GAZA CEASEFIRE HOLDS ON 1ST DAY; SUFA, NAHAL OZ

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001053 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER SUBJECT: GAZA CEASEFIRE HOLDS ON 1ST DAY; SUFA, NAHAL OZ OPEN, KEREM SHALOM, KARNI AND RAFAH CLOSED ¶1. (SBU) An Egyptian-brokered ceasefire covering the Gaza Strip took effect at 0600 on June 19, and there have not been any significant security incidents in the area as of 1700 local on June 20. While a Hamas spokesman complained an Israeli navy vessel strafed the Gaza shoreline on June 19, there are no reports of Israeli military activity in the Strip or its airspace, nor any reports of rockets, mortars or cross-border gunfire. ¶2. (SBU) The Hamas and PIJ military wings (Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades respectively) and the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) all released statements pledging respect for the ceasefire, but warning they will retaliate for "Israeli violations." Local contacts report Hamas security men have set up checkpoints and observation posts in areas commonly used to fire rockets and mortars, mainly in the northern Gaza Strip. ¶3. (SBU) On June 19, 51 truckloads of goods (47 private, 4 humanitarian organization) entered the Gaza Strip via Sufa crossing. 315,000 liters of industrial fuel (a one-day supply for Gaza's power plant),100,000 liters of diesel and 125 metric tons of cooking oil were piped through Nahal Oz terminal on June 19. 50 truckloads of wheat and animal feed entered Gaza via the Karni/al-Mintar conveyor belt. Kerem Shalom crossing and the back-to-back terminals at Karni/al-Mintar remained closed June 19-20. Rafah Crossing remained closed except for a small number of humanitarian cases reportedly permitted by Egypt. WALLES