Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM2854
2006-07-08 12:26:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 8

Tags:  PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM 
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VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #2854/01 1891226
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 081226Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3281
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002854 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 8
SITREP

REF: JERUSALEM 2835

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

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

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002854

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/08/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 8
SITREP

REF: JERUSALEM 2835

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

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


1. (C) ConGenoffs assisted in the transfer of 68 American
citizens from Erez Crossing to the Allenby Bridge for passage
to Jordan on July 8. Another 34 Amcits originally scheduled
to depart Gaza either failed to bring the proper
documentation for transit or failed to show up at Erez. IDF
military operations continued July 7-8, with Israeli forces
reaching the outer sectors of Gaza City. At least 14
Palestinians were reported killed and over 45 wounded in a
series of clashes. At least six Qassam rockets were fired in
the direction of Sderot on July 7, with three reported
injuries. In the West Bank, an IDF raid into the al-Askar
refugee camp resulted in one Palestinian militant killed and
another three wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
Palestinian President Abbas told the media July 7 that
Egyptian mediation efforts to secure the release of Gilad
Shalit are continuing. All other Gaza crossings remain
closed, including the Rafah Crossing where a reported 5,000
Palestinians remain stranded on the Egyptian side.

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


2. (C) On the morning of July 8, Post successfully brought
across 68 of 102 American citizens requesting assistance to
leave Gaza via the Erez crossing point. According to
ConGenoffs, nine Amcits were unable to cross because they
failed to bring the necessary travel documents, while another
25 Amcits were reported no-shows. As of 1200 hours local,
the 68 Amcits were being processed through the Allenby Bridge
en-route to Jordan. Post ACS officer reported that Israeli
officials at Allenby are cooperating in the processing of the
Amcits.

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


3. (C) IDF operations are ongoing in Gaza July 7-8,
resulting in at least 14 Palestinians reported killed and

over 45 wounded. Palestinian sources claimed that a
Palestinian civilian, possibly hearing impaired, was
reportedly crushed to death when an Israeli bulldozer
demolished his home in the Atrata section of northern Gaza.
A 78-year-old Palestinian reportedly died in the Egyptian
terminal at Rafah where an approximately 500 Palestinians are
awaiting passage into Gaza. (Note: Approximately 4,500
others are outside the terminal seeking entry into Gaza. End
note.)


4. (C) During the early morning hours of July 8, IDF
soldiers, supported by tanks, APCs, and helicopters advanced
from the Karni Crossing into areas adjacent to the outlining
Gaza City neighborhoods of Zeitoun and Shija'eah. During the
incursion, at least two Palestinian gunmen -- including one
NSF officer -- were killed by IDF tank fire, with an
additional nine wounded. A third Palestinian gunmen later
died from his wounds. IDF forces in the north have
re-deployed from several localities around Beit Lahiya and
Atrata, where at least 11 Palestinians were killed July 7,
and another 37 wounded.


5. (U) At least six Qassam rockets were fired at Israel in
the direction of Sderot on July 7, resulting in light
injuries to three Israeli civilians.


6. (U) In the West Bank, the IDF July 7 conducted a raid
into the al-Askar refugee camp near Nablus, killing one
al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades member. At least three other
al-Aqsa gunmen were wounded in the exchange of gunfire. A
second al-Aqsa gunman died of wounds sustained during a July
6 IDF raid in Jenin to capture al-Aqsa leader Zakaria
Zubeidi. The IDF also conducted a series of raids on Islamic
charities located in Ramallah, Nablus, and in Yatta village
near Hebron. A total of 9 Palestinians were arrested and the
IDF confiscated documents and computers from the charitable
offices. The IDF also ordered the closure of the Yatta
Islamic Charity office for one year.

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

--------------


7. (SBU) During a July 7 press conference in Gaza City,
President Abbas stated that Egyptian mediation efforts are
ongoing to secure the release of Gilad Shalit. Abbas also
said it is a "national duty" to put an end to Qassam rocket
fire. Abbas rejected PA Interior Minister Said Siyam's
declaration of a state of emergency, adding that such a
declaration could only come from the Palestinian president.
Abbas is expected to depart Gaza for Ramallah on July 8.


8. (SBU) Following July 7 Friday prayers, there were
reported demonstrations in Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah
protesting IDF operations in Gaza. The protesters also
denounced the international community's silence in the wake
of the ongoing IDF operations.


9. (C) In the midst of the IDF operations in Gaza,
internal Fatah-Hamas clashes have continued. A senior
Preventive Security Officer, Haitham al-Rai, was reportedly
kidnapped July 7 in Gaza City and summarily executed. His
body was later discovered in a garbage dump. Fatah accused
Hamas elements of carrying out the killing, which they
believe was retaliation for the killing of a Hamas member
earlier in the week.

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


10. (SBU) Crossings: All Gaza crossings (Karni, Nahal Oz,
Rafah) remain closed, with the exception of Erez which has
allowed passage for those who coordinated their departure
with Israel. Approximately 5,000 Palestinians remain
stranded in Egypt awaiting passage into Gaza. The PA has
thus far refused an Israeli offer to use the Kerem Shalom
crossing for humanitarian cases waiting in Egypt.


11. (SBU) Electricity: According to USAID Gaza-based field
staff, Rafah has had no electricity and water since 1100
hours on July 5. Khan Yunis is able to provide electricity
to Rafah for only two hours each day since Khan Yunis is not
capable of covering the demand for both areas. Rafah
municipality crews are unable to repair the damaged lines due
to the presence of the IDF in the area. Efforts by the ICRC
to negotiate access to the damaged lines for the repair crews
have not been successful. The Acting Mayor of Rafah has
approached USAID field staff requesting USG assistance to
allow municipal workers access to the lines.

WALLES