GAZA UPDATE DECEMBER 31, 1300 LOCAL: DECREASED

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002320 SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG IS PTER MOPS ASEC SUBJECT: GAZA UPDATE DECEMBER 31, 1300 LOCAL: DECREASED AIRSTRIKES IN OVERCAST SKIES; ROCKETS ATTACKS CONTINUE ¶1. (SBU) Summary. From 1800 December 30 through 1300 on December 31, two Palestinians were killed and at least 12 were injured in Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, and at least 40 more rockets hit Israel (including several long-range rockets). At least 364 Palestinians have been killed and 1200 injured (requiring hospital attention) in airstrikes through 1300 on December 31. Clashes continue in the West Bank near Qalandiya and Tulkarm, in which at least 10 Palestinian youths have been injured. A pre-recorded speech by President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) will air at 1800 to commemorate Fatah's anniversary, and is expected to outline PA positions on Gaza violence. End summary. Two Killed, 12 Injured in Decreased Airstrikes; Rocket Attacks Expand Threat Zone -------------- ¶2. (SBU) Palestinian medical contacts report two Palestinians were killed and at least 12 were injured in airstrikes from 1800 December 30 through 1300 December 31. Gaza-based contacts report fewer airstrikes compared to previous periods amidst overcast and rainy weather. Israeli press report IAF airstrikes targeted Hamas offices and government buildings, rocket crews in northern Gaza, and western border areas with Egypt. Palestinian press report a paramedic (Mahmud Abu Hasira) was killed early December 31 and two were injured in an airstrike in Jabaliya. Political contacts in Rafah report heavy ground vibrations throughout the city after bombs struck suspected tunnel areas. They added that dozens of houses near the border were heavily damaged in the strikes. These contacts and Palestinian press report more airstrikes in the same area of western Rafah at 1200 on December 31. Gaza City-based contacts report that Israeli fire hit several areas near Bayt Hanun, killing one Palestinian, and Israeli naval forces shelled the shoreline in Gaza City. Gaza City contacts report hearing airborne drones overhead regularly through the morning of December 31. ¶3. (SBU) Two Grad-type rockets landed in Be'er Sheva early December 31, causing no injuries and minor property damage. A barrage of Grad-type rockets also landed in/around Be'er Sheva late December 30, damaging an empty kindergarten. Israeli press report that at least five other grad-type rockets landed in the Ashkelon area (lightly injuring an Israeli) and Yavneh the morning of December 31. Three other Grad-type rockets hit Ashkelon and near Ashdod late December 30, according to Palestinian press, injuring one Israeli. At least 30 Qassam rockets also struck Israel from 1800 December 30 to 1300 December 31. The Hamas military-wing claimed responsibility for all of the Grad-type rockets. West Bank and Jerusalem Clashes -------------- ¶4. (SBU) According to West Bank security sources, an Israeli motorist reported that shots were fired towards his car at around 2300 on December 30 near Ithna village by Hebron, without causing injuries or damage. At 2330, a pipe bomb was thrown towards an Israeli car near Turqumia, but did not cause injuries. Several Palestinian youths were lightly injured in clashes with the IDF in Tulkarm following a demonstration the afternoon of December 30. An Israeli child was lightly injured in a car stoning incident late December 30 near Hebron. An Israeli settler driving by Yitzhar (near Nablus) also reported his car was stoned. There were frequent stone-throwing incidents and clashes between Palestinian youths and the IDF/border police near Qalandiya checkpoint, resulting in several injuries from rubber-coated bullets. Jerusalem organizers staged a protest with roughly 50 people attending at Damascus Gate mid-day December 31. ¶5. (SBU) The IDF arrested 22 Palestinians in the West Bank late December 30, including 16 in Bethlehem. Hamas outlets claimed the PA arrested 27 of its members in the West Bank December 29-30, including nine in Hebron. Political Reactions -------------- ¶6. (SBU) President Abbas is in Jordan and will meet with Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan on December 31 to discuss ceasefire proposals. Abbas' pre-recorded Fatah anniversary speech will air at 1800 local on Palestinian TV. Palestinian media reported that President Bush called Egyptian President Husni Mubarak, PA President Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to discuss the crisis in Gaza. ¶7. (SBU) Fawzi Barhum and other Hamas spokesmen increased JERUSALEM 00002320 002 OF 002 anti-PA propaganda on December 30, accusing the PA of conspiring with Israel against Hamas. Barhum said Abbas has formed two operations centers, one led by Presidential Secretary-General Tayib Abd al-Rahim to collect information on the secret whereabouts of Hamas leaders and military wing activists for Israeli targeting, and the other led by the PA Interior Ministry and security chiefs to prepare to assume control of Gaza after an Israeli invasion. Barhum said the PA refuses to release Hamas prisoners and arrests more Hamas activists daily. ¶8. (SBU) Senior Hamas leaders told Palestinian press December 30-31 that they have received private messages that the GOI is interested in a ceasefire, but reject these proposals as disingenuous and designed to serve Israeli interests. WALLES