US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV2938

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002938 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/SA/EX FOR RICHIE; DEPT FOR 
DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN; USAID 
FOR DCHA, DCHA/FPP 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KWBG, PHUM, PREL, PTER, ASEC, CASC, GZ, IS, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: THREE MORTAR SHELLS FIRED IN GAZA; 
ONE PALESTINIAN KILLED IN THE WEST BANK -- MAY 10, 2005 
(1300 HOURS LOCAL) 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: A Palestinian man was killed in Yatta 
village, near Hebron, on May 9, according to Palestinian 
sources, but the killers and motive remain unknown.  PA 
police said that the man's death appeared to have resulted 
from a criminal act, but added that they are also 
investigating whether the man was killed for collaborating 
with Israel.  In Gaza, Palestinian militants fired two mortar 
shells at Netzarim overnight May 9-10 and another shell at 
Kfar Darom May 10.  Militants also fired one homemade rocket 
towards Sderot the evening of May 9 that landed near IDF 
forces southwest of the Erez Crossing.  No injuries were 
reported in any of these attacks.  End Summary. 
 
--------- 
West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: A Palestinian man was killed in Yatta village, 
near Hebron, on May 9, according to Palestinian sources, but 
the killers and motive remain unknown.  PA police said that 
the man's death appeared to have resulted from a criminal 
act, but added that they are also investigating whether the 
man was killed for collaborating with Israel. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF arrested in Nablus May 10 two 
Palestinians who are accused of being Fatah Tanzim members, 
according to Palestinian sources. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
3.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian 
militants fired two mortar shells at Netzarim overnight May 
9-10 and another at Kfar Darom May 10.  Militants also fired 
one homemade rocket towards Sderot that landed near IDF 
forces southwest of the Erez crossing the evening of May 9. 
No injuries were reported in any of these attacks. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinians launched 
three shooting attacks at IDF and Israeli settler targets in 
the Gush Katif settlement bloc May 9.  No injuries were 
reported in any of these attacks. 
 
4.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open May 10, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was closed for Palestinians, but open for 
internationals May 9. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 9. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 10, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open May 10. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 
10. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 10.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males 
aged 16-30. 
 
6.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- UNRWA reported that Hamas supporters held rallies the 
evening of May 9 in Jabaliya and Bayt Lahiya to celebrate 
Hamas electoral victories in several Gaza municipalities May 
5.  Fatah supporters blocked roads in some areas of Bayt 
Lahiya, but there were no clashes.  The Hamas demonstrations 
ended peacefully after several hours. 
 
********************************************* ******************** 
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website: 
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv 
 
You can also access this site through the State Department's 
Classified SIPRNET website. 
********************************************* ******************** 
KURTZER