Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: Al-Aqsa Militants and Pa Police Clash

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 TEL AVIV 002899

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
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: AL-AQSA MILITANTS AND PA POLICE CLASH
IN JENIN, HAMAS AND FATAH SUPPORTERS CLASH IN GAZA -- MAY
9, 2005 (1300 HOURS LOCAL)

This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable.

1. (SBU) Summary: Exchanges of gunfire erupted between
al-Aqsa gunmen and PA police May 9 in Jenin, after the police
opened fire on an al-Aqsa leader's car when he refused to
stop at a PA police checkpoint, according to PA security
sources. As of 1300 hours, community leaders were working to
contain the situation. Six Israeli peace activists,
including head of Rabbis for Human Rights Arik Ascherman, and
five Palestinians were arrested in non-violent protests
against the separation barrier in Bil'in near Ramallah, on
May 6. At least 15 Palestinians were wounded in clashes that
broke out between Hamas and Fatah supporters in Rafah, Dayr
al-Balah and Khan Yunis May 6 following local elections held
in five Gaza municipalities May 5. Six Palestinians suffered
gunshot wounds during clashes in Rafah, and at least another
ten were injured by stones in clashes in al-Burayj. End
Summary.

---------
West Bank
---------

2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: PIJ members killed a Palestinian accused of
collaborating with the IDF in Tulkarm May 7, according to
Palestinian media.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian sources, five
Palestinians were injured in clashes with the IDF in Dura
village, near Hebron, on May 7.

-- Armed Clashes: On May 9, exchanges of gunfire erupted
between al-Aqsa gunmen and PA police in Jenin, after the
police opened fire on an al-Aqsa leader's car when he refused
to stop at a PA police checkpoint there, according to PA
security sources. As of 1300 hours, community leaders were
working to contain the situation.

-- Arrests: Six Israeli peace activists, including head of
Rabbis for Human Rights Arik Ascherman, and five Palestinians
were arrested in non-violent protests against the separation
barrier in Bil'in, near Ramallah, on May 6, according to
Israeli and Palestinian newspapers.

-- Arrests: IDF soldiers arrested a suspected Hamas militant,
Salam Zaidan, on May 7 at the Huwwara checkpoint. Zaidan was
carrying a bag with bomb-making materials, according to an
IDF press release.

-- Arrests: IDF soldiers arrested seven alleged PIJ activists
in Burqin village, north of Jenin, on May 8, according to
Palestinian sources.

-- Arrests: IDF soldiers arrested Palestinian Salamah
Rashaydah near Bethlehem on May 8 on suspicion of selling
weapons, according to Palestinian sources.

-- Security Cooperation: PA police detained an Israeli woman
in Ramallah and returned her to the IDF on May 8, according
to PA security sources.

3. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- The PA Higher Elections Committee will announce results
for municipal elections on May 9, resolving disputed polling
results in several localities.

----
Gaza
----

4. (SBU) ATTACKS:

-- Deaths: Nil.

-- Injuries: UNRWA reported that at least 15 Palestinians
were wounded in clashes that broke out between Hamas and
Fatah supporters in Rafah, Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis
following local elections held in five Gaza municipalities
May 5. Six Palestinians suffered gunshot wounds during
clashes in Rafah and at least another ten were injured by
stones in al-Burayj, according to UNRWA (see "Political
Developments").

-- Catch-up item: Injury: UNRWA reported that shrapnel
injured one Palestinian May 6, when a Qassam rocket fired
towards the Israeli town of Sderot fell short and landed on
his house east of Bayt Hanoun.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported that Palestinians
militants fired two mortar shells at Israeli settler and IDF
targets in the Gaza Strip May 6-7.

-- Mortars/Rockets: UNRWA reported that Palestinians
militants fired a Qassam rocket towards the Israeli town of
Sderot May 6 that fell short and injured one Palestinian, in
addition to the two reported in the May 6 SitRep.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported that Palestinian militants
launched three shooting attacks overnight May 6-7.

-- Explosions: UNRWA reported that the IDF safely detonated
an IED May 7 near the barrier fence east of Bayt Hanoun.

5. (SBU) ARRESTS:

-- Israeli media reported that IDF soldiers arrested two
Palestinians May 7 after the two attempted to cross illegally
into Israel.

6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:

-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open May 6-9, with a major detour at Netzarim
Junction.

-- Erez Crossing was closed May 6-8.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed May 6-8.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers May 7-9,
but was open for the import of aggregates used in
construction May 8-9.

-- Karni Terminal was open May 7-9.

-- Rafah Terminal was open for arrivals and departures May
6-9.

-- Tel al-Sultan checkpoint was closed May 7-9. Toufah
checkpoint was open for residents of al-Mowassi, except for
males aged 16-30.

7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- UNRWA reported that clashes between Fatah and Hamas
members broke out in various locations in the Gaza Strip May
6-9, in the aftermath of elections for local councils held in
five Gaza municipalities May 5. Unofficial results
proclaimed Hamas the winner of a majority of council seats in
al-Burayj, Rafah, and Bayt Lahiya. On May 6 in Rafah, some
10,000 Hamas supporters turned out to celebrate the Hamas
victory there. Several hours later, 15,000 Fatah supporters
took to the streets in Rafah, clashing with the Hamas
supporters. UNRWA reported that six Palestinians were
injured, one of them seriously. Palestinian sources put the
number of injured at 10 in Rafah. A similar scene played out
in al-Burayj where a reported 15,000 Hamas supporters were
met in the streets by 8,000 Fatah supporters. Hamas
reportedly canceled its celebratory marches in Jabaliya to
avoid further clashes, according to UNRWA.

-- Fatah supporters held a demonstration of some 4,000 people
in al-Burayj May 7, protesting the results of the municipal
elections there.

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