Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08CAIRO2558
2008-12-23 14:23:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:
MFA CONFIRMS HAMAS ACCEPTANCE OF 24-HOUR CEASEFIRE
how-toVZCZCXRO3574 PP RUEHROV DE RUEHEG #2558 3581423 ZNY CCCCC ZZH P 231423Z DEC 08 FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 1221 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002558
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS EG
SUBJECT: MFA CONFIRMS HAMAS ACCEPTANCE OF 24-HOUR CEASEFIRE
REF: TEL AVIV 2864
Classified By: ACTING MINISTER-COUNSELOR CATHERINE HILL HERNDON
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 002558
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS EG
SUBJECT: MFA CONFIRMS HAMAS ACCEPTANCE OF 24-HOUR CEASEFIRE
REF: TEL AVIV 2864
Classified By: ACTING MINISTER-COUNSELOR CATHERINE HILL HERNDON
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) MFA Deputy Director for Palestinian Affairs Barakat
Leithy confirmed December 23 that Hamas had accepted a 24
hour "ceasefire" that went into effect the evening of
December 22. Leithy said that Hamas and most other
Palestinian factions had agreed to cease rocket fire into
Israel, but that Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front
for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) had abstained. Leithy
said it is possible that Hamas would agree to extend the
ceasefire beyond the 24-hour period.
2. (C) Leithy said that there is evidence that Hamas
leadership in Damascus had pressured Hamas leaders in Gaza
(e.g. Mahmoud Zahar) to let the six-month "tahdiya" (calming)
agreement with ISRAEL lapse. In addition, he assessed that
Hamas in Gaza may have felt pressure from other Palestinian
factions to disavow the tahdiya in order to maintain
credibility as a "resistance" organization. Leithy believes
both Hamas and ISRAEL will engage in "limited skirmishes" to
satisfy their respective domestic political agendas over the
short term. He acknowledged that the situation could
escalate quickly, noting that the Egyptians believe Hamas now
has more than 15,000 rockets stockpiled, including a much
smaller, but undetermined, amount of "Grad" rockets capable
of hitting the Israeli city of Ashkelon, and "a few" rockets
that could reach Beer Sheva.
SCOBEY
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/23/2018
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL IS EG
SUBJECT: MFA CONFIRMS HAMAS ACCEPTANCE OF 24-HOUR CEASEFIRE
REF: TEL AVIV 2864
Classified By: ACTING MINISTER-COUNSELOR CATHERINE HILL HERNDON
REASONS: 1.4 (B) and (D)
1. (C) MFA Deputy Director for Palestinian Affairs Barakat
Leithy confirmed December 23 that Hamas had accepted a 24
hour "ceasefire" that went into effect the evening of
December 22. Leithy said that Hamas and most other
Palestinian factions had agreed to cease rocket fire into
Israel, but that Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front
for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) had abstained. Leithy
said it is possible that Hamas would agree to extend the
ceasefire beyond the 24-hour period.
2. (C) Leithy said that there is evidence that Hamas
leadership in Damascus had pressured Hamas leaders in Gaza
(e.g. Mahmoud Zahar) to let the six-month "tahdiya" (calming)
agreement with ISRAEL lapse. In addition, he assessed that
Hamas in Gaza may have felt pressure from other Palestinian
factions to disavow the tahdiya in order to maintain
credibility as a "resistance" organization. Leithy believes
both Hamas and ISRAEL will engage in "limited skirmishes" to
satisfy their respective domestic political agendas over the
short term. He acknowledged that the situation could
escalate quickly, noting that the Egyptians believe Hamas now
has more than 15,000 rockets stockpiled, including a much
smaller, but undetermined, amount of "Grad" rockets capable
of hitting the Israeli city of Ashkelon, and "a few" rockets
that could reach Beer Sheva.
SCOBEY