US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM2051

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002051 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT 
FOR DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DANIN 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, PBTS, PHUM, KWBG, CASC, IS, Sitrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: HAMAS MILITANT SUCCUMBS TO WOUNDS 
FROM ISRAELI MISSILE STRIKE; 60 MORTARS FIRED AT ISRAELI 
TARGETS: MAY 19, 2005 (1600 HOURS LOCAL) 
 
This is a joint Embassy/ConGen cable. 
 
1.   (SBU) Summary: In the Gaza Strip, a Hamas militant on 
May 18 died from wounds received from an Israeli missile 
strike earlier that day.  The IDF and UNRWA reported that 
Palestinian militants fired a total of 45 mortar shells and 
homemade rockets overnight May 18-19 at Israeli targets 
throughout the Gaza Strip, and approximately another 15 
during the day May 19.  Three Qassam rockets were also fired 
at Israeli targets, one of which landed in the western Negev, 
but no injuries were reported.  In the West Bank, at least 
five Palestinians were arrested in operations in various 
localities.  End summary. 
 
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West Bank 
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2.   (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Death: Nil. 
 
-- Injury: Nil. 
 
-- Shooting: Gunmen on May 18 fired shots at Qaddim 
settlement, southeast of Jenin.  There were no reported 
injuries from this incident. 
 
-- Shooting: Palestinian gunmen on May 18 opened fire on a 
group of Israelis at the southern entrance of Nablus.  The 
Israelis were attempting to visit Joseph's Tomb when they 
encountered gunfire.  There were no reported injuries from 
this incident. 
 
3.   (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Arrest: The IDF on May 18 arrested a Fatah Tanzim member 
from Arraba village, southwest of Jenin.  A second Fatah 
Tanzim member was arrested in the vicinity of Nablus. 
 
-- Arrest: The IDF on May 18 arrested at least two 
Palestinians during operations in Bethlehem and Dar Salah 
village, southeast of Jerusalem. 
 
-- Arrest: The IDF on May 18 arrested a Palestinian taxi 
driver in Hebron. 
 
4.   (SBU) DEMOLITIONS: 
 
-- The IDF on May 18 demolished a Palestinian home in Bir 
Nabala, south of Ramallah, for lack of proper building 
permit. 
 
5.   (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- The Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) on May 18 
approved the third reading of a new elections law that would 
enlarge the PLC from 88 to 132 seats, a third of whom would 
be elected on national lists and two-thirds in district 
races.  The PLC rejected a proposal supported by President 
Abbas to create a 100 percent proportional system for the 
legislative body.   The law now awaits ratification by the PA 
President. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
6.   (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Death: UNRWA reported that the Hamas militant wounded in 
an Israeli missile strike on militants operating near Khan 
Yunis May 18, died of his injuries later the same day. 
 
-- Injuries: UNRWA and Palestinian sources reported that 
three PA policemen were wounded May 18 when they attempted to 
apprehend a group of militants firing mortars from Khan Yunis 
into Gush Katif. 
 
-- Catch-up item: Injury: Israeli media reported that one 
Israeli was lightly injured May 18 in Neve Dekalim during the 
first mortar barrage on Gush Katif at midday. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF and UNRWA reported that 
Palestinian militants, including Hamas, fired a total of 45 
mortar shells and homemade rockets overnight May 18-19 at 
Israeli settlements and IDF outposts throughout the Gaza 
Strip, and approximately another 15 during the day May 19. 
An additional three Qassam rockets were fired at Israeli 
targets, one of which landed in the western Negev.  No 
injuries were reported. 
 
-- Shootings: UNRWA and Israeli media reported numerous 
instances of exchanges of fire as IDF soldiers responded to 
mortar and shooting attacks overnight May 18-19. 
 
7.   (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open May 19, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open for Palestinians May 18, and a 
total of 4,228 laborers and 260 merchants crossed into 
Israel.  Erez was closed May 19. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open May 18 and 613 laborers 
entered the zone.  Erez was closed May 19. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 19, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open May 19. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May 
19. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 19.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males 
aged 16-30. 
 
8.   (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- Israeli media and IDF sources reported that senior Israeli 
MOD officials told PA officials that Israel will resume 
offensive operations in Gaza if the PA does not take decisive 
action to halt the shelling of Gush Katif.  Palestinian 
sources say that PA minister of Interior Nasser Yusif has 
ordered security forces in Gaza to use deadly force against 
militants attempting to fire rockets. 
Pearce