GAZA CROSSINGS OPEN FOR A DAY, BUT POWER PLANT NOT

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 002122 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR GOLDBERGER/HOLMSTROM/LENTZ; PRM FOR PRM/ANE; NSC FOR PASCUAL; PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/24/2013 TAGS: ECON EAID PHUM KWBG ETRD IS PTER PREF SUBJECT: GAZA CROSSINGS OPEN FOR A DAY, BUT POWER PLANT NOT YET OPERATIONAL REF: JERUSALEM 2098 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: On November 24, the GOI allowed limited humanitarian and commercial shipments, and power plant fuel into Gaza. The crossings were closed again on November 25 due to rocket fire. Erez crossing was open to limited traffic November 24-25. The Gaza power plant is not yet operational, however, due to the need for replacement batteries. The opening of the crossings on November 24 allowed UNRWA to restart its food distribution program, but its cash payments to vulnerable families remain suspended due to the shortage of bank liquidity. End summary. Crossings open on Nov 24; Closed again on Nov 25 -------------- ¶2. (SBU) UN OCHA contacts in Gaza confirmed that the crossings were open on November 24. Kerem Shalom crossing was open to 33 truckloads of humanitarian goods and commercial food shipments, while the conveyer belt near Karni/al-Mintar crossing transferred 20 truckloads of wheat and animal feed, according to OCHA offices in Gaza. Nahal Oz fuel transfer station moved 440,000 liters (1.5 days worth) of power plant fuel on November 24. No other fuel shipments were permitted. UN contacts confirmed that the crossings were closed on November 25. Erez pedestrian crossing was open November 24-25 for limited medical cases and UN and ICRC employees. Power plant not operational, in need of parts -------------- ¶3. (C) Gaza power plant chief engineer Rafiq Maliha told Econoff on November 25 that the plant's turbines are not operational, despite the November 24 fuel shipments. He said the 320 batteries that power the turbines were damaged by the plant's shutdown and are in need of replacement. His colleagues are searching Gaza stores for 320 car batteries that may work as temporary replacements. The plant requested permission from the GOI to import new turbine batteries in September, but has not received a response, according to Maliha. Diesel shipments continue via tunnels; Most Gazans without power 12-16 hours/day -------------- ¶4. (C) Gaza fuel sector executive Mahmoud Khozander told Econoff on November 25 that at least 200,000 liters/day of diesel fuel has been moved through the Egypt-Gaza tunnels in recent days. He said that no gasoline has been transferred through the tunnels since November 9. Khozander underscored the impact of the lack of cooking gas in Gaza: "People are trying to use diesel fuel in their homes, which is dangerous, unhealthy and crazy," he said. He claimed that most Gazans are without power 12-16 hours/day. Rocket fire continues -------------- ¶5. (SBU) Press reports that one Qassam rocket struck the Israeli coast south of Ashkelon on November 24. No injuries or damage were reported. PRC militants claimed responsibility for a mortar attack northeast of Kissufim junction early November 25, but no impacts inside Israel were confirmed as of 1400 local. UNRWA food program restarts, but no cash assistance; PMA renews request for cash to Gaza banks -------------- ¶6. (C) UNRWA reported to Poloff that it has restarted its food assistance program in Gaza following the November 24 food shipments. UNRWA has not been able to resume its cash assistance program for 98,000 Gazans identified as "special hardship" cases due to the absence of currency in Gaza bank branches. UNRWA cash assistance, which was suspended on November 20, requires NIS 1.35 million (USD 340,000) per week. (Note: PMA Governor Jihad al-Wazir told Treasury attache on November 25 the PMA has submitted another request to the Bank of Israel for the shipment of NIS 251 million in advance of the upcoming salary payments, scheduled for December 4. End note.) JERUSALEM 00002122 002 OF 002 WALLES