US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM1849

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001849 
 
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 4, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) -- 
THREE IDF INCURSIONS IN WEST BANK; ABU MAZEN LEAVING FOR 
STATE VISITS MAY 7 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  IDF forces conducted several incursions 
near Jenin, Nablus and Hebron in the West Bank on May 3, but 
no deaths or serious injuries resulted.  PA President Abbas 
is expected to leave Ramallah May 7 for an international tour 
including Chile, Brazil, Japan and India.  A PA Interior 
Ministry spokesman said May 3 that the PA will continue and 
expand efforts to prevent Qassam rocket firings in Gaza and 
other ceasefire violations.  In Gaza, a mortar shell exploded 
west of Khan Yunis on May 4, and according to the IDF, there 
were four shooting incidents in Rafah and Neve Dekalim May 3, 
but no injuries resulted.  End summary. 
 
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West Bank 
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2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths:  Nil. 
 
-- Injuries:  Nil. 
 
-- Arrests:  The IDF arrested two alleged militants in Dura 
village, near Hebron, on May 3, according to Palestinian 
sources. 
 
-- Incursions:  The IDF entered Jaba,a village south of 
Jenin on May 3, imposed a curfew on the village, searched 
several homes, and fired tear gas at residents, before 
leaving without making arrests, according to Palestinian 
newspapers. 
 
-- Incursions:  The IDF entered Asira al-Qibiliya village 
near Nablus on May 3, and conducted searches of houses before 
leaving without making arrests, according to Palestinian 
newspapers, which quoted three Palestinian youths as saying 
IDF soldiers beat them during the incursion. 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- PA President Abbas will leave Ramallah May 7 for an 
international tour of several countries, including Chile, 
Brazil, Japan and India, according to PA presidential office 
sources. 
 
-- A PA Interior Ministry spokesman said May 3 that the PA 
will continue and expand efforts to prevent Qassam rocket 
firings in Gaza and other ceasefire violation. 
 
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Gaza Strip 
---------- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: A mortar shell exploded west of Khan 
Yunis on May 4. 
 
-- Shootings: According to the IDF,  four shooting incidents 
occurred May 3, but no injuries resulted.  Two of these took 
place west of Rafah and two others occurred southeast of 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 4, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was closed for Palestinians, but open for 
internationals May 3. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 3. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 4, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open, but operating slowly May 4. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 4. 
 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 4.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males 
aged 16-30. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
--- Justice Minister Tzipi Livni announced on May 3 that the 
scope of the plan to resettle Gush Katif evacuees in the area 
between Ashdod and Ashkelon will depend on the number of 
settlers who agree to be resettled.  According to Israeli 
media, the settlers will have to sign a letter to join the 
plan, which will be drafted by Deputy Attorney General 
Michael Balas and settler group representatives. 
Pearce