DISENGAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT, AUGUST 17, 2005

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 005099

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG KPAL PREL ECON EAID IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: DISENGAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT, AUGUST 17, 2005

This is a joint message from Embassy Tel Aviv and Consulate
General Jerusalem.
This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly. This message conveys information as of 1700
hours local time.


1. (SBU) Summary: On the third day of disengagement, IDF
soldiers and police began to evacuate several settlements by
force, meeting almost exclusively non-violent resistance.
While most settlers continued to leave their homes either
voluntarily or after brief non-violent refusal, Israeli
Police and IDF forces clashed with hardliner settlers and
non-resident agitators who had infiltrated areas designated
for evacuation. The Head of IDF operations said the
evacuations are proceeding faster than anticipated, and some
Israeli leaders are now gauging the settler evacuation
process in days rather than weeks. The message below
outlines the status of evacuation efforts at key Israeli
settlements; the overall security situation in Gaza;
Palestinian reactions to disengagement; and internal Israeli
political developments. End Summary.


2. (SBU) SETTLER EVACUATION STATUS

-- According to press reports, Head of IDF Operations Israel
Ziv said that the evacuation is proceeding faster than
anticipated. The IDF announced that the Israeli residents of
583 houses and public buildings have been evacuated, out of a
total of 2206 buildings that exist throughout all Israeli
communities in the Gaza strip.

-- Significant numbers of settlers voluntarily left prior to
the August 16 midnight deadline that rendered their continued
presence illegal, jeopardized compensation and subject them
to physical removal.

-- During forced evacuations on April 17, Israeli police and
IDF forces clashed with some settlers. However, in most
instances the IDF has been successful in negotiating the
voluntary departure of those resisting evacuation with only
limited delays. Israeli agitators who had recently
infiltrated Gaza continue to challenge evacuation efforts,
primarily through non-violent means.

-- An Israeli settler took a weapon from an Israeli guard at
Shilo settlement in the West Bank and opened fire, killing
three Palestinians and wounding two.

-- A settler, resident of Qedumim settlement in the West
Bank, set herself on fire in the Negev town of Netivot,
presumably to protest disengagement. She caused burns to 60
percent of her body and is in serious condition.

-- Press reports indicate that approximately 2,000
disengagement protestors gathered today outside Prime
Minister Ariel Sharon's Sycamore Ranch in the Negev. They
promised to disperse after 19:00.

-- There were various fires to protest disengagement all
throughout the Gaza Strip. Protestors in Morag set a garbage
dumpster on fire, while protestors in Bedolah set tires and
at least two homes on fire. In Neve Dekalim, at least 60
homes were burned, and in Atzmona, residents asked the IDF
for packing boxes and then burned them.

-- Residents in Kfar Darom cut cables, pierced tires, and put
sugar in the gas tanks of IDF D-9 bulldozers. A female
soldier was stabbed with a needle by an infiltrator in Morag,
and protestors threw eggs and plastic bottles at troops in
Neve Dekalim.


3. (SBU) STATUS OF INDIVIDUAL SETTLEMENTS

The following is an outline of the evacuation of the Gaza
Strip and West Bank settlements as of 1700 hrs August 17,
according to IDF reports and Israeli media.

Atzmona: Press reports in the morning indicated that all of
the estimated 83 families in the settlement agreed with the
IDF to leave voluntarily by noon today, but the negotiations
failed around mid-day. The IDF entered to evacuate by force.

Kerem Atzmona (outpost): Press reported at approximately
16:00 that the evacuation of 70 people and 16 families was
complete. The settlers had negotiated to stay until this
afternoon, but then said they would not leave until Saturday,
August 20, so the IDF began forced evacuations at
approximately 14:00.

Bedolah: As of yesterday, there were an estimated 24
families still in the settlement, although some press reports
indicate that many may have been infiltrators and not actual
residents of the settlements. The evacuation was complete at
approximately 15:00 today.
Dugit: 100% evacuated as of approximately midnight
yesterday, August 16.

Ele Sinai: Press reports indicate that there are 30
remaining families in the settlement, indicating that an
estimated 44-54 have left voluntarily.

Gadid: No updates today. As of yesterday, there were an
estimated 37 families remaining.

Gan Or: Press reports in the morning said that were
approximately 30 families remaining, and that the IDF was
prepared to evacuate by force.

Ganei Tal: All of the estimated 85 families in the
settlement agreed with the IDF to leave voluntarily by 15:00
today. Fifty-eight families remained as of noon; one family
was still holding out at approximately 16:00.

Kfar Darom: Only about 8 families left voluntarily during
the night, but the 65 remaining families said they may
evacuate voluntarily by tomorrow, August 18.

Kfar Yam: Press reports indicate that there are
approximately 20 families and 500 infiltrators remaining in
the settlement. The IDF was prepared to evacuate by force.

Morag: The figures for this settlement are inconsistent.
The original IDF assessment said that there were 22 families
in the settlement, but press reports say that over half left
voluntarily yesterday and that 15-30 families remained. The
IDF entered to evacuate by force, using a bulldozer to break
through the gate, and completed the evacuation by 16:00.

Netzarim: All of the estimated 64 families in the settlement
agreed with the IDF to leave voluntarily by Monday, August 22.

Netzer Hazani: All of the estimated 46 families that are
remaining in the settlement agreed with the IDF to leave
voluntarily by tomorrow, August 18.

Neve Dekalim: Almost half of the residents left the
settlement by midnight, and the remaining families reached an
agreement with the IDF to begin voluntary evacuation after
prayers ended at 16:00. Some settlers requested an extension
to finish packing.

Nissanit: Captain Uri Bar Lev reported that the settlement
was completely evacuated as of the early hours of the
morning, but settlers in the early afternoon claimed that ten
families remained.

Peat Sadeh: 100 percent evacuated as of last night, August

16.

Qatif: No updates today. There are approximately 58
families remaining.

Rafah Yam: 100 percent evacuated as of last night, August 16.

Shelo/Shalev: 100 percent evacuated as of last night, August

16.

Tel Qatifah: There are no figures available for the number
of families that lived in the settlement before
disengagement, but press reported that all of 16 families
remaining this morning reached an agreement with the IDF to
evacuate voluntarily, and did so by approximately 14:30 on
buses.

West Bank Settlements:

Gannim: 100 percent evacuated as of yesterday, August 16.

Homesh: No updates available

Kaddim: 100 percent evacuated as of yesterday, August 16.

Sa Nur: On the morning of August 17, about 600 Israelis
protested IDF/Israeli police efforts to evacuate settlers.


4. (SBU) SECURITY SITUATION

-- Palestinian contacts and CNN report that an Israeli
grabbed a weapon from a guard at the Israeli settlement of
Shilo, located 20 km north of Ramallah and adjacent to the
Palestinian village of Tormsaya.

As of 1800 local, reports are that three Palestinians are
dead and two are wounded. The wounded have been transferred
to hospitals in Jerusalem, where one is reportedly in
critical condition and the other in serious-to-moderate
condition.

LTG Ward has called PA Interior Minister Nasir Yusif and
Egyptian security officials and Consul General Walles talked
with Abu Mazen's Chief of Staff, Rafik Husseini, urging calm
in the wake of this attack. Husseni agreed with the need for
calm, but observed that this attack could easily be used a
pretext for attacks by Palestinian factions.

-- Kidnapping: The French Channel 3 journalist kidnapped
August 15 is still being held August 17. Gaza contacts say a
family in the central Gaza strip refugee camps may be
responsible, but they are unclear on a motive for the
abduction. One source speculated that the kidnapping may be
an effort to force concessions from the PA, such as a
prisoner release by the PA and/or Israel. According to
UNRWA, Security Forces have identified the vehicle used in
the kidnapping as having been stolen the day before.
According to a Gaza private sector contact, Gazans are angry
that the PA has not taken immediate and aggressive action in
response to the kidnapping. Gazans fear that the
international community will withhold support if the PA fails
to act. A Gaza businessman noted that people think it is
strange that "no one is even whispering" about the
kidnapping, whereas those responsible for such deeds are
usually quick to claim responsibility.

-- Mortar/Rocket Attacks: According to the IDF, on the
evening of August 16 Palestinian militants fired a Kassam
rocket in the vicinity of the Nachal Oz Crossing. No
injuries were reported. The IDF also reported a mortar shell
firing near Gadid Village late on August 16.

-- Shootings: According to UNRWA, gunmen opened fire from an
area near Malaka Observation Post. The IDF responded with
heavy fire at the National Security Forces position west of
the road. The PA security forces left the area until their
return can be coordinated with the IDF.

-- Shootings: According to the IDF, Palestinian militants
engaged in two instances of shooting at IDF soldiers late on
August 16, one at the IDF post in Netzarim and the other in
the vicinity of Nachal Oz crossing.

-- Incursions: According to UNRWA, IDF troops occupied a
house near Netzarim while they started to demolish their
observation post at the Salah Ed-Din/Netzaarim junction. In
addition, the IDF removed two families from homes south of
Dugit to use them as observation posts.


5. (SBU) PALESTINIAN REACTIONS

-- In an August 17 news conference from Beirut carried live
by Al-Jazirah TV, Hamas Political Bureau Chief Khalid Mish'al
described the disengagement as "a malicious tactic by Sharon"
aimed at reinforcing Israel's grip on the West Bank. He
stated that Gaza is the first liberated territory and that it
will be followed by the West Bank and each and every single
inch of the Palestinian territories. He declared: "We will
not lay down arms. We will force our will."

-- According to Israeli media reports, Mahmoud Azahar, the
head of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, called upon his organization
to move the focus of its resistance to the West Bank to
secure Israeli withdrawal. He also is reported to have said,
"The period of calm will terminate in 2005."


6. (SBU) GOI POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- At a joint mid-day press conference with President Katsav
on August 17, PM Sharon paid tribute to the restraint of the
settlers but offered no apologies. He said that the
evacuation of Israeli settlements does not constitute the
destruction of Zionism or the devastation of the settlement
enterprise. The settlers' efforts had not been in vain,
Sharon said, claiming that the settlement enterprise had
produced very great achievements for Israel -- including
American recognition of large settlement blocks in Judea and
Samaria.

-- Pro- and anti-disengagement Knesset members continued to
visit Gaza settlements, some to show support for the
settlers, others to show sensitivity to the settlers, but
support for the IDF and police. The Israeli media has
interviewed numerous MKs, who, on August 17, included
disengagement foes Likud MK Uzi Landau and National Religious
Party MK Nissan Slomiansky. Labor Minister Matan Vilna'i was
hit on the head with an egg during his visit to Neveh
Dekalim, whereupon he got back in his car and drove off.
Israel radio reported August 17 that Interior Minister Ofir
Pines-Paz (Labor) has called on all politicians to refrain
from visiting Gush Katif.


7. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

-- Erez Crossing and Industrial Zone: According to Gaza
private sector contacts, Erez is closed to Palestinians, but
the IDF is allowing a small number of people to pass based on
humanitarian/medical grounds with prior coordination. Some
Gazan businessmen have also been able to cross.

-- Rafah Terminal: According to UNRWA, Rafah remains open.

-- Abu Kholi junction: According to UNRWA, Abu Kholi has
been closed since 7 p.m. August 16 but is due to open again
at 9 p.m. August 17. Gaza private sector contacts have
commented that because Abu Kholi had remained open for two
days, the business community has had more time to prepare for
the eventual closure and, therefore, the negative impact may
be significantly less than previously thought.

-- Karni Terminal: According to Gaza private sector contacts
Karni was open on August 17.

-- Kissufim, the main crossing used to enter Gush Katif and
Kfar Darom settlements, remains closed.


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