US embassy cable - 04TELAVIV2473

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002473 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD 
NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR 
DS/IP/NEA; DRL FOR A/S CRANER 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN 
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FFP 
CENTCOM FOR GENERAL ABIZAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWBG, PTER, ASEC, PHUM, CASC, KPAL, SItrep, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: THE SITUATION ON THE GROUND: #81; APRIL 30, 2004 
(1600 HOURS LOCAL) -- IDF ACTIONS IN WEST BANK KILL TWO, 
GAZA UNKNOWNS ATTACK PA HOSPITAL DIRECTOR 
 
 
THIS IS A JOINT MESSAGE FROM CONGEN JERUSALEM AND EMBASSY TEL 
AVIV 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  In the West Bank, IDF troops killed one 
Palestinian during a clash with stone throwers, and another 
Palestinian woman reportedly died of tear gas inhalation in a 
separate incident.  An IDF incursion team demolished houses 
throughout the West Bank, including 11 south of Hebron.  In 
the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities at Karni crossing found 
an explosive device in an outbound shipment.  Unknown 
Palestinians attacked and beat Dr. Ibrahim Habbash, director 
of Gaza City's Shifa Hospital.  Demonstrators throughout the 
Strip protested the GOI's withholding of PA funds.  End 
summary. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Death: The IDF killed one Palestinian April 29 in Haris 
village, near Ariel settlement, during a clash with stone 
throwers. 
 
-- Death/Injury: A Palestinian woman died April 29 in her 
home in Furra refugee camp, reportedly after inhaling tear 
gas Israeli troops fired during a clash in the camp,  Fifteen 
other Palestinians were injured in the clash. 
 
3.  (SBU) DEMOLITIONS: 
 
-- The IDF demolished 11 shacks near Yatta village, south of 
Hebron, April 29, apparently because they were constructed 
without permits. 
 
-- The IDF demolished one house in Bayt Ummar village, south 
of Bethlehem on Route 60, apparently because it had been 
built without a permit. 
 
-- The IDF destroyed a small Palestinian gas station in the 
Jordan Valley April 29. 
 
4.  (SBU) CURFEWS/CLOSURES: 
 
-- No age restrictions were imposed on Palestinians coming to 
Jerusalem to pray at Al Aqsa Mosque April 30. 
 
-- Bitunia village was under curfew April 29. 
 
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Gaza Strip 
---------- 
 
5.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injury: Israeli media reported that Palestinians near Khan 
Younis fired an anti-tank rocket at an IDF bulldozer, 
injuring two soldiers. 
 
-- Injury: UNRWA reported that unknown masked men attacked 
and beat Dr. Ibrahim Habbash, Director of the Shifa Hospital 
and a reportedly high-ranking member of Fatah, outside the 
entrance to the Rimal Health Center April 30. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets/Shootings: According to IDF and Israeli 
media sources, Israeli Airports Authority officials stationed 
at the Karni crossing safely detonated an explosive belt 
found in a container loaded with textiles that was headed for 
the West Bank.  According to UNRWA, IDF forces opened fire 
opposite the Barahma area near Rafah, and fired a tank shell 
and flares at Kusufim April 30. 
 
6.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was closed at Netzarim junction and subject to random 
closures at Abu Kholi April 30. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was closed to Palestinians but open to 
internationals, and the Erez industrial zone was closed April 
30. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed April 30. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was closed April 30 due to the discovery of 
an explosive belt in a container headed for the West Bank 
(see above.) 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open except to Palestinians between the 
ages of 16 and 35 April 30. 
 
-- The Al-Mowassi checkpoints were closed at Tel al-Sultan 
and Toufah April 30. 
 
7. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS 
 
-- According to UNRWA, IDF forces entered the Khan Younis 
camp with several tanks and bulldozers, demolishing five 
homes and damaging 15 April 18. 
 
8. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 
 
-- Fatah organized a demonstration in support of President 
Arafat in Gaza City April 29.  Approximately 10,000 people 
attended, including students, legislators, PA officials, and 
National and Islamic Powers representatives, some of whom 
were armed and fired into the air.  The demonstration ended 
at 1240 hours according to UNRWA. 
 
-- Israeli media sources reported that PA Minister of 
Industry and Trade Maher al-Masri expressed concern that 
Israel was not coordinating with the PA over the economic 
aspects of withdrawal.  He stated April 30 that the PA would 
like control over the industrial zone and would like 
Palestinians to continue being able to work in Israel after a 
withdrawal. 
 
-- According to UNRWA there were scattered demonstrations at 
mosques throughout the strip after noon prayers April 30 to 
protest MATAK's holding of PA monies meant to assist poor 
families. 
 
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KURTZER