GAZA BORDER: MFA DOWNPLAYS REPORTED HAMAS ATTACK

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 000777 SIPDIS SIPDIS NSC FOR PASCUAL E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/15/2018 TAGS: PARM PREL IS EG SUBJECT: GAZA BORDER: MFA DOWNPLAYS REPORTED HAMAS ATTACK PLANS, BRIEFS ON HUMANITARIAN AID REF: A. CAIRO 758 ¶B. CAIRO 738 ¶C. CAIRO 561 ¶D. CAIRO 488 AND PREVIOUS Classified By: DCM Stuart Jones for reason 1.4 (b). ¶1. (U) Pro-government Al-Ahram reported April 15 that Hamas has completed preparations for a potential three-pronged attack against Egyptian security forces on the Gaza border. According to Al-Ahram, the attack would take the form of small arms and mortar fire against Egyptian forces, exploding the border tunnels and demolishing the GOE's border wall. The story reported that Hamas issued a fatwa (religious ruling) April 11 allowing the killing of Egyptian soldiers on the border. The report also claimed that Hamas and the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood have been coordinating on the military operation and on planning a political program to embarrass the GOE. ¶2. (C) MFA Palestinian Affairs Director Badr Abdelatty told us April 15 that the GOE does not expect an imminent Hamas border breach, although Egyptian security forces are still on high alert. He said that the information in the Al-Ahram report on the planned Hamas attack was not fully accurate, but he was unable to elaborate. He said that the border has been relatively calm on April 15. Abdelatty opined that Hamas had failed to mobilize public opinion within Gaza for a border breach due to Egypt's firm public statements and augmented security presence on the border. ¶3. (C) Abdelatty confirmed April 15 press reports that the GOE allowed 22 injured Palestinians into Egypt for medical treatment on April 14. He said that the GOE would continue to try to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian goods into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, and would continue to permit Gazan civilians to receive medical treatment in Egypt. He said these Egyptian efforts are part of a GOE strategy to try to undermine what the GOE views as Hamas' attempt to use the humanitarian situation in Gaza as a pretext for another border breach. Abdelatty said that the GOE would continue to publicize its humanitarian efforts on a daily basis for both Palestinian and Egyptian domestic consumption. Abdelatty welcomed April 15 press reports that Israel would resume fuel shipments into Gaza from Nahal Oz April 23, and said the GOE hopes this will indeed happen. RICCIARDONE