US embassy cable - 04TELAVIV1743

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001743 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD 
NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; 
DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DRL FOR A/S CRANER; 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; 
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWBG, PTER, ASEC, PHUM, CASC, KPAL, IS, GZ, SItrep, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND MARCH 22, 2004 -- 
(1500 HOURS LOCAL) -- HAMAS LEADER SHAYKH YASIN AND SIX 
OTHER PALESTINIANS KILLED IN IAF MISSILE ATTACK IN GAZA 
CITY MARCH 22 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: The IAF assassinated Hamas leader Shaykh 
Ahmad Yasin in a missile attack in Gaza City March 22; six 
other Palestinians were killed and 19 were wounded in the 
attack (details reported septel).  All entry and exit into 
the Gaza Strip was stopped for Palestinians March 22 in the 
wake of the attack.  UNRWA reported that five Palestinians 
were killed during an IDF incursion into Khan Yunis March 21, 
and five other Palestinians, two of them children, were 
killed in incidents throughout the Gaza Strip March 20-22. 
In addition to those wounded in the IDF attack on Shaykh 
Yasin, a total of 18 Palestinians and four IDF soldiers were 
injured March 20-22 in the Gaza Strip.  Due to technical 
difficulties, the March 22 SitRep is being submitted 
individually by Embassy Tel Aviv and ConGen Jerusalem.  End 
Summary. 
 
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Gaza Strip 
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2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths/Injuries: The IAF launched six missiles into a car 
carrying Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin March 22, 
killing Yasin, two of his bodyguards and four other Hamas 
members (Tel Aviv septel).  A total of 19 Palestinians were 
wounded in the attack, according to UNRWA. 
 
-- Deaths/Injuries: A 13-year-old Palestinian boy was shot 
and killed, and five other Palestinians were wounded March 22 
in clashes with IDF troops near Khan Yunis following the 
assassination of Shaykh Yasin, according to UNRWA. 
 
-- Deaths/Injuries: One Palestinian was killed and one was 
wounded March 22 when the bomb they attempted to fire at an 
IDF outpost near Gadid settlement exploded prematurely, 
according to UNRWA. 
 
-- Deaths: UNRWA reported that two Palestinian gunmen were 
shot and killed by IDF forces March 21 as they tried to reach 
the Kissufim Road.  One of the men killed was a member of PIJ 
and the other was from the military wing of Fatah, according 
to UNRWA. 
 
-- Death: UNRWA reported that a nine-year-old Palestinian 
girl, shot and seriously wounded when the IDF fired warning 
shots into the air March 19 in Khan Yunis, died of her 
injuries March 20. 
 
-- Deaths: UNRWA reported that five Palestinians were shot 
and killed March 21 during an IDF incursion into Khan Yunis 
to arrest a wanted Palestinian (see "Incursions").  The IDF 
claimed that only one Palestinian had been killed. 
 
-- Injuries: One Palestinian was injured March 22 in clashes 
with IDF troops south of the Abu Khouli checkpoint following 
the assassination of Shaykh Yasin. 
 
-- Injuries: Two Palestinians were injured March 22 in 
clashes with IDF troops near Kfar Darom following the 
assassination of Shaykh Yasin. 
 
-- Injuries: Two Palestinians were injured in Rafah refugee 
camp March 22 when Palestinians militants exchanged fire with 
IDF troops. 
 
-- Injuries: Two Palestinians were wounded March 20 in Khan 
Yunis when the bomb they were preparing went off prematurely. 
 
-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that four IDF soldiers were 
lightly injured March 19 near Netzarim when a roadside bomb 
exploded and overturned the tank in which they were 
traveling. 
 
-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that five Palestinians were shot 
and injured March 19 during an IDF incursion into 
al-Mughragha, near Netzarim (see "Incursions"). 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets:  The IDF reported that Palestinians fired 
seven mortars in the Gaza Strip March 19-21.  Mortars and 
anti-tank missiles were fired near Rafah and Khan Yunis March 
22, according to the IDF. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported five shooting attacks 
throughout the Gaza Strip March 19-21. 
 
3.  (SBU) ARRESTS: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that four Palestinians were arrested March 
21 during an IDF incursion into the Khan Yunis refugee camp 
(see "Incursions"). 
 
-- UNRWA reported that nine Palestinians were arrested March 
19 during an IDF incursion into the al-Mughragha area near 
Netzarim.  Seven of those held were later released. 
 
4.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that armed clashes erupted in the 
al-Mughragha area near Netzarim when three IDF bulldozers, 
and 26 IDF tanks and jeeps, entered the area March 19.  A 
total of seven houses and seven shops were destroyed, and 
water pipes and electrical wiring was also damaged.  Five 
Palestinians were shot and injured, and nine Palestinians 
were arrested.  In addition, four IDF soldiers were lightly 
wounded when a roadside bomb exploded, overturning the tank 
in which they were traveling.  Hamas claimed responsibility 
for the attack on the tank. 
 
-- UNRWA reported that 20 IDF tanks and jeeps, accompanied by 
three bulldozers, entered the Abassan village east of Khan 
Yunis March 21.  Palestinian militants fired anti-tank 
missiles and detonated explosive devices near the Israeli 
troops; IDF troops demolished three houses and damaged 
another five, as well as damaging a flour mill and two 
stores.  The IDF claimed they shot one Palestinian who was 
trying to evade arrest; Palestinians claimed five 
Palestinians were killed.  Four Palestinians were arrested. 
 
5.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open for Palestinians March 20-21.  The Road was 
closed March 22 following the IDF assassination of Hamas 
leader Shaykh Yasin. 
 
-- The Erez Crossing was open March 21, and 7,391 Palestinian 
laborers crossed into Israel.  All workers must be married 
and over age 35.  The Crossing was closed March 20 and 22. 
The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 20-21, with 2,495 
workers entering the Zone March 20 and 3,619 entering March 
21.  The Erez Industrial Zone was closed March 22. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was open for Palestinian workers March 21, 
and 352 workers crossed.  Sufa was also open March 21 for the 
import into Gaza of aggregates used in construction.  Sufa 
Crossing was completely closed March 20 and 22. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was partially open March 21 for the import 
and export of goods into the Gaza Strip.  It was closed March 
20 and 22. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for Palestinian travelers March 
20-21.  Rafah was closed March 22. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan Toufah checkpoints were open March 20-21. 
Both checkpoints were closed March 22. 
 
 
 
 
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