US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV1538

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 001538 
 
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:7,000 FATAH SUPORTERS RALLY IN 
JABALIYA:MARCH 16(1700 HRS LOCAL) 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary:  The IDF arrested two Palestinians March 
14 when the men tried to infiltrate the border fence into 
Israel east of Dayr al-Balah.  The men reportedly intended to 
enter Israel in search of work.  Fatah organized a rally of 
some 7,000 people March 14 in Jabaliya in honor of 
"Palestinian martyrs" from the camp.  The IDF wounded two 
Palestinians near Tulkarem.  IDF troops arrested two Hamas 
members near Bir Ziet.  End Summary. 
 
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Gaza 
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2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: Palestinian militants fired one mortar 
shell at Neve Dekalim March 14, according to the IDF. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants 
launched one shooting attack targeting an IDF APC March 14 
west of Rafah.  UNRWA reported a second shooting attack on 
an IDF vehicle patrolling near Neve Dekalim the same day. 
 
-- Explosions: The IDF reported that soldiers discovered 
and safely detonated March 14 an explosive device near the 
border fence with Egypt, opposite Block J in Rafah. 
 
3.  (SBU) ARRESTS: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that the IDF arrested two Palestinians 
March 14 when the men tried to infiltrate the border fence 
into Israel east of Dayr al-Balah.  The men reportedly were 
in search of work. 
 
4.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south 
traffic artery, was open March 15, with a major detour at 
Netzarim Junction.  As of March 13, private vehicles are 
allowed to transit Abu Khouli checkpoint. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open for internationals and for a 
limited number of Palestinians March 14, and 1,075 laborers 
and 140 merchants crossed into Israel. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open March 14, and 583 
laborers entered. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers March 
15, but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open March 15. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
March 15. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed March 15.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except for 
males between the ages of 16-35. 
 
5.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that Fatah organized a rally of some 
7,000 people March 14 in Jabaliya in honor of "Palestinian 
martyrs" from the camp. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
6.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: According to Palestinian media, IDF soldiers 
opened fire and lightly wounded two Palestinians near Tulkarm 
while they were working in farm fields on March 14. 
 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, the IDF 
arrested a Fatah member in Khatam Kapisha village, near 
Hebron, on March 14.  During the arrest, IDF troops 
reportedly found five pipe bombs. 
 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, IDF soldiers 
arrested two armed West Bank settlers suspected of opening 
fire in the Palestinian village of Kufur Arik, near Nablus, 
on March 14. 
 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, Israeli 
security forces seized a Palestinian truck carrying stolen 
tank parts, and arrested four Palestinians at al-Hamra 
checkpoint, in the Jordan Valley, on March 14. 
 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian reports, IDF troops 
arrested two members of Hamas in the village of Bir Zeit on 
March 14.  The two were arrested when the IDF erected a 
flying checkpoint at the entrance to Bir Zeit University. 
IDF set up a roadblock at the entrance to the campus on March 
14.  Students threw stones while IDF troops responded with 
tear gas. 
 
-- Security Incidents:  According to Palestinian sources, 
shots were fired at an IDF vehicle near Nablus.  No injuries 
were reported. 
 
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