FOOD SUPPLIES ENTER GAZA; LIMITED PASSENGER

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001274 SIPDIS SENSITIVE 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: FOOD SUPPLIES ENTER GAZA; LIMITED PASSENGER MOVEMENT THROUGH EREZ REF: JERUSALEM 1266 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: WFP delivered wheat-flour and oil to Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing June 20, with the concurrence of nearby Hamas forces. Limited movement of foreigners and injured Palestinians occurred at Erez. Israeli incursions into Gaza took place June 20, resulting in the death of several Palestinian gunmen. End summary. Some Food Entering -------------- ¶2. (SBU) WFP Spokesperson Kyrstie Campbell told Econoff June 20 that WFP had shipped eight truckloads of wheat-flour and one truckload of vegetable oil to Gaza through Kerem Shalom crossing on June 20. WFP also distributed wheat-flour and bread to several Gaza bakeries and food stuffs to Gaza residents. Campbell said that PLO Chief Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat is assisting WFP by facilitating passage into Gaza with phone calls to the civilian workers manning the Gaza side of Kerem Shalom. Gaza-based WFP security personnel have received assurances from Hamas Executive Forces that incoming WFP food shipments would be remain safe and secure throughout Gaza, according to Campbell. Medical Patients Out; Vaccines and Aid Workers In -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Gaza-based WHO National Health Officer Mahmoud Daher told Econoff that there are no authorities manning the Gaza side of Erez crossing, which continues to be closed to Palestinians. However, the IDF allowed the ICRC to bring seven ill and injured Gazans through the Erez crossing to Israeli hospitals on June 19. Daher said that an additional 11 ICRC-sponsored patients had departed Gaza through Erez June 20. UNICEF imported units of vaccines through Erez on June 20, according WHO staff. Al-Bayari said that several international aid workers managed to enter Gaza through Erez on June 20. He confirmed that five Hamas Executive Force members continue to man a check-point roughly one kilometer south of the Erez crossing, regulating traffic approaching the crossing. Rafah Crossing and Nahal Oz; IDF Tanks Enter Gaza -------------- ¶4. (SBU) Rafah crossing remains closed. EU-BAM Rafah Mission reported that there were 120 armed personnel at Rafah crossing June 19. EU-BAM believes these individuals report to Hamas. OCHA contacts said that the Nahal Oz fuel transport station was operational June 20. Karni/al-Mintar and Sufa crossings continue to be closed. ¶5. (SBU) IDF tanks entered Gaza through the Kissufim security fence (east of Khan Younis) on multiple occasions June 20 and exchanged gunfire with Palestinian gunmen - at least three Palestinians were killed and several injured, according to Gaza-based OCHA staff and press reports. IAF planes also launched airstrikes at targets in Gaza in response to renewed launches of Qassam rockets into Israel, according to press reports. IDF tanks entered Gaza near Beit Hanoun early June 20 and returned to Israel shortly after - no injuries were reported, according to Gaza-based OCHA staff. Concerns of Gaza's Chlorine Supply -------------- ¶6. (SBU) Gaza-based World Bank representative Khairy al-Jamal told Econoff that Gaza's supply of chlorine is running low. He said that the Gaza Coastal Municipalities Water Utility, which disinfects Gaza's water supply, has three-to-four weeks supply of chlorine remaining. Al-Jamal added that the Ministry of Health recently purchased double normal amounts of chlorine, as last week Gaza hospitals had an increased demand for chlorine-bleach used to clean bedding, towels, and clothing. WALLES