Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: One Israeli Settler and One

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 001561

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE;
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/NEA;
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: ONE ISRAELI SETTLER AND ONE
PALESTINIAN INJURED IN WEST BANK; ONE MORTAR SHELL EXPLODES
IN GAZA, BUT NO INJURIES-- MARCH 16, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

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

1. (SBU) Summary: One Israeli settler was injured in a
shooting incident perpetrated by the Al-Aqsa Martyrs'
Brigades, and one Palestinian was injured by IDF fire in the
West Bank March 15-16. Gaza was quiet, except for one mortar
shell explosion near Neve Dekalim, but no injuries resulted.
End Summary.

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

2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

--Injuries: According to Palestinian and Israeli media, an
Israeli settler was wounded in a shooting attack in the
Hebron city center on March 15. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs'
Brigades took responsibility for the attack.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian sources, a Palestinian
man was shot and injured by the IDF near Habla village,
Qalqilya governorate, when he attempted to flee from soldiers
at a checkpoint on March 16.

-- Shootings: According to Palestinian and Israeli sources,
shots were fired at an Israeli car near Bracha settlement,
near Nablus, on March 15. No injuries were reported.

-- Shootings: According to Palestinian sources, three
Palestinians were arrested by the IDF in Nablus, and two in
Kharbtha village, west of Ramallah, on March 15.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, two Palestinians
were arrested by the IDF in Taysir village in the Jordan
Valley on March 15. Two assault rifles were confiscated.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian and Israeli
sources, an explosive device detonated at an Israeli bus stop
near al-Aroub camp, north of Hebron, on March 15. No
injuries were reported.

3. (SBU) CLOSURES/CURFEWS:

-- According to Palestinian sources, the IDF opened roads
between Tal village, Sura and Iraq Burin, all near Nablus, on
March 15.

4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- According to Palestinian sources, the Arab American
University in Jenin held elections on March 15. The Fatah
youth bloc won 15 seats, Hamas/Palestinian Islamic Jihad won
14 seats, the Popular Front for Liberation of Palestine
(PFLP) won 3 seats, and Democratic Front for Liberation of
Palestine (DFLP) won 1 seat.

----
Gaza
----

5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Nil.

-- Mortars/Rockets: One mortar shell exploded near Neve
Dekalim on March 16, but no injuries resulted, according to
the IDF.

-- Shootings: Nil.

-- Explosions: Nil.

6. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.

7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open March 16, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a
limited number of Palestinians March 15, and 1,050 laborers
and 188 merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 15, and 572
laborers entered.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers, but was
open for the import of aggregates used in construction March
16.

-- Karni Terminal was open, but operated slowly March 16.
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures March
16.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed March 16. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi.

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