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