MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 9

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002855

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/09/2016
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 9
SITREP

REF: A. GMP20060708757003 GAZA RAMATTAN NEWS AGENCY 8

JUL 06

B. GMP20060708748006 (INTERNET) HAMAS-AFFILIATED
PALESTINIAN INFORMATION CENTER WWW -
TEXT IN ENGLISH 8 JUL 06

C. GMP20060708748004 WEST BANK AND GAZA STRIP
PALESTINIAN INFORMATION CENTER - REPORT
IN ENGLISH 8 JUL 06

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


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


1. (C) IDF forces appear to have withdrawn from parts of the
northern Gaza strip, but remain present in the central and
southern sections. An explosion near Gaza City on July 8
that killed a mother and two of her children has attracted
wide media attention. Prime Minister Hanniyyah released a
5-point &initiative8 on July 8 that, inter alia, calls for
a return to calm, IDF withdrawal from Gaza, release of
detained Hamas officials, and resumption of negotiations over
kidnapped IDF corporal Galid Shalit; media reports indicate
that the GOI has rejected anything short of Shalit,s
immediate release. President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen)
returned to Ramallah on July 8; Consul General met with Abbas
on July 9. The successful transit of 68 American citizens
from Gaza to Amman on July 8 has encouraged more American
citizens to ask for similar assistance. Border crossings
remain closed, except for the Nahal Oz fuel transfer station,
which is operational as of 1130 on July 9. Significant
electrical shortages continue in Gaza City and Rafah due to
battle damage.

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


2. (SBU) IDF forces appear to have withdrawn from parts of
northern Gaza on July 8, although there are Israeli press
reports that suggest IDF forces moved back into the area
around the former Israeli settlement of Dugit early on July

9. IDF presence reportedly continues in the middle and
southern sectors of the Gaza Strip. The IAF is reported to
have downed the main bridge between Gaza City and Beit Hanoun
in northern Gaza, as part of an anti-Qassam rocket launching
effort. "Haaretz," quoting IDF sources, predicted that
incursions into Gaza would expand in the coming days.


3. (SBU) An explosion in Sajaiyeh, east of Gaza City, on the
evening of July 8 that killed a Palestinian mother and two of
her children has received wide-spread media coverage. The
IDF denied responsibility for the fatalities.


4. (SBU) A Qassam rocket launched from Gaza early on July 9
struck the southern Israeli city of Sderot, wounding an
Israeli civilian. A second rocket on July 9 reportedly
damaged an Israeli house.


5. (SBU) Israeli raids continue in the West Bank, including
searches of offices associated with Hamas and arrest
campaigns in villages and camps.

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


6. (SBU) Prime Minister Ismael Hanniyyah released a 5-point
plan on July 8 (ref (a)) that calls for:

-- All parties to return to calm and stop all military
operations;
-- Israel to withdraw its forces from Gaza;
-- All detained Palestinian ministers and PLC members to be
released;
-- Border crossings to be opened and the "siege" lifted;
-- Negotiations to be resumed regarding "the IDF soldier who
is being held hostage."


7. (SBU) The GOI has reportedly rejected the plan; officials
in Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's office are quoted in
the Israeli press as saying the GOI will not agree to a truce
until kidnapped IDF corporal Galid Shalit is released.


8. (C) President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) returned to
Ramallah on July 8 for the first time since the start of the
current crisis on June 25. Consul General met with Abu Mazen

on July 9.


9. (C) Criticism of Abu Mazen is starting to emerge from
Hamas sources, which at this point are a slight departure
from the united public front Palestinian factions have sought
to maintain. Ref (b) contains Hamas complaints regarding Abu
Mazen's calls to cease Qassam rocket firing and release
Shalit; Ref (c) notes criticism of the President for
overruling PA Interior Minister Said Siyam's order to PA
Security Forces to take up arms against the IDF. Hamas
websites are also reportedly stepping up their criticism of
Abu Mazen.

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


10. (C) As of 1900 hours on July 8, 68 Amcits requesting
assistance to leave Gaza successfully reached Amman. With
Post's assistance, the Amcits left Gaza in the early morning
but encountered a delay at the Allenby Bridge. Amcits
without Palestinian passports were required to have Israeli
exit permits. Once secured, the Amcits crossed smoothly into
Jordan. On July 9, ACS officer reported that 5 new Amcit
families, Amcits who failed to bring the necessary travel
documents on July 8, and other Amcits not approved by the GOI
for departure contacted Post requesting additional assistance
to leave Gaza.

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


11. (SBU) Crossings: The Karni/al-Mintar and Rafah crossings
remain closed. Nahal Oz fuel transfer station is operational.


12. (SBU) Fuel: As of 1130 hours on July 9, USAID
Gaza-based field staff reported that 200,000 liters of diesel
were delivered through Nahal Oz. Gaza gas station owners
expect to receive an additional 100,000 liters of diesel,
100,000 liters of gasoline, and 144 tons of cooking gas
through Nahal Oz. These amounts are less than the average
daily consumption rates for Gaza.


13. (SBU) Electricity: USAID Gaza-based field staff
reported that 3 of 10 medium tension feeder lines are damaged
in Gaza City, northern Gaza, and Rafah. Twenty-five percent
of Gaza City is without electricity. There continues to be
no electricity and no water in Rafah since 1100 hours on July

5. A repair crew in Rafah determined that damage to the
electrical feeder line is on the Israeli side. The crew is
reportedly coordinating with the Israeli Electric Company to
fix the damaged line.
WALLES