GAZA CEASEFIRE: ONE ROCKET FIRED, COMMERCIAL

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001137 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER ASEC SUBJECT: GAZA CEASEFIRE: ONE ROCKET FIRED, COMMERCIAL CROSSINGS CLOSED, RAFAH OPEN ONE-WAY REF: JERUSALEM 01114 ¶1. (SBU) Unknown militants fired one Qassam rocket from Gaza into Israel on June 30, causing no damage and no injuries. The IDF opened fire on unidentified individuals near the border in central Gaza on June 30, causing no injuries. Palestinian press reported that the IDF opened fire twice on shepherds near the border in southern Gaza, shooting one woman in the leg on the morning of July 1. ¶2. (SBU) Gaza-based NGOs and private sector contacts said that the Sufa crossing, the Karni/al-Mintar commercial crossing (including the conveyer belt),and the Nahal Oz fuel transfer station were closed July 1, while Erez crossing was open for the passage of certain international NGO employees and other cases prearranged with the GOI. ¶3. (SBU) UN contacts report that the Rafah border crossing was opened July 1 to one-way traffic from Gaza to Egypt for 324 individuals. Hamas provided a list of 5,500 individuals wishing to leave Gaza, of which the GOE approved 324. Of the 324, 50 were medical cases, according to WHO contacts in Gaza. The others were a mix of Egyptians who had entered Gaza in January following Hamas' breach of the barrier, Palestinian students and other "special cases." According to local press, Rafah will be open again for one-way traffice from Gaza to Egypt on July 2 and if the border remains calm, for traffic from Egypt to Gaza on July 3. WALLES