S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 03 
TEL AVIV 002922 
NOFORN SIPDIS E.O. 12958: 
DECL: 12/30/2018 
TAGS: KWBG, MOPS, PREL, PTER, PINR, EAID, EFIN, IS 
SUBJECT: GAZA SITUATION REPORT, DECEMBER 30, 18:00 
REF: TEL AVIV 2906 
Classified By: A/DCM Marc Sievers, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (S) Summary: The IDF continued to reinforce and 
increase ground forces around the Gaza periphery, including robust 
logistical support and elements from brigades not typically deployed in 
the Gaza sector. No ground operations have been initiated; the senior 
GOI leadership is discussing a range of options. Air strikes during the 
early morning hours of December 30 destroyed a number of Hamas strategic
and tactical targets, including a government complex in Gaza City. 
Rockets and mortars from Gaza continued to strike Israel, reaching as 
far north as Yavne and as far east as Rahat; one Israeli woman in Ashdod
and an IDF soldier near Nahal Oz were killed in rocket strikes during 
the evening of December 29. According to the IDF, 93 truckloads of 
humanitarian supplies entered Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing during 
the day on December 30. During a strategic assessment meeting on 
December 29, PM Olmert challenged GOI officials to avoid talk of a 
ceasefire, and directed IDF forces to continue their operations with an 
undefined duration. An Israeli Navy vessel rammed a boat from the Free 
Gaza movement carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza from Cyprus, 
forcing it to turn back. The Free Gaza boat sustained damage but was 
able to travel north to the Lebanese port of Tyre. The Embassy 
disseminated a warden message to avoid the 30km area from Gaza due to 
on-going IDF operations and rocket attacks. End summary.

Military Operations
-------------------

2. (SBU) Israeli air and naval forces attacked dozens of 
Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip overnight and during the morning
hours of December 30. According to the IDF Spokesperson, targets 
included three buildings in the Hamas government complex -- including 
the Hamas ministries of interior and foreign affairs and PM's offices --
in the Tel Al-Hawa neighborhood, Hamas training camps and outposts, 
stations held by Hamas naval forces, a vehicle transporting a stockpile 
of Grad missiles, rocket launchers, a weaponry manufacturing facility, 
and sites used as headquarters by terror cells. Israeli media reported 
that two top Hamas weapons engineers were killed in the December 29 
strike on research labs at the Islamic University. 

3. (S/NF) The IDF continues its deployment of ground 
forces around the Gaza periphery, although no ground operations had been
initiated as of 1800 local. Poor weather conditions may have been a 
contributing factor, although late-breaking press reports also indicate 
that "senior defense officials" may recommend a 48-hour truce to 
evaluate Hamas' reaction prior to launching any ground offensive. Israel
Defense Intelligence (IDI) sources told DAO officers that ground 
operations could begin at any time; a deciding factor would be weather 
conditions facilitating the ability to provide close air support and 
medical evacuation. During the evening of December 29, rain and lowered 
ceilings dominated weather conditions; overcast skies were prevalent 
over Gaza during much of the day on December 30. The tempo of air 
operations decreased greatly during the afternoon of December 30. 

4. (S) The IDF continues to reinforce and increase its
logistical footprint around Gaza. DAO officers observed more robust 
logistical support for units in assembly areas at Erez Crossing and at 
the artillery position located south of Kibbutz Nir'am. Unit flags, 
tents, and port-a-johns have been erected at these locations. Overnight,
reinforcements from units previously unobserved in the Gaza sector 
arrived, including elements of the Givati Brigade, the Golani Brigade's 
12th Battalion, and the Kfir Brigade's Heruv Battalion. DAO reports that
the preponderance of IDF units are located around the northern half of 
Gaza; the deployment of High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles 
(HMMWVs) with mounted mock turrets may represent decoy attempts to 
portray a larger presence in the south. 

5. (S) DATT reports that during a briefing to military
attaches and UN military representatives on December 29, IDF Strategic 
Division Commander Brigadier General Yossi Heyman noted the 122mm rocket
attacks on the port of Ashdod demonstrated that Hamas is capable of 
launching rockets of up to 35km -- putting more than 500,000 Israelis in
the range of rockets emanating from Gaza. BG Heyman said the IDF was 
"prepared for a long operation," and stressed that the IDF was doing its
best to minimize civilian casualties. Reserve Brigadier General Baruch 
Spiegel informally mentioned to embassy officers December 30 that the 
IDF is ready to carry out a detailed plan for ground operations with 
multiple

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stages and a range of levels of 
intensity, but is waiting for orders from the political level -- 
presumably the inner war cabinet of PM Olmert, Defense Minister Barak, 
Foreign Minister Livni, and Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ashkenazi.
Spiegel said he thought the decision whether to launch a ground 
operation would be made in the next 48 hours. He commented that the IDF 
is not in a hurry and can continue to build up ground forces without 
pressure to act. Spiegel and his colleague at the Economic Cooperation 
Foundation Boaz Karni told us that the GOI's goal of a "sustainable 
ceasefire" was being complicated by the fact that senior Hamas officials
in Gaza have all gone underground and are not able to communicate with 
potential mediators. 

6. (SBU) As of 1715 local December 30, approximately 
20 rockets have been fired throughout the day from Gaza, according to 
press reports. Most of these rockets landed in or near Sderot, injuring 
two Israelis and damaging several properties. One rocket struck as far 
east as the vicinity of Rahat; another Qassam rocket scored a direct hit
on a kibbutz dining hall in the Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council. 
According to the Israeli MFA, approximately 90 rockets were fired from 
Gaza at Israel on December 29. Three Israelis were killed by rocket and 
mortar fire on December 29, including a construction worker in Ashkelon 
(Grad-type rocket), a soldier in the Nahal Oz area (Qassam/mortar 
attack), and a woman in Ashdod (Grad-type rocket). Four Israelis have 
been killed since the start of operation "Cast Lead" on December 27. 
During the evening of December 29, several rockets hit in or near Okafim
in the east and Yavne in the north, demonstrating increasing range. 
Israeli schools in a 30km radius from Gaza remained closed on December 30. 

Political Developments
----------------------

7. (SBU) According to media reports, during a December 29
evening situation assessment meeting with FM Livni, Defense Minister 
Barak, Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ashkenazi, Shin Bet Director 
Diskin, and Mossad Director Dagan, PM Olmert reportedly instructed 
meeting attendees not to talk about a cease-fire with Hamas. He ordered 
the IDF to continue its actions with an undefined end to the operation. 
Olmert stressed that Israel will act against Hamas "with an iron fist," 
but would treat the population in Gaza "with silk gloves" by ensuring 
the provision of humanitarian aid, food, and other needs. 

8. (SBU) Israeli Minister of National Infrastructure 
Binyamin Ben-Eliezer (Labor Party) said to the press that Israel would 
not cease the operation in Gaza until Hamas stopped firing rockets at 
Israel. He said the operation will continue until a "new reality" is 
created in which communities on the Gaza periphery can "lead their lives
quietly." Minister for Industry, Trade and Labor Eli Yishai (Shas 
Party) commented that the Israeli elections scheduled for February 10 
should not be postponed due to the situation in Gaza. 

9. (C) The MFA is closely following Egyptian-Turkish 
discussions of possible ceasefire terms, which they believe are backed 
by the USG. Israeli press reports, meanwhile, speculate on a joint 
French-British proposal to force a cease-fire on Israel and Hamas. 
According to the press, the proposal will be presented at an emergency 
session of the EU's foreign ministers' meeting on December 30. The 
Israeli press quotes Foreign Ministry sources as saying the "British are
promoting a very bad proposal for Israel." The same sources indicate 
the "international hourglass" would allow Israel to continue its 
operation in Gaza at most until January 5. Israeli press reports 
indicate that "senior defense officials" may recommend a short-term 
cessation of hostilities to evaluate Hamas' reaction, although the 
cabinet's views on any such suggestion were unclear as of 1800 local. 

Humanitarian Assistance
-----------------------

10. (SBU) The MFA and the IDF's Coordinator for Government
Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reiterated the GOI policy that 
any international aid will be permitted into Gaza. According to COGAT 
information relayed via the MFA, the Kerem Shalom crossing was open on 
December 30, but closed at 1500 local. One hundred and ten trucks 
carrying medical equipment and food were expected, but only 93 actually 
crossed into Gaza due to time constraints and lack of preparedness on 
the part of some trucks, according to COGAT. 

11. (SBU) According to USAID, 14 UN World Food Program (WFP)

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trucks with 400 metric tons of wheat
flour and 21 metric tons of biscuits entered Gaza on December 30 
through the Kerem Shalom crossing. USAID reports that all USAID-funded 
food commodities for non-refugee beneficiaries are already in Gaza; 
delivery will begin as soon as the security situation permits. 

12. (SBU) The Nahal Oz crossing was closed after a 
mortar attack on the crossing on December 29; COGAT via the MFA reported
that the security situation on December 30 prevented the opening of the
terminal. The MFA also noted the GOI was aware that the Gaza power 
station needs diesel fuel, and is working on an alternative point of 
entry as the Nahal Oz crossing was closed. COGAT also reported that the 
Karni crossing remained closed December 30 due to on-going military 
operations in the area; it is not clear whether the security situation 
will allow for the crossing to be opened on December 31. According to 
the MFA, COGAT suggested to UNRWA that wheat originally destined to 
enter through Karni be repacked in sacks to allow for a transfer at the 
Kerem Shalom crossing. (Comment: We doubt this offers a realistic 
solution, given the very large volume of bulk wheat needed by UNRWA and 
the additional pressure it would place on the Keren Shalom crossing.) 

13. (SBU) The MFA continued to argue on December 30 
that inefficiencies on the part of the Palestinian Authority's (PA) 
Ministry of Health (MOH) -- and not the GOI -- are responsible for the 
delay of medical supplies into Gaza. According to the MFA, several NGOs 
have complained about the PA MOH's inefficiency. 

14. (SBU) The MFA reports that the GOI has approved 
the following new humanitarian assistance shipments:
-- One aircraft from Norway with WHO medical supplies
(expected in next few days)
-- One aircraft from Geneva with Red Cross medical supplies
(expected in next few days)
-- Two aircraft from Russia with humanitarian goods (expected
to arrive on or around January 2)

15. (SBU) USAID sources report that 45 to 50 truckloads of
medical supplies, basic food items, and blankets donated by
Qatar and Libya are waiting on the Egyptian side of the Rafah
crossing and are expected to enter Gaza on December 30. Four
electrical generators for the Gaza Ministry of Health
facilities are also at the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing
waiting to enter Gaza.

15. (SBU) According to press reports, Olmert, Livni and Barak
agreed December 29 to allow Qatar to airlift humanitarian aid
to Gaza in coming days. Several aircraft from Qatar will land
in Israel; food and medicine will subsequently be trucked to
Gaza. 16. (SBU) The MFA expects the GOI to approve the full
list of foreign citizens wishing to be evacuated from Gaza,
including any American citizens. The GOI is now working with
Jordan to permit the expeditious entry of these potential
evacuees into Jordan via the Allenby Bridge with departure
through Amman airport. The MFA expects the GOI to allow the
evacuation within the "coming days."

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