PASF SECURITY OPERATIONS: NABLUS STILL FOCUS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002520 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/07/2017 TAGS: KWBG PTER PINS IS PGOV SUBJECT: PASF SECURITY OPERATIONS: NABLUS STILL FOCUS Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. National Security Forces (NSF) contacts and local press report the NSF is continuing aggressive operations in Nablus and has arrested several dozen Hamas and criminal suspects since November 30. They also report near daily IDF incursions in/around Nablus. 13 fugitives, including a PFLP member, surrendered to PASF December 5. The PA Interior Minister (MoI) said militant gunmen are still a problem, and the PA will use force against fugitives who do not surrender by December 11. End summary. NSF Continuing Aggressive Nablus Actions, PA Complains IDF Still Interfering -------------- ¶2. (SBU) NSF contacts and Arabic-language press report that the NSF is continuing arrest operations and presence patrols throughout Nablus as of December 6. The NSF and Preventive Security (PSO) arrested 5 Hamas members in Nablus late December 5, according to Palestinian press and Hamas outlets, and 28 criminal/security suspects on December 3 in Nablus and Iqaba village (Area B, south of Nablus). The PSO reported 16 Hamas members were arrested in these raids; Hamas outlets reported 22 members were arrested. In December 3-4 press comments, the NSF reported seizing improvised explosives and illegal weapons in ongoing raids. Nablus General Intelligence Chief Abdallah Kmayl told the press that under interrogation Hamas suspects revealed "planning for a military coup in the West Bank at an appropriate time, on orders from Hamas leaders in Gaza and Syria." According to PSO press releases and Hamas statements, the NSF and PSO arrested 22 terror and criminal suspects, including 12 Hamas members, in November 29 raids in Bayt Furik (Area B, southeast of Nablus) coordinated with the IDF. ¶3. (SBU) Security contacts and Palestinian press also report that near-daily IDF incursions continue, noting the following significant incursions: -- The IDF entered the Rafidiya neighborhood in central Nablus early December 4, searched several homes and arrested two Palestinians. -- In December 1-2 incursions, the IDF entered central Nablus and searched several shops, and separately arrested two Palestinians in Qabalan (Area B south of Nablus); -- The IDF entered Balata refugee camp with dozens of vehicles early November 30, according to Palestinian press, searching nine homes and two mosques in an attempt to arrest al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades militant Muhammad al-Masimi and locate arms caches. ¶4. (C) MoI Abd al-Raziq al-Yahya told LTG Dayton on December 4 that the GOI is sending contradictory signals by welcoming dialogue but continuing incursions that undermine the PA's authority and disrupt its operations. Armed Men, Extremists Still a Threat; 13 Fugitives Surrender to PA Authorities -------------- ¶5. (C) Al-Yahya said armed gangs remain a problem in many areas, but the PA has restored basic order throughout the West Bank. He said the PA is giving 5-6 prominent fugitives one week to turn themselves (and their weapons) in to the PA and said PASF will use force against them if they not comply. He said he expects Hamas demonstrations on December 14, the anniversary of Hamas' founding, and PASF are making plans to deal with this threat. He said the PA has moved dozens of dangerous gang/terror suspects to Jericho, and is building a courthouse "that will meet international specifications" to prosecute them. ¶6. (SBU) Palestinian press and security contacts report that 13 fugitives on GOI wanted lists turned themselves in to PSO and General Intelligence December 5 after Nablus Governor Jamal Muhaysin and security commanders set a one week deadline for fugitives to report to PA security bases with their weapons. Press report th fugitives must remain in PA custody without outide contacts for three months under a disarmament/amnesty deal. A spokesman for the PFLP's Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades told press that it revoked the PFLP membership of one of the fugitives, PFLP militant Mahir Abu al-Rish, for agreeing to the fugitives deal. According to press, the other surrendered fugitives are: Hani al-Ka'bi, Mahdi Akkuba, Husni Sallaj, Muhammad Abu Arab, Tha'ar Mashini, Ahmad al-Nadi, Ala'a Rayyan, Mahmud Rayyan, Abd al-Rahman Rayyan, Ibrahim Masmi, Samir Abu Layl and Firas Hajja. WALLES