Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06JERUSALEM4272
2006-09-22 14:33:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
RAFAH CROSSING OPENS; WEST BANK AND GAZA CLOSED
how-toVZCZCXYZ0001 OO RUEHWEB DE RUEHJM #4272 2651433 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 221433Z SEP 06 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 5099 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY RUEATRS/DEPT OF TREASURY WASHDC PRIORITY RUEHBS/USEU BRUSSELS PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 004272
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/MAHER/STEINGER;
PRM FOR PDAS GREENE AND PRM/ANE; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS; TREASURY FOR
SZUBIN/LOEFFLER/NUGENT/HIRSON; BRUSSELS FOR LERNER; PLEASE
PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/16
TAGS: ECON PGOV PHUM PREL KPAL KWBG IS
SUBJECT: RAFAH CROSSING OPENS; WEST BANK AND GAZA CLOSED
1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 004272
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/MAHER/STEINGER;
PRM FOR PDAS GREENE AND PRM/ANE; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS; TREASURY FOR
SZUBIN/LOEFFLER/NUGENT/HIRSON; BRUSSELS FOR LERNER; PLEASE
PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/16
TAGS: ECON PGOV PHUM PREL KPAL KWBG IS
SUBJECT: RAFAH CROSSING OPENS; WEST BANK AND GAZA CLOSED
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened
September 22 for the first time since August 25. Thousands
of would-be travelers had already gathered on the Gaza side
of the crossing when it opened at 0830 hours, according to
PalTrade Gaza-based staff. The crossing closed for about an
hour after Presidential Security guards fired warning shots
in the air to drive back the surging crowd and restore order.
According to a UN security officer, however, the
Presidential Guard fired after gunmen hurled a hand grenade
and opened fire in reaction to their family members not being
allowed to cross. A Presidential Guard officer told RSO that
no injuries occurred.
2. (SBU) Director General for General Administration of
Crossings and Borders (GACB) Nazmi Muhanna announced to local
press late September 21 that Rafah would be open in both
directions September 22 and 23 from 0800 to 1800 hours.
Local Arabic-language daily Al-Quds newspaper September 22
quoted an EU official as saying people traveling to Mecca,
students, and medical patients would be given priority on
September 22. Most of those hoping to transit Rafah during
this period plan to travel to Mecca for Umra, the minor
pilgrimage or hajj, according to press reports and observers
at Rafah. Hundreds of students and medical patients seeking
treatment abroad also intend to cross. (Note: Palestinian
militant groups had threatened violence if Rafah did not open
before Ramadan, which will begin on September 23 or 24. End
Note.) Palestinian news agency Ma'an estimates that about
20,000 Palestinians hope to cross Rafah in the next few days.
3. (SBU) Local Arabic newspapers reported September 22 that
the IDF has imposed a total closure on the West Bank and Gaza
starting Friday, September 22 until Sunday, September 25
during the Jewish New Year holiday of Rosh Hashana.
DUFFY
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/MAHER/STEINGER;
PRM FOR PDAS GREENE AND PRM/ANE; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS; TREASURY FOR
SZUBIN/LOEFFLER/NUGENT/HIRSON; BRUSSELS FOR LERNER; PLEASE
PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN
E.O. 12958: DECL: 09/22/16
TAGS: ECON PGOV PHUM PREL KPAL KWBG IS
SUBJECT: RAFAH CROSSING OPENS; WEST BANK AND GAZA CLOSED
1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) The Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened
September 22 for the first time since August 25. Thousands
of would-be travelers had already gathered on the Gaza side
of the crossing when it opened at 0830 hours, according to
PalTrade Gaza-based staff. The crossing closed for about an
hour after Presidential Security guards fired warning shots
in the air to drive back the surging crowd and restore order.
According to a UN security officer, however, the
Presidential Guard fired after gunmen hurled a hand grenade
and opened fire in reaction to their family members not being
allowed to cross. A Presidential Guard officer told RSO that
no injuries occurred.
2. (SBU) Director General for General Administration of
Crossings and Borders (GACB) Nazmi Muhanna announced to local
press late September 21 that Rafah would be open in both
directions September 22 and 23 from 0800 to 1800 hours.
Local Arabic-language daily Al-Quds newspaper September 22
quoted an EU official as saying people traveling to Mecca,
students, and medical patients would be given priority on
September 22. Most of those hoping to transit Rafah during
this period plan to travel to Mecca for Umra, the minor
pilgrimage or hajj, according to press reports and observers
at Rafah. Hundreds of students and medical patients seeking
treatment abroad also intend to cross. (Note: Palestinian
militant groups had threatened violence if Rafah did not open
before Ramadan, which will begin on September 23 or 24. End
Note.) Palestinian news agency Ma'an estimates that about
20,000 Palestinians hope to cross Rafah in the next few days.
3. (SBU) Local Arabic newspapers reported September 22 that
the IDF has imposed a total closure on the West Bank and Gaza
starting Friday, September 22 until Sunday, September 25
during the Jewish New Year holiday of Rosh Hashana.
DUFFY