Cablegate: Wb/G Sitrep: July 29, 2005 (1500 Hours Local) --

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 003325

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR FO; NEA/SA/EX FOR AUSTIN-FERGUSON; DEPT FOR
DS/IP/ITA; DEPT FOR DS/IP/NEA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/MUSTAFA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PTER PBTS PHUM KWBG KPAL IS ASEC
SUBJECT: WB/G SITREP: JULY 29, 2005 (1500 HOURS LOCAL) --
PALESTINIAN MAN KILLED DURING IDF INCURSION NEAR TULKARM,
SENIOR AIDE TO MOUSSA ARAFAT KIDNAPPED IN GAZA.

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

1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In the West Bank, IDF forces entered into
Shufa village near Tulkarm July 28 and killed a 29-year old
Palestinian, whom the IDF said helped organize the recent
suicide bombing in Netanya. The IDF arrested a total of four
PIJ militants in Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron July 28. In
Gaza, UNRWA reported that members of the Jenin Martyr's
Brigade kidnapped a senior aide to Mousa Arafat and his
brother on July 28 and took them to the Burej camp. End
Summary.

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

2. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: According to Palestinian sources, IDF forces
entered into Shufa village near Tulkarm July 28 and killed
Muaya Musa, a 29-year old Palestinian. Palestinian sources
maintained that the IDF killed Musa in a targeted killing
operation, that Musa was shot inside his home, and that he
did not pose a threat to the IDF. Israeli security sources
maintained that Musa is a wanted Palestinian Islamic Jihad
(PIJ) member, that he transported the suicide bomber to
Netanya two weeks ago, and that he threatened the Israeli
patrol when they confronted him.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian media, six Palestinians
were lightly injured in the village of Bil'in, west of
Ramallah, during protests against the construction of the
separation barrier on July 28.

-- Injuries: Palestinian sources reported that three
Palestinians were wounded during clashes with the IDF in the
village of Anabta, near Tulkarm, on July 28.

-- Injuries: According to Palestinian media, a 15-year-old
Palestinian boy was seriously injured during clashes with the
IDF in the village of Bala, near Tulkarm, on July 28.

-- Arrests: Palestinian newspapers reported that the IDF
arrested a total of four PIJ militants in Ramallah, Jenin,
and Hebron on July 28.

-- Shootings: According to Israeli and Palestinian reports,
shots were fired at IDF patrols in Tulkarm and Jenin in the
morning of July 29. No injuries were reported.

-- Shootings: According to Israeli and Palestinian sources,
armed Palestinian militants opened fire at an IDF post in the
northern West Bank settlement of Kadim on July 28. No
injuries or damages were reported.

-- Demonstration: According to Palestinian sources, a
demonstration against the construction of the separation
barrier was organized in the village of Budrus, west of
Ramallah, on July 28. No serious clashes took place during
the demonstration.

3. (SBU) CLOSURES/CURFEWS:

-- According to Palestinian media, the IDF set up a gate at
one of the entrances to al-Ibrahimi mosque in the Old City of
Hebron.

-- Palestinian sources reported that the IDF imposed a curfew
on Sebastia village, north of Nablus, and conducted searches
there on July 28. The IDF entered into the village after
shots were fired towards an IDF position near Sebastia. The
curfew was lifted late on the evening of July 28.

4. (SBU) DEMOLITIONS/CONFISCATIONS:

-- Palestinian sources reported that the IDF bulldozed lands
in Immatin village, near Qalqiliya, on July 28 in preparation
for construction of the separation barrier in the area. A
demonstration against the barrier construction took place in
the village July 29.

----
Gaza
----

5. (SBU) ATTACKS/SECURITY:

-- Deaths: None reported.
-- Injuries: None reported.

-- Mortars/Rockets: The IDF reported one shell fired on July
28 at civilians in Neve Dekalim and one shell fired on July
29 at an IDF outpost north of Eli Sinai. UNRWA reported
three rockets fired at Neve Dekalim on July 28.

-- Explosive Devices: The IDF reported that Palestinian
police located and destroyed two explosive devices near Dugit
on July 28.

-- Shootings: The IDF reported four shooting incidents on
July 28: one targeting an IDF outpost near Netzet Hazani, one
targeting an IDF outpost north of Khan Yunis, and two
targeting soldiers and civilians near Rafah Yam. UNRWA
reported that the IDF responded to the attack on Neve Dekalim
listed above in "mortars/rockets" with machine gun fire into
the launching zone.

-- Kidnappings: According to UNRWA, members of the Jenin
Martyr's Brigade kidnapped Jihad Abed (a senior aide to Mousa
Arafat) and his brother on July 28 after they passed through
the Abu Houli checkpoint. The two were reportedly taken to
the Burej camp.

-- Arrests: None reported.

6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/INTERNAL CHECKPOINTS:

-- No Palestinians except those holding Jerusalem ID cards
are currently allowed to use the Erez crossing. The crossing
is open for international travelers.

-- The Abu Houli internal crossing was reopened on July 28.
The IDF told UNRWA that the crossing would be open daily from
0800 to 1930.

-- The Erez Industrial Zone was closed.

-- The Karni terminal was partially open.

-- Rafah Terminal was open in both directions, but closed to
Palestinian males between the ages of 16 and 35.

-- Sufa Crossing was closed for Palestinian laborers but open
for construction materials.

-- Netzarim Junction at Salahadeen Road was closed.

-- The Netzarim Coastal Road was open.

-- Salahadeen Road was open at Sufa/Morag.

-- The Abu Al-Ajeen bypass road was closed.

--- The Toufah checkpoint was open in both directions, except
for males between 16 and 30.

7. (SBU) POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS:

-- The IDF briefed reporters on construction of a
multi-layered barrier designed to prevent infiltration from
Gaza into Israel. The barrier will contain high-tech sensors
and remote control weaponry; it will upgrade the existing
fence already in place.

-- U.S. media sources reported that real estate prices in
Gaza are booming in the run-up to disengagement.

-- Press reports indicated that PM Mahmud Abbas met with
Hamas leaders in Gaza on the evening of July 28. The meeting
was arranged during a reception organized by the Egyptian
Representative office marking the annual anniversary of the
Egyptian revolution on July 23. Palestinian sources said
that the meeting was not meant to discuss a specific agenda
but it was meant to contribute to the sense of national unity
following the latest round of clashes between Hamas and PA
security forces.
WALLES

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