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