SOME AID ARRIVES IN GAZA, MOST CROSSINGS CLOSED

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001266 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR WILLIAMS/SHAMPAINE/BELGRADE; PRM FOR PDAS GREENE AND PRM/ANE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS; TREASURY FOR SZUBIN/LOEFFLER/NUGENT/HIRSON; BRUSSELS FOR LERNER; PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID ECON EFIN KPAL KWBG PGOV PHUM SUBJECT: SOME AID ARRIVES IN GAZA, MOST CROSSINGS CLOSED REF: JERUSALEM 1253 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Fuel imports continued to flow into Gaza June 19, and several truck loads of humanitarian assistance entered through Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza. Gaza-based contacts report continued panic buying June 19, but, with the exception of wheat-flour, sugar, and dairy products, most food items remain available. One Palestinian was killed following an exchange of gunfire at Erez crossing June 18. End summary. Fuel Imports -------------- ¶2. (SBU) The Nahal Oz fuel transport station is open June 19, as Israeli company Dor Alon continues to ship all petroleum products to Gaza, according to several Gaza-based contacts. A PA General Petroleum Authority officer told EconSpecialist June 19 that regular shipments resumed after the PA assured the Israeli supplier, Dor Alon, that the existing contract would be honored. Kerem Shalom Open For Humanitarian Shipments -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Gaza-based USAID staff reported that the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing opened June 19 for shipments of U.N. humanitarian goods to Gaza. WHO Gaza Director Mahmoud Daher told Econoff that WHO received one truckload of medical supplies at Kerem Shalom June 19. According to Daher, WFP and ICRC planned to receive several truckloads of food stuffs and medical supplies at Kerem Shalom on June 19. ¶4. (SBU) According to Gaza-based OCHA representative Hamada al-Bayari, basic food commodities and fuel remain available in Gaza, but prices continue to rise as food stocks decline. Al-Bayari said that there was much more activity in the markets June 19 than the previous day, but most food items remain available except for wheat-flour, sugar, and dairy products, which are now in limited supply. Crossings' Situation Fluid As Gunfire Exchanged; One Dead -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Erez crossing remained closed June 19, but a few international aid workers managed to enter Gaza June 19, according to WHO's Daher. ¶6. (SBU) On June 18, members of the Palestinian Resistance Committee (PRC) approached Erez and opened fire. In the resulting exchange of fire with the IDF, at least one Palestinian civilian was killed and up to 15 wounded. At mid-day on June 19, "al-Jazeera" broadcast images of IDF forces dispersing Palestinians waiting at Erez; their current disposition is unknown. UNRWA Gaza Director John Ging stated to Econoffs June 18 that Hamas' executive force members had established a check-point along the highway to Erez, less than one kilometer from the crossing. In addition, Ging reported that street traffic in the City of Gaza is being policed by the Hamas Executive Force. ¶7. (SBU) Gaza-based USAID staff report that Rafah, Sufa, and Karni/al-Mintar crossings were closed June 19. Approaches to crossings are controlled by Hamas security forces, who have established check-points near all Gaza border crossings, according to a Gaza-based OCHA representative. On June 18 at Rafah, 161 people entered Gaza from Egypt, as Hamas security forces manned the terminal. EU-BAM told Econoff June 18 that this move was not coordinated with EU-BAM or Israel. Updated Casualty Figures -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported that from June 10-17, 146 people were killed in the violence in Gaza, including 36 civilians, and over 700 injured. WALLES