US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM1813

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001813 
 
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 3, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) -- 
WEST BANK QUIET; PA ARRESTS THREE HAMAS MILITANTS IN GAZA 
PREPARING QASSAM, RELEASES THEM AFTER CONFISCATING WEAPONS 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  The West Bank was quiet May 2-3.  Fatah 
will hold primary elections to determine PLC candidates on 
May 27 or June 1, according to PLC speaker Rawhi Fattuh.  In 
Gaza, PA security forces arrested in Gaza City three Hamas 
members suspected of preparing to fire Qassam rockets.  Their 
weapons and a rocket were confiscated, but the three were 
later released after Hamas protests and negotiations.  Three 
mortar shells exploded overnight May 1-2 at Netzarim, 
according to the IDF, but no injuries resulted.  End summary. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths:  Nil. 
 
-- Injuries:  Nil. 
 
-- Arrests:  Nil. 
 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- Fatah will hold primaries on either May 27 or June 1, 
according to PLC speaker Rawhi Fattuh. 
 
-- PA Interior Minister Nasser Yusif warned Palestinian 
factions that attempting to force implementation of their 
political agenda with arms will not be tolerated, and PA 
security forces will impose law and order in all 
PA-controlled areas. 
 
 
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Gaza Strip 
---------- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Arrests:  PA security forces arrested in Gaza City three 
Hamas members suspected of preparing to fire Qassam rockets. 
Their weapons and a rocket were confiscated, but the three 
were later released after Hamas protests and negotiations. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: Three mortar shells exploded overnight 
May 1-2 at Netzarim, according to the IDF, but no injuries 
resulted. 
 
-- Shootings:  According to the IDF, six shooting incidents 
occurred May 1, but no injuries resulted.  Two incidents took 
place at Rafah Yam, just west of Rafah, one at Morag and two 
at Neve Dekalim. 
 
-- Explosions: Nil. 
 
5.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil. 
 
6.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open May 2, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was closed May 1 for Palestinians, but open 
for internationals. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 1. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 2, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open, but operating slowly May 2. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 2. 
 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 2.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi May 2, except 
males aged 16-30. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- According to Israeli media, the government informed 
settler representatives on May 1 that it will agree to most 
of the settler,s demands for disengagement in the Gaza 
Strip, collectively known as the "Nitzanim plan."  The only 
demand denied was one to reopen the Evacuation Compensation 
Law and amend its clauses.  Other requests to which the 
government has agreed  include allowing the settlers to 
establish four new communities in the area of Nitzanim and 
permitting them to run an independent municipal entity to 
replace the Gaza Coast Regional Council. 
 
-- According to Israeli media, a ministerial meeting between 
PM Sharon and six members of his cabinet on the future of 
Gush Katif settler homes ended on May 2, with a majority 
reportedly opposed to the demolition of the homes.  The 
government will make its final decision during its next 
cabinet meeting the week of May 9, according to Israeli news 
sou