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).


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Summary
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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.

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Military Developments
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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.

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Political Update
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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.

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AMCIT Update
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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.

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Humanitarian Update
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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