Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08JERUSALEM2024
2008-11-12 15:50:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
CEASEFIRE THREATENED AS MILITANTS, IDF TRADE BLOWS
how-toVZCZCXRO9047 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #2024 3171550 ZNY CCCCC ZZH O 121550Z NOV 08 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3222 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002024
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER PHUM
SUBJECT: CEASEFIRE THREATENED AS MILITANTS, IDF TRADE BLOWS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002024
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER PHUM
SUBJECT: CEASEFIRE THREATENED AS MILITANTS, IDF TRADE BLOWS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. IDF incursions and airstrikes into the Gaza
Strip have killed eleven Palestinians (all acknowledged Hamas
and PIJ militants) since November 4, and injured 15
civilians, according to Gazan political and security
contacts. Media accounts tally 68 rocket and mortar strikes
in Israel from November 4-12. Hamas leaders tell Palestinian
political contacts they remain committed to the ceasefire
"despite severe Israeli violations." End summary.
IDF Fire Kills 4 Hamas Militants Near Kissufim
-------------- -
2. (C) Independent PLC member Rawiya al-Shawwa told PolOff
November 12 that Hamas reports that four of its fighters were
killed by IDF fire in al-Qarara (near Khan Yunis and the
defunct Kissufim crossing) the morning of November 12.
Palestinian press report that Israeli combat vehicles
penetrated more than 200 meters past the perimeter fence
during the IDF's operation. Al-Shawwa said she spoke with
Hamas leaders Ismayil Haniyah and Mahmud al-Zahar after the
shooting, and that both said they are committed to preserving
the ceasefire despite "severe Israeli violations." Al-Shawwa
said Hamas has stationed police along the Gaza Strip's
perimeter from Shuja'iya (on the outskirts of Gaza City near
the perimeter fence) to Bayt Hanun to prevent rocket fire.
PolOff observed no activity on the Gaza perimeter by 1200
local, and the Kissufim Crossing area was quiet. (Note:
There is also no indication of an imminent major Israeli
ground operation in Gaza; as of 1200 local, Gaza-area IDF
installations were at normal activity levels and vehicle
staging configurations, with only vehicle maintenance and
dismounted training visible. End note).
7 Killed in Earlier Airstrikes,
Followed by Rocket/Mortar Barrage
--------------
3. (U) The November 12 clashes follow Israeli airstrikes
against Hamas and PIJ militants November 4-6 that killed
seven Palestinians. Hamas claimed in local press statements
that it fired, and allowed PIJ, al-Aqsa Brigades and PRC
militants to launch, over 60 rockets and mortars into Israel
as "legitimate retaliation for grave invasions and murders."
Hamas claimed that it banned rocket attacks by November 6,
but strikes have continued through November 12, including six
mortars that landed in Israel at approximately 1600 local.
WALLES
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND
E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2018
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER PHUM
SUBJECT: CEASEFIRE THREATENED AS MILITANTS, IDF TRADE BLOWS
Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d)
1. (C) Summary. IDF incursions and airstrikes into the Gaza
Strip have killed eleven Palestinians (all acknowledged Hamas
and PIJ militants) since November 4, and injured 15
civilians, according to Gazan political and security
contacts. Media accounts tally 68 rocket and mortar strikes
in Israel from November 4-12. Hamas leaders tell Palestinian
political contacts they remain committed to the ceasefire
"despite severe Israeli violations." End summary.
IDF Fire Kills 4 Hamas Militants Near Kissufim
-------------- -
2. (C) Independent PLC member Rawiya al-Shawwa told PolOff
November 12 that Hamas reports that four of its fighters were
killed by IDF fire in al-Qarara (near Khan Yunis and the
defunct Kissufim crossing) the morning of November 12.
Palestinian press report that Israeli combat vehicles
penetrated more than 200 meters past the perimeter fence
during the IDF's operation. Al-Shawwa said she spoke with
Hamas leaders Ismayil Haniyah and Mahmud al-Zahar after the
shooting, and that both said they are committed to preserving
the ceasefire despite "severe Israeli violations." Al-Shawwa
said Hamas has stationed police along the Gaza Strip's
perimeter from Shuja'iya (on the outskirts of Gaza City near
the perimeter fence) to Bayt Hanun to prevent rocket fire.
PolOff observed no activity on the Gaza perimeter by 1200
local, and the Kissufim Crossing area was quiet. (Note:
There is also no indication of an imminent major Israeli
ground operation in Gaza; as of 1200 local, Gaza-area IDF
installations were at normal activity levels and vehicle
staging configurations, with only vehicle maintenance and
dismounted training visible. End note).
7 Killed in Earlier Airstrikes,
Followed by Rocket/Mortar Barrage
--------------
3. (U) The November 12 clashes follow Israeli airstrikes
against Hamas and PIJ militants November 4-6 that killed
seven Palestinians. Hamas claimed in local press statements
that it fired, and allowed PIJ, al-Aqsa Brigades and PRC
militants to launch, over 60 rockets and mortars into Israel
as "legitimate retaliation for grave invasions and murders."
Hamas claimed that it banned rocket attacks by November 6,
but strikes have continued through November 12, including six
mortars that landed in Israel at approximately 1600 local.
WALLES