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
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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