US embassy cable - 05TELAVIV4267

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 004267 
 
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: 19 PALESTINIANS INJURED IN WEST BANK 
BARRIER PROTESTS; FOUR QASSAMS FIRED INTO ISRAEL FROM GAZA 
-- JULY 8, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL) 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1.  (SBU) Summary: A total of 19 Palestinians were lightly 
injured on July 7 during stone throwing clashes that erupted 
with the IDF during a protest against the separation barrier 
in the village of Immatin, near Nablus.  Also in the West 
Bank, the IDF arrested seven PIJ militants on July 7 during 
operations in Hebron.  During one of the arrests, the IDF 
confiscated an M16 rifle and a small amount of ammunition. 
In Gaza, militants fired a total of four Qassam rockets into 
Israel July 7-8.  No injuries were reported.  End Summary. 
 
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West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injury: Palestinian media sources reported that 19 
Palestinians were lightly injured on July 7 during stone 
throwing clashes that erupted with the IDF during a protest 
against the separation barrier in the village of Immatin, 
near Nablus. 
 
-- Arrests: Israeli security sources reported that the IDF 
arrested seven PIJ militants on July 7 during operations in 
Hebron.  During one of the arrests, the IDF confiscated an 
M16 rifle and a small amount of ammunition. 
 
-- Incursions: According to Palestinian security sources, the 
IDF entered Jenin city and the neighboring refugee camp, and 
imposed a curfew early on the morning of July 8.  IDF forces 
are reportedly conducting raids and searching houses. 
Despite several brief exchanges of gunfire, there have been 
no injuries or arrests reported. 
 
-- Incursions: Palestinian media reported that the IDF 
entered the village of Marda, south of Nablus, early on the 
morning of July 8 and imposed a curfew.  A protest against 
the separation barrier had been planned there for later in 
the day. 
 
3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- Palestinian sources reported that representatives of PIJ, 
PFLP, and Hamas rejected President Abbas, call to join a 
national unity government during meetings in Damascus on July 
8. 
 
-- The PA,s General Intelligence (GI) Chief, Tawfik 
al-Tirawi, admitted during a hearing before the Palestinian 
Legislative Council (PLC) July 7 that members of the GI had 
been involved in security incidents in Ramallah and Jericho, 
and pledged to take severe administrative measures against 
anyone proven responsible.  Al-Tirawi revealed that the GI 
has dismissed 32 members of the GI for violating its rules 
and regulations. 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Nil. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinian 
militants fired two Qassam rockets into Israel July 7.  The 
rockets landed near Kibbutz Mefalsim, south of Sderot. 
Militants fired two more Qassams at Nativ Ha'asara and Yad 
Mordechai July 8.  No injuries were reported in either 
attack. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets/Shootings: The IDF reported that 
Palestinian militants fired three mortar shells and launched 
one shooting attack at IDF and Israeli settler targets in the 
Gaza Strip July 7-8.  No injuries were reported. 
 
5.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic 
artery, was open July 8, with a major detour at Netzarim 
Junction. 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open July 7, and 4,322 laborers and 431 
merchants crossed into Israel. 
 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open July 7, and 569 laborers 
entered the zone. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers July 8, 
but was open for the import of aggregates used in 
construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was open July 8.. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures July 
8. 
-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed July 8.  Toufah 
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except males 
aged 16-30. 
 
 
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KURTZER