VZCZCXRO8626
OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1370 2111407
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 291407Z JUL 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 2306
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001370
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PTER IS
SUBJECT: MULTIPLE IDF INCURSIONS NABLUS; PA INVESTIGATING
CAUSE OF WAREHOUSE FIRE
1. (SBU) PA security officials told PolOff and POL FSN July
29 that the IDF entered Nablus late July 28 and early July
29, arresting three Fatah members, including M'amun al-Safadi
in the Nablus Kasbah (Old City) and occupied a five-story
building for four hours. Nablus Governor Jamal Muhaysin told
POL FSN that the incursions were not coordinated with the PA
and have become a "daily embarrassment" to PA security forces.
2. (SBU) Governor Muhaysin and PA security officials told
POL FSN that the PA is investigating an early July 29 fire
that burned the Qasr Hindiya furniture warehouse to the
ground, causing an estimated USD 3 million in damages and
commercial losses. Palestinian media reported that the fire
was likely caused by Israeli smoke grenades and flash-bang
devices (the IDF was operating in the vicinity of the
warehouse before the fire started), but Muhaysin and other PA
officials said the fire's cause is not clear and must be
investiagted. The building's owner said arson related to
Fatah-Hamas feuding is also a possible cause.
WALLES