MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 003241 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, OPS PLEASE PASS TO SECRETARY'S PARTY, NSC FOR DORAN/LOGERFO, OPS PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV ASEC KPAL KWBG IS SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY 28 SITREP ¶1. (SBU) IDF units withdrew from the Shijaya neighborhood of Gaza City on the morning of July 28. At least 30 Palestinians died during the three-day incursion, including one PRC gunmen, two HAMAS military-wing activists, and several civilians, including a 73-year old woman and 13-year old boy. Over 90 Palestinians were wounded during the operation. The IAF fired several missiles into two buildings belonging to suspected militants in northern Gaza, resulting in 5 injuries and substantial damage to the buildings. ¶2. (SBU) At least five Qassam rockets were launched from northern Gaza toward Sderot and the Western Negev overnight July 27-28. There were no reported injuries or damage. At 1100L on July 28, PIJ fired an additional Qassam rocket towards Kibbutz Zikim north of Erez crossing, resulting in injuries to 2 children and 10 others, mostly for shock. The IDF shelled northern Gaza in retaliation. No injuries or damage were reported. ¶3. (SBU) In the West Bank, the IDF arrested 22 Palestinians overnight July 27-28. The IDF discovered the charred remains of an Israeli settler in the trunk of a car parked in Hija village, near Qalqilya the evening of July 27. A Palestinian gunman reportedly affiliated with HAMAS shot and seriously wounded 2 Israeli Border Policemen at the entrance of the Sheikh Sa'ad neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Police shot and killed the gunman and arrested seven Palestinian activists. -------------- HUMANITARIAN UPDATE -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The Rafah, Karni/al-Mintar, and Nahal Oz crossings are all closed July 28, according to USAID Gaza-based staff. The Karni/al-Mintar crossing was last operational July 25, while the Nahal Oz crossing was last operational July 26. ¶5. (SBU) All ten electricity feeder lines from Israel into Gaza are operational July 28. WALLES