MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 5

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002820 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/05/2016 TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 5 SITREP Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles. Reasons: 1.4 (b) and (d). -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (C) A Qassam rocket impacted in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on July 4; the extended range, target, and timing of the attack resulted in wide press coverage and statements from Israeli political leaders; the military wing of Hamas claimed responsibility. The IDF initiated a third incursion into Gaza; IDF forces moved into the Erez Industrial Zone, and then redeployed west into the area of the former Nisanit settlement. Some looting is reported in the Zone in the wake of the IDF redeployment. IAF strikes in Gaza reportedly destroyed the Interior Ministry headquarters, previously struck on June 30, in addition to other IAF strikes in Gaza. In the West Bank IDF forces continue to search for Hamas leaders and to raid Hamas-affiliated locations. No significant developments were reported in connection with the IDF corporal Gilad Shalit kidnapping case. The referendum on the Prisoners' Document appears to be on hold. The number of American citizens seeking to leave Gaza has risen to 138; post continues its efforts with the GOI to facilitate their departure. The Karni or Nahal Oz crossings are reported to be closed on July 5. Food and other material that did pass on July 4 is detailed in paragraph 9. -------------- Military Developments -------------- ¶2. (C) A Qassam rocket impacted in the southern city of Ashkelon during the late afternoon of July 4. While Ashkelon has been hit by projectiles in the past, the location of the strike (a school in the center of the city),the timing of this attack (while IDF forces are present in northern Gaza, in part to deter Qassam launches),and the extended range of the missile (past Qassam strikes have reached approximately 10km; the July 4 missile flew 12 km, and Hamas claims a range of 15km) have resulted in wide press coverage and reactions by the Israeli political leadership. The Izzedin al-Qassam Brigades - the military wing of Hamas - claimed responsibility for the attack. Five other Qassam rocket launches were reported emanating from the northern Gaza strip. ¶3. (SBU) The IDF initiated a third incursion into Gaza on July 4, crossing over into the Palestinian side of the Erez crossing point. The Erez crossing point was closed as a result of this incursion. Reports received mid-morning on July 5 indicate that the Israelis have pulled out of the Erez Industrial Zone, and that looting by Palestinians has commenced in the area vacated by the IDF. IDF forces, including armored vehicles, are reported to have redeployed west of the Zone into the area of the former Nisanit settlement. Israeli armored and engineering forces continue their presence in the northern area of Beit Hanoun and the southern area near the Gaza airport. Israeli press reports indicate that the IDF forces in and around Beit Hanoun have increased to a battalion-level presence. ¶4. (SBU) IAF airstrikes reportedly destroyed the Palestinian Interior Ministry headquarters in Gaza city, a few hours after the Qassam attack against Ashkelon. The building had been targeted previously by the IDF on June 30; three wounded and extensive damage were reported as a result of the July 4 attack. In addition, IAF strikes were reported at a Hamas-run school in Gaza City and a Hamas training ground in Rafah. ¶5. (SBU) In the West Bank, IDF forces surrounded the house of PLC speaker Aziz Dweik and PLC General Secretary Mahmoud al-Ramahi early on July 5; neither of the officials was apprehended. The IDF also raided two Hamas-run charitable organizations in Jericho and offices and homes in Qalqilya and Jenin. Palestinian gunmen fired upon IDF patrols in separate incidents in Nablus, Jenin, Tulkaram, and Qalqilya; no injuries were reported. Clashes were also reported in Jericho. The IDF reported that they foiled a suicide attack due to take place in central Israel on July 5. -------------- Political Update -------------- ¶6. (C) No significant developments were reported concerning the kidnapping case of IDF corporal Galid Shalit. An unnamed senior official in the office of President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) told "al-Qods" newspaper that Abu Mazen has decided to "temporarily suspend" the national referendum on the Prisoners' Document that had been planned to take place on July 26. Central Election Commission (CEC) Secretary General Rami Hamdallah told political specialist that the referendum had been called off; the CEC is the body which would be expected to conduct the referendum. -------------- AMCIT Update -------------- ¶7. (C) The number of American citizens requesting assistance in departing Gaza has reached 138. Post is providing the GOI with all requested information such as passport numbers, PA identification numbers, and family bio data - to facilitate the exit of the Amcits. Post has briefed the American citizens on our efforts and advised them to be able to leave Gaza at a moment's notice. Liaison with the local German mission indicates that the GOI has given the Germans similar instructions regarding movement plans and biographic data requirements. -------------- Humanitarian Update -------------- ¶8. (SBU) PalTrade Gaza-based employee Muhammed Skaik confirmed that neither the Karni/al-Mintar commercial good crossing nor the Nahal Oz fuel transfer crossing is open July ¶5. He said that GOI sources had referred to the "security situation" as the reason for both crossings' closure July 5. Skaik said that cargo imported through Karni July 4 included: -- 21 truckloads of fruits and vegetables; -- 4 truckloads of 158 tons of wheat; -- 24 truckloads of basic food supplies, including sugar (328 tons),cooking oil (170 tons),wheat flour (63 tons),and rice (39 tons); -- 21 truckloads of fruits and vegetables -- 21 truckloads of dairy products and frozen foods; -- 21 truckloads of animal feed; -- 15 truckloads of various products; -- 7 truckloads of medical tools; -- 2 truckloads of fertilized eggs; and -- 18 truckloads of containers. WALLES