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Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: No Injuries in Anti-Tank Missile

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006470

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
DRL FOR A/S CRANER; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN;
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR DEWEY/GREENE

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: NO INJURIES IN ANTI-TANK MISSILE
STRIKE ON NORTHERN GAZA SYNAGOGUE; SETTLER VANDALISM IN
WEST BANK: DECEMBER 21, 2004 (1200 HOURS LOCAL)

This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable.

1. (SBU) Summary: Settlers from Zufin settlement, near
Qalqiliya, uprooted and torched trees near the West Bank
village of Jayyus December 20. Also on December 20, settlers
from Yitzhar settlement, near Nablus, disconnected the water
supply to an IDF outpost and punctured the tires of a
military jeep as the soldiers were attempting to prevent the
hookup of a water supply to an illegal settlement outpost.
On December 20, militants detonated an explosive device
against an IDF patrol near Rachel,s Tomb in Bethlehem,
according to Israeli and Palestinian newspapers. No injuries
were reported. In Gaza, Palestinian militants December 21
fired two anti-tank missiles at the northern Israeli
settlements, one of which struck a synagogue during morning
prayers. No injuries were reported, but the building was
extensively damaged, according to media reports. End Summary.

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---------
West Bank
---------

2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: On December 20, a total of nine Palestinians were
arrested in the different areas of the West Bank, according
to Palestinian dailies.

-- Explosion: On December 20, militants detonated an
explosive device against an IDF patrol near Rachel,s Tomb in
Bethlehem, according to Israeli and Palestinian newspapers.
No injuries were reported.

3. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS/CLOSURES

-- On December 20, an Israeli driver working for a gas
company had to be rescued from stone-throwers after he drove
his private car into Qalandia refugee camp, according to
Israeli and Palestinian reports. The Israeli was unharmed.

-- On December 21, the IDF entered the center of Nablus and
imposed curfew, according to Palestinian dailies.

-- On December 20, settlers from Zufin settlement, near
Qalqiliya, uprooted and torched trees near the West Bank
village of Jayyus, according to Palestinian reports.

-- On December 20, settlers from Yitzhar settlement, near
Nablus, disconnected the water supply to an IDF outpost, and
punctured the tires of a military jeep, according to Israeli
radio. The IDF soldiers were attempting to prevent the
hookup of a water supply to an illegal settlement outpost.

4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- A memorial service for Yaser Arafat was held at the
Muqata,a in Ramallah on December 21, according to
Palestinian reports. Similar services were held in the other
West Bank cities for people unable to reach Ramallah.

----
Gaza
----

5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: UNRWA reported that an eight-year-old girl was
shot and wounded December 21 in Rafah during an exchange of
fire between IDF soldiers and Palestinian militants.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that at least one Palestinian was
shot and wounded by IDF gunfire December 21 along the Coastal
Road, along the Netzarim detour.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that IDF gunfire wounded two
Palestinians in Rafah December 20.

-- Mortars/Rockets: Israeli media reported that Palestinian
militants December 21 fired two anti-tank missiles at the
northern Israeli settlements. One of the missiles struck a
synagogue during morning prayers. No injuries were reported
but the building was extensively damaged, according to media
reports.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian
militants fired two Qassam rockets at targets in Israel
December 20, one at Kibbutz Or Haner and the other at Kibbutz
Nativ Ha'asura. Militants also fired a total of eight mortar
shells at IDF and Israeli settler targets in the Gaza strip
overnight December 20-21.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
launched three shooting attacks in the Gaza Strip overnight
December 20-21.

6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS:

-- UNRWA reported that IDF tanks and bulldozers entered the
area near Sufa Crossing December 20 and began excavations
aimed at locating tunnels.

7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was closed December 21 at Netzarim Junction, when the
IDF blocked the Coastal Road detour. The Coastal Road was
re-opened at 1200 hours, according to UNRWA.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinians December 20. Information on
the number of Palestinians who crossed into Israel was not
available.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed December 21,
although a small number of factory owners have been allowed
entry.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers December
21, but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open December 21.

-- Rafah Terminal was closed for arrivals and departures
December 21.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed December 21. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi.


********************************************* ********************
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv

You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website.
********************************************* ********************
KURTZER

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