GAZA: DESPITE HAMAS ATTACKS, SOME CROSSINGS WITH

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 000682 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR GOLDBERGER/SHAMPAINE/SACHAR; PRM FOR PRM/ANE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/PASCUAL; TREASURY FOR CONNOLLY; PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR KUNDER/MCCLOUD/BORODIN E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/18/2013 TAGS: ECON KWBG PHUM PTER KPAL ETRD IS SUBJECT: GAZA: DESPITE HAMAS ATTACKS, SOME CROSSINGS WITH ISRAEL REMAIN OPEN REF: A. JERUSALEM 652 ¶B. TEL AVIV 883 ¶C. GMP20080417748005 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (SBU) Summary: Despite Hamas terrorist attacks on the Kerem Shalom and Nahal Oz facilities, both remained open on April 17 for limited shipments of fuel and humanitarian goods. WHO sources report that, despite Hamas claims to the contrary, Gaza hospitals have a sufficient supply of anesthetics. End summary. Kerem Shalom Crossing Open Despite Hamas Attack -------------- -- ¶2. (SBU) Gaza-based OCHA contacts reported that Kerem Shalom crossing was open April 13-18, allowing 25-35 truckloads/day of humanitarian and commercial food shipments into Gaza. According to contacts and local media reports, three Hamas militants attempted to infiltrate Kerem Shalom during the afternoon of April 17. Despite the infiltration attempt, Kerem Shalom remained open that day to several additional truckloads of humanitarian goods. Sufa crossing was open April 13-16, allowing into Gaza 45-55 truckloads/day of humanitarian and food shipments. Nahal Oz Open For Power Plant Fuel And Cooking Gas -------------- -------------- ¶3. (C) Palestinian Petroleum Corporation Director Mujahid Salama confirmed on April 18 that Nahal Oz fuel transfer station re-opened on April 16 and processed 440,000 liters of industrial fuel for the Gaza power plant and 100 tons of cooking gas. Despite shots fired toward the Israeli side of Nahal Oz on April 17, the station remained open that day to allow in 800,000 liters of fuel for the power plant and 250 tons of cooking gas, according to Salama. He confirmed that no shipments of diesel fuel and gasoline have been made since April 10, though 900,000 liters of diesel fuel and 150,000 liters of gasoline remain in storage on the Gaza side of Nahal Oz, because the continued strike of the Gaza Fuel Distribution Union prevented their distribution. Gaza Hospitals Have Sufficient Anesthetic Supplies -------------- -------------- ¶4. (C) Despite Hamas statements to the press that Gaza operating rooms were shut due to a lack of anesthetics (ref c),WHO Gaza Director Mahmoud Daher (please protect) said that he had confirmed with Gaza hospital directors on April 18 that the Ministry of Health in Gaza has sufficient supplies of anesthetics. Comment -------------- ¶5. (C) The repeated attacks on Nahal Oz and Kerem Shalom are likely an attempt to provoke an Israeli response, as part of Hamas' overall effort to use the deteriorating conditions in Gaza as a means to oppose the "siege" and generate political support for Hamas among Palestinians. End Comment. WALLES