GAZA HUMANITARIAN UPDATE -- DECEMBER 31

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002323 SIPDIS SENSITIVE NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND NEA/IPA; PRM FOR PRM/ANE; NSC FOR PASCUAL/PRATT; PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAID PHUM KWBG ETRD IS SUBJECT: GAZA HUMANITARIAN UPDATE -- DECEMBER 31 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Approximately 90 truckloads of humanitarian supplies entered Gaza via Kerem Shalom crossing on December 31. The Gaza power plant is shut down, and Nahal Oz remained closed for fuel imports. Karni crossing also remains closed. Donor organizations continue to stress the need to open Nahal Oz and Karni, and the difficulties of distributing humanitarian supplies in a conflict environment. End Summary. Humanitarian Supplies are Entering... -------------- ¶2. (SBU) OCHA estimated 90 truckloads of humanitarian supplies entered Kerem Shalom on December 31, and 90 truckloads entered on December 30. Both Karni and Nahal Oz crossings remained closed, and UN contacts report international agencies cannot provide enough wheat to feed Gazans unless Karni opens. According to UN contacts, the Gaza-based "Ministry of Health" has ordered wheat wholesalers to bypass retailers and sell directly to the population. Supplies coming through Rafah increased on December 30, and included five ambulances from Turkey, four mobile power generators, and five truckloads of medical supplies. Press reports an ambulance and four tons of medical supplies from Libya and Saudi Arabia entered through Rafah on December 31. ¶3. (SBU) According to OCHA, a shipment of 60 tons of chlorine, needed to create potable water, was refused entry on December 30. Current water purification supplies are sufficient for approximately one week, according to UNICEF. ...but Distribution is the Challenge -------------- ¶4. (SBU) With the resumption of shipments in recent days, UNRWA aims to resume food distribution (suspended since December 18) to 750,000 Gazans on January 1. UNRWA reports current food stocks will allow for three days of distribution. However, without opening Karni for massive wheat deliveries, UNRWA contacts say they cannot sustain food distribution for more than a few days. WFP re-started its program on a limited basis and distributed bread in Beit Hanoun on December 31. ¶5. (SBU) The Palestinian telecommunications company Paltel reported to Econoff that air raids on December 27 destroyed its switchboard and impacted phone services essential for humanitarian operations. Paltel has requested the GOI facilitate entry of needed telecom equipment into Gaza. Fuel and Medical Update -------------- ¶6. (SBU) WHO contacts report that the medical supplies that arrived on December 30 addressed many urgent needs. However, they note Gaza hospitals lack laboratory chemicals, critical care equipment, anesthesia supplies, and surgical items. One doctor told Econ Specialist that medics are operating with unsterilized equipment because of the shortage of surgical kits. WHO contacts also report hospitals are running solely on backup generators, and estimate the generators will not last more than a week if power demands continue at current levels. No fuel has entered Gaza since December 26, and reserve supplies are depleted. Patients Transferred to Egypt -------------- ¶7. (SBU) Representatives of the Egyptian Consulate told ConGenOffs that over 50 injured have exited through Rafah since December 28. He said 40 ambulances and a medically-equipped military plane are on standby at Rafah to transport evacuees to hospitals in Cairo. OCHA reports no patients exited through Erez on December 31. Cash Shortage -------------- ¶8. (SBU) The two Israeli banks that provide correspondent banking services to Palestinian banks will terminate that relationship with Gaza branches at midnight on December 31, according to banking contacts. The Palestine Monetary Authority (PMA) reports it will request a permit from the GOI to transfer cash into Gaza in order to disburse December PA salaries and humanitarian payments on January 5. UNRWA has volunteered to provide the necessary security, including armored trucks, to transport cash from the crossings to the banks. The PMA has agreed to work with UNRWA in this regard, and Embassy Tel Aviv will present the proposal to COGAT/MOD. WALLES