MGGZ01 - JERUSALEM AUGUST 1 SITREP

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 003313 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO, USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - JERUSALEM AUGUST 1 SITREP REF: JERUSALEM 03252 ¶1. (SBU) The Rafah crossing did not open as planned on August 1 in order to allow more time for coordination among the concerned parties. As a result, the planned departure from Gaza of approximately 77 Americans and 10 PD grantees was also delayed. Post is attempting to facilitate the transfer of the Amcits and grantees via the Erez crossing and onward to Jordan. ¶2. (SBU) The IDF fired more than 350 tank shells into northern and southern Gaza on July 31, killing one Palestinian teenager and wounding at least 11 others (reftel). Israeli aircraft fired several rockets near Khan Younis overnight July 31-August 1. A Palestinian died July 31 from injuries received during the July 19 Israeli incursion into the al-Maghazi refugee camp. ¶3. (SBU) Palestinian militants launched five Qassam rockets the morning of August 1 from northern Gaza toward Sderot and the Western Negev. At least seven Qassam rockets were fired into Israel on July 31. There were no reported injuries or damage. The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the PFLP claimed responsibility for the rocket fire. The IDF responded to the rocket fire by shelling parts of northern Gaza. ¶4. (SBU) In the West Bank, the IDF arrested seven Palestinians, mostly Fatah and Hamas activists, overnight July 31-August 1 in Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nablus. An explosive charge damaged a section of the separation barrier near Tulkarm on July 31. IDF units arrived and sealed the opening. The IDF raided the Tulkarm offices of a Hamas PLC member the morning of August 1 and confiscated computers and documents. IDF units also entered Jenin and Qabatiyah village reportedly in search of gunmen. There were no reported arrests. The IDF has imposed a total closure in the West Bank until August 5. ¶5. (SBU) Palestinians demonstrated in Gaza City, Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron July 31 to protest Israeli military action in Gaza and Lebanon. Several Palestinian factions participated in the demonstrations, which included speeches condemning U.S. support of Israel and preventing the UN Security Council from adopting a resolution to stop the war in Lebanon. More protests are planned for August 1, including a demonstration in the main square in Ramallah, as well as in Gaza, Nablus, and Tulkarm. A group of about 50 individuals protested near the Consulate's Post II facility in East Jerusalem on August 1. The crowd was dispersed by Israeli police. -------------- Humanitarian Update -------------- ¶6. (SBU) The Rafah crossing remains closed August 1. Both the Karni/al-Mintar and Nahal Oz crossings are operational August 1. The Karni/al-Mintar and Nahal Oz crossings were open July 31, according to USAID Gaza-based staff. PalTrade reported that 207 truckloads transited the Karni/al-Mintar crossing into Gaza July 31. ¶7. (SBU) Nine of ten electricity feeder lines from Israel into Gaza are operational August 1. The single feeder into Rafah was fixed July 31 but damaged again by the IDF in the early morning hours of August 1, according to USAID Gaza-based staff. WALLES