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. -------------- Egyptians Working To Reduce Tensions -------------- ¶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. -------------- 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