MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - NO FISH IN GAZA

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002826 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/GREENE/WATERS/WAECHTER; NEA/RA FOR LAWSON; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EFIS PHUM EAID KWBG KPAL SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - NO FISH IN GAZA REF: JERUSALEM 2068 ¶1. (SBU) World Food Programme (WFP) Information Officer Kirstie Campbell told EconOff July 4 that the IDF continues to prohibit fishing off the coastline of Gaza and that none of the 3,000 licensed fishermen have been allowed to fish since June 25. Head of the El-Tawafeek Fishermen Association Mohammed Zaqout told EconOff July 6 that Israeli naval boats had fired on fishermen trying to get into the water to cast a net. As a result, WFP and Zaqout estimate that fishermen are losing a combined total of USD 25,000 per day in revenues. According to WFP, 35,000 Palestinians rely on the fishing industry for subsistence (reftel). ¶2. (SBU) Zaqout said the El-Tawafeek Fishermen Association had lent USD 1 million in fuel, nets, and ice on credit in the past several months to the fishermen in Gaza. They had purchased this equipment through the ongoing collection of membership dues. However, none of the fishermen have been able to make payments because of the IDF prohibition on fishing. ¶3. (SBU) USAID staff reported that the stalls at the fish market are empty and that frozen fish stocks were running low due to the loss of permanent refrigeration capacity that has resulted from the electricity outages. Canned fish is reportedly selling for NIS 5 (USD 1.12) per can. (Note: After the Avian Influenza outbreak in Gaza and the culling of 400,000 poultry, the price of fish, especially sardines, has doubled in price since fish is considered a major alternative source of protein for Gazans. End Note.) WALLES