Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JERUSALEM147
2009-01-16 11:42:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
GAZA UPDATE JANUARY 16, 2009, 1300 LOCAL
how-toVZCZCXRO8797 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #0147/01 0161142 ZNR UUUUU ZZH O 161142Z JAN 09 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3869 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000147
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PTER MOPS PHUM PREF AFSN CASC IS
SUBJECT: GAZA UPDATE JANUARY 16, 2009, 1300 LOCAL
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000147
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PTER MOPS PHUM PREF AFSN CASC IS
SUBJECT: GAZA UPDATE JANUARY 16, 2009, 1300 LOCAL
1. (SBU) Summary. The IDF drew back from some parts of Gaza City
on the morning of January 16 after heavy fighting and airstrikes
killed a number of militants and civilians, primarily in the Tel
al-Hawa and Zaytun neighborhoods. An IAF airstrike in northern Gaza
City killed Hamas leader Said Siam, along with family members and
militants. Airstrikes and skirmishes continued in southern Gaza,
near Khan Yunis and along the Rafah border area. A "humanitarian
pause" took place 1000-1400. Gaza-based medical sources reported a
total of 1,105 killed and at least 4,850 wounded since IDF
operations began. Israel beefed up security in the West Bank and
East Jerusalem January 16. End summary.
IDF Draws Back from Tel al-Hawa Neighborhood
--------------
2. (SBU) The IDF drew back from parts of Gaza City on the morning
of January 16. Tanks had advanced as far as Own al-Shawa Street in
the western neighborhood of Tel al-Hawa on January 15 and were
reported near Omar al-Mukhtar Street. On the evening of January 15,
IDF troops surrounded Abraj al-Hawa, a high-rise residential
compound, ordering residents to stay in one room of each apartment
as they searched the building. IDF soldiers detained hundreds of
male residents of Tel al-Hawa, and removed dozens for questioning as
they withdrew from the neighborhood on January 16. IDF soldiers
clashed with militants and fired shells in the Zaytun neighborhood
January 15-16. ICRC staff in Gaza reported that members of the
Dughmush clan refused to vacate ICRC's Gaza City office the morning
of January 16 after breaking in late January 15.
Hamas Leader Killed in Airstrike
--------------
3. (SBU) Hamas and the GOI confirmed that an IAF airstrike killed
Said Siam, Hamas's "interior minister," along with Siam's son and
brother and seven other militants, in the northern Gaza City
neighborhood of Shaykh Radwan the evening of January 15. Siam was
Hamas's third-ranking Gaza-based leader, and was instrumental in the
Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Hamas official
Mohammad Nazal publicly stated that the incident proves that Hamas
leaders are not hiding in bunkers and have not abandoned their
people. He said Siam's death will not weaken Hamas.
Fighting Continues in Northern Gaza
--------------
4. (SBU) The IDF shelled several neighborhoods in Bayt Lahiya
January 15-16, including homes of militants, and other locations in
northern Gaza.
Airstrikes and ground operations in Southern Gaza
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) Gaza-based sources and press reported that IAF airstrikes
hit a car in Khan Yunis and destroyed smuggling tunnels along the
Rafah border area January 16. According to Palestinian medical
sources, a 14-year old Palestinian was killed and another person
injured by Israeli shelling at a market in al-Shabura refugee camp
in Rafah. A 22-year old Palestinian was seriously wounded by
Israeli forces in the town of Abassan.
6. (SBU) The mayor of al-Fakhari (southeast of Khan Yunis) told
ConGen that 90 percent of al-Fakhari's approximately 10,000
residents have fled, some to a school serving as a refuge north of
al-Fakhari, others to a "European hospital" near al-Fakhari, and the
remainder to Khan Yunis. The mayor said 60 residents of al-Fakhari
are holed up in a house without food and water, but are afraid to
leave with Israeli tanks and Israeli snipers positioned on rooftops.
They have asked for ICRC assistance to evacuate.
Rockets Continue
--------------
7. (SBU) Press reported at least ten rockets fired into Israel from
Gaza January 16 as of 1300 local, causing no casualties but damaging
some property. Press reported 26 rockets from Gaza landed in Israel
January 15, one of which injured six people in Be'er Sheva,
including one seriously.
Casualties
--------------
8. (SBU) Gaza-based medical sources told the press that 71
Palestinians died January 15-16, and at least 300 were wounded. The
sources estimated that 1,105 Palestinians have been killed since IDF
operations began (including at least 333 children, 93 women, 13
paramedics, and three journalists),and that 4,850 people have
required medical treatment for injuries (including at least 1,549
children and 652 women).
JERUSALEM 00000147 002 OF 002
"Humanitarian Pause"
--------------
9. (SBU) A "humanitarian pause" occurred from 1000-1400 local
January 16. The UN and Gaza-based contacts said fighting and
shelling decreased during the pause, and some Gazans were able to
move throughout the city in search of supplies. Press reported on
January 16 that the UNRWA food supplies destroyed at the shelled
Gaza City warehouse on January 15 were worth millions of U.S.
dollars. Fire trucks escorted by the IDF to the warehouse the
evening of January 15 were too late to save these supplies.
Political Developments
--------------
10. (SBU) In a January 15 news conference, President Abbas called
Israel's shelling of the UNRWA compound in Gaza City "outrageous."
In a separate news conference, PM Fayyad urged the UNSC to adopt a
binding resolution under Chapter 7 authority to enforce UNSCR 1860
and emphasized the importance of the Egyptian initiative. Fayyad
called the Israeli operation in Gaza unjustifiable and a "grave
escalation."
11. (SBU) Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq said publicly that
Hamas will not make concessions on its demands for a cease-fire. He
called on Abbas to stop negotiations with Israel, for the Arab
League (AL) to sever ties with Israel, and for West Bankers to
demonstrate in support of Hamas. PA sources said Hamas
representatives told Egypt that Hamas would accept a year-long
renewable cease-fire and PA forces at the Rafah terminal if Israel
withdraws its forces immediately and Hamas has a visible role at
Rafah. Hamas remains opposed to an international force in Gaza.
The PA sources said Hamas is waiting for Israel to respond to its
proposal via Egypt.
12. (SBU) Qatar will host a summit January 15. President Abbas
will not attend the summit, but will attend a previously scheduled
AL meeting in Kuwait January 19 which will discuss the situation in
Gaza
West Bank Reaction and Security
--------------
13. (SBU) Hamas called on West Bankers to demonstrate in support of
Gazans January 16, calling it a "day of rage". Israel imposed a
full closure on the West Bank from the evening of January 15 through
midnight January 17 and deployed thousands of border police around
East Jerusalem January 16 to prevent possible incidents. Israeli
police closed the al-Aqsa compound to males under the age of 45.
PASF were on high alert January 16 to prevent protesters from
clashing with the IDF, but some incidents of stone throwing and
Molotov cocktails were reported. Settlers reportedly threw stones
and empty bottles at Palestinians near Nablus, damaging several
cars. The IDF arrested seven Palestinians across the West Bank
January 15-16.
WALLES
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND IPA
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG PTER MOPS PHUM PREF AFSN CASC IS
SUBJECT: GAZA UPDATE JANUARY 16, 2009, 1300 LOCAL
1. (SBU) Summary. The IDF drew back from some parts of Gaza City
on the morning of January 16 after heavy fighting and airstrikes
killed a number of militants and civilians, primarily in the Tel
al-Hawa and Zaytun neighborhoods. An IAF airstrike in northern Gaza
City killed Hamas leader Said Siam, along with family members and
militants. Airstrikes and skirmishes continued in southern Gaza,
near Khan Yunis and along the Rafah border area. A "humanitarian
pause" took place 1000-1400. Gaza-based medical sources reported a
total of 1,105 killed and at least 4,850 wounded since IDF
operations began. Israel beefed up security in the West Bank and
East Jerusalem January 16. End summary.
IDF Draws Back from Tel al-Hawa Neighborhood
--------------
2. (SBU) The IDF drew back from parts of Gaza City on the morning
of January 16. Tanks had advanced as far as Own al-Shawa Street in
the western neighborhood of Tel al-Hawa on January 15 and were
reported near Omar al-Mukhtar Street. On the evening of January 15,
IDF troops surrounded Abraj al-Hawa, a high-rise residential
compound, ordering residents to stay in one room of each apartment
as they searched the building. IDF soldiers detained hundreds of
male residents of Tel al-Hawa, and removed dozens for questioning as
they withdrew from the neighborhood on January 16. IDF soldiers
clashed with militants and fired shells in the Zaytun neighborhood
January 15-16. ICRC staff in Gaza reported that members of the
Dughmush clan refused to vacate ICRC's Gaza City office the morning
of January 16 after breaking in late January 15.
Hamas Leader Killed in Airstrike
--------------
3. (SBU) Hamas and the GOI confirmed that an IAF airstrike killed
Said Siam, Hamas's "interior minister," along with Siam's son and
brother and seven other militants, in the northern Gaza City
neighborhood of Shaykh Radwan the evening of January 15. Siam was
Hamas's third-ranking Gaza-based leader, and was instrumental in the
Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip in June 2007. Hamas official
Mohammad Nazal publicly stated that the incident proves that Hamas
leaders are not hiding in bunkers and have not abandoned their
people. He said Siam's death will not weaken Hamas.
Fighting Continues in Northern Gaza
--------------
4. (SBU) The IDF shelled several neighborhoods in Bayt Lahiya
January 15-16, including homes of militants, and other locations in
northern Gaza.
Airstrikes and ground operations in Southern Gaza
-------------- --------------
5. (SBU) Gaza-based sources and press reported that IAF airstrikes
hit a car in Khan Yunis and destroyed smuggling tunnels along the
Rafah border area January 16. According to Palestinian medical
sources, a 14-year old Palestinian was killed and another person
injured by Israeli shelling at a market in al-Shabura refugee camp
in Rafah. A 22-year old Palestinian was seriously wounded by
Israeli forces in the town of Abassan.
6. (SBU) The mayor of al-Fakhari (southeast of Khan Yunis) told
ConGen that 90 percent of al-Fakhari's approximately 10,000
residents have fled, some to a school serving as a refuge north of
al-Fakhari, others to a "European hospital" near al-Fakhari, and the
remainder to Khan Yunis. The mayor said 60 residents of al-Fakhari
are holed up in a house without food and water, but are afraid to
leave with Israeli tanks and Israeli snipers positioned on rooftops.
They have asked for ICRC assistance to evacuate.
Rockets Continue
--------------
7. (SBU) Press reported at least ten rockets fired into Israel from
Gaza January 16 as of 1300 local, causing no casualties but damaging
some property. Press reported 26 rockets from Gaza landed in Israel
January 15, one of which injured six people in Be'er Sheva,
including one seriously.
Casualties
--------------
8. (SBU) Gaza-based medical sources told the press that 71
Palestinians died January 15-16, and at least 300 were wounded. The
sources estimated that 1,105 Palestinians have been killed since IDF
operations began (including at least 333 children, 93 women, 13
paramedics, and three journalists),and that 4,850 people have
required medical treatment for injuries (including at least 1,549
children and 652 women).
JERUSALEM 00000147 002 OF 002
"Humanitarian Pause"
--------------
9. (SBU) A "humanitarian pause" occurred from 1000-1400 local
January 16. The UN and Gaza-based contacts said fighting and
shelling decreased during the pause, and some Gazans were able to
move throughout the city in search of supplies. Press reported on
January 16 that the UNRWA food supplies destroyed at the shelled
Gaza City warehouse on January 15 were worth millions of U.S.
dollars. Fire trucks escorted by the IDF to the warehouse the
evening of January 15 were too late to save these supplies.
Political Developments
--------------
10. (SBU) In a January 15 news conference, President Abbas called
Israel's shelling of the UNRWA compound in Gaza City "outrageous."
In a separate news conference, PM Fayyad urged the UNSC to adopt a
binding resolution under Chapter 7 authority to enforce UNSCR 1860
and emphasized the importance of the Egyptian initiative. Fayyad
called the Israeli operation in Gaza unjustifiable and a "grave
escalation."
11. (SBU) Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq said publicly that
Hamas will not make concessions on its demands for a cease-fire. He
called on Abbas to stop negotiations with Israel, for the Arab
League (AL) to sever ties with Israel, and for West Bankers to
demonstrate in support of Hamas. PA sources said Hamas
representatives told Egypt that Hamas would accept a year-long
renewable cease-fire and PA forces at the Rafah terminal if Israel
withdraws its forces immediately and Hamas has a visible role at
Rafah. Hamas remains opposed to an international force in Gaza.
The PA sources said Hamas is waiting for Israel to respond to its
proposal via Egypt.
12. (SBU) Qatar will host a summit January 15. President Abbas
will not attend the summit, but will attend a previously scheduled
AL meeting in Kuwait January 19 which will discuss the situation in
Gaza
West Bank Reaction and Security
--------------
13. (SBU) Hamas called on West Bankers to demonstrate in support of
Gazans January 16, calling it a "day of rage". Israel imposed a
full closure on the West Bank from the evening of January 15 through
midnight January 17 and deployed thousands of border police around
East Jerusalem January 16 to prevent possible incidents. Israeli
police closed the al-Aqsa compound to males under the age of 45.
PASF were on high alert January 16 to prevent protesters from
clashing with the IDF, but some incidents of stone throwing and
Molotov cocktails were reported. Settlers reportedly threw stones
and empty bottles at Palestinians near Nablus, damaging several
cars. The IDF arrested seven Palestinians across the West Bank
January 15-16.
WALLES