VZCZCXYZ0016
OO RUEHWEB
DE RUEHJM #3560 2231320
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 111320Z AUG 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 4176
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEHGG/UN SECURITY COUNCIL COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY
UNCLAS JERUSALEM 003560
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS, USAID
FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PREL CASC ASEC KPAL KWBG
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - JERUSALEM AUGUST 11 SITREP
1. (SBU) SUMMARY: Israeli military operations destroyed
three homes in Gaza on August 10-11; there were no reports of
fatalities. An Italian tourist was stabbed to death in
Jerusalem on August 10 in what Israeli officials are
describing as a "possible terror attack." In the West Bank,
three Palestinians were arrested on August 10-11. The Rafah,
Karni/al-Mintar, and Nahal Oz crossings are open August 11.
END SUMMARY.
Military Developments
---------------------
2. (SBU) According to the PA president's office, the IAF
bombed three houses overnight in Gaza; no injuries or
fatalities were reported. Israeli security sources told the
media that one of the houses was bombed in an attempt to kill
its owner, a member of the Popular Resistance Committee.
3. (SBU) In Jerusalem on the evening of August 10, Israeli
media reported an Italian tourist was stabbed and killed
outside the Old City. Israeli police told the media they
suspect the killer was an Arab youth and that his motivation
was political. The media quoted unnamed Palestinian sources
as denying that the killer was Palestinian.
4. (SBU) In the West Bank, the IDF arrested a Hamas activist
near the city of Tulkarem on August 10 according to the PA
president's office. On August 11, Israeli media reported
that two Islamic Jihad militants were arrested near Jericho.
Humanitarian Update
-------------------
5. (SBU) Nazmi Muhanna, head of the General Administration
of Crossings and Borders, told ConGen FSN political
specialist that the Rafah crossing opened August 11 at 0845
local for limited departures, allowing students, workers with
foreign permits, foreigners, and medical cases to exit.
Rafah had opened August 10 for the same categories but
closed early at 1230 local due to security concerns. Muhanna
reported that 1,670 people had departed Rafah August 10.
6. (SBU) Both the Karni/al-Mintar and Nahal Oz crossings are
open August 11, according to Gaza-based USAID staff.
7. (SBU) All ten electricity feeder lines from Israel into
Gaza are operational August 11.
WALLES