso, the governor of northern Gaza, February 14. No injuries were reported in either of these attacks. -- Explosions: Nil. ¶4. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: -- Route Four (Salahadeen Road),the main north-south traffic artery, was open February 15, with a major detour at Netzarim Junction. Abu Khouli Junction is open 24 hours a day, but private vehicles are still prohibited from crossing the checkpoint. -- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a limited number of Palestinians February 15. A total of 203 laborers and 62 merchants crossed into Israel February 14. -- The Erez Industrial Zone was partially open February 14, and 350 laborers entered the zone. -- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers February 15, but was open for the import of aggregates used in construction. -- Karni Terminal was open for limited imports and exports February 15. -- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures February 15, except for Palestinian males between the ages of 16-35, who were prohibited from exiting the Gaza Strip. -- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed February 15. Toufah checkpoint was open for female residents of al-Mowassi, and for males under age 16 and over age 35. ********************************************* ******************** 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