Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
05TELAVIV5343
2005-08-30 14:49:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Tel Aviv
Cable title:  

DISENGAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT, AUGUST 30, 2005

pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS TEL AVIV 005343 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR DIBBLE
NSC FOR ABRAMS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG KPAL PREL ECON EAID IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: DISENGAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT, AUGUST 30, 2005

This is a joint message from Embassy Tel Aviv and Consulate
General Jerusalem.
This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.

UNCLAS TEL AVIV 005343

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

NEA FOR DIBBLE
NSC FOR ABRAMS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG KPAL PREL ECON EAID IS GAZA DISENGAGEMENT
SUBJECT: DISENGAGEMENT SITUATION REPORT, AUGUST 30, 2005

This is a joint message from Embassy Tel Aviv and Consulate
General Jerusalem.
This message is sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


1. (SBU) The IDF continues to make steady progress in
implementing the GOI disengagement. Hamas and Fatah
personnel clashed near Rafah. Otherwise few notable security
incidents took place in the last twenty-four hours. The GOI
appears to have agreed to a phased handover of settlement
areas in Gaza, thus easing PA security concerns. Egypt's
Intelligence Chief has proposed a six-month interim solution
to the Rafah crossing problem. End Summary.


2. (SBU) ISRAELI SETTLEMENTS

-- IDF continues to concentrate on the removal of settlers'
possessions, demolition of houses, and removal of IDF
infrastructure.

-- Twelve reburials are scheduled to take place on August 30
as part of the transfer of the Gush Katif cemetery to Israel.
Three soldiers killed in the Gaza are among those who will
be reburied.

--Palestinian press reported August 30 that the Palestinian
Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) will prepare a general
census of all assets remaining in the Palestinian settlements.


3. (SBU) SECURITY SITUATION

GAZA:

-- Hamas and Fatah Clash: Armed clashes between Hamas and
Fatah personnel took place in Haya Salam area of Rafah at
0230 hours August 30, according to Palestinian sources.
Fatah members tried to prevent Hamas from putting up posters.
Two Fatah members were injured in the exchange of fire.

-- Weapons Tunnel: IDF uncovered a weapons smuggling tunnel
along the Rafah borderline with Egypt and blew it up.



4. (SBU) PALESTINIAN REACTIONS

-- The Director General of the Palestinian Company for
Economic Development (established by the Palestine Investment
Fund to take over the settlement greenhouses) told the
Palestinian press that his company would be ready to
immediately start using the greenhouses post-disengagement.
Crops from 1000 greenhouses would bring in around USD 70
million in revenue, he said.


5. (SBU) GOI POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS

-- Phased Handover Likely: The GOI has expressed interest in
handing over each evacuated settlement on an individual basis
to the PA, rather than in a single, one-day transfer,
according to Israeli press reports. Concerns had been raised
about the PA's ability to establish control over former
settlement areas in the event of a rapid and uncoordinated
IDF departure.


6. (SBU) BORDER CROSSINGS/HUMANITARIAN ACCESS

-- Crossing Proposal: Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar
Suleiman, currently visiting Israel, Gaza and the West Bank,
has proposed that, after the IDF withdrawal from Gaza, the
GOI should maintain control over the entry of people and
goods into Gaza for an interim period of six months,
according to Israeli press reports and post contacts. Under
Suleiman's proposal, people and goods would be able to leave
Gaza via Rafah with no Israeli supervision.


********************************************* ********************
Visit Embassy Tel Aviv's Classified Website:
http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/telaviv

You can also access this site through the State Department's
Classified SIPRNET website.
********************************************* ********************
KURTZER