Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09JERUSALEM66
2009-01-07 13:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:  

IDF FIRE KILLS 40, INJURES 45 IN VICINITY OF UNRWA

Tags:  PREF PHUM MOPS KWBG KPAL IS GZ 
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VZCZCXRO1328
PP RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #0066 0071328
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
P 071328Z JAN 09
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 3739
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000066 

SIPDIS

S/ES-O PASS TO THE SECRETARY'S PARTY IN NEW YORK; NEA FOR
FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; DRL FOR HARRIS/JOHNSTONE; PRM FOR
RAMGOOLIE/BROOKS-RUBIN; NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2019
TAGS: PREF PHUM MOPS KWBG KPAL IS GZ
SUBJECT: IDF FIRE KILLS 40, INJURES 45 IN VICINITY OF UNRWA
SHELTER IN JABALIYA

REF: JERUSALEM 47

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 000066

SIPDIS

S/ES-O PASS TO THE SECRETARY'S PARTY IN NEW YORK; NEA FOR
FRONT OFFICE AND IPA; DRL FOR HARRIS/JOHNSTONE; PRM FOR
RAMGOOLIE/BROOKS-RUBIN; NSC FOR ABRAMS/RAMCHAND/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/07/2019
TAGS: PREF PHUM MOPS KWBG KPAL IS GZ
SUBJECT: IDF FIRE KILLS 40, INJURES 45 IN VICINITY OF UNRWA
SHELTER IN JABALIYA

REF: JERUSALEM 47

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (SBU) Summary. IDF mortar fire in the direction of
UNRWA's "al-Fukhara" Jabaliya Prep C Girls school killed 40
and injured 45 on January 6, according to UNRWA. The school
was being used as one of 25 emergency shelters for displaced
persons in the northern Gaza Strip. An IDF press statement
says the strike was in response to Hamas mortar fire. UNRWA
has called for an independent investigation. End summary.


2. (SBU) UNRWA Gaza Director John Ging told RefCoord that
three IDF mortar shells landed near "al-Fukhara" Prep C Girls
school in Jabaliya refugee camp January 6. The school was
being used as one of UNRWA's 25 emergency shelters in Gaza
and hosted 350 displaced persons from the northern Gaza
Strip. Ging said 10 people were killed instantly, 30later
died of their injuries, and 45 were wounded.


3. (U) The IDF has told the press that it was responding to
Hamas mortar fire from the school compound. The IDF released
archival video footage that purportedly shows rockets
launched from the school prior to the start of IDF operations
December 27. The IDF also announced that two Hamas
militants, Imad and Hasan Abu Askar, were identified among
the casualties at the site.


4. (C) Ging told RefCoord that UNRWA staff visited the
school the morning of January 7 to investigate the incident
and found no indications that militants were firing from the
school compound. He noted that militants may have operated
near the school. Ging underscored that UNRWA had sent and
the IDF had received GPS coordinates for the 91 locations
identified by UNRWA as possible emergency shelters. Ging has
publicly called for an independent investigation of the IDF
claims.


5. (C) After three people were killed by IDF fire at UNRWA's
Asma Elementary School in Gaza City on January 5 (reftel),
RefCoord pressed Ging for any information UNRWA might have
about accusations that Hamas is launching attacks from UNRWA
facilities. Ging responded that UNRWA is "very active on
this issue, every UNRWA shelter is guarded 24/7 by
experienced trusted staff who are fully briefed and committed
to ensure no militants take refuge there."

WALLES