US embassy cable - 04TELAVIV6276

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 006276 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE; 
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR 
DS/IP/NEA; 
DRL FOR A/S CRANER; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; 
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP, PRM FOR DEWEY/GREENE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWBG, PHUM, PREL, PTER, ASEC, CASC, GZ, IS, SItrep, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: 29 PALESTINIANS ARRESTED IN THE WEST 
BANK; AT LEAST SIX PALESTINIAN MILITANTS WOUNDED IN GAZA: 
DECEMBER 10, 2004 (1500 HOURS LOCAL) 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: The IDF arrested 29 Palestinians in the 
West Bank, including presidential candidate Bassam Salhi, 
December 9-10.  In Gaza, at least six Palestinian militants 
were reportedly wounded in two incidents involving the firing 
of missiles in the northern Gaza strip and another near the 
Sufa crossing.  End Summary. 
 
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West Bank 
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2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injury: Nil. 
 
3.  (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF December 10 entered al-Dhahiriya village 
and arrested four Hamas candidates running for the village 
council in the upcoming December 23 municipal elections. 
 
-- Arrest: The IDF December 10 arrested presidential 
candidate from the Palestinian People,s Party Bassam Salhi 
after he attempted to enter Jerusalem without a permit. 
Salhi was still under Israeli detention in Jerusalem as of 
1500 hours. 
 
-- Arrest/Clashes: The IDF the evening of December 9 entered 
Tulkarem refugee camp and arrested a senior Fatah activist. 
Clashes erupted between the IDF and Palestinians in the camp 
and two explosive devices detonated in the vicinity of IDF 
soldiers during the arrest operation, but there were no 
injuries reported from the incident. 
 
-- Arrests/Clashes/Injuries: The IDF December 9 entered Bayt 
Liqya west of Ramallah and arrested two Palestinians.  The 
IDF used tear gas to disperse Palestinians throwing stones 
during the arrest operation, causing some injuries. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF arrested 12 Palestinians, the majority 
associated with Hamas, the evening of December 9-10 in 
several West Bank localities including Nablus, Bethlehem, 
Qalqilya, and the Ramallah area. 
 
-- IDF soldiers December 9 discovered three pipe bombs 
weighing together more than 40 kilograms near an Israeli 
settlement north of Ramallah.  The IDF has initiated an 
investigation. 
 
4.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- The Palestinian leadership has concluded its visit to 
Lebanon and is scheduled to arrive December 10 in Jordan. 
 
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Gaza 
---- 
 
5.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: According to UNRWA and Israeli media, four 
Palestinian militants affiliated with the Popular Resistance 
Committee were wounded December 9 when an Israeli aircraft 
fired a missile at a car near Sufa crossing in the Gaza 
strip.  According to UNRWA, four Palestinian militants 
belonging to the Popular Resistance Committee (PRC), were 
wounded in the attack, including the primary target, PRC 
leader Jamal Abu Samhadana. 
 
--Injuries: According to UNRWA, the IAF also fired a missile 
at a house containing munition production facilities -- 
Qassam rockets -- in Bayt Lahiyah December 9, injuring 
several people.  The house belonged to Mahmoud al-Madhouri, a 
local Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade leader. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: Israeli media reported that Palestinians 
fired a Qassam rocket at the perimeter fence near the Sufa 
crossing and a mortar round at a settlement near Gush Qatif 
on December 10.  No injuries were reported in either 
incident. 
 -- Shootings: The IDF reported two shooting incidents on 
December 9, one near Gush Katif and the other one in Rafah 
Yam, but no injuries resulted. 
 
-- Explosions: Nil. 
 
6.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil. 
 
7.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open with a major detour at Netzarim Junction. 
-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and diplomats 
and for a limited number of Palestinians.  According to 
UNRWA, 200 Palestinian laborers crossed on December 10. 
UNRWA reported that the IDF announced it would now allow 
national staff of UN organizations to cross at Erez in 
vehicles, rather than on foot, with prior coordination 
through COGAT, but has not yet implemented the new policy. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed, except for 
factory owners, on December 10. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers December 
10, but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open, but reportedly operating slowly. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
December 10.  Although the IDF no longer prohibits the exit 
of male Palestinians age 16-35 from the Gaza Strip, lengthy 
checks at the border mean that few Palestinians in this 
category are actually able to exit.  There are no age 
restrictions for entry into Gaza. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed December 10.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi. 
 
 
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