GAZA CROSSINGS REMAIN CLOSED, HUMANITARIAN

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002172 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: 07/29/2013 TAGS: ECON EAID PHUM KWBG ETRD IS SUBJECT: GAZA CROSSINGS REMAIN CLOSED, HUMANITARIAN CONDITIONS DETERIORATE FURTHER REF: JERUSALEM 2122 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. Summary: (SBU) The Gaza crossings were closed November 28-December 1. The power plant shut down, for the third time since November 12, on November 30 due to a lack of industrial fuel. Gaza markets still have food, but prices are high and selection is limited, according to UN contacts. Hospitals are functioning with reduced services, but rely on generators and diminishing fuel supplies. Water sector contacts reported that most Gazans receive water from the mains just a few hours/day and that northern Gaza's wastewater systems have been shut down since November 28 due to the lack of fuel and replacement parts. End summary. Crossings remain closed -------------- ¶2. (SBU) UN OCHA contacts reported that the Gaza crossings were closed November 28-December 1, including Kerem Shalom, Sufa, Karni/al-Mintar, and Nahal Oz fuel transfer station. The Erez pedestrian gateway was open for medical cases and UN international employees. UNRWA contacts report that the Kerem Shalom crossing was open for one truckload of UNRWA food supplies on November 27, just prior to a mortar attack that resulted in the crossing's closure. Since November 4, just 34 truckloads of humanitarian shipments and commercial food have entered Gaza, according to UN contacts. Power plant runs out of fuel - third time in since Nov. 12 -------------- ¶3. (SBU) The Gaza power plant shut down its operations on November 30 due to a lack of fuel, according to plant management, for the third time since November 12. Gaza City residents are hardest hit by the shutdown, as most families are now limited to 4-8 hours/day of electricity, according to power plant engineers on December 1. Outside of Gaza City, food supplies diminishing; Hospitals rely on generators and limited fuel -------------- ¶4. (SBU) OCHA and private sector contacts reported on December 1 that food supply in Gaza City is sufficient for the coming days. The markets of Jabaliya, Deir al-Balah, and Khan Younis have fewer food supplies, and residents in those outlying cities are "feeling the nutrition pinch" more than those in Gaza City, according to an OCHA contact in Gaza. Hospitals have sufficient medical supplies and drugs for at least two weeks and operations are limited, but ongoing, according to WHO and OCHA contacts. Due to the shortage of cooking gas and the subsequent closure of numerous bakeries, most hospital meals come to patients without bread. Wastewater treatment stopped; Blair Team focuses on water supply -------------- ¶5. (C) Water and sanitation sector contacts report that all northern Gaza sewage treatment operations have been shut down since November 28 due to a lack of spare parts and fuel. Those contacts said that 65,000 cubic meters/day of mostly raw sewage flows into the sea, and Gaza City residents receive water from the mains just 5-8 hours/day. A senior World Bank official and Blair Team member noted to Econoff on December 1 that Gaza's potable water supplies are increasingly unsanitary, given the current lack of wastewater treatment in Gaza. UNRWA food distributions continue; no cash assistance due to NIS shortage -------------- ¶6. (SBU) UNRWA contacts report on December 1 that their food distribution program continues in Gaza, despite diminishing supplies of wheat flour. UNRWA's cash assistance program for Gaza families remains suspended due to the lack of shekels in circulation. WALLES