VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHJM #3221 2081240
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271240Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3783
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 003221
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, OPS PLEASE PASS TO SECRETARY'S PARTY,
NSC FOR DORAN/LOGERFO, OPS PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR
KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL PGOV ASEC KPAL KWBG IS
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - JERUSALEM JULY
27 SITREP
1. (SBU) At least 28 Palestinians have died since July 26,
including civilians, during an IDF incursion into the Shijaya
and surrounding neighborhoods in Gaza City. According to
medical sources, at least 80 Palestinians have sustained
injuries during the operation, which is ongoing as of 1400 L
on July 27. Many of the injuries are reportedly shrapnel
wounds from IDF tank fire. Elsewhere in Gaza, the IAF fired
several rockets into a building in northern Gaza, leveling
the entire three-story structure.
2. (SBU) At least seven Qassam rockets were launched from
northern Gaza toward Sderot and the Western Negev overnight
July 26-27. There were no reported injuries or damage. An
additional two rockets were fired the morning of July 27 in
the direction of Sderot. No injuries or damage reported.
3. (SBU) In the West Bank, the IDF overnight July 26-27
arrested seven Palestinians, including Hamas legislative
council member Ahmad Mubarak (Ramallah). In Kufr Qadoum
village east of Qalqilya, the IDF surrounded and demolished a
house in search of wanted al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades activist
Hamada Shaker. The IDF shot and wounded Shaker as he
attempted to escape. Shaker later died from his injuries.
Palestinians in Tulkarm and Nablus (approx. 5,000)
demonstrated July 27 to express solidarity with Hezbollah and
the Lebanese people.
-------------------
Humanitarian Update
-------------------
4. (SBU) The Rafah, Karni/al-Mintar, and Nahal Oz
crossings are all closed July 27, according to USAID
Gaza-based staff. Both Rafah and Karni/al-Mintar crossings
were closed July 26, while the Nahal Oz fuel transfer station
was operational on July 26.
5. (SBU) All ten electricity feeder lines from Israel into
Gaza are operational July 27.
WALLES