HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE CONTINUES TO TRICKLE INTO

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 001304 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: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE CONTINUES TO TRICKLE INTO GAZA REF: JERUSALEM 1296 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Imports into Gaza remain mostly limited to humanitarian shipments. After Kerem Shalom crossing closed early June 25 due to mortar fire, WFP shipments of sugar, flour, and oil were diverted and passed through Sufa crossing. Gaza hospitals are all operational despite run-down facilities and equipment. End summary. Kerem Shalom Closed; Animal Feed Arrives -------------- ¶2. (SBU) WFP Spokesperson Kirstie Campbell told Econoff June 25, and Gaza-based USAID and OCHA staff confirmed, that Kerem Shalom was closed at 0945 hours June 25 after mortar shells were fired at the crossing. As a result, WFP diverted 11 truckloads of food aid (sugar, flour, and oil),which moved into Gaza via the Sufa crossing. WFP shipped nine truckloads of food aid through Kerem Shalom June 24. WFP estimates that 150 truckloads of food aid are needed each day to meet Gaza's food needs. Campbell said that 52 truckloads of animal feed were shipped by Gaza companies through Sufa crossing into Gaza June 23. No Damage at Karni/al-Mintar -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Gaza-based USAID staff visited Karni/al-Mintar crossing June 24 and reported that there appeared to be no damage to the crossing's infrastructure from recent violence. ¶4. (SBU) Gaza-based OCHA representative Hamada al-Raiz told Econoff that Nahal Oz fuel transfer station remained open June 25, while Karni/al-Mintar and Rafah crossings remain closed. Erez continues to be open to limited numbers of NGO staff and light ICRC medical shipments June 25. Gaza Hospital Infrastructure and Equipment Dilapidated -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Gaza-based WHO National Health officer Mahmoud Daher told Econoff June 25 that all Gaza hospitals are operating June 25, but with dilapidated equipment and a lack of parts, surgical kits, and laundry services. He said that Gaza City's Al Quds Hospital opened June 24 for certain outpatient surgical operations, but inpatient services remain unavailable. Daher said that the Gaza City Dar al-Shifa Hospital's main operating theater lacks light bulbs. ¶6. (SBU) ICRC Spokesperson Bernard Barrett told Econoff June 25 that ICRC shipped a truckload of medicine and disposables through Kerem Shalom June 24 and that two ICRC-sponsored Gazans were transferred through Erez crossing June 23 for treatment in Israeli hospitals. WALLES