US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM2570

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002570 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
NEA FOR FO; 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, KPAL, IS, ASEC, SItrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: JUNE 22, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) -- 
IDF ARRESTS 10 PIJ ACITIVISTS IN THE WEST BANK, NO INJURIES 
FROM IAF MISSILE STRIKE IN GAZA 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: The IDF arrested alleged 10 PIJ activists 
June 21, most in Qalqiliya and Nablus.  The IDF also arrested 
a Palestinian woman who attempted to stab an IDF soldier at a 
checkpoint near Tulkarm on June 21, according to Israeli 
newspapers.  There were no injuries in the incident.  In 
Gaza, Palestinian militants fired at least four mortar rounds 
and one Qassam rocket at IDF and Israeli settler targets in 
the Gaza Strip.  IAF aircraft fired two missiles at militant 
cells attempting to launch mortars from Bayt Hanoun.  No 
injuries were reported in any of these incidents.  End 
Summary. 
 
--------- 
West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths:  Nil. 
 
-- Injuries:  Nil. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF arrested alleged 10 PIJ activists June 
21, most in Qalqiliya and Nablus, according to PA security 
sources. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF arrested a Palestinian woman who 
attempted to stab an IDF soldier at a checkpoint near Tulkarm 
on June 21, according to Israeli newspapers.  There were no 
injuries in the incident. 
 
-- Attacks/Settler Incidents: A settler shot and killed a 
Palestinian-owned cow near Tubas on June 21, according to 
Palestinian sources. 
 
-- Demolitions: The IDF demolished five barns for lack of 
building permits in al-Rashayda village, near Bethlehem, on 
June 21, according to Palestinian newspapers. 
 
-- Shooting/Disturbance:  Palestinian gunmen fired shots in 
the vicinity of Prime Minister Quraya,s motorcade near 
Nablus on June 22, according to Palestinian media (see 
&political developments8 below). 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- The PA Cabinet will hold its meeting in Nablus today, with 
an emphasis on Nablus, Israeli-imposed closures and security 
problems. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injury: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: Palestinian militants fired a total of 
three mortar shells at Netzarim, one mortar shell at Katif 
settlement, and one Qassam rocket at Gadid settlement 
overnight June 21-22, according to the IDF.  UNRWA reported 
an additional three mortar shells fired at Neve Dekalim/Katif 
settlements, and one anti-tank missile at an IDF outpost near 
Rafiah Yam in the same period. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: UNRWA and Israeli media reported that IAF 
aircraft fired two missiles at a building in Bayt Hanoun. 
According to media reports, the missiles were targeting a 
militant cell trying to fire mortars.  No injuries were 
reported. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants 
launched a total of seven shooting attacks at IDF and Israeli 
settler targets in the Gaza Strip June 21-22. 
 
5.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open June 22, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open June 21, and 4,995 laborers and 441 
merchants crossed into Israel. 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone remained closed June 21. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers June 22, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open June 22. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures June 
22. 
 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed June 22.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males 
aged 16-30. 
PEARCE