US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM1859

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001859 
 
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 5, 2005 (1500 HOURS LOCAL) -- TWO 
PALESTINIAN TEENS SHOT AND KILLED BY IDF IN SEPARATION 
BARRIER PROTESTS SOUTHEAST OF MODI'IN 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  IDF troops shot and killed two unarmed 
Palestinian teens near Bayt Liqya village (off Route 443) on 
May 4, during stone-throwing clashes and protests against the 
separation barrier.  In Gaza, two mortar shells exploded May 
4, one east of an IDF post near Khan Yunis and the other at 
Ganey Tal, but no injuries resulted.  According to Israeli 
media, police have reportedly mapped all settlement houses 
that will be evacuated during the Gaza pullout, and have 
collected intelligence about the inhabitants' proclivities 
towards violent protest.  End summary. 
 
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West Bank 
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2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths:  IDF troops shot and killed two unarmed 
Palestinian teens near Bayt Liqya village (off Route 443) on 
May 4, according to Israeli and Palestinian media.  The 
youths were part of a large group of Palestinian protesters 
against the separation barrier who began to throw rocks at 
the IDF soldiers. 
 
-- Injuries:  Several Palestinians were lightly injured by 
bullets or suffered from tear gas inhalation during the above 
protests, according to Palestinian newspapers. 
 
-- Arrests:  The IDF arrested a Palestinian youth carrying a 
handgun near Hebron on May 4, according to Palestinian 
sources. 
 
-- Arrests:  Israeli Border Police arrested nine anti-barrier 
protesters in Bil'in (near Ramallah) on May 4 who chained 
themselves to olive trees in an attempt to prevent clearing 
for the barrier, according to Israeli and Palestinian 
newspapers. 
 
-- Incursions:  The IDF entered Attil village (near Tulkarm) 
and searched several houses on May 4, but left without making 
arrests, according to Palestinian sources. 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- PA President Abbas called Hamas political bureau chief 
Khalid Mish'al to try to work out PA-Hamas disputes resulting 
from the PA's arrest of three Hamas activists in Gaza for 
preparing a Qassam launch, and confiscation of their weapons. 
 
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Gaza Strip 
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4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: Two mortar shells exploded May 4, one 
east of an IDF post near Khan Yunis and the other at Ganey 
Tal, but no injuries. 
 
-- Shootings:  According to the IDF, Palestinians shot at IDF 
soldiers May 4 south of an IDF post at Rafah, but no injuries 
occurred. 
 
-- Explosions: The IDF reported that an explosive device was 
discovered on May 4 northeast of Sufa crossing, but no 
injuries occurred. 
 
5.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil. 
 
6.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open May 5, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was closed May 4 for Palestinian laborers, 
but open to internationals. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 4. 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 5, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was closed May 5, according to UNRWA, due 
to a terror threat reported by the IDF. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 5. 
 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 5.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males 
aged 16-30. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- According to Israeli media, police have reportedly mapped 
all the houses of the settlements that will be evacuated 
during Gaza disengagement and collected intellig