Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM2825
2006-07-06 12:29:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 6

Tags:  PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #2825/01 1871229
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 061229Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3246
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002825 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 6
SITREP


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


-------
Summary
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C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002825

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 6
SITREP


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


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


1. (C) IDF forces on July 6 expanded their incursion in the
northern Gaza to the three dismantled settlements that had
been the site of previous Qassam rocket launches. The Israeli
move follows the launching of two additional Qassam rockets,
one of which came near the southern city of Ashkelon. A
senior Hamas official was executed in northern Gaza in what
appears to be intra-Palestinian violence. Israeli security
sources report a number of intended suicide bombers. Press
reports indicate the captors of kidnapped IDF corporal Galid
Shalit have apparently lowered their demands to an agreement
for prisoners to be released in the future. Close to 150
American citizens in Gaza have requested assistance in
departing; Post is working to secure their exit. The Karni
goods crossing was closed on July 5, but was reported open
for several hours on July 6. Fuel transfers via Nahal Oz
have been halted on July 5 and 6, and certain types of fuel
are running low. Battle damage around Rafah and Erez has
affected electricity transmission; about 90 percent of Rafah
is reported to be without power.

--------------
Military Developments
--------------


2. (C) Israeli press reports indicate that a "large
contingen of IDF infantry and armor units" moved into thethree former Israeli settlements of Nisanit, Eli Snai, and
Dugit on July 6, following the launchin of two additional
Qassam rockets on July 5, one t the southern Israeli city of
Ashkelon and one oward Erez. The military wing of Hamas
claimed esponsibility for both launches. IDF spokesmen and
Israeli political leaders told the press that th latest
Israeli action is a limited incursion, inended to build
pressure for the release of kidnaped IDF corporal Galid
Shalit as well as to helpprevent the firing of additional
rockets.


3. C) Comment: The latest Israeli incursion is up to km

deep in some sections, according to Israeli government radio
-- coming up to, but not entering,Palestinian population
centers. The buffer zonethus created should have the effect
of pushing Qssam rocket launchers deeper into Palestinian
teritory, and thereby decreasing the amount of Israeli
territory these relatively short-range rockets an hit.
However, the mission of the prevention o rocket firing is
militarily open-ended, and Isreli press accounts describe
the new contingent o troops as preparing for "a relatively
extended stay." End Comment.


4. (C) A senior Hamas official, Hussein Abu Ajwa, was killed
while driving his car in northern Gaza late on July 5. This
attack appears to be intra-Palestinian violence, and PA
security sources told political specialist that a group of
gunmen stopped Abu Ajwa and executed him. No group has taken
responsibility for the attack; however, Hamas reportedly
suspects Fatah involvement. In other Palestinian-Palestinian
violence, Hamas gunmen reportedly opened fire on two
al-Jazeera and Ramattan news agency personnel driving a car
near Beit Hanoun. The gunmen apparently mistook the
reporters for IDF under cover soldiers.


5. (C) The IAF carried out at least three raids in Gaza,
striking a training facility of the Abu Al Rish brigades as
well as three roads in the central Gaza strip. In the West
Bank, IDF raids and arrest directed at Hamas offices and
personnel continue.


6. (C) Israeli security sources report a number of intended
suicide bombers; the latest was of a 20-year old from Jenin,
who was apparently destined for an industrial zone in the
Ariel settlement in the West Bank. The Hamas military wing
released a statement on July 5 threatening attacks in Tel
Aviv if Palestinian casualties in Gaza continue.

--------------
Political Developments
--------------


7. (C) Media reports and PA officials talking to political
specialist indicate that the captors of Shalit have lowered
their demands from large numbers of prisoners to be released
immediately to a number of prisoners to be released "at a

later stage" provided that mediators can provide the
necessary guarantees.

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


8. (C) Close to 150 American citizens are now requesting
assistance in leaving Gaza. There are reports of both the
Erez and Rafah border crossings opening for short periods of
time, and Post is working with Israeli and Palestinian
officials to find ways for Americans to depart. Some U.S.
press and citizens of other countries have apparently been
able to depart via the Erez crossing in the north; however,
all those who were able to depart appear to have already had
Israeli travel credentials, which is not the case of the
other American citizens in question.

--------------
Humanitarian Update
--------------


9. (SBU) According to PalTrade in Gaza, the Karni/al-Mintar
crossing was closed July 5 and re-opened for operations at
9:30 am, July 6. As of 11:30 am local time, 28 truckloads
had passed through the crossing, including the following
goods:
-- one truckload of wheat;
-- one truckload of flour;
-- two truckloads of sugar;
-- one truckload of cooking oil;
-- three truckloads of dairy and frozen products;
-- five truckloads of animal feed;
-- four truckloads of fruits and vegetables;
-- seven truckloads of processed foods and other goods;
-- three truckloads of medical tools; and
-- one truckload of packed cement.

Karni was closed at 13:45 local time, July 6, after 100
truckloads had transited the crossing into Gaza. Palestinian
staff at the crossing did not expect the crossing to reopen
July 6. In addition to the basic commodities, dairy
products, fruits and vegetables, and animal feed that
transited the crossing, 35,000 liters of diesel for UNRWA's
Gaza operations also transited. (Note: UNRWA's fuel
shipments are delivered through the Karni/al-Mintar crossing,
not through the Nahal Oz fuel transfer station. End note.)


10. (SBU) The Nahal Oz fuel transfer station was closed July

5. According to USAID Gaza-based staff conversations with
Gaza gas station owners, Nahal Oz remains closed July 6. The
1.8 million liters of diesel fuel imported July 2-4 are
expected to run out July 6 since average daily consumption is
400,000 liters. The 533 tons of liquefied petroleum gas
(LPG) or cooking gas imported July 2-4 have now sold out, as
well, given average daily consumption of 150 tons. Gasoline
supplies are expected to last until July 7.


11. (SBU) USAID Gaza-based field staff reported that IDF tank
shelling from al-Shuka village east of Rafah hit the medium
tension electricity feeder line from Israel to Rafah, causing
Rafah to loose all electricity as of 11 am, July 5. (Note:
Approximately 10 percent of the Rafah area is connected to
the Khan Younis electrical grid and does have power. End
note.) Reportedly, IDF forces are not allowing the
Palestinian Electric Company into the area to repair the
damage and the International Committee for the Red Cross is
attempting to coordinate access. In the north, USAID
Gaza-based staff reported that a medium tension electrical
cable was damaged July 5 in the former Erez Industrial
Estate. Since repair crews have not yet been able to make
repairs, parts of northern Gaza remain without electricity.


12. (SBU) According to USAID staff, the Rafah municipality
has stopped pumping water from its eight wells in order to
save diesel to pump sewage. Reportedly, the Coastal
Municipalities Water Utility will provide 3,000 liters of
diesel July 6 to enable pumping of the water wells. Ten
health clinics in Rafah, including four public, two UNRWA,
and four NGOs clinics, are without electricity, according to
WHO sources. Though all are running on generator power, WHO
officials are concerned about running the generators beyond
their capacity. Without electricity, the cold chain storage
of vaccines and medicines cannot be maintained.

WALLES