US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM1891

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001891 
 
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 6, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) -- 
FATAH WINS MAJORITY OF MUNICIPAL COUNCIL SEATS, BUT HAMAS 
HAS STRONG SHOWING; QASSAM ROCKETS LAND IN SDEROT 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary.  Fatah won at least 60 percent of 906 
municipal council seats in May 5 elections held in 84 
localities in the West Bank and Gaza, based on preliminary 
results and exit polling, but Hamas also garnered 35-37 
percent.  Militants fired four Qassam rockets toward Sderot 
May 5-6, according to Israeli news sources.  End summary. 
 
--------- 
West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths:  A PIJ militant shot and injured May 2 by the IDF 
in Saida village (near Tulkarm) died of his injuries at Ramle 
prison on May 5, according to Israeli and Palestinian 
newspapers. 
 
-- Injuries:  Nil. 
 
-- Arrests:  Nil. 
 
-- Incursions:  Nil. 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- PA President Abbas will leave Ramallah May 7 for an 
international tour including Chile, Brazil, China, Japan and 
India, according to PA presidential office sources. 
 
-- Fatah won a majority of municipal council seats in May 5 
elections, with preliminary results showing Fatah with over 
60 percent of the vote.  Hamas posted a strong showing, 
however, gaining between 35-37 percent, in races that are 
viewed as indicative of current Hamas-Fatah support in the 
run-up to crucial PLC elections July 17.  While there were 
scattered reports of irregularities, most observers found the 
overall process to be fairly conducted. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: Palestinians fired two rockets at Sderot 
on May 5 and two additional rockets May 6, but no injuries 
occurred. 
 
-- Rocket: According to Israeli media, Palestinians fired an 
anti-tank rocket May 6 at a school bus carrying children 
outside Kfar Darom, but no injuries occurred. 
 
-- Shootings: According to the IDF, Palestinians shot at an 
IDF bulldozer on May 5 north of an IDF post near Rafah.  In 
another incident, Palestinians shot at an IDF post near 
Rafiah Yam.  On May 6, Palestinian also shot at an IDF tank 
post west of Rafah, but no injuries resulted. 
 
-- Explosions: According to UNRWA, the IDF discovered and 
safely detonated May 5 a road-side bomb just north of Sufa 
crossing. 
 
5.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil. 
 
6.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open May 6, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction.  Abu Khouli checkpoint was open. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was closed  May 5 between 0900 and 1100 due 
to a suspicious object found in the mail.  No explosions or 
injuries resulted.  During other hours May 5, the crossing 
was closed to Palestinian laborers and open to 
internationals. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 5. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 6, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open, but operating slowly May 6. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 6. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 6.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males 
aged 16-30. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- Media and NGO sources reported that elections held in 5 
municipalities in Gaza May 5 went smoothly for the most part. 
 According to preliminary results, Hamas won a majority of 
council seats in al-Burayj.  In Rafah, preliminary results 
showed Fatah winning a slight majority of council seats over 
Hamas. 
 
-- According to Israeli media reports, Defense Minister Mofaz 
reportedly has instructed the IDF to change its 
non-engagement policy to begin responding to Kassam rocket 
and mortar shell attacks on Israeli communities. 
High-ranking military officials reportedly explained the 
decision by saying there had been a 300-percent increase in 
terrorist activity, reverting back to the same terrorist 
levels as preceded the cease-fire. 
Pearce