Cablegate: Two Mortars Fired From Gaza; Crossings Closed

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OO RUEHROV
DE RUEHJM #1099 1791235
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 271235Z JUN 08
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 1921
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RUEKJCS/JCS WASHDC PRIORITY
RHEHNSC/WHITE HOUSE NSC PRIORITY

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001099

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/PASCUAL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KWBG IS PGOV PTER ASEC
SUBJECT: TWO MORTARS FIRED FROM GAZA; CROSSINGS CLOSED
EXCEPT FOR FUEL, GRAIN/FEED SHIPMENTS

1. (SBU) Two mortars fired from Gaza struck open areas near
Nahal Oz and Kfar 'Azza on June 27. No injuries or damage
resulted. There were no claims of responsibility for the
attack as of 1530 local.

2. (SBU) Palestinian and NGO contacts report that Gaza Strip
crossings were closed on June 27 except for the
Karni/al-Mintar conveyer belt, which was open for animal feed
and grain transfer, and the Nahal Oz fuel transfer station.
The director of the Gaza Fuel Agency confirmed that Nahal Oz
received a two days, supply of industrial fuel (600,000
liters) for the Gaza power plant but no gasoline, diesel or
cooking gas. Around 15 medical patients with humanitarian
permits were allowed through Erez on June 27.

3. (SBU) Hamas leaders warned all factions against violating
the ceasefire on June 26, and Hamas spokesman Tahir al-Nunu
called violators "pawnbrokers of the Zionist occupation" who
are "outside the national consensus." Hamas spokesman Sami
Abu Zuhri blamed "certain Fatah leaders in Ramallah" for
firing rockets to serve factional interests and undermine
Hamas. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades cells issued conflicting
claims regarding June 26 Qassam fire, with multiple cells
publicly claiming responsibility for the attack. President
Abbas issued a statement calling for all factions to abide by
the ceasefire. Nabil Amr, the PLO's Representative to Egypt,
and Fatah leader Jibril Rajub also urged compliance with the
ceasefire.
WALLES

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