NABLUS OPERATIONS NOVEMBER 9: PASF SEIZE ILLEGAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002347 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/09/2017 TAGS: KWBG PINS IS PGOV PTER SUBJECT: NABLUS OPERATIONS NOVEMBER 9: PASF SEIZE ILLEGAL WEAPONS AND DETAIN HAMAS MEMBER; IDF ARRESTS 4 IN LATEST INCURSION REF: A. JERUSALEM 2336 ¶B. JERUSALEM 2330 ¶C. JERUSALEM 2293 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. National Security Forces (NSF) soldiers are operating checkpoints and mobile patrols throughout Nablus November 9, and Friday prayers proceeded without incident. The security situation is quiet as of 1630 local. PA police and intelligence units report seizing several weapons in raids and from vehicles at checkpoints and detaining 7 suspects (including one Hamas member) in Nablus in the past 24 hours. The IDF entered Nablus late November 8, arresting four Palestinians. The USSC reports no progress in getting the IDF to return protective vests it confiscated on November ¶3. End summary. City Generally Quiet; PASF Detain 10 Suspects, Operate Checkpoints/Patrols -------------- ¶2. (C) As of November 9 1630 local, the NSF continue to operate checkpoints and local patrols in Nablus, but the city has been quiet in the aftermath of Friday prayers. NSF commanders report detaining 7 suspects (including one Hamas member) for questioning, and seizing several illegal weapons in minor raids and from vehicles at checkpoints. The deadline for wanted persons in Balata refugee camp to surrender expired late November 8. The NSF say they are planning an operation in the camp soon, but no action is imminently expected. The NSF say Kufr Qalil village, which has been a refuge for wanted criminal and militia members, will be a target for search and arrest operations in coming days. PASF contacts say they are distributing lists of 20-30 gang members residing throughout Nablus to be arrested in stepped-up operations in coming days. Hamas Reactions Highly Negative to Nablus Operation, USG Assistance -------------- ¶3. (C) Palestinian press and Hamas outlets quoted unnamed Hamas officials condemning NSF arrest operations as "very dangerous" and calling for a halt to the operation "during the major Zionist campaign against the Palestinian people." Gaza-based Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri, reacting to press reports of impending USG economic assistance to Nablus, said the assistance is part of "an American-Zionist project to reinforce the Palestinian President's confrontation of Hamas." Four Arrested in Israeli Incursion -------------- ¶4. (C) According to security contacts and Palestinian press, the IDF entered Nablus in a small incursion late November 8 and arrested 4 Palestinians. NSF staff criticized the incursion as "the latest in a series of actions designed to undermine the PA's security performance" and said they worry the incursions will leave the PA vulnerable to militant propaganda alleging PASF-IDF collusion. NSF Commanders: Operation Initially Successful, Despite Coordination Challenges, Shortfalls -------------- - ¶5. (C) NSF commanders say they are generally pleased with how security operations have unfolded thus far, despite the damaging effect of IDF incursions and NSF morale remains high. They report the IDF is preventing PASF from operating in some parts of Nablus Area A, even during the day, and has not approved deployments into Area B. There still has not been an NSF-IDF follow-up meeting to discuss establishment of new fixed security positions/roadblocks or expanded NSF operations in the Nablus, according to NSF contacts. USSC officers report that the NSF lacks sufficient vehicles in Nablus to effectively operate. USSC officers also report no progress in getting the IDF to return 80-90 protective vests confiscated from the Presidential Guard on November 3 (Ref C). WALLES