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Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: July 21, 2005 (1400 Hours Local) --

Published: Thu 21 Jul 2005 11:12 AM
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 003095
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
NEA FOR FO; NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR MUSTAFA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: JULY 21, 2005 (1400 HOURS LOCAL) --
IDF ENTER BETHLEHEM TO ARREST SUSPECTED AL-AQSA MILITANT;
MORTAR FIRE INJURES IDF SOLDIER IN GAZA
This is a joint ConGen Jerusalem/Embassy Tel Aviv cable.
1. (SBU) Summary: In Gaza, one IDF soldier was lightly
wounded by a mortar shell fired at an IDF outpost near Neve
Dekalim settlement. Israeli media reported that Israeli
police arrested about 250 disengagement opponents who tried
to enter Gaza, some of whom reportedly tried to cut through
the fence surrounding Gaza. In the West Bank, 29 al-Aqsa
gunmen took over the PA Ministry of Interior building in
Hebron July 20, demanding that they be enlisted into the PA
security services and put on the payroll. The IDF entered
Bethlehem and arrested Sami al-Azza of the al-Aqsa Martyrs
Brigades on July 20. The PLC passed the first reading of
amendments to the Basic Law relating to expanding the PLC and
allowing for 50 percent proportional representation by party
lists in PLC elections. End summary.
----
Gaza
----
2. (SBU) ATTACKS:
-- Deaths: Nil.
-- Injuries/Mortars: One IDF soldier was lightly wounded by
a mortar shell fired at an IDF outpost near Neve Dekalim
settlement at 0035 on July 21.
-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported four incidents (six
shells) of mortar fire against IDF soldiers during the
24-hour period ending at 0600 on July 21. (See
"Injuries/Mortars" for only injury reported.)
-- Shootings: The IDF reported three incidents of
Palestinian gunfire directed at IDF troops or settlers in
Gaza during the 24-hour period ending at 0600 on July 21.
No injuries were reported.
-- Explosives: The IDF reported that PA police found and
dismantled two explosive devices near Dugit settlement at
0050 on July 21. Another explosive device was found near
Dugit at 1215 on July 20. Israeli media reported that the
IDF destroyed the device in a controlled explosion.
3. (SBU) ARRESTS: Nil.
4. (SBU) INCURSIONS/DEMOLITIONS: Nil.
5. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS:
-- Route Four (Salahadeen Road), the main north-south
traffic artery, was open/closed
-- Erez Crossing was closed to Palestinians except those
holding Jerusalem IDs. It was open for international
travelers.
-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed.
-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers, but
open for the import of aggregates used in construction.
-- Karni Terminal was partially open.
-- Rafah Terminal was open in both directions except for
Palestinian males between the ages of 16 and 35, who are
barred from traveling from Gaza to Egypt through the
terminal.
-- Toufah checkpoint was open in both directions for all
Palestinians except males aged 16 to 30 .
6. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS: Israeli media reported that
Israeli police arrested about 250 disengagement opponents
who tried to enter Gaza. Some reportedly tried to cut
through the fence surrounding Gaza. Israeli media also
reported that the standoff between disengagement opponents
and the police and IDF at Kfar Maimon in the Negev ended
during the night of July 20-21 when most of the protesters
departed peacefully.
---------
West Bank
---------
7. (SBU) ATTACKS:
-- Deaths: Nil
-- Injuries: Nil
-- Shootings: Palestinian shepherds near Tulkarm told
Palestinian media and international NGOs that settlers in
neighboring settlements fired rifles at them on July 20, but
there were no injuries.
-- Armed Strikes: 29 al-Aqsa gunmen took over the PA
Ministry of Interior building in Hebron July 20, demanding
that they be enlisted into the PA security services and put
on the payroll. After occupying the building for two hours
amidst negotiations with local security officials, the gunmen
departed.
8. (SBU) ARRESTS:
-- The IDF entered Bethlehem and arrested Sami al-Azza of the
al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades on July 20, according to PA security
sources.
-- Seven Palestinian and international protesters against the
separation barrier were arrested in Bili,in village by the
IDF and border police on July 20, according to Palestinian
newspapers.
9. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:
-- The PLC passed the first reading of amendments to the
Basic Law relating to expanding the PLC and allowing for 50
percent proportional representation by party lists in PLC
elections.
WALLES
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