Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JERUSALEM2155
2007-10-18 15:50:00
SECRET
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
PA RELEASES 30-40 HAMAS MEMBERS FOR EID, BUT
how-toVZCZCXRO3206 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2155 2911550 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 181550Z OCT 07 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9319 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
S E C R E T JERUSALEM 002155
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2017
TAGS: KWBG PTER PINS IS PGOV
SUBJECT: PA RELEASES 30-40 HAMAS MEMBERS FOR EID, BUT
ARRESTS CONTINUE
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
S E C R E T JERUSALEM 002155
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2017
TAGS: KWBG PTER PINS IS PGOV
SUBJECT: PA RELEASES 30-40 HAMAS MEMBERS FOR EID, BUT
ARRESTS CONTINUE
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) The Palestinian Authority (PA) released 30-40
Hamas-affiliated prisoners October 9-11 for Eid al-Fitr,
according to Palestinian press and PA security contacts.
According to security contacts, the prisoners released are
minor figures associated with Hamas charities and other NGOs,
and Hamas militants remain jailed. They add that arrests of
other Hamas members in the West Bank continue.
None of Those Released
Serious Terror Suspects
--------------
2. (S) In October 15 phone calls, Nablus General
Intelligence (Mukhabarat) chief Abdallah Kmayl and operations
staff officer Salim al-Qaysi said the Hamas members released
are not part of the Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades or terrorist
cells. Al-Qaysi said several Hamas militants, including
Ahmad Dulah, remain in Preventive Security (PSO) and
Mukhabarat custody. Kmayl added that many of those released
signed commitments to respect PA law and its leaders,
including PA President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and PM Salam
Fayyad, and that all will be monitored and re-arrested if
they commit any illegal act or incite against the PA.
Amnesty Gesture for the Public,
not Hamas; Arrests Ops Continue
--------------
3. (C) Kmayl said the Governors (separately but in
coordination) declared the amnesties, including for many
non-Hamas detainees. He added that Nablus Governor Jamal
Muhaysan and Tulkarm Governor Talal Dwaykat initiated the
amnesties as goodwill gestures to the Palestinian public, not
to Hamas, noting that arrests of Hamas suspects continued
through the Eid holiday. (Note: Hamas spokesmen told the
press that PA security arrested four Hamas members in Nablus,
'Askar Refugee Camp and Tubas on October 10, and two more
members in Jenin and Nablus October 12. End note).
WALLES
SIPDIS
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 10/18/2017
TAGS: KWBG PTER PINS IS PGOV
SUBJECT: PA RELEASES 30-40 HAMAS MEMBERS FOR EID, BUT
ARRESTS CONTINUE
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (SBU) The Palestinian Authority (PA) released 30-40
Hamas-affiliated prisoners October 9-11 for Eid al-Fitr,
according to Palestinian press and PA security contacts.
According to security contacts, the prisoners released are
minor figures associated with Hamas charities and other NGOs,
and Hamas militants remain jailed. They add that arrests of
other Hamas members in the West Bank continue.
None of Those Released
Serious Terror Suspects
--------------
2. (S) In October 15 phone calls, Nablus General
Intelligence (Mukhabarat) chief Abdallah Kmayl and operations
staff officer Salim al-Qaysi said the Hamas members released
are not part of the Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades or terrorist
cells. Al-Qaysi said several Hamas militants, including
Ahmad Dulah, remain in Preventive Security (PSO) and
Mukhabarat custody. Kmayl added that many of those released
signed commitments to respect PA law and its leaders,
including PA President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and PM Salam
Fayyad, and that all will be monitored and re-arrested if
they commit any illegal act or incite against the PA.
Amnesty Gesture for the Public,
not Hamas; Arrests Ops Continue
--------------
3. (C) Kmayl said the Governors (separately but in
coordination) declared the amnesties, including for many
non-Hamas detainees. He added that Nablus Governor Jamal
Muhaysan and Tulkarm Governor Talal Dwaykat initiated the
amnesties as goodwill gestures to the Palestinian public, not
to Hamas, noting that arrests of Hamas suspects continued
through the Eid holiday. (Note: Hamas spokesmen told the
press that PA security arrested four Hamas members in Nablus,
'Askar Refugee Camp and Tubas on October 10, and two more
members in Jenin and Nablus October 12. End note).
WALLES