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