US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV583

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000583 
 
SIPDIS 
 
NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE; 
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHE; 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, SItrep, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: MILITANTS FIRE 12 MORTAR SHELLS IN 
GAZA STRIP: FEBRUARY 1 (1200 HRS LOCAL) 
 
 
THIS IS A JOINT MESSAGE FROM CONGEN JERUSALEM AND EMBASSY TEL 
AVIV 
 
1.  (SBU) SUMMARY:  In the Gaza Strip, IDF fire reportedly 
injured one Palestinian in the Rafah refugee camp.  According 
to the IDF, Hamas militants fired 12 mortar shells at various 
locations throughout the Strip in response to the January 31 
shooting of a Palestinian girl in Rafah, an incidicent for 
which the IDF denies reponsibility.  In the West Bank, 
Palestinian explosive devices injured an IDF soldier near 
Bethlehem and an Israeli settler near Nablus.  Palestinian 
militants reportedly fired shots at Ganim and Qadim 
settlements and at IDF vehicles in the Balata refugee camp. 
End Summary. 
 
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Gaza Strip 
---------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil 
 
-- Injuries/Shootings: UNRWA reported that IDF fire injured 
one Palestinian in the Zurrub area of the Rafah refugee camp 
overnight January 31-February 1. 
 
-- Mortars: The IDF reported that Hamas militants fired 12 
mortar shells in locations throughout the Gaza Strip January 
31-February 1.  Of these, six were fired at Neve Dekalim 
settlement, four at IDF outposts near Khan Younis, one at 
Gadid settlement, and one at Netzarim settlement.  These 
mortars were in retaliation to the fatal shooting of a 
Palestinian girl in Rafah January 31, an incident for which 
the IDF denies responsiblity.  According to the IDF, the girl 
was killed by celebratory fire from pilgrims returning from 
the Haj.  UNRWA reported, however, that the girl was killed 
during a period of heavy fire from the IDF observation post 
at Salah Ed Din. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants 
engaged in one instance of shooting at the IDF outpost near 
Neve Dekalim settlement and one instance of shooting at Morag 
settlement January 31. 
 
-- Explosives/Confiscation: The IDF reported that IDF 
soldiers safely confiscated an explosive device southwest of 
the Kissufim Crossing January 31. 
 
3.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open February 1 but closed at Netzarim junction. 
 
-- The Erez Crossing was closed to Palestinians, but open to 
diplomats and some internationals, February 1. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed February 1. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian workers, but open 
for the import of aggregates used in construction, February 1. 
 
-- Karni terminal was closed February 1. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
February 1.  Palestinian males between the ages of 16 and 35 
were prohibited from crossing. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed, but Toufa checkpoint 
was open, February 1. 
 
4.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 
 
-- According to UNRWA, a large demonstration took place at 
the UNSCO office January 31 to protest the non-retention of 
Peter Hansen as ComGen UNRWA. 
 
--------- 
West Bank 
--------- 
 
5.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil 
 
-- Injuries: According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, an 
IDF soldier was wounded near Bethlehem on January 31 when two 
explosive devices were hurled at a military outpost near 
Bethlehem,s Rachel's Tomb. 
-- Injuries: According to Israeli media, an Israeli settler 
was wounded on January 31 when a Molotov cocktail hit his car 
near Migdalim settlement in the Nablus area. 
 
-- Shootings: According to Palestinian newspapers, two 
shooting incidents were reported in the Jenin area in the 
direction of Ganim and Qadim settlements on January 31.  No 
injuries have been reported.  According to Palestinian 
sources, a wing of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs, Brigades controlled 
by Mohammad Abu Rajwan claimed the responsibility for the 
shootings. 
-- Shootings: According to Palestinian sources, shots were 
fired at IDF vehicles on January 31 in the Balata refugee 
camp and the village of Kufr Qalil near Nablus.  No injuries 
have been reported. 
 
-- Security Incidents: According to Israeli and Palestinian 
reports, several Israeli cars were stoned on January 31 on 
the Husan bypass road near Bethlehem.  No injuries have been 
reported. 
 
-- Security Incidents: According to Palestinian newspapers, 
the IDF found and defused a roadside charge on Road 60 near 
Bethlehem on January 31. 
 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian reports, IDF units 
arrested one Palestinian in the Balata refugee camp near 
Nablus on January 31. 
 
6.  (SBU) CLOSURES: 
 
-- According to Palestinian sources, the IDF is still 
operating in the village of Saida near Tulkarm on February 1, 
while imposing a closure around the village. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- According to Palestinian sources, 42 Palestinian security 
officers will start training in Egypt on February 3.  Thirty 
of those will be Gaza-based, and twelve from the West Bank. 
The officers belong to the civil police, National Security, 
and the military intelligence. 
 
-- According to Palestinian newspapers, Abu Mazen concluded 
his visit to Russia, and will arrive in Turkey on February 1. 
 Abu Mazen named Nabil Shaath, PA Foreign Affairs Minister, 
as the head of the Russian-Palestinian High Committee.  Abu 
Mazen and the accompanying delegation are scheduled to return 
to Ramallah on February 2. 
 
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