GAZA: FUEL DELIVERIES MADE; COURT DECISION SPURS

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000168 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR GOLDBERGER/SHAMPAINE/BELGRADE; PRM FOR PRM/ANE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL; 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 KPAL KWBG PGOV PHUM SUBJECT: GAZA: FUEL DELIVERIES MADE; COURT DECISION SPURS CONCERN REF: A. JERUSALEM 143 ¶B. JERUSALEM 111 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Restricted fuel deliveries were made into Gaza on January 31. Municipal water authorities reported that at least 80 percent of the water and sewage pumps should be operational February 1, as an agreement was reached regarding fuel deliveries within Gaza. The Gaza Power Plant is increasing output from 45 MW during the day to 65 MW during night peak hours. HEALTH sector professionals are concerned about the recent unrestricted importation of live animals through Rafah. Gaza contacts conveyed disappointment and fear in response to the January 30 Israel High Court of Justice ruling that the current fuel and electricity cuts are legal. End summary. Kerem Shalom Crossing Open -------------- ¶2. (SBU) WFP contacts said that Kerem Shalom crossing was open January 31 for restricted humanitarian shipments, while Sufa crossing was closed. Kerem Shalom had last been open on January 23 and Sufa on January 30. Restricted Fuel Transfers Made; Gas Stations Remain Closed -------------- ¶3. (SBU) Palestinian Petroleum Corporation Director in Gaza Mujahid Salama told Econoff that the following fuel transfers were made at the Nahal Oz station on January 31: - industrial fuel for Gaza Power Plant - 500,000 liters - diesel fuel - 170,000 liters - gasoline - 20,000 liters - cooking gas - 125 tons ¶4. (SBU) Salama said that most diesel fuel and gasoline transfers continue to be stored in his agency's facilities on the Gaza side of Nahal Oz, as the Gaza Petroleum and Gas Station Owners Association has closed Gaza gas stations and continues to limit fuel deliveries within Gaza. ¶5. (SBU) Gaza Power Plant Project Manager Rafiq Maliha told Econoff on January 31 that the Plant is producing 45 MW during the day and 65 MW at during peak hours at night, given the cold weather in the region. He confirmed that most Gazans continue to experience 10-12 hours without electricity each day. Major Fuel Delivery To Municipal Water Authority -------------- --- ¶6. (SBU) Gaza Coastal Municipalities Water Utility (CMWU) chief engineer Monther Shoblak told Econoff on January 31 that at least 80 percent of all municipal pumps should be operational by February 2, as the Gaza Petroleum and Gas Station Owners Association agreed on January 30 to deliver to CMWU a one-month supply of diesel fuel for its 170 pumping stations - roughly 150,000 liters. Shoblak said that the association's fuel transport trucks had begun to haul fuel on January 31 from storage facilities on the Gaza side of Nahal Oz fuel transport station to municipality pumping stations. He said that the fuel delivery should take two to three work days and that roughly 85 percent of Gazans should have running water to their homes by February 2. ¶7. (SBU) Shoblak noted that the 20 percent of the pumps that will not be operational following the fuel delivery are (1) missing spare parts and/or (2) dependent on electricity of the Gaza Power Plant, whose output continues to fluctuate between 45 MW and 65 MW, depending on the time of day. Shoblak added that with the additional fuel, he would soon be able to reduce the sewage flow into the sea and partially treat that sewage prior to entry. Roughly 40,000 cubic meters of sewage has been flowing into the sea each day since January 22, due to the lack of functioning pumps. Unrestricted Animal Imports At Rafah Spur HEALTH Concerns -------------- JERUSALEM 00000168 002 OF 002 ¶8. (SBU) WHO National HEALTH Officer Mahmoud Daher told Econoff on January 31 that HEALTH concerns are rising among PA HEALTH officials in Gaza that the unrestricted passage of animals from Egypt into Gaza through the Rafah crossing recently has put the region's human and animal population at an increased risk of foot and mouth disease and avian influenza. Daher noted that Egypt had reportedly experienced a number of cases of avian influenza last year. Daher said that Gaza HEALTH sector officials met with GOI HEALTH officials to discuss the matter on January 30 at Erez crossing. Israeli High Court Ruling Spurs Fear Of Additional Cuts -------------- ¶9. (SBU) Daher and Shoblak were focused on the January 30 Israel High Court of Justice decision that ruled that Israel's reduction of power and fuel to Gaza was legal. Daher feared that the decision may result in even greater fuel cuts by GOI, while Shoblak opined that more detrimental actions - such as fuel cuts and electricity reductions - against the Gaza population would occur due to the "blessing of the High Court." DUFFY