MGGZ01 - JERUSALEM JULY 23 SITREP

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 003100 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO, USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/22/2016 TAGS: PREL PHUM ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - JERUSALEM JULY 23 SITREP Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) -------------- SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (C) The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continued arrest operations in the West Bank and small incursions into the Gaza Strip on July 22-23, and Qassam rockets continued to be launched from Gaza into the western Negev and Sderot. Media reports that Palestinian factions in Gaza had reached agreement on a cease-fire on July 22, were denied later that night and on July 23 by spokesmen for some of the key factions. Fatah-Hamas tension continued in Gaza, as the Hamas Interior Minister attempted to dismiss the Fatah-controlled Preventive Security Organization commander in Gaza. The Rafah and Karni/al-Mintar crossings into Gaza are closed on July 23, but the Nahal Oz fuel transfer station is operational. Jabalia and Beit Hanoun areas do not have electricity July 23. -------------- MILITARY DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The IDF arrested seven Palestinians in the West Bank cities of Jenin and Nablus on the night of 22-23 July. The IDF also reportedly arrested a Palestinian with a bag of explosives near Gilo in southern Jerusalem on July 22. ¶3. (SBU) In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted small incursions on July 22 in the areas around the border fence and the Rafah International Airport. ¶4. (SBU) Several Qassams were fired during the night and early morning of 22-23 July from Gaza into the western Negev and Sderot. There were no reported injuries or damage. -------------- POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS -------------- ¶5. (C) The media reported on July 22 that the Palestinian factions in Gaza had reached an agreement for a cease-fire in return for the cessation of all Israeli attacks against Gaza. On July 23 some Palestinian factions -- including a Hamas spokesman, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ),and the Fatah-affiliated Abu Rish Brigades -- denied such an agreement had been reached. Fatah sources told ConGen FSN political specialist that a deal is being negotiated among the factions, but that it requires Israeli agreement to cease all incursions. ¶6. (C) In a sign of continuing Fatah-Hamas tensions, the media reported that on July 22 Hamas Interior Minister Said Siam decided to dismiss Suleiman Abu Mutlak, the Fatah-controlled Preventive Security Organization (PSO) commander in Gaza. Fatah sources told ConGen FSN political specialist that Abu Mutlak has refused to be fired, and continues to serve as commander. ¶7. (C) President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) returned from Gaza to Ramallah late on July 22. He met on July 23 with CODEL Hoekstra and the Consul General. Abbas is also scheduled to meet with the foreign ministers of Germany and France, and the UK Minister of State for the Middle East Kim Howells. -------------- HUMANITARIAN UPDATE -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Rafah passenger crossing is closed July 23. The Karni/al-Mintar crossing is closed July 23. The Nahal Oz fuel transfer station is operational July 23. ¶9. (SBU) Nine of ten electricity feeder lines from Israel into Gaza are operational July 23. One of the two feeder lines in Northern Gaza was damaged July 22, repaired later that evening, and damaged early on July 23, therefore Jabalia and Beit Hanoun do not have electricity July 23. WALLES