US embassy cable - 05JERUSALEM3626

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 003626 
 
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/MUSTAFA 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PTER, PBTS, PHUM, KWBG, KPAL, IS, ASEC, SItrep 
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: AUGUST 10, 2005 (1700 HOURS LOCAL) -- 
IDF ENTER TULKARM ON ARREST RAID, GUNMEN FIRE AT ISRAELI 
CAR NEAR HEBRON 
 
 
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable. 
 
1. (SBU) SUMMARY:  In the West Bank, the IDF entered Tulkarm 
for an arrest operation on August 9, seizing two alleged 
Hamas members and leaving three Palestinian youths injured in 
stone-throwing clashes during the operation.  Gunmen shot and 
lightly injured two Israeli settlers in a car near Hebron on 
August 9.  In Gaza, UNRWA reported that one rocket was fired 
at Tel Qatif overnight August 9-10.  No injuries or damage 
were reported as a result.  More than 300 armed and masked 
members of al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades demonstrated in Gaza City 
August 9, according to UNRWA, demanding salaries and the 
release of one of their members.  End Summary. 
 
 
West Bank 
--------- 
 
2.  (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY: 
 
-- Deaths: Nil. 
 
-- Injuries: Gunmen shot and lightly injured two Israeli 
settlers in a car near Hebron on August 9, according to 
Israeli radio. 
 
-- Injury: A Palestinian was beaten up and lightly injured at 
a checkpoint in al-Khadr village, near Bethlehem, August 9, 
after arguing with a soldier about being allowed to pass, 
according to Palestinian security sources. 
 
-- Injuries/Arrests: The IDF entered Tulkarm for an arrest 
operation on August 9 in which two alleged Hamas members were 
seized, according to Palestinian security sources.  Three 
Palestinian youths were injured in stone-throwing clashes 
during the operation, the sources say. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF arrested three alleged PIJ militants in 
Nur al-Shams Camp, near Tulkarm, August 9, according to 
Palestinian newspapers. 
 
-- Arrests: The IDF arrested three Palestinians in Hebron for 
possessing knives, according to an IDF press release. 
 
-- Arrest: Israeli police arrested a right-wing settler 
couple in Sa Nur settlement pursuant to an administrative 
detention order, according to Israeli media. 
 
-- Incursion: The IDF entered Bethlehem August 9 and 
conducted searches, but left without making arrests, 
according to Palestinian security sources. 
 
3.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
 
-- PA President Abbas met with Hamas leaders in Gaza August 
9, with both sides agreeing to hold further discussions on a 
date for PLC elections, but with Hamas still arguing that 
Abbas, proposed January date is too late. 
 
 
---- 
Gaza 
---- 
 
4.  (SBU) ATTACKS: 
 
-- Deaths: None reported. 
 
-- Injuries: None reported. 
 
-- Mortars/Rockets: UNRWA reported that one rocket was fired 
at Tel Qatif overnight August 9-10.  No injuries or damage 
were reported as a result. 
 
-- Shootings: The IDF reported four instances of shooting at 
IDF soldiers in Gaza during the afternoon and evening of 
August 9.  No injuries were reported. 
 
-- Explosions:  None reported. 
 
-- Arrests:  None reported. 
 
5.  (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: None reported. 
 
6.  (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS: 
 
-- Erez Crossing was open for Palestinians.  Approximately 
300 Palestinian laborers entered Israel on August 10. 
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was open. 
 
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers, but 
open for the import of aggregates used in construction. 
 
-- Karni Terminal was partially open August 10. 
 
-- Abu Khouli internal crossing opened at 0600 on August 10 
and was due to remain open until 2000. 
 
-- Rafah Terminal was open in both directions, but closed to 
Palestinian males between the ages of 16 and 35 traveling 
from Gaza to Egypt. 
 
7.  (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: 
-- More than 300 armed and masked members of the Al Aqsa 
Martyrs Brigades demonstrated in Gaza City August 9, 
according to UNRWA.  The demonstrators dem