PA MINISTER FEARS FOR HER GAZA FAMILY

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 000051 C O R R E C T E D C O P Y (ADDING TEXT TO PARA 1) SENSITIVE SIPDIS S/ES-O FOR S TRAVELING PARTY, NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL/RAMCHAND E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: KWBG KPAO KINR IS PREL SUBJECT: PA MINISTER FEARS FOR HER GAZA FAMILY ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: PA Cabinet Minister Tahani Abu Daqqa (please protect) told PD chief she greatly fears for the safety of her family in Gaza, who are sheltered in a single home in Abasan village. On the night of January 5, Israeli missiles struck the center of the village, shattering all the windows in the home of Abu Daqqa's parents. Abu Daqqa said she and others in Gaza are desperate for an end to the fighting. END SUMMARY. ¶2. (SBU) In a conversation with PD chief, Minister f Youth and Sport and Minister of Culture TahaniAbu Daqqa expressed great fear over the safety o her son, parents, sister, and sister's family, ll sheltered in a single home in Abasan village insouthern Gaza. Abu Daqqa, a native of Gaza, movedto Ramallah in July 2007 when she joined Prime Mnister Fayyad's cabinet. Her 16-year-old son susequently returned to Gaza to complete high schoolin Abasan. ¶3. (SBU) After Israeli military opertions in Gaza began, Abu Daqqa ordered her son to evacuate her home on the edge of Abasan village,and move to her parents' home in the village cente. She feared her home would be caught in the fihting, as Hamas fighters occupy the village outsirts. Abu Daqqa said her fears were confirmed when Israeli tanks moved into the area. She said the now occupy the area around her home. ¶4. (SBU On the night of January 5, Abu Daqqa said the vilage center was rocketed, and that she now fears er entire family is in harm's way. Her parents' home is still intact, but all the windows were blwn out in the rocket assault. Abu Daqqa characterized the rocket barrage as "random" and said her family has seen no Hamas fighters inside the village. Before the rocket assault began, Abu Daqqa's parents received a phone call from the IDF advising them to leave their home, but, having nowhere to go, they stayed. Other residents of the neighborhood received the same calls. ¶5. (SBU) Living in a village, Abu Daqqa's family does have access to food, water, and fuel (wood) for cooking. She said it is easier for villagers, who are farmers and can provide for themselves. She has been in touch with friends in cities, such as Beit Lahiya and Beit Hanun, who report they are without food, water, and electricity. ¶6. (SBU) Audibly upset, Abu Daqqa said she wants the fighting to be over. She agonizes over what to do about her son. She has considered asking for a permit for him to come to Ramallah, but fears for his safety traveling to Erez crossing. She said cannot feel good about him staying in a village that is being rocketed and is surrounded by Israeli tanks, but cannot feel good about him on the roads, which are also rocketed. She expressed frustration that families who do not support Hamas are suffering greatly under the Israeli assault. ¶7. (U) Note: Abu Daqqa has been the PA's point person on the U.S.-Palestinian Partnership, a public-private initiative launched in 2007 with Secretary Rice. WALLES