EIGHT MORE KILLED IN HAMAS ATTACKS IN GAZA CITY,

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001186 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG KPAL IS PTER ASEC SUBJECT: EIGHT MORE KILLED IN HAMAS ATTACKS IN GAZA CITY, CENTRAL GAZA; ABU MAZEN SPEECH EXPECTED SOON REF: JERUSALEM 1179 AND PREVIOUS ¶1. (SBU) Summary. Heavy factional fighting continues in Gaza City and central Gaza as of mid-day local. Approximately 8 Palestinians have been killed so far today (since midnight): 3 "Executive Force" fighters in a &work accident8, 2 Fatah militia in Gaza City, and 3 National Security Forces (NSF) soldiers in Gaza City and Netzarim. Most PASF installations in northern Gaza (Bayt Lahiya, Bayt Hanun and Jabaliya) are reported to be in Hamas hands, and Hamas forces dominate Gaza City outside the main Palestinian security forces (PASF) and Presidential compounds. Gaza-based UN contacts report &a 50-percent return for normalcy8 for stores and markets early June 13. End summary. Security Situation -------------- ¶2. (SBU) In northern Gaza, security contacts report that Hamas controls all key roads and most PA/security buildings in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya, and took over all major NSF bases there yesterday. In Gaza City, Hamas controls most major streets and intersections. There is infrequent but sustained mortar fire and sporadic small arms/RPG fire at the PG/Force 17 bases around the Presidential compound and the NSF HQ at al-Saraya. The Tal al-Hawa Preventive Security (PSO) HQ and General Intelligence (Mukhabarat) HQ in al-Sudaniya also report being cut off by Hamas and subject to harassing small arms/mortar/RPG fire. Hamas fighters are besieging Muqawsi towers, home of several senior Fatah/PASF leaders including Gaza Fatah spokesman Maher Miqdad and Field Committee Chair Majid Abu Shammali. (Late reports indicate that Hamas forces captured the towers, but Miqdad escaped). Hamas took over a Bahariya (Coastal Patrol) installation near Beach Refugee Camp, and are besieging a Mukhabarat office/command residence there. ¶3. (SBU) Extensive clashes are reported in central Gaza as well, focused on fighting between Fatah militia/NSF on one side against Hamas fighters in the Nussayrat and al-Mughazi Refugee Camps and Dayr al-Balah streets. NSF, Fatah Militias Doing Most Fighting -------------- ¶4. (SBU) The NSF is generally fighting aggressively against &Executive Force8 and Hamas military-wing fighters, according to PASF contacts. NSF and Mukhabarat contacts report a desperate need for weapons and ammunition. The Presidential Guard (PG) and police have had minimal roles in Gaza fighting since Monday, with PASF contacts reporting the NSF and Fatah militia doing most of the fighting. Abu Mazen Calls for Ceasefire; Hamas Mil-Wing Calls PASF "Traitors" -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Gaza contacts report wide anticipation of President Abbas, (Abu Mazen) speech scheduled for this afternoon. Many expect a call for a state of emergency or pullout from the NUG, but POL/security contacts doubt how effective either step would be in restoring security in Gaza. Abbas, previous calls for all Palestinians to stop fighting and observe the ceasefire were printed in Arabic-language dailies. A separate statement from the President,s office accused &some Hamas political and military leaders (of being) involved in current planning to overthrow legitimate Palestinian institutions, living in the illusion that they can take control of Gaza by force.8 ¶6. (U) PM Haniyah also called for all factions to end fighting and resume negotiations, but tacked on a statement accusing Fatah of not believing in political partnership and seeking to disrupt Palestinian society. Other Hamas spokesmen issued statements critical of Fatah that called for Hamas fighters to be firm in their determination "to eliminate the traitors," and that Hamas &had lost its patience with useless negotiations after so many of its sons and brothers were killed.8 All Crossings Closed -------------- ¶7. (SBU) UN and EU-BAM contacts report that all crossings are closed, including Erez, except for specially-coordinated JERUSALEM 00001186 002 OF 002 humanitarian cases. Four Palestinian USAID employees and their families were able to depart via Erez this morning. Minimal West Bank Violence So Far -------------- ¶8. (SBU) There has been minimal spillover of fighting to the West Bank so far. West Bank Hamas political leaders have been low-key and conciliatory in released statements. PASF commanders say they are closely monitoring Fatah-aligned extremists in the West Bank to stop retaliatory attacks. WALLES