Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06CAIRO4197
2006-07-06 15:15:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Cairo
Cable title:  

EGYPTIAN RAFAH/GAZA BORDER SITREP; UPDATE ON GOE

Tags:  PREL PGOV KPAL MEPN PTER PHUM EG IS 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHEG #4197/01 1871515
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
O 061515Z JUL 06
FM AMEMBASSY CAIRO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 9735
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC
C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004197 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL MEPN PTER PHUM EG IS
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN RAFAH/GAZA BORDER SITREP; UPDATE ON GOE
HUMANITARIAN DONATIONS FOR GAZA

REF: JERUSALEM 2820 (NOTAL)

Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L CAIRO 004197

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/06/2016
TAGS: PREL PGOV KPAL MEPN PTER PHUM EG IS
SUBJECT: EGYPTIAN RAFAH/GAZA BORDER SITREP; UPDATE ON GOE
HUMANITARIAN DONATIONS FOR GAZA

REF: JERUSALEM 2820 (NOTAL)

Classified by DCM Stuart Jones for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (U) This is an action request. Please see paragraph six.

--------------
Summary
--------------


2. (C) Local sources report that the Egyptian and
Palestinian Rafah terminals may open briefly July 6 or 7 to
allow a limited number of Palestinians stranded inside the
Egyptian border terminal to enter Gaza through the Rafah
gate. Meanwhile, approximately 2,500 other Palestinians are
reported to be waiting in the terminal's parking lot or in
nearby towns for the Rafah border to open. The border has
been closed since the June 23 attack on Israel's Kerem Shalom
facility and the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier. The
Egyptian Red Crescent Society is providing shelter and
limited food/water supplies for Palestinians stuck at the
border terminal, and are trying to facilitate the transfer of
humanitarian food/medicine donations from Egypt to Gaza via
Rafah. Thousands of tons of food donations remain in
Egyptian warehouses awaiting Israeli permission to transit
into Gaza, and 250 tons of flour is stuck and spoiling in the
"no-man's land" between Egypt and Israel. Post also stands
ready to assist with efforts to repatriate a group of
American citizens stranded inside Gaza. End summary.

--------------
Thousands of Gazans Stranded Near Rafah
--------------


3. (C) During a July 6 conversation with poloff, Egyptian
Red Crescent Society Director Mamduh Gabr stated that
approximately 380 Palestinians remain stranded inside Egypt's
Rafah border terminal facility, and that thousands of other
Palestinians are waiting anxiously in the terminal's parking
lot and in nearby towns for news of the terminal's
re-opening. MFA Palestinian Affairs Director Randa Labib,
Palestinian Embassy, and other sources confirmed these
approximations and shared rumors that the border would be
opened temporarily July 6 or 7 to allow those 380 within the
facility to transit to Gaza. As of 1700 local time, the
border has not yet opened. DAO sources report that the
transfer will take place late on July 6, but that only 250
will be allowed to transit.


4. (C) Gabr explained that the Egyptian Red Crescent Society
provided two large tents with mattresses for those stranded
at the border without shelter, sent 50 volunteers to care for
the stranded travelers, and was distributing minimal supplies
of food and beverages. The MFA and the Ministry of Health
were devising plans for the provision of toilet facilities
and medical care, should the border into Gaza remain closed.
Gabr said that the Red Crescent was coordinating donations
from Egyptian and regional NGOs, including a donation by the
International Red Cross.

--------------
Food Donations for Gaza
--------------


5. (C) Asked if Egyptian food donations were being allowed
into Gaza, Gabr stated that the process had started working
fairly smoothly in early June, but that all transfers were
stopped following the June 23 attack. Gabr said that between
June 6 and June 21, the Egyptian Red Crescent sent 2,000 tons
of flour to Gaza, via Israel's Kerem Shalom. Another 1,200
tons of food donations that had been "approved" by Israel
remained in Egyptian warehouses. Additionally, Gabr said
that approximately 250-280 tons of flour was stuck within the
"no-man's land" between Egypt and the Palestinian border
facility. Gabr requested USG assistance in pressing Israel
to allow those food stocks to be transfered to Gaza before
they spoiled, and to allow the remainder of the donations to
be transferred. Gabr said that the GOE was coordinating its
efforts with UNRWA and that Egypt had a total of 10,000 tons
of flour, rice, and sugar to donate to Gaza.


6. (U) Action Request: Post requests the Department to
consider steps to help facilitate the continuance of
humanitarian aid to Gaza via Egypt. End action request.

--------------
Amcits Stranded in Gaza
--------------


7. (SBU) Post stands ready to assist with efforts to help
the stranded American citizens currently in Gaza (reftel).

The Consular Section's American Citizen Services Acting
Chief, Eric Meyer, is the point of contact on this issue, and
Beth Smith is the current Consular Section Duty Officer.
Both can be reached via the Embassy switchboard at: (2 02)
797-3300.
RICCIARDONE