US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV2607

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002607 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR 
DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; USAID 
FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWBG, PHUM, PREL, PTER, ASEC, CASC, GZ, IS, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: ONE IDF SOLDIER KILLED IN THE WEST 
BANK -- APRIL 26, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: An IDF soldier died April 25 near 
Halhoul village, north of Hebron, after being run over by a 
Palestinian motorist.  Other IDF soldiers at the roadblock 
opened fire, killing the driver, identified as Iyad 
al-Duwaik.  An IDF investigation is ongoing; PA security 
sources said that the driver had no political affiliation and 
that they believed the incident was a traffic accident.  A 
Palestinian youth handed over a 13-kilogram explosive belt 
to IDF soldiers near Itamar settlement, near Nablus, April 
25.  A total of 18 Palestinians were arrested overnight in 
the West Bank.  In the Gaza Strip, PA police clashed with PIJ 
members in Dayr al-Balah camp April 25. 
According to reports, PA police attempted to search a vehicle 
driven by 
a member of the Abu Rish Brigades and suspected of carrying 
weapons.  Armed clashes broke out, but no injuries were 
reported.  The police brought the situation under control 
and confiscated the vehicle and its contents.  End Summary. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: According to Israeli and Palestinian sources, an 
IDF soldier died April 25 near Halhoul village, north of 
Hebron, after being run over by a Palestinian motorist 
April 25.  Other IDF soldiers at the roadblock opened fire, 
killing the driver, identified as Iyad al-Duwaik.  The IDF 
opened an investigation to verify the motive behind the 
incident.  PA security sources said the driver had no 
political affiliation and that they believed the incident 
was a traffic accident. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian sources, IDF troops 
entered Qalqiliya in the morning of April 26, and arrested 
16 Palestinians (11 subsequently released, 5 still detained, 
three of whom suspected of Hamas membership). 
 
-- Arrests: According to Palestinian media, the IDF 
arrested two Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) militants in 
Jenin, April 25. 
 
3.  (SBU) SECURITY INCIDENTS: 
 
-- According to Israeli sources, a Palestinian youth handed 
over a 13-kilogram explosive belt to IDF soldiers near 
Itamar settlement, near Nablus, April 25. 
 
4.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/CONFISCATIONS: 
 
-- According to Palestinian reports, IDF troops entered 
into Fraides and Bayt Tamar village, near Bethlehem, and 
searched houses, April 25.  No arrests were made. 
 
-- According to Palestinian sources, IDF troops entered 
the eastern part of Nablus April 25 and conducted searches. 
No arrests were made. 
 
5.  (SBU) ROADBLOCKS/CHECKPOINTS: 
 
-- According to Palestinian reports, the Israeli commander of 
the DCO in Nablus said April 25 that the IDF intends to 
remove the age restriction currently in effect for 
Palestinians wishing to cross the Nablus roadblocks.  No date 
was given when this new policy will take effect. 
 
6.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- According to Israeli media reports April 26, an 
agreement has been reached in principle with residents of 
Ganim and Kadim settlements in the northern West Bank to 
voluntarily leave their homes before 
the implementation of disengagement in exchange for promises 
of increased compensation and expedited assistance in dealing 
with their affairs.  Military officials cite the positive 
psychological impact that this agreement is expected to have 
on 
residents of other settlements slated for evacuation in 
the context of the disengagement plan. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
7.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian 
militants fired one mortar shell at Gani Tel settlement 
April 26. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported that militants launched a 
total of five shooting attacks at IDF and Israeli settler 
targets April 25-26. 
 
-- Explosions: UNRWA reported that the IDF found and safely 
detonated an IED near the border fence with Egypt, opposite 
Block J, in the Rafah refugee camp 
 
8.  (SBU) INTERNAL DISPUTES: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that five Palestinians were injured when 
a family dispute turned violent April 25 at al-Azhar 
University in Gaza City.  According to Palestinian reports, 
members of the Wishah family used guns and knives to attack 
a group of students they claim assaulted their daughter. 
 
-- UNRWA reported that Hamas and Fatah activists used guns 
and homemade explosives during clashes that broke out in 
Rafah April 25 over the upcoming 
municipal elections.  Two Palestinians were injured. 
 
9.  (SBU) SECURITY DEPLOYMENT: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that PA security forces clashed with PIJ 
members in Dayr al-Balah camp April 25.  According to 
reports, PA police attempted to search a vehicle driven by 
a member of the Abu Rish Brigades and suspected of carrying 
weapons.  Armed clashes broke out, but no injuries were 
reported.  The police brought the situation under control 
and confiscated the vehicle and its contents. 
 
10.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south 
traffic artery, was open April 26, with a major detour at 
Netzarim Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers April 
25, but open for internationals. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed April 25. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers April 
26, but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open April 26. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures 
April 26. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed April 26.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi. 
 
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