Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: April 21, 2005 (1600 Hours Local) --

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 JERUSALEM 001655

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR FO; NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: APRIL 21, 2005 (1600 HOURS LOCAL) --
IDF SOLDIER INJURED IN THE GAZA STRIP, SIX PALESTINIANS
ARRESTED IN THE WEST BANK

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

1. (SBU) Summary: In the West Bank, a Palestinian shepherd
was attacked by a number of settlers from Betar Illit
settlement, near Husan village by Bethlehem on April 20. Six
Palestinians were arrested in various areas of the West Bank
April 20. In the Gaza Strip, one IDF soldier was moderately
injured when an RPG struck the vehicle in which he and
several other soldiers were traveling north of Nahal Oz.
Palestinian militants attempted unsuccessfully to fire one
homemade rocket towards the Green Line from the Sheja'ya
neighborhood of Gaza City overnight April 20-21. End Summary.

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

2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths/Injuries: Nil.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, IDF soldiers
arrested three Palestinian minors in al-Arroub refugee camp,
near Hebron, April 20.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, the IDF arrested
two Palestinian militants in Surif village, near Hebron,
April 20.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, the IDF
arrested Palestinian youth at Bayt Eba checkpoint, near
Nablus, with a bag containing ammunition and explosives,
April 20.

-- Attacks: According to Palestinian media, a Palestinian
shepherd was attacked by a number of settlers from Betar
Illit settlement, near Husan village, in the Bethlehem area,
April 20.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian reports, IDF
soldiers found and defused explosive device near Qalqiliya,
April 21.

3. (SBU) CONFISCATIONS:

-- According to Palestinian media, the IDF turned a rooftop
of a Palestinian house into a military outpost in the village
of Bet Marsam, west of Hebron, April 20.

-- According to Palestinian reports, the IDF issued
confiscation orders for military purposes for three houses in
the village of Al-Aqaba, near Taysir, in the northern West
Bank, April 19.

4. (SBU) PROTESTS:

-- According to Palestinian sources, a demonstration against
the construction of the separation barrier took place in
Bil,in village, west of Ramallah, April 21.

----
Gaza
----

5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: Israeli media reported that one IDF sodlier was
moderately injured, April 21, when an RPG struck the vehicle
in which he and several other soldiers were traveling north
of Nahal Oz. Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) reportedly took
responsibility for the attack.

-- Catch-up item: Injuries/Arrests: UNRWA reported that two
Palestinians were injured April 19 during a violent dispute
that reportedly broke out between Fatah supporters at al-Aqsa
University in Gaza City. PA police reportedly broke up the
dispute and arrested several combatants.

-- Mortars/Rockets: UNRA reported that Palestinian militants
attempted unsuccessfully to fire one homemade rocket towards
the green line from the Sheja'ya neighborhood of Gaza City
overnight April 20-21. The rocket exploded prematurely, in a
Palestinian area. No injuries were reported.

6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open April 21, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open April 20, and 4,571 laborers and
408 merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone open April 20, and 667 laborers
entered.

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

-- Karni Terminal was open April 21.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures April
21.

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

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