The cable, reporting on a June 11, 2007 meeting between Diskin and U.S.
ambassador to Israel, Richard Jones, reviewed Hamas and PA forces in the
Gaza Strip, Middle East Newsline reported. The Diskin briefing, one day before Hamas began its assault on
the PA, asserted that Hamas had infiltrated PA security forces and was
seizing weapons from the Presidential Guard, loyal to PA Chairman Mahmoud
Abbas.
"Hamas is dominant in most areas," the cable quoted Diskin as saying.
"In the Gaza Strip, it can win every fight with Fatah, but Fatah can do it
harm in its chaotic way of fighting."
The Israeli assessment contrasted with that of the United States. In May
2007, U.S. security coordinator Lt. Gen. Keith Dayton assured Congress that
the U.S.-trained PA forces could block any Hamas takeover of the Gaza Strip.
Weeks later, Hamas destroyed the PA, with thousands of troops loyal to Abbas
either fleeing or surrendering.
Still, Diskin underestimated the fragility of PA and Fatah units. The
ISA chief said Hamas could defeat Fatah but not eliminate the movement.
"Diskin said that Hamas is dominant in the Gaza Strip, but is not yet
strong enough there to completely destroy Fatah," the cable said.
Diskin was scathing in his criticism of PA security chief Mohammed
Dahlan, said to personally pay most of the security forces in the Gaza
Strip. He said Dahlan was no longer operating in the Gaza Strip and
preferred to direct his forces from Egypt.
"Dahlan is trying to manage Fatah's security forces by remote control,"
Diskin was quoted as saying. "We are not even sure where he is."
"They [PA] are approaching a zero-sum situation, and yet they ask us to
attack Hamas," Diskin said. "This is a new development. We have never seen
this before. They are desperate."
The PA was said to have requested Israeli approval for the training of
Abbas loyalists in such countries as Egypt and Yemen. Diskin said he
had objected to Yemen because of the strong presence of Al Qaida. He also
said he opposed the U.S. transfer of weapons to PA forces in Gaza.
"Diskin claimed that most of the Fatah-aligned security forces have been
penetrated by Hamas," the cable said. "He reiterated that he does not want
to see any equipment transferred to them before he is convinced that the
equipment will arrive at its intended destination."
The ISA chief expressed concern over the then-commander of the PA
General Intelligence Services, Brig. Gen. Tawfik Tirawi. Diskin portrayed
Tirawi as "psychopathic, cruel and dangerous" and said the PA security
commander was trying to forge an alliance with the Dughmoush clan in the
Gaza Strip, which later formed an Al Qaida-aligned militia.
"Diskin explained that Tirawi — whom he described as psychopathic,
cruel, dangerous and prone to extreme mood swings — is disaffected and
feels that his status has declined, and that he is no longer respected by
Abbas," the cable said. "Diskin claimed that Tirawi also feels that his
relationship with Dahlan has deteriorated."
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