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Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: Pa Security Officers and Civil Police

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 003226

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; USAID
FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PHUM PREL PTER ASEC CASC GZ IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: PA SECURITY OFFICERS AND CIVIL POLICE
CLASH IN RAMALLAH -- MAY 27, 2005 (1400 HOURS LOCAL)


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

1. (SBU) Summary: Officers from the Palestinian Authority
(PA) Preventive Security Organization (PSO) and the PA civil
police clashed in Ramallah on the evening of May 26 following
a dispute between a PSO officer and members of the civil
police. At least three civil police sustained injuries in
the clashes. Egyptian mediators continue efforts to resolve
the dispute between Fatah and Hamas over a re-vote in several
municipalities in Gaza. The IDF made a number of arrests in
the West Bank and Gaza, including of two Fatah activists in
Nablus. The IDF demolished several agricultural structures
in the West Bank, reportedly for lack of proper building
permits. End Summary.

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

2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: Nil.

-- Clashes/Injuries: Officers from the Palestinian Authority
(PA) Preventive Security Organization (PSO) and the PA civil
police clashed on the evening of May 26 in Ramallah.
According to Palestinian sources, the clashes erupted after
the PA police arrested a PSO officer who refused to remove
his vehicle from the entrance of the Muqatta'a. PA police
reportedly beat the PSO officer while in their custody before
releasing him later the same day. In response, some ten PSO
personnel attacked several civil police officers and
kidnapped at least two (later releasing them). An additional
three civil police officers sustained injuries following an
intense exchange of gunfire in central Ramallah. PA
officials have ordered an investigation into the incident.

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-- Shooting: Palestinians on May 26 fired gunshots at an IDF
position near Qaddim settlement, southeast of Jenin. There
were no injuries reported from this incident.

3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:

-- Incursion/Arrests: The IDF on the evening of May 26
entered Nablus and arrested two Fatah activists. The IDF
withdrew following the operation.

-- Arrests: The IDF on May 26 arrested one Palestinian from
Bayt Iba village near Nablus, and one Palestinian from
Qalqilya.

-- Arrest: The IDF on May 26 arrested a Palestinian at an IDF
checkpoint near Nablus, after discovering that the
Palestinian was carrying ammunition in a bag.

-- Incursion: The IDF on May 26 entered Bayt Awwa village,
west of Hebron, and surrounded a house that the IDF suspected
contained wanted gunmen. During the operation, the IDF
opened fire on the house, causing significant damage to the
property. The house turned out to be uninhabited.

-- Incursion: The IDF on May 26 entered the al-Fariah refugee
camp, south of Tubas, to conduct a search for wanted
militants. There were no arrests reported from this
operation.

4. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS:

-- The IDF on May 26 bulldozed four structures used for
farming in the vicinity of Tubas. The structures reportedly
lacked the proper building permits.

-- The IDF on May 26 bulldozed an unknown number of shacks
and agricultural structures in Idhna village, west of Hebron,
for lacking the proper building permits.

5. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- PA security advisor Jibril Rajub on May 26 met with jailed
West Bank Fatah leader Marwan Barghuti to discuss upcoming
elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC), as
well as internal Fatah elections scheduled for August.

----
Gaza
----

6. (SBU) ATTACKS:
-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: According to UNRWA, a 14-year-old Palestinian
girl was wounded May 26 when IDF soldiers opened fire towards
Rafah/Shabora camp.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that one explosive
device was found and dismantled May 27 about one kilometer
north of the Kissufim crossing.

-- Mortars/Rockets: According to the IDF, one mortar shell
was fired May 27 at an IDF outpost south of Katif Village.
No injuries resulted.

-- Shootings: According to UNRWA, IDF soldiers in the outpost
near Gadid settlement opened fire at a group of persons near
the Austrian Housing project in Khan Younis. No injuries
resulted.

-- Explosions: Nil.

7. (SBU) ARRESTS: According to UNRWA, the IDF arrested four
unarmed Palestinians when they attempted to infiltrate into
Israel through the security fence south of the Karni
crossing.

8. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.

9. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open May 27, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open May 26, and 3,898 Palestinian
laborers and 465 merchants entered.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open May 26, and 605 laborers
entered.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 27,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was partially open May 27.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May
27.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 27. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.

10. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: Egyptian mediators met
with Fatah and Hamas leaders May 26 in an effort to resolve
the municipal election dispute. No resolution was reached,
but the mediation efforts are supposed to continue.

********************************************* ********************
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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