INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: Two Palestinians Killed, Five

Published: Wed 13 Jul 2005 04:09 PM
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 JERUSALEM 002970
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
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: TWO PALESTINIANS KILLED, FIVE
ARRESTED DURING IDF OPERATION IN TULKARM: JULY 13, 2005
(1700 HOURS LOCAL)
This is a joint Embassy/ConGen cable.
1. (SBU) Summary: In response to the July 12 suicide
bombing in Netanya that killed four Israelis and wounded at
least 90 others, and the attempted car bombing by a
Palestinian in the West Bank settlement of Shavei Shomron,
the IDF on July 13 launched an operation into Tulkarm,
killing two Palestinians, including one member of the
National Security Forces, and arresting five suspected PIJ
activists. The IDF also imposed a curfew on al-Til village,
north of Tulkarm, the residence of the suicide bomber.
Following the attack, the IDF ordered a total closure of the
West Bank and Gaza Strip for an undetermined period.
Palestinian Authority (PA) President Abbas condemned the
attack and ordered the arrest of those responsible. In the
Gaza Strip, armed Palestinian militants kidnapped two
European nationals working on a PA water project. The PA is
currently negotiating the terms of their release. Sporadic
mortar, rocket, and shooting attacks resulted in no reported
injuries. End summary.
---------
West Bank
---------
2. (SBU) ATTACKS:
-- Deaths: IDF soldiers operating in Tulkarm on July 13 shot
and killed two Palestinians, including a member of the
National Security Forces at a PA checkpoint who the IDF
claims was killed after opening fire on Israeli forces (the
PA denies this, and said that the NSF member was merely
manning the checkpoint when Israeli forces entered the city
and fired on the uniformed NSF guards, who offered no
opposition).
-- Injuries: Two IDF soldiers operating in Tulkarm on July 13
received light injuries during exchanges of gunfire with
Palestinian gunmen.
3. (SBU) ARRESTS/SECURITY:
-- Incursion/Arrests: The IDF on July 13 entered Tulkarm and
reportedly arrested five Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ)
activists, including the father of the Netanya suicide
bomber. The IDF also confiscated weapons during the
operation. According to IDF sources, the operation in
Tulkarm will continue for an undetermined period.
-- Closure: Following the July 12 suicide bombing in Netanya
and the attempted car bombing in Shavei Shomron, the IDF
imposed a total closure on the West Bank.
-- Curfew: The IDF on July 13 entered al-Til village, north
of Tulkarm, following reports that the suicide bomber in
Netanya resided in the village. During the operation, the
IDF imposed a curfew and conducted searches of houses.
-- Arrests: The IDF on July 12 entered Hebron and arrested
two Hamas activists.
4. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS:
-- Israeli bulldozers on July 12 demolished two Palestinian
homes in East Jerusalem for lack of the proper building
permits.
5. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:
-- According to Palestinian media reports, the Palestinian
Authority (PA) strongly condemned the July 12 suicide bombing
in Netanya. PA President Mahmud Abbas labeled the attack a
"crime against the Palestinian people," and reportedly
instructed the PA Ministry of the Interior to arrest those
connected to the attack in Netanya.
-- According to Palestinian sources, the head of the PA
"Special Forces," Bashir Nafa'a, placed two members of the
Special Forces in protective custody in connection with their
suspected participation in the July 12 attack on Ibrahim
Salama, a senior official in the PA Ministry of the Interior.
----
Gaza
----
6. (SBU) ATTACKS:
-- Deaths: Nil.
-- Kidnapping: According to UNRWA, Palestinian Authority
security forces have confirmed that an Austrian national and
a British national, who have been working on a water project
with the PA, have been kidnapped by armed militants, who the
PA identified as members of the Issa family from the Bureij
camp in the northern Gaza Strip. UNRWA reported that,
according to the PA, the Issa family is demanding that the PA
release members of the family and that the PA is currently
negotiating with the kidnappers. No further details were
provided.
-- Explosive Devices: According to the IDF, an explosive
device detonated July 12 near the Netzer Hazani settlement.
No injuries were reported.
-- Mortar: According to the IDF, two mortar shells were fired
July 12 south of Atzmona settlement, targeting IDF soldiers
and Israeli civilians. No injuries resulted.
-- Shootings: The IDF reported 9 shootings July 12 aimed at
IDF targets: 6 shootings near the Sufa Crossing, one shooting
north of Rafah, one shooting near Kerem Shalom crossing, and
one shooting near the Netzer Hazani settlement. No injuries
resulted.
-- Shootings: The IDF reported two shootings July 13
targeting IDF soldiers, one near the Morag settlement and one
near the Neve Dekalim settlement.
7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/INTERNAL CHECKPOINTS:
-- Erez Crossing was open to internationals only on July 13.
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed July 13.
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers on July
13, but was open for construction materials.
-- Karni Terminal was open on July 13.
-- Rafah Terminal was open on July 13 in both directions
without age restrictions.
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south traffic
artery, was open on July 13 with the exception of the closure
noted below, with a major detour at Netzarim Junction.
-- Kissufim Junction, the main entry point to Gush Katif
settlement bloc, was closed to non-residents July 13.
-- Toufah checkpoint was open July 13, except to males aged
16-30.
8. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:
-- Following the July 12 suicide attack carried out by a PIJ
bomber at a Netanya shopping mall in which four Israeli
civilians were killed and some 90 injured, and the attempted
car bombing in Shavei Shomron, the IDF issued a general
closure of the Gaza Strip starting the morning of July 13.
The IDF announced that the closure would remain in effect
"until a renewed security assessment is held."
-- Prime Minister Sharon issued an order July 13 that
effectively bars all non-resident Israelis from entering the
Gaza Strip and those areas to be evacuated in the northern
West Bank. According to media reports, the restrictions are
likely to remain in place until after the Disengagement Plan
is carried out. Settler youth trying to enter Gaza
reportedly clashed with IDF troops at Kissufim Junction, the
main entry point to the Gush Katif settlement bloc.
PEARCE
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