NABLUS OPERATIONS NOVEMBER 8: CITY GENERALLY

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002336 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG PINS IS PGOV PTER SUBJECT: NABLUS OPERATIONS NOVEMBER 8: CITY GENERALLY QUIET; NEW ISRAELI INCURSION RILES PASF CHIEFS AND FAYYAD REF: A. JERUSALEM 2330 ¶B. JERUSALEM 2293 ¶1. (SBU) Summary. National Security Forces (NSF) contacts report Nablus is generally quiet as of 1500 local November 8, and the NSF continues to operate checkpoints and mobile patrols throughout the city. A workman accidentally triggered a boobytrap in Nablus' old city (Qasbah) at 1230, killing himself and injuring two. PA police and intelligence units detained 10 suspects (including Hamas members) for questioning in the past 24 hours. The IDF entered central and western Nablus early November 8, arresting 7 Palestinians and searching two mosques. Nablus Governor Jamal Muhaysin and PA security forces (PASF) commanders protested the IDF raids as counterproductive and harmful to the PASF operation's success. PM Fayyad expressed similar views privately in a conversation with the Consul General. Fayyad also visited Nablus in the afternoon. The IDF has not returned protective vests it confiscated on November 3. End summary. City Generally Quiet; PASF Detain 10 Suspects, Operate Checkpoints/Patrols -------------- ¶2. (SBU) As of 1500 local on November 8, Nablus is generally quiet, with NSF-led forces continuing to operate fixed positions around the city and conduct vehicle and foot patrols. NSF commanders report that PA police and intelligence units are questioning 10 suspected criminal gang, militia and terror cell members, and that any wanted suspects in Balata Camp who have not surrendered by late November 8 will be arrested immediately. Hamas press statements allege that PASF arrested four of their members in the past 24 hours. Security officials report that Fatah leaders and Nablus Governor Muhaysin are helping to persuade the remaining wanted persons to surrender. Boobytrap Death/Injuries in Qasbah Price-Hike Protests in al-Askar, -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Palestinian press and local contacts report that Palestinian laborer Rami Issa (age 40) was killed and two others were injured when Issa accidentally triggered a explosive boobytrap in a house in al-Qasbah. NSF contacts say they suspect militants rigged the device some weeks ago to target IDF troops conducting a raid. Security contacts report that over 100 residents of al-Askar refugee camp staged a protest the morning of November 8, but the protest was peaceful, and concerned rising costs of food/household goods, not security matters. New Israeli Incursion in Central/West Nablus, 7 Arrested; No Progress on Vests -------------- ¶4. (SBU) According to security contacts and Palestinian press, the IDF entered Nablus' central Makhfah and western Rafidiya neighborhoods from 0130-0400 on November 8, arresting 7 Palestinians and searching two mosques and several houses. Palestinian press quote Governor Muhaysin as criticizing the IDF raids for "creating the impression that the PASF and IDF are running the same operation and just doing a shift change at night," and saying that IDF incursions play into the hands of terror groups' propaganda which claims PASF are doing the IDF's work for them. NSF commanders said they are angry that the IDF are entering the same neighborhoods the PASF is operating in and the IDF raids greatly complicate their efforts to establish the PASF as the security authority in residents' minds. ¶5. (SBU) The IDF has not returned 80-90 protective vests confiscated from the Presidential Guard on November 3 (Ref B),according to PA contacts and USSC officers. Security contacts say protective vests were critical in reducing casualties in previous operations and are necessary to prevail against gang/militia gunmen who are better armed than the NSF. Fayyad in Nablus -------------- ¶6. (SBU) PM Fayyad traveled to Nablus on the afternoon of November 8 to urge PASF commanders and troops to stay focused on their mission. He told the Consul General afterwards that he was impressed by their determination, but worried that JERUSALEM 00002336 002 OF 002 they would lose their focus if the IDF continues to operate in Nablus every night. Fayyad said he walked the streets of the Qasbah, and the situation was calm despite the heavy security presence. WALLES