RELATIVE CALM RETURNS TO GAZA

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002098

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/23/2016
TAGS: KPAL KWBG PREL IS ASEC CASC
SUBJECT: RELATIVE CALM RETURNS TO GAZA

REF: A. JERUSALEM 01672


B. JERUSALEM 02033

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) SUMMARY: Gaza was relatively calm on May 23 after
senior Fatah and HAMAS officials agreed to take steps to
prevent further violence. However, rival armed groups
continue to patrol the streets and a potential remains for a
return of violent clashes. PA government spokesman Ghazi
Hamad told the media that funds seized from a HAMAS official
at Rafah crossing on May 19 have been turned over the PA
Ministry of Finance, but PLO Chief Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat
told the Consul General that the funds remain in the
possession of the PA Attorney General. END SUMMARY.

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Egyptians Working To
Reduce Tensions
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2. (C) According to Presidential Guard sources and media
reporting, there were no major clashes in Gaza on May 23.
The calm follows a meeting hosted by Egyptian officials in
Gaza on the evening of May 22 between senior Fatah and HAMAS
representatives. Former Minister for Prisoners Affairs
Hisham Abdel Razeq, former PSO officer Samir Masharawi, and
Fatah General Secretary for Gaza Ahmad Hillis served as the
Fatah representatives. Senior HAMAS leader Nizar Rayan, PLC
member Fathi Hamad, and senior HAMAS leader Jamal Abu Hashem
attended the meeting on behalf of HAMAS.


3. (C) According to sources in the President's office in
Gaza, the two sides condemned the May 21-22 violence between
rival Fatah and HAMAS security forces and agreed to prevent
further clashes by undertaking the following measures:

-- Establish a committee to investigate the latest round of
violence in Gaza and place those responsible for the clashes
on trial.

-- Convene meetings between senior HAMAS and Fatah officials
on a daily basis to help prevent further clashes.

-- Refer the dispute over the Interior Ministry's Special
Security Force to the Prime Minister and President Abbas. In
the interim, the Special Security Force will continue its
patrols while the Interior Ministry works to resolve legal
objections to its formation (ref A).

-- Prohibit militias (not including the Special Security
Force) from displaying weapons in public. (NOTE: The two
sides have agreed to this measure during previous meetings,
but Fatah and HAMAS militias have both continued displaying
weapons in many areas. END NOTE.)


4. (C) Gaza President's Office official Nidal al-Khalil told
Poloff May 23 that while mainstream elements in Fatah and
HAMAS were eager to avoid further violence, hard-line
elements in both movements had initiated the recent wave of
violence and may try to do so again.

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Conflicting Reports About
Confiscated HAMAS Funds
--------------


5. (C) Government spokesman Ghazi Hamad told the media on May
22 that funds which were seized on May 19 from a HAMAS
official as he crossed into Gaza from Egypt have been
transferred to the PA Ministry of Finance (ref B). Hamad said
that the HAMAS-led government considered the matter closed,
and the money will be used to support needy Palestinians.
President Abbas' office had promised to refer the matter to
the PA Attorney General for investigation on May 19. PLO
Chief Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat told the Consul General on May
23 that the HAMAS statement is not true and the funds remain
in the possession of the Attorney General.

WALLES