Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: Two Palestinians Killed, Seventeen

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

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 JERUSALEM 002911

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; 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 CASC IS
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: TWO PALESTINIANS KILLED, SEVENTEEN
ARRESTED IN WEST BANK: JULY 8-11, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL)

This is a joint Embassy/ConGen cable.

1. (SBU) Summary: In the West Bank, an Israeli security
guard on July 8 shot and killed a Palestinian teenager near
Bayt Liqya, west of Ramallah. The Israeli Police are
reportedly conducting an investigation of the incident. A
second Palestinian teenager on July 10 died from bullet
wounds received during an exchange of gunfire between the IDF
and al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades militants in Nablus last week.
An IDF soldier on July 10 sustained light injuries when an
explosive device detonated near Shillo settlement, north of
Ramallah. A total of 17 Palestinians were arrested during
various IDF operations July 8-11. In the Gaza Strip, three
IDF soldiers sustained light injuries when an explosive
device detonated north of the Sufa Crossing. UNRWA reported
that on July 9 nine Palestinians sustained injuries after a
mortar that militants attempted to fire at an Israeli target
exploded prematurely. Palestinians also fired mortar,
rocket, and automatic gunfire at Israeli targets July 8-11,
but no injuries were reported in those attacks. End summary.

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

2. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Death: An Israeli security guard on July 8 shot and killed
a Palestinian teenager near Bayt Liqya, west of Ramallah.
The security guard told Israeli police that he fired his
weapon at a group of Palestinians who had thrown stones at
security personnel guarding the construction of the
separation barrier. Palestinian witnesses claimed that the
dead Palestinian did not participate in the stoning incident.
The Israeli security guard has been placed under house
arrest pending further investigation.

-- Death: A Palestinian teenager on July 10 died from bullet
wounds he received during an exchange of gunfire between IDF
soldiers and members of the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades in
Nablus last week.

-- Clashes/injuries: Palestinian and Israeli protesters threw
a Molotov cocktail at IDF soldiers during a July 8
demonstration opposing the construction of the separation
barrier near the Bil'in village, west of Ramallah. At least
20 protesters were injured during the clashes by IDF rubber
bullets and tear gas inhalation. The IDF also arrested five
protesters. (See "arrests")

-- Clashes/injuries: Palestinians on July 9 commenced a
series of demonstrations in the West Bank to protest the
construction of the separation barrier. At least 20
protesters experienced tear gas inhalation during clashes
with the IDF in Azzun village, west of Qalqilya.

-- Injury: An IDF soldier on July 10 sustained light injuries
when an explosive device detonated near Shillo settlement,
north of Ramallah.

-- Shooting: Palestinian gunmen on July 10 fired gunshots at
an Israeli vehicle north of Ramallah. There were no reported
injuries from this incident.

-- Shooting: Palestinian gunmen in Jenin on July 10 fired
upon an Israeli settlement inside Green-Line Israel,
resulting in damage to two homes. There were no reported
injuries from this incident.

3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:

-- Arrests: The IDF on July 9 arrested five protesters during
a demonstration against the construction of the separation
barrier near Bil'in village, west of Ramallah.

-- Arrests: The IDF on July 9 arrested six Palestinian
Islamic Jihad (PIJ) activists in Hebron.
-- Arrests: The IDF the evening of July 10 arrested two
Palestinian youths near Azzun village, est of Qalqilya, who
were suspected of throwing tones at Israeli vehicles.

-- Incursions: The IF on July 10 conducted raids in several
Palestinan villages in the Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm
dstricts to search for wanted activists. In Husan vllage,
west of Bethlehem, the IDF closed all entances and placed
IDF checkpoints at all entrance into the village.

-- Incursion/Arrests: The ID on July 10 entered the West
Bank city of Qalqilya and arrested three Fatah activists.
The IDF withdrew from the city of the morning of July 11.

-- The IDF on July 10 arrested one Palestinian in Hebron on
suspicion of stealing an Israeli vehicle.

4. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) member Marwan
Kanafani (Gaza City) resigned from the PLC July 10 to protest
postponement of legislative elections and ongoing instability
in Palestinian-controlled areas.

-- According to Palestinian and Israeli press reports,
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmud Abbas said July
10 that he had reached an agreement with Hamas and PIJ
representatives in Damascus that the National Islamic Forces,
a Gaza-based umbrella organization composed of various
Palestinian factions, would coordinate with the PA on the
Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

----
Gaza
----

5. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: According to the IDF, three of its soldiers were
lightly injured July 8 at 1520 hours when an explosive device
went off approximately one kilometer north of the Sufa
Crossing. According to UNRWA, two Palestinian youths were
injured near the settlement of Neve Dekalim July 9-10 after
the IDF opened fire at some youth near the settlement.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that on July 9, Palestinian
militants' attempt to fire a mortar from the Al Amal project
failed and exploded in place, resulting in nine injuries.

-- Injuries: According to Israeli media sources, Palestinian
militants fired a rocket at construction workers in the
Philadelphi Strip July 11, lightly wounding one Israeli
civilian worker.

-- Mortars: The IDF reported that on July 8, mortar shells
were fired at civilians in Netzarim settlement and about
seven kilometers west of Morag settlement. No injuries
resulted.

-- Mortars: On July 9, according to the IDF, two mortar
shells were fired at IDF soldiers near Khan Yunis. No
injuries were reported. According to the IDF, a mortar shell
was fired July 9 at IDF soldiers near Neve Dekalim
settlement. No injuries resulted. Also on July 9, the IDF
reported that a mortar shell was fired at IDF soldiers about
two kilometers south of the Erez Crossing. No injuries
resulted.

-- Mortars/rockets: A Qassam rocket was fired July 9 at
Israeli civilians in Kibbutz Nahal Oz, with no injuries
reported. The IDF also reported that on July 10, a mortar
shell was fired at IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians in the
vicinity of Nahal Oz Crossing. No injuries resulted.

-- Mortars: The IDF reported that two mortar shells were
fired at Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers near Neve Dekalim
Village July 10. No injuries were reported.

-- Mortars: Two mortars were fired at IDF soldiers July 10
near Khan Yunis, without resulting injuries.

-- Mortars: The IDF reported three mortar shell incidents
late July 10: one fired at IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians
near Netzarim, one fired at IDF soldiers near Kissufim
crossing, and one fired at Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers
near Neve Dekalim. No injuries were reported from these
incidents.

-- Anti-Tank Missile: The IDF reported that an anti-tank
missile was fired at IDF soldiers near Neve Dekalim July 8.

-- Explosive devices: Aside from the explosive device noted
under "injuries," the IDF reported that an explosive device
was identified July 10 near Israeli civilians at the Dugit
settlement.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported four shootings occurred July
8, all targeting IDF soldiers: two near Khan Yunis, one near
the Sufa Crossing and one near Neve Dekalim.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, eight shootings aimed at
IDF targets occurred July 9: one near Neve Dekalim, one south
of the Sufa Crossing, one north of the Kissufim Crossing, one
near the Biri Crossing, and three near Rafah.

-- Shootings: UNRWA reported July 9 that IDF soldiers opened
fire at youngsters near the settlement of Neve Dekalim,
resulting in two injuries, including an 11 year old who was
shot in the neck.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported its soldiers were targeted in
shooting incidents July 10, with no resulting injuries: two
near Erez Crossing, one near Khan Yunis, and one west of
Rafah.

-- Shootings: Israeli civilians were targeted in a shooting
July 10, according to the IDF, west of Neve Dekalim. No
injuries were reported.

-- Shootings: Four shootings aimed at IDF targets in the
early hours of July 11 were reported by the IDF: three near
Khan Yunis and one near Rafiah Yam settlement. No injuries
were reported.

-- Incursions: UNRWA reported that the IDF carried out a
small incursion and search operation east of the Bureij
refugee camp July 9.

6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open July 9-11, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was open July 9-11, and 4,728 laborers and
423 merchants crossed into Israel July 11.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open July 9-11, and 580
laborers entered the zone July 11.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers July
9-11, but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction.

-- Karni Terminal was open July 9-11.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures July
9-11.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed July 9-11. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males
aged 16-30.

7. (SBU) Political Developments:

-- The Israeli daily Ha'aretz reported July 11 that there
have been "an unusually large number of shooting incidents"
July 10 in Gaza, "and an increase has been evident there in
recent days."

-- According to Ha'aretz "Palestinian sources announced...the
appointment of General Juma Ghali, a senior officer of the
presidential security guard, as commander of the new force
set up by the PA to guard the Gaza settlements after their
evacuation...."

-- Israeli radio reported that there are an increased number
of reports of violence between armed Palestinian groups in
recent days. UNRWA reported two violent disputes, one that
erupted July 9 between two families at its Rimaal Health
Center, which resulted in injuries, and one July 10 between
two families in Jabalia Village, in which a house was burned.
PEARCE

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