VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHJM #3313 2131306
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 011306Z AUG 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3893
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 003313
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO, USAID
FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL ASEC CASC KPAL KWBG PHUM
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - JERUSALEM AUGUST 1 SITREP
REF: JERUSALEM 03252
1. (SBU) The Rafah crossing did not open as planned on
August 1 in order to allow more time for coordination among
the concerned parties. As a result, the planned departure
from Gaza of approximately 77 Americans and 10 PD grantees
was also delayed. Post is attempting to facilitate the
transfer of the Amcits and grantees via the Erez crossing and
onward to Jordan.
2. (SBU) The IDF fired more than 350 tank shells into
northern and southern Gaza on July 31, killing one
Palestinian teenager and wounding at least 11 others
(reftel). Israeli aircraft fired several rockets near Khan
Younis overnight July 31-August 1. A Palestinian died July
31 from injuries received during the July 19 Israeli
incursion into the al-Maghazi refugee camp.
3. (SBU) Palestinian militants launched five Qassam
rockets the morning of August 1 from northern Gaza toward
Sderot and the Western Negev. At least seven Qassam rockets
were fired into Israel on July 31. There were no reported
injuries or damage. The al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and the
PFLP claimed responsibility for the rocket fire. The IDF
responded to the rocket fire by shelling parts of northern
Gaza.
4. (SBU) In the West Bank, the IDF arrested seven
Palestinians, mostly Fatah and Hamas activists, overnight
July 31-August 1 in Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nablus. An
explosive charge damaged a section of the separation barrier
near Tulkarm on July 31. IDF units arrived and sealed the
opening. The IDF raided the Tulkarm offices of a Hamas PLC
member the morning of August 1 and confiscated computers and
documents. IDF units also entered Jenin and Qabatiyah
village reportedly in search of gunmen. There were no
reported arrests. The IDF has imposed a total closure in the
West Bank until August 5.
5. (SBU) Palestinians demonstrated in Gaza City, Ramallah,
Nablus, and Hebron July 31 to protest Israeli military action
in Gaza and Lebanon. Several Palestinian factions
participated in the demonstrations, which included speeches
condemning U.S. support of Israel and preventing the UN
Security Council from adopting a resolution to stop the war
in Lebanon. More protests are planned for August 1,
including a demonstration in the main square in Ramallah, as
well as in Gaza, Nablus, and Tulkarm. A group of about 50
individuals protested near the Consulate's Post II facility
in East Jerusalem on August 1. The crowd was dispersed by
Israeli police.
-------------------
Humanitarian Update
-------------------
6. (SBU) The Rafah crossing remains closed August 1. Both
the Karni/al-Mintar and Nahal Oz crossings are operational
August 1. The Karni/al-Mintar and Nahal Oz crossings were
open July 31, according to USAID Gaza-based staff. PalTrade
reported that 207 truckloads transited the
Karni/al-Mintar crossing into Gaza July 31.
7. (SBU) Nine of ten electricity feeder lines from Israel
into Gaza are operational August 1. The single feeder into
Rafah was fixed July 31 but damaged again by the IDF in the
early morning hours of August 1, according to USAID
Gaza-based staff.
WALLES