IDF RAID IN GAZA KILLS 4 MILITANTS; INTERIOR

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002165 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/30/2016 TAGS: KPAL KWBG PREL IS ASEC CASC SUBJECT: IDF RAID IN GAZA KILLS 4 MILITANTS; INTERIOR MINISTER RE-DEPLOYS SOME FORCES REF: JERUSALEM 02150 Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Chris Stevens, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). Embassy Tel Aviv has cleared this cable. ¶1. (C) SUMMARY: Undercover IDF units operating in Gaza killed 4 militants and injured 8 others during a May 30 pre-dawn ambush of a PIJ cell preparing to launch Qassam rockets into Israel. The raid followed several days of increasing Qassam attacks from Gaza. Interior Minister Said Siyyam May 28 ordered a partial re-deployment of the HAMAS-affiliated Special Security Force (SSF). At least three people were injured in minor clashes between Fatah- and HAMAS-affiliated forces May 26-30. END SUMMARY. -------------- IDF Conducts Raid Inside Gaza -------------- ¶2. (C) Undercover IDF units killed 4 militants and injured 8 others during a May 30 pre-dawn ambush of a PIJ cell preparing to launch Qassam rockets into Israel from the ruins of the Dugit settlement, according to media sources. IAF helicopters provided cover and launched at least three missiles into the area of Beit Lahiya. The IDF raid followed several days of increasing Qassam rocket attacks on Israel. According to media sources, the IDF had withdrawn from Gaza by 0400L May 30. According to the media, the IDF units were operating as far as three kilometers inside Gaza, marking a major change in the IDF's post-disengagement security posture. -------------- Partial Re-deployment Of HAMAS Forces -------------- ¶3. (C) Following a May 26 order to scale back the deployment of HAMAS-affiliated forces, Interior Minister Said Siyyam ordered a partial re-deployment of the SSF on May 28 following several minor Fatah-HAMAS clashes. Siam had ordered the SSF to reduce its numbers as part of an effort to integrate HAMAS militants into the Civil Police and reduce tensions with Fatah (reftel). Presidential Guard sources reported that the SSF is currently deployed at every major intersection in Khan Yunis, Gaza City and Central Gaza. ConGen FSNI in Gaza estimated that of the original 3000-man SSF deployment, 1500 men remained on the streets. -------------- Three People Injured In Minor Clashes -------------- ¶4. (C) Masked gunmen shot and wounded the bodyguard of the PA Minister of Transportation as he walked to a shop in Gaza City on May 28. The bodyguard, Tayseer Al-Saluha, was severely injured in the attack, but is expected to survive. HAMAS spokesmen blamed Fatah for the attack. ¶5. (C) Two members of the Presidential Guard were injured on May 26 when they stumbled onto a gun battle in Gaza City between SSF members and PSO officers. Presidential Guard sources reported that the HAMAS-affiliated forces opened fire after mistaking an approaching car containing Presidential Guard forces for PSO reinforcements. (NOTE: The Presidential Guard has not engaged in the fighting since the Fatah-HAMAS clashes began on May 16. END NOTE.) Stevens