US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV916

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 000916 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR BURNS/SATTERFIELD/DIBBLE; 
NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR 
DS/IP/NEA; 
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: FEBRUARY 15, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) 
-- PALESTINIAN VEHICLE NEAR NABLUS TARGET OF SHOOTING 
ATTACK; GAZA LARGELY QUIET 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: A Palestinian driver said that an Israeli 
car fired shots at his vehicle north of Nablus on February 
14, damaging his vehicle but causing no injuries.   The IDF 
arrested a total of eight Palestinians throughout the West 
Bank February 14-15.  In Gaza, unknown assailants opened fire 
on the home of Sakher Bseiso, governor of northern Gaza, 
February 14, and Palestinian militants fired one mortar shell 
at Morag settlement the same day.  End Summary. 
 
--------- 
West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF entered Silwad village, northeast of 
Ramallah, on February 14 and arrested four alleged Hamas 
activists.  They arrested another three alleged Hamas 
activists in Kharbatha, west of Ramallah, the same day, 
according to Palestinian sources. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF arrested a Fatah activist in Yatta 
village near Hebron on February 14, according to Palestinian 
sources. 
 
-- Shootings: A Palestinian driver said that an Israeli car 
fired shots at his vehicle north of Nablus on February 14, 
damaging his vehicle but causing no injuries, according to 
Palestinian media. 
 
-- Shootings: IDF radio reported that shots were fired at an 
IDF patrol north of Nablus on February 14, with no injuries 
or arrests. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
3.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian 
militants fired one mortar shell February 14 at Morag 
village, in the Gush Katif settlement bloc. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinians militants 
fired on an IDF outpost west of Khan Yunis February 14. 
 
-- Shootings: Palestinian sources reported that unknown 
assailants opened fire on the home of Sakher Bseiso, the 
governor of northern Gaza, February 14.  No injuries were 
reported in either of these attacks. 
 
-- Explosions: Nil. 
 
4.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open February 15, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction.  Abu Khouli Junction is open 24 hours a day, but 
private vehicles are still prohibited from crossing the 
checkpoint. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a 
limited number of Palestinians February 15.  A total of 203 
laborers and 62 merchants crossed into Israel February 14. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was partially open February 14, 
and 350 laborers entered the zone. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers February 
15, but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open for limited imports and exports 
February 15. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
February 15, except for Palestinian males between the ages of 
16-35, who were prohibited from exiting the Gaza Strip. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed February 15.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for female residents of al-Mowassi, and 
for males under age 16 and over age 35. 
 
 
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KURTZER