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Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: Two Idf Soldiers and One Palestinian

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 003594

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: TWO IDF SOLDIERS AND ONE PALESTINIAN
INJURED IN GAZA; ONE IDF SOLDIER INJURED IN THE WEST BANK
-- JUNE 9, 2005 (1100 HOURS LOCAL)

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

1. (SBU) Summary: Palestinian militants fired some 17 mortar
rounds and rockets on Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip
overnight June 8-9. Two IDF soldiers were lightly injured
when a mortar struck near their outpost in the vicinity of
Neve Dekalim. The barrage followed an IAF missile strike
June 8 at a vehicle reportedly carrying three Hamas militants
near Khan Yunis. The militants escaped unharmed. IDF
soldiers injured one militant June 9 near Khan Yunis when
soldiers opened fire on a group of militants attempting to
launch rockets at the Gush Katif settlement bloc. In the
West Bank, an IDF soldier was lightly wounded in Kufr Aqab
village, south of Ramallah, when a firebomb was thrown at the
IDF jeep during a search operation in the village June 8. A
Palestinian youth stabbed an Israeli policeman on Jaffa road
in central Jerusalem June 8. The attacker was arrested and
reportedly admitted during interrogation that he carried out
the attack because he had not been paid his wages in the
bakery where he works. IDF soldiers arrested a total of 13
Palestinians throughout the West Bank June 8-9, including
four PIJ members in Tulkarm who are accused of planning a
double suicide attack in Jerusalem. End Summary.

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West Bank
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2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: According to Palestinian sources, an IDF soldier
was lightly wounded in Kufr Aqab village, south of Ramallah,
when a firebomb was thrown at the IDF jeep during a search
operation in the village June 8.

-- Injury: Palestinian and Israeli media reported that a
Palestinian youth stabbed an Israeli policeman on Jaffa road
in central Jerusalem June 8. The attacker, a resident of
Shufat refugee camp, was immediately arrested. During
interrogation, the attacker stated he carried out the attack
because he had not been paid his wages in the bakery where he
works.

-- Arrests: Palestinian media sources reported that the IDF
arrested four members of Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in
Tulkarm June 8. According to Israeli security sources, the
PIJ cell is responsible for planning a double suicide attack
in Jerusalem.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, the IDF
arrested seven Fatah members in Arabah village, near Jenin,
June 8.

-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, IDF troops
entered into the villages of Samou, and Dahriya, south of
Hebron, and arrested two Palestinians June 8.

-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian sources,
Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the Old City of
Hebron and set on fire a commercial store June 8. No
injuries were reported.

3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- Palestinian media reported that Palestinian lawyers went
on strike June 8 to protest lawlessness and lack of respect
for lawyers and other law enforcement bodies, including
courthouses and prosecutors. The strike was staged
particularly because of the kidnapping of Ahmad Damanhouri, a
lawyer from Ramallah, who was kidnapped by masked gunmen in
front of the Ramallah Magistrate court. The kidnapping
apparently was meant to prevent Damanhouri from appearing in
court, as he was released several hours later.

----
Gaza
----

4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injury: The IDF reported that IDF soldiers injured one
Palestinian June 9 west of Khan Yunis when they opened fire
on a group of militants attempting to launch rockets (see
"Shootings").
-- Injuries: The IDF reported that two IDF soldiers were
lightly injured June 8 in a mortar attack on an IDF outpost
near Neve Dekalim (see "Mortars/Rockets").

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF and Israeli media reported that
an IAF helicopter fired two missiles at a vehicle carrying
three Hamas militants east of Khan Yunis in the late
afternoon June 8. According to media reports, the militants,
who escaped unharmed, were planning to carry out rocket
attacks against Israeli targets.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian
militants launched a total of 17 rockets and mortar rounds at
Israeli settlements in the Gaza Strip the evening of June
8-9, all but one targeting Netzarim were aimed at the
settlements in the Gush Katif settlement bloc. Two IDF
soldiers were lightly injured when a mortar shell landed near
their outpost in the vicinity of Neve Dekalim (see
"Injuries").

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
launched four shooting attacks at IDF soldiers June 8-9. IDF
soldiers initiated two shooting incidents in the same period,
with soldiers opening fire at Palestinians preparing to
launch rockets at Israeli and Israeli settler targets from
the area around Khan Yunis. One Palestinian was injured in
the IDF action west of Khan Yunis, according to the IDF (see
"Injury.").

5. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS:

-- UNRWA reported that two IDF bulldozers and two tanks set
up sand barriers along the northern side of Kfar Darom
settlement June 8.

6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open June 9, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open June 8, and 3,971 laborers and 398
merchants crossed into Israel.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open June 8, and 625 laborers
entered the zone.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers June 9,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open June 9.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures June
9.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed June 9. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.

7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- UNRWA reported that Hamas organized a demonstration of
some 5,000 Palestinians in Rafah to protest the reported
desecration of the Koran in Megiddo prison. A similar
demonstration was held in northern Gaza the same day.


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