MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 4

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002813

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/04/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 4
SITREP


Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d).

--------------
Summary
--------------


1. (C) A 0600 ultimatum regarding kidnapped IDF Corporal
Galid Shalit passed without any significant developments. The
IDF arrested three al-Aqsa Brigades' militants implicated in
the June 25 killing of Israeli settler Eliyahu Ahsheri. The
PLC held an emergency session on July 3, focused on the
arrest of Hamas ministers and officials. IDF forces continue
to hold territory in northern and southern Gaza. IAF
airstrikes and IDF raids continue. Post continues to work on
expediting the passage of 90 American citizens from Gaza.

--------------
Kidnapping Update
--------------


2. (SBU) A 0600 ultimatum delivered by the Palestinian
militant groups claiming responsibility for the kidnapping of
IDF Corporal Gilad Shalit passed without any developments,
other than the "Army of Islam" - one of the three groups -
telling the press that "no new information will be given."
However, an unidentified spokesman for one of the groups is
later quoted by the Israeli media as saying "there are those
who believe we will we kill the soldier, but the principles
of Islam command us to treat prisoners with respect and not
to kill them." The AP quotes PLC member Mohammed Dahlan as
saying the ultimatum was simply a negotiating tactic, and
that discussions continue.


3. (SBU) IDF forces arrested on July 4 three al-Aqsa Brigade
militants implicated in the killing of Israeli settler
Eliyahu Asheri. The three were taken by the IDF from a
Palestinian detention facility, where they were being held by
Palestinian security forces. Asheri was reportedly kidnapped
and killed on June 25, and Israeli press accounts quoting IDF
sources say he was killed approximately one hour after he was
abducted.

--------------
Political Update
--------------


4. (C) The Palestinian Legislative Council held an emergency
session in Ramallah on July 3. PLC speaker Aziz Dweik, in
remarks to the press, accused Israel of "kidnapping" Hamas
officials without justification and said he was not afraid of
being arrested. According to PLC member Sa'eb Erekat, who
attended the session, the IDF arrests of Hamas ministers and
officials dominated the session. Erekat said that, in the
current Palestinian atmosphere, there was no room for
criticism of Hamas.

--------------
Military Update
--------------


5. (SBU) IDF forces reportedly continue their presence in
southern and northern Gaza. Israeli shelling of unoccupied
open areas reportedly continues. An IAF airstrike in Beit
Hanoun late on July 3 reportedly killed a Hamas operative,
and wounded several other people. The IAF also struck a
building at the Islamic University in Gaza City early on July
4, with no reported injuries. In the West Bank town of
Jenin, an IDF unit killed what they described as an al-Aqsa
Martyrs' Brigade leader early on July 4.

--------------
AMCIT Update
--------------


6. (C) Over 90 American citizens who remain in Gaza have
asked for USG assistance in departing. Liaison with the GOI
and COGAT continues to satisfy new requirements raised by the
GOI; Post may require high-level intervention in order to
secure Israeli cooperation.

WALLES