5 Jan 2009
S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 04 TEL AVIV 000015
NOFORN 
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/05/2019 
TAGS: KWBG, MOPS, PREL, PTER, PINR, EAID, ASEC, IS 
SUBJECT: GAZA SITUATION REPORT, JANUARY 5, 16:00 
REF: A. JANUARY 5 KAPLAN E-MAIL B. JANUARY 4 REIDHEAD 
E-MAIL SITREP C. JANUARY 4 KAPLAN E-MAIL D. TEL AVIV 0005
E. 08 TEL AVIV 2930 F. 08 TEL AVIV 2922 G. 08 TEL AVIV 2906 
Classified By: DCM Luis G. Moreno, reasons 1.4 (b),(d)

1. (S) Summary: IDF ground operations continued January 5 with
heavy artillery fire and troop advances on Gaza City. After
bisecting the Gaza Strip, IDF ground forces are methodically
closing in on Gaza City. IDF leadership describes a "root
canal" ground operation aimed at preventing rocket fire,
seeking and destroying ammunition storage sites and Hamas
combatants, and apprehending terrorists for further
interrogation. IDF forces continue to hold ground in northern
Gaza used earlier as rocket launching grounds. The number of
rocket attacks has decreased, although 28 rockets were fired
at Israel as of 1600 local. "Tens of thousands" of reservists
were called up January 4 and 5, according to press reports,
which indicated that some are intended to reinforce the
northern border while others are being held in reserve for any
expansion of operations in Gaza. PM Olmert made a number of
phone calls to international leaders in the effort to convince
the international community that Israel is making efforts to
assist the population of Gaza as much as possible. Israeli
press widely covers French President Sarkozy's anticipated
arrival in Israel during the evening of January 5. The GOI
continues to restrict media access to Gaza; while the MFA said
it would allow a few foreign journalists to enter Gaza January
5, no foreign journalists in fact entered Gaza. On January 4,
the GOI announced the establishment of a humanitarian
coordination cell within the MOD. IDF sources confirmed that
49 out of 80 planned trucks of humanitarian supplies crossed
into Gaza on January 5. IDF sources reported that
approximately 200,000 liters of diesel fuel were transferred
through the Nahal Oz fuel depot, but the Gaza power station
contractor refused to pick up the delivery. Local embassies
were planning to evacuate an additional 198 foreign nationals
on January 5; no U.S. citizens were evacuated. However, the
Canadian Embassy informed us that 18 Canadians and 16 other
third country nationals were unable to leave Gaza via bus due
to IDF-implemented road obstacles north of Gaza City.
Continued call ups of local guards for reserve duty could
affect Embassy Tel Aviv's security operations. End summary.

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

2. (S) As of 1230 local, DAO members on the border with Gaza
reported heavy artillery fire throughout the Northern Gaza
Strip (from southern Gaza City to the northern border), which
has been on-going throughout the morning. Apache and Cobra
helicopter gunships provided tactical support for on-going
troop advances toward and around Gaza City. DAO observers
reported at 1400 local that there were no signs of ground
operations along the border south of Karni. According to DAO,
military police continued to deny foreign journalists access
to the exclusive military zone surrounding Gaza, but did allow
DAO personnel and other diplomats past checkpoints to areas
near the Sufa crossing.

3. (SBU) According to Israeli media outlets, the security
establishment has set three main goals for the described "root
canal" ground operation to destroy terror infrastructure in
Gaza: 1) prevent further rocket launches; 2) seek and destroy
ammunition storage sites and Hamas operatives; and 3)
apprehend if possible those involved in terrorism for further
interrogation. After bisecting the Gaza Strip, IDF troops have
surrounded Gaza City, and are now cautiously and methodically
closing in. IDF ground forces lay to the north, south, and
east of the city, with Israeli naval vessels deployed
off-shore to the west. IDF ground forces deployed from the
Karni crossing to the Mediterranean have cut off Gaza City
from potential Hamas reinforcements and supplies from the
south.

4. (SBU) IDF forces continue to hold ground in the northern
towns of Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya; ministers were briefed
during the January 4 cabinet meeting that 73 percent of all
rockets fired at Israel during the last week were launched
from these areas seized by IDF forces. The number of rocket
attacks has decreased as a result, although approximately 28
rockets as of 1600 local have thus far been fired at Israel on
January 5, including at least 4 long-range grads. No Israeli
casualties were reported as a result of these strikes as of
1600 local. The Israel Air Force (IAF) struck over 30 targets
during the evening of January 4, including tunnels,

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homes of Hamas operatives, and ammunition
and rocket stores. Following the death of an IDF soldier on
January 4, there have now been five Israeli fatalities -- two
soldiers and three civilians -- since Operation Cast Lead
began. According to Reuters and AFP, over 530 Palestinians
have been killed since the operation began. Approximately 50
IDF soldiers have been wounded as a result of the ground
combat operation.

5. (SBU) Israeli press outlets speculate that Hamas is
attempting to draw IDF forces into dense urban areas in order
to maximize IDF casualties or attempt soldier kidnappings.
Several press outlets report comments from "security sources"
cliaming that the IDF has internalized the lessons learned
from the 2006 war in Lebanon: for example, by maneuvering
constantly around the combat zone in order to prevent creating
stationary targets for Hamas -- as well as opportunities to
kidnap IDF soldiers.

6. (SBU) The press reported an attempted kidnapping by Hamas
of an IDF soldier on January 4. According to the press, the
IDF soldier from the Golani infantry brigade had been cut off
from his unit, and engaged in a firefight with Hamas
operatives who attempted to pull him into a tunnel. The
soldier was apparently able to escape following the arrival of
helicopter air support. In response to the intense media
coverage -- both local and international -- of the alleged
kidnapping of two IDF soldiers, the IDF spokesperson stated
the IDF will not respond to false Hamas-generated rumors, and
would report in the future any factual kidnappings to the
public in an appropriate manner.

Northern Border
---------------

7. (S/NF) DAO reports Israel Defense Intelligence (IDI)
concerns regarding possible action by Hizballah, Iran, or
Global Jihad organizations, particularly with the one-year
anniversary of Imad Mughniyah's death on February 12. On-going
IDI and Israel Naval Intelligence analysis strongly indicates
a possible maritime attack scenario within the region or
abroad. The current IDI assessment is that Hizballah may act
now, as Hizballah may see Israel as less likely to be drawn
into additional fighting over a one-time Hizballah terrorist
response due to on-going IDF operations in Gaza.

8. (SBU) The Israeli press covered January 4 comments made by
Director of Military Intelligence Major General Amos Yadlin
suggesting Hizballah may open a second front against Israel in
the north. The IDF called up "tens of thousands" of reservists
on January 4, which could be used against potential attacks in
the north and the West Bank. Israeli media outlet YNET picked
up Syrian newspaper al-Watan's coverage of significantly
increased Lebanese and UNFIL patrols in southern Lebanon.

Political and Diplomatic Developments 
-------------------------------------

9. (SBU) The regular Sunday cabinet meeting was moved to Tel
Aviv on January 4 as is customary in times of major military
operations. The cabinet discussed the continued fighting in
the south and in addition to hearing a statement from PM
Olmert (ref B), was briefed by Defense Minister Barak, Foreign
Minister Livni, IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General
Ashkenazi, as well as by senior intelligence chiefs. Livni
briefed ministers on the various diplomatic issues related to
the operation in the south. Education Minister Tamir discussed
school cancellations in the south during the emergency. Shin
Bet Director Diskin suggested Hamas was "at a breaking point,"
and was searching for a formula which would provide an exit
point without causing the organization further humiliation.

10. (SBU) The Israeli press widely reports on the impending
arrival of French President Nicholas Sarkozy during the
evening of January 5. Sarkozy will meet with Olmert, Livni,
and President Peres during the visit. Olmert spoke to Sarkozy
on the phone in advance of the visit, assuring Sarkozy that
Israel is making efforts to assist the population in Gaza as
much as possible, and in this context, is transferring
"considerable humanitarian aid." Israeli media outlets note
Sarkozy's comments to three Lebanese newspapers that Hamas
"bears heavy responsibility" for the suffering of Palestinians
in Gaza. The Israeli press also widely covered criticism by
Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, who reportedly accused Israel
of conducting "inhuman acts" in Gaza which would cause Israel
to "destroy itself."

11. (SBU) According to press, Olmert also spoke by phone with

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on January 4, telling him
that Israel will be unable to halt its military operation
until the goals that it has set are accomplished. Olmert
reportedly said this could be carried out by military means or
by those diplomatic measures that must be formulated by the
international community. Olmert said Israel has done much to
allow the passage of equipment that will prevent a
humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and added that IDF forces have
been instructed to refrain from attacking innocents. The press
reported Medvedev as stating no country could tolerate
terrorism against its citizens and added that ways to conclude
the operation and achieve a stable quite must be considered.

12. (SBU) Olmert and Barak met with Quartet envoy to the
Middle East Tony Blair on January 4. Olmert reportedly
repeated Israeli military goals to Blair, but also said that
Israel does not rule out diplomatic activity by the
international community which could bring about a situation in
which the rocket fire at Israeli communities ceases and Hamas
no longer constitutes a threat to southern Israel. On January
4, Livni met with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander
Saltanov; according to the press, Livni rejected a Russian
initiative to mediate between Israel and Hamas. FM Livni met
January 5 with the EU Troika.

13. (SBU) Defense Minister Barak briefed the Knesset Foreign
Affairs and Security Committee on January 5. According to
press, Barak said the IDF had struck Hamas a "a very heavy
blow," and expressed certainty that Israel would end the
operation in Gaza with "the upper hand." However, Barak said
the GOI had yet to achieve its objectives and therefore would
continue the operation. Echoing a note struck repeatedly by
Olmert in his phone conversations with international leaders,
Barak noted that Israel was engaged in diplomatic dialogue
with international officials regarding the operation.

Elections
---------

14. (SBU) Minister for Pensioners' Affairs Rafi Eitan proposed
January 4 that the Israeli general elections scheduled for
February 10 be postponed by six weeks; senior officials in
Kadima, the Labor Party and Likud continue to oppose any
postponement. According to a poll taken by the Panels Polling
Institute, a small majority (49 percent of 1,045 polled)
oppose delaying the elections. Forty percent favor postponing
the elections, while 11 percent were uncertain.

Media Access
------------

15. (SBU) The GOI continues to control media access to Gaza.
Foreign journalists have been barred from entering Gaza since
November 4, despite a December 31 High Court ruling that they
be allowed in. Journalists on the Gaza border also have been
pushed back as the IDF has steadily expanded the closed
military zone surrounding Gaza. Most are now covering the
conflict from vantage points northeast of Gaza around Nir Am
and Sderot. On January 3, the IDF also confiscated the
personal cell phones of soldiers involved in the ground
campaign. MFA Deputy Director General for Economic Affairs
Irit Ben Abba told EconCouns that a small number of foreign
correspondents would be allowed into Gaza January 5. However
the IDF's Office for the Coordination of Government Activities
in the Territories (COGAT) confirmed late in the day that none
of the journalists had entered Gaza.

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

16. (SBU) Per ref C, MFA DDG Ben Abba and MFA Deputy Director
for International Organizations Eviator Manor briefed on
January 4 representatives from UN agencies, the ICRC, the EU,
the Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR), as well as
USAID and PRM. According to Ben Abba and Manor, a humanitarian
coordination cell has been established in the Israeli MOD to
improve the GOI's humanitarian response capacity by catering
to the humanitarian needs identified by international
organizations. The cell will allow rapid coordination between
the MOD, MFA, and COGAT. For now, international organization
representatives are not being invited to join the cell,
although the MFA would like to meet twice weekly with the UN
and other aid agencies.

17. (SBU) On January 5, COGAT confirmed the crossing of 49
truckloads of medical supplies, medication, and food
commodities from Greece, Jordan and Egypt through Kerem Shalom
into Gaza. According to COGAT sources, the fact that 49
truckloads made it through the crossing was "a miracle."

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This included 18 truckloads of wheat flour for UNRWA. COGAT
also confirmed that 196,400 liters of diesel were shipped
through the Nahal Oz fuel depot. However, COGAT sources say
the Gaza power contractor did not pick up the diesel.
According to COGAT, UNRWA volunteered to have their contractor
make the delivery but the UNRWA contractor was threatened by
the power company and dissuaded from delivering the fuel. The
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA)
estimates the minimum basic food needs in Gaza at 1,219 metric
tons per day, or approximately 40-45 truckloads of food alone
per day.

18. (C) A total of 198 foreign nationals were expected to be
evacuated through Erez during the day. However, the Canadian
embassy informed us that a busload of 18 Canadian citizens and
16 other third country nationals was unable to make it to Erez
due to IDF-implemented road obstacles. The Canadian sent an
armored bus from Erez to the site of the obstacles with the
hope of picking up the Canadian citizens, but artillery
shelling was too intense and the bus had to turn back to Erez.

19. (S) Israeli officials maintain that Hamas combatants are
using religious and medical facilities as cover for their
operations, believing the IDF will be reluctant to strike
mosques, hospitals and humanitarian operations. During a
January 4 meeting with UN and other aid agencies, including
USAID and PRM, senior MFA officials asked for help evicting
Hamas militants from Gaza's main hospital, Shifa. According to
an unnamed defense officials quoted in the Jerusalem Post on
January 5, "Hamas operatives are in (Shifa) hospital and have
disguised themselves as nurses and doctors." DAO reports
growing concern among IDF officers at what they see as Hamas'
effort to reconstitute certain command and control
capabilities at Shifa Hospital.

Embassy Local Guards Being Called-Up 
------------------------------------

20. (S) Embassy Tel Aviv RSO reports 15 local guards have been
called up for IDF reserve duty. RSO estimates embassy security
operations will not be affected as long as the number of local
guards called up for reserve duty does not exceed 20. RSO
plans to petition the MFA via letter for a special exception
to further call ups.

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