US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM1792

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001792 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE 
NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR 
DS/IP/NEA; DRL FOR A/S CRANER 
NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN 
USAID FOR DCHA, DCHA/FFP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, PBTS, PHUM, KWBG, ASEC, CASC, IS, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: MAY 2, 2005 (1800 HOURS LOCAL) -- ONE 
IDF SOLDIER, ONE PIJ GUNMAN KILLED IN TULKARM-AREA SHOOTOUT 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  On May 2, one IDF soldier and one PIJ 
gunman (Shawfiq Abd al-Ghani) were killed in a shootout 
during an IDF operation in Saida village, by Tulkarm, 
according to Israeli and Palestinian media.  In Gaza, one 
Palestinian was killed during a gunfight between members of 
the Eddiri and El Khour families April 30, and two additional 
Palestinians were injured.  End summary. 
 
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West Bank 
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2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths:  On May 2, one IDF soldier and one PIJ gunman 
(Shawfiq Abd al-Ghani) were killed in a shootout during an 
IDF operation in Saida village, by Tulkarm, according to 
Israeli and Palestinian media. 
 
-- Injuries:  Eight Palestinians and one American peace 
activist were injured in clashes with Border Police during 
protests against the separation barrier in Bil,in on May 1, 
according to Palestinian sources. 
 
-- Injuries:  Seven Palestinians were injured in al-Fawar 
camp, near Hebron, on May 1, in clashes after an IDF 
incursion, according to Palestinian sources. 
 
-- Injuries:  The IDF shot and injured three Palestinians 
during a raid and stone-throwing clashes in al-Khadr village, 
by Bethlehem, on May 1, according to Palestinian sources. 
 
-- Injuries:  Settlers beat and injured an IDF commander in 
scuffles during the IDF,s arrests of eight settlers in Har 
Bracha settlement, according to Israeli newspapers (see 
&Arrests8 below). 
 
-- Arrests:  The IDF arrested eight settlers from Har Bracha 
settlement for throwing stones at Palestinian cars near 
Nablus, according to Israeli newspapers, which started a riot 
inside the settlement. 
 
-- Incursion/Arrest:  The IDF entered an area of Tulkarm that 
had been handed over to PA security control on May 1, and 
arrested a Palestinian alleged to be a PIJ militant preparing 
for a suicide attack, according to Israeli/Palestinian media. 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- PA Interior Minister Nasser Yusif met with Gaza security 
chiefs on April 30 to discuss improving the security 
situation, including stopping rocket/mortar firings, banning 
armed demonstrations and halting drug trafficking. 
 
 
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Gaza Strip 
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4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths/Injuries: One Palestinian was killed during a 
gunfight between members of the Eddiri and El Khour families 
April 30, and two additional Palestinians were injured. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported four instances of shooting at 
IDF soldiers April 29-May 1, of which three took place near 
Neve Dekalim settlement and one took place west of Rafah 
refugee camp.  No injuries were reported. 
 
-- Mortars: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants fired 
one mortar shell at IDF soldiers near Khan Younis refugee 
camp, and three mortar shells at Israeli settlers in Ganey 
Tal and Rafah Yam settlements, April 29-May 1.  No injuries 
were reported. 
 
-- Explosives: The IDF reported it found and safely detonated 
a Palestinian-made explosive device north of Sufa crossing 
May 1. 
 
5.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: 
 
-- According to UNRWA, two PA bulldozers escorted by PA 
police demolished three large residential buildings under 
construction in the Bayt Lahia area May 1.  The buildings 
were reportedly owned by PA officials and were illegally 
built on government lands. 
 
6.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/CHECKPOINTS 
 
-- Route Four (Salah Ed-Din Road), the main north-south 
traffic artery, was reopened at Abu Khouli on April 28. 
-- The Erez Crossing was open to internationals and diplomats 
but has been closed to Palestinians since April 25. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was has been closed to 
Palestinians since April 25. 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian workers, but open 
for the import of aggregates used in construction, April 
29-May 2. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open April 29-May 2 for the import and 
limited export of commodities. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open without age restrictions April 
29-May 2. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed, but Toufah checkpoint 
was open, April 29-May 2. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS 
 
-- According to UNRWA, some 3,000 people demonstrated on the 
Salah El-Din road late July 29 to show solidarity with the 
residents of Bayt Hanoun and to protest the ongoing IDF 
incursion there.  The demonstration was reportedly organized 
by Hamas, Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, and other factions 
operating in the area. 
Pearce