FATAH-HAMAS REPORTEDLY NARROWING DIFFERENCES ON

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002511

SIPDIS

NOFORN
SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/19/2016
TAGS: KPAL KWBG PREL PGOV IS
SUBJECT: FATAH-HAMAS REPORTEDLY NARROWING DIFFERENCES ON
PRISONERS' INITIATIVE

REF: JERUSALEM 02470

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


1. (C) SUMMARY: Fatah sources reported that an agreement on
the prisoners' initiative is near. Within Fatah, preliminary
discussions have begun on a national unity government (NUG).
The Interior Ministry Special Security Force (SSF) is still
deployed in Gaza, despite reports of a June 14 agreement by
Isma'il Haniyyah to withdraw the SSF from Gaza's streets.
END SUMMARY.

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Consensus Growing On
Prisoners' Document
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2. (C) Fatah sources reported that an agreement on the
prisoners' initiative could be reached in the next week.
(NOTE: Abu Mazen has indicated that he will cancel the
national referendum, scheduled for July 26, if the factions
reach an agreement on the prisoners' initiative. END NOTE.)
Representatives from Fatah, HAMAS, PFLP, DFLP and PIJ are
working on a draft national unity document based on the
prisoners' initative to be presented for discussion at a June
19 meeting of the National and Islamic Factions in Gaza.


3. (C) Fatah PLC bloc leader Azzam al-Ahmad reported that
HAMAS has agreed to 16 (out of 18) articles of the prisoners'
initiative, but is pushing to introduce new language into the
text. HAMAS reportedly wants to condition recognition of the
PLO as the sole representative of Palestinians and is pushing
to condition acceptance of previous PLO commitments and the
2002 Arab League initiative on "Israeli acceptance." PIJ
representatives have objected to clauses limiting the "right
of resistance" to Palestinian territories captured by Israel
in 1967.

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National Unity Government
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4. (C) Fatah sources told ConGen POL FSN on June 18 that
HAMAS has indicated its willingness to form a NUG following
an agreement on the prisoners' initiative. Fatah official
Fahmi al-Zaharir told POL FSN June 19 that Fatah is pushing
for the creation of a new government, led by independents and
technocrats, with an independent national personality as
prime minister. Al-Zaharir reported that Nablus-based,
Fatah-affiliated, businessman Munib al-Masri is a potential
candidate (biographical information via septel). Al-Zaharir
predicted that PM Isma'il Haniyyah will not oppose a cabinet
reshuffle to incorporate technocrats and representatives from
other factions, but will fight to keep his premiership.

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Gaza Violence Continues;
SSF Still Deployed
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5. (C) Gaza-based Presidential security sources said that
five RPGs were fired at PSO headquarters in Khan Yunis on
June 18 at 0830L, causing minor damage to the building but no
casualties. In addition, At least three Qassam rockets were
launched from Gaza June 16-19. Fatah's Abu al-Rish Brigades
and PIJ claimed responsibility for the attacks.


6. (C) ConGen FSNI in Gaza reported June 19 that the
HAMAS-affiliated Special Security Force (SSF) remains
deployed in Gaza at major intersections and several other
areas, despite a reported June 14 agreement to remove the SSF
from the streets and integrate them into the PA security
forces(reftel).

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Comment
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7. (C) Speculation about an imminent agreement has
intensified in recent days, but much of the commentary is
second -- or third-hand. While certain elements in Fatah and
HAMAS are eager for an agreement, the leadership on both
sides (including Damascus, in the case of HAMAS) has not yet
signed off.

WALLES