US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV1276

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001276 
 
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: IDF RAIDS WB QASSAM ROCKET WORKSHOP; 
NO INJURIES REPORTED FROM THREE WEST BANK EXPLOSIONS -- 
MARCH 3, 2005 (1200 HOURS LOCAL) 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: A car bomb exploded without causing 
injuries March 3 near IDF 
soldiers patrolling in the vicinity of Joseph,s Tomb in 
Nablus.  Jewish worshippers were near the area at the time of 
the explosion.  In addition, two explosive 
devices detonated without causing injury near IDF soldiers 
operating in the Balata refugee camp, near Nablus.  The IDF 
on March 2 raided a metal works shop in the village of 
al-Yamun, near Jenin, where soldiers discovered a Qassam 
rocket under construction.  The IDF also confiscated 
explosive devices and ammunition.  According to Israeli press 
reports, the IDF in late January had arrested 14 members of 
Hamas in the West Bank on suspicion of planning to launch 
Qassam rockets into Israel.  In Gaza, IDF tank fire injured a 
13-year-old Palestinian boy in Rafah March 2.  End Summary. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: A Palestinian teenager died March 2 from wounds 
received during clashes with IDF 18 months ago in Jenin. 
 
-- Injuries: Two Israeli settlers on March 2 sustained light 
injuries after Palestinians threw two firebombs at their 
vehicle traveling near the Ofra settlement, north of Ramallah. 
 
-- Injury: A Palestinian reported March 2 that he had been 
shot by Israeli settlers traveling in a passing vehicle in 
the vicinity of Ramin, east of Tulkarm. 
 
-- Attacks: A car bomb exploded March 3 near IDF soldiers 
patrolling in the vicinity of Joseph,s Tomb in Nablus. 
Jewish worshippers were near the area at the time of the 
explosion.  In addition, two explosive devices detonated near 
IDF soldiers operating in the Balata refugee camp, near 
Nablus.  None of the explosions resulted in injuries. 
3.  (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF overnight March 2-3 arrested five 
Palestinians, including four Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) 
activists in the Nablus, Qalqiliya, and Tulkarm areas. 
 
-- Arrest: The IDF the evening of March 2 arrested a Fatah 
Tanzim activist during an operation south of Nablus. 
 
-- Security Incident: The IDF on March 2 raided a metal 
works shop in the village of al-Yamun, near Jenin, where 
soldiers discovered a Qassam rocket under construction.  The 
IDF also confiscated explosive devices and ammunition. 
According to Israeli press reports, the IDF in late January 
had arrested 14 members of Hamas in the West Bank on 
suspicion of planning to launch Qassam rockets into Israel. 
 
-- Incursion: The IDF on March 3 entered the eastern sector 
of Jenin.  As of 1200 hours, there were no reports of 
arrests or injuries from this operation. 
 
4.  (SBU) DEMOLITIONS/CONFISCATIONS 
 
-- Palestinian media reported that the Israeli Civil 
Administration distributed confiscation orders for up to 
10,000 dunams of Palestinian land belonging to Palestinians 
south and west of Hebron in order to construct the separation 
barrier.  According to Abd al-Hadi Hantash, head of the 
Palestinian land defense committee in the Hebron area, 
confiscation orders include 3,000 dunams from Dhahirirya 
villagers for barrier construction in the area of Eshkolot 
settlement, 1,500 dunams from Ar-Ramadin and  Arab 
al-Fureijat villagers for barrier construction around Sansana 
settlement, 5,000 dunams from As Samu, villagers for barrier 
construction by Mezadot Yehuda and Shani settlements.  (Note: 
Posts will investigate to verify the details of this report. 
End Note). 
 
5.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- According to Palestinian press reports, the PA Governor 
of Jenin denied that PA Interior Minister Nasir Yusif had 
fired him.  An official from the Interior Ministry 
confirmed that the Jenin Governor had not been replaced, 
but stated that 11 security chiefs and deputies had been 
removed from their positions during Yusif,s March 1 visit 
to the city. 
 
-- PA President Abbas is planning to meet with 
representatives from PIJ upon his return to the West Bank. 
Abbas is scheduled to meet March 3 with Egyptian President 
Mubarak in Cairo. 
 
-- PA Minister for Civil Affairs Dahlan met March 2 with 
Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Peres.  A statement released 
by the Civil Affairs Ministry indicated that Dahlan had 
submitted a number of requests to Peres, including a 
request for an increase in the number of Palestinian 
laborers allowed to enter Israel.  Other Palestinian media 
reports stated that Dahlan and Peres discussed the 
mechanisms of coordination for the Gaza Disengagement Plan. 
 
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Gaza 
---- 
 
6.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that IDF tank fire injured a 
13-year-old Palestinian boy in Rafah, across from Rafiah 
Yam settlement, March 2, when he and a group of boys 
entered a leveled area to play football. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: Nil. 
 
-- Shootings: Nil. 
 
-- Explosions: Nil. 
 
7.  (SBU) PALESTINIAN SECURITY: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that a dispute between Force 17 officers 
turned violent in Gaza City March 2.  According to reports, 
a newly-dismissed officer refused to relinquish his command 
in the Ansar area to his successor.  Bodyguards loyal to 
each officer clashed for about an hour firing small arms, 
until APCs moved into the area and the situation was 
brought under control.  No injuries were reported. 
 
8.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south 
traffic artery, was open March 3, with a major detour at 
Netzarim Junction.  Only public transportation is allowed 
to cross Abu Khouli checkpoint. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a 
limited number of Palestinians March 2, and 1,030 laborers 
and 128 merchants crossed into Israel. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 2, and 332 
laborers entered. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers March 
3, but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was partially open March 3. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
March 3. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed March 3.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except for 
males between the ages of 16-35. 
 
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