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