NABLUS INCURSION: IDF WITHDRAWS FROM CITY CENTER,

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001363 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2017 TAGS: KWBG PGOV KPAL IS PTER ASEC SUBJECT: NABLUS INCURSION: IDF WITHDRAWS FROM CITY CENTER, WRAPPING UP BALATA CAMP ACTIONS REF: JERUSALEM 1345 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) According to Palestinian security contacts and press, the IDF is wrapping up operations in/around Balata Refugee Camp in Nablus as of 1400 local June 29, and has left the city center. The IDF shot and killed al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades militant Haytham Salih in al-Dahiya early June 29, and at least six Palestinians have been injured. Israeli media report that a total of nine IDF soldiers were injured during the incursion (including those reported reftel) and that the IDF discovered a bomb-making facility with intact pipebombs, three explosives caches and several rifles and magazines. The press reports that the IDF has detained 32 Palestinians since the operation began early June 28 and arrested nine of these detainees for terrorist acts or affiliation. ¶2. (SBU) Palestinian media contacts corrected initial reports that the IDF took over Nablus radio and television stations. They clarified that the IDF used the stations assigned frequencies to transmit messages and curfew instructions and jammed certain stations, but did not raid or occupy their facilities. Nablus contacts also report that the IDF has demolished at least two houses inside the city and maintains control of some houses as observation stations. ¶3. (C) West Bank security contacts told ConGen Political Specialist that the Nablus operation is undermining PM Fayyad's program of disarming and integrating al-Aqsa Brigades militants and giving the militia members a perfect excuse not to hand over their weapons. WALLES