NOTE VERBALE ASKING U.S. TO DISSUADE ISRAEL FROM

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000762 SIPDIS SIPDIS S FOR BEECROFT NEA FOR WELCH/DANIN NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/14/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL IS EG SUBJECT: NOTE VERBALE ASKING U.S. TO DISSUADE ISRAEL FROM GAZA MILITARY OPERATION Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reason 1.4 (b). ¶1. (C) MFA Spokesman and Senior Advisor Hossam Zaki gave DCM para 2 English language note verbale April 14. Zaki said the note is from Foreign Minister Aboul Gheit for the Secretary. We are e-mailing a scanned copy to NEA/ELA, the NEA/FO and the Operations Center. ¶2. (C) Begin note verbal text as received: -The situation in and around the Gaza Strip is precarious. -We are aware that Israel has security concerns in Gaza. Egypt has been intensifying its efforts in order to reach a period of calm that addresses these concerns in a practical way. -The continuation of the policy of stringent provision of necessities, especially food, medicine and fuel, to the population of Gaza has proved counter-productive and did not achieve its intended purposes. Hamas has been consistently exploiting the situation. -In addition to the already fragile situation, Israeli high officials have been hinting lately at the possibility of an eminent (sic) wide scale military operation in the Gaza Strip. If true, such an operation would be disastrous in many aspects, and in particular on the humanitarian level. -Such an operation would also severely undermine, if not put an end to, Egypt's efforts to reach a much needed period of calm that could benefit both parties. Instead of constantly leaning toward a military solution to a problem, we look forward that Israel helps succeeding (sic) Egyptian efforts in bringing about calm. -We reiterate our strongest objection to such intentions and we hold Israel responsible for any potential consequences. We urge you to undertake your responsibilities as members of the international Quartet and use your contacts with the Israeli side in order to halt any steps that would aggravate the situation. End note verbale text. RICCIARDONE