HAMAS INTERFERENCE WITH USG ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 002309

NOFORN
SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE AND NEA/IPA; PRM FOR FRONT OFFICE AND
PRM/ANE; NSC FOR KUMAR; JOINT STAFF FOR LTG SELVA; DEPT
PLEASE PASS TO USAID FOR ANE/MEA: NANDY/BORODIN

E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/22/2019
TAGS: PTER EAID PGOV PHUM GZ
SUBJECT: HAMAS INTERFERENCE WITH USG ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Classified By: A/PO Greg Marchese for reasons 1.4 b and d.

Summary
--------------


1. (SBU) On December 21, Hamas confiscated two truckloads of
USG-funded humanitarian shipments to Gaza, following a
pattern of increased interference with USG assistance
programs there. Over the last several weeks, Hamas has
confiscated other shipments and otherwise harassed NGOs
operating in Gaza. Some of the shipments, but not all, have
been returned. In addition, Hamas now requires Palestinians
to obtain "exit permits" before departing through Erez. End
summary.




Confiscation of Supplies
--------------


2. (SBU) On December 21, representatives of the
Hamas-controlled "Ministry of National Economy" (MoNE) in
Gaza confiscated two truckloads of USAID supplies along with
the two trucks carrying them. They subsequently released the
trucks, but kept the supplies, following a pattern of Hamas
interference with USAID's assistance programs in Gaza. One
truckload included supplies for the American International
School in Gaza (AISG),such as text books, water tanks, and
science lab materials. The second truckload included relief
supplies, principally household items, intended for Save the
Children and CHF humanitarian assistance programs. The total
value of the supplies amounted to USD 211,500.


3. (SBU) According to USAID's implementing partner, ARD, the
MoNE justified its actions by stating that the shipment had
not been properly coordinated. However, according to the
Hamas-controlled "Ministry of Social Affairs" (MoSA) in Gaza
-- as relayed to USAID through the UN Office of Humanitarian
Affairs (OCHA) -- the responsible body for the coordination
of humanitarian relief shipment into Gaza is MoSA, from which
ARD received verbal clearance on December 21.


4. (SBU) On December 22, Hamas authorities released the items
for AISG. However, MoNE continued to hold the CHF and Save
the Children supplies (totaling 20 pallets). As a result of
these confiscations, USAID has temporarily suspended new
humanitarian shipments into Gaza under its ARD Civic
Education Program.


5. (SBU) In previous weeks, MoNE confiscated two pallets in
a December 9 USAID-funded shipment by Save the Children.
Despite the fact that Save the Children verified with MoSA
its previous approval for the shipment, MoNE continues to
hold the two pallets. On December 1, the MoNE confiscated
two pallets destined for CHF and six pallets for Mercy Corps
(out of a total of 68). CHF and Mercy Corps's pallets were
released after the NGOs submitted documents, including a MoNE
"no objection" letter and letters from two other Hamas
agencies acknowledging the shipment of supplies.

Further Demands for Coordination
--------------


6. (C) Hamas's efforts to interfere with donor programs go
beyond interfering with shipments. On December 8, the
Hamas-controlled "Ministry of Local Government" (MoLG) in
Gaza issued a letter to all Gazan municipalities stating that
all NGOs must obtain written approval from the MoLG before
implementing projects. The impact of this requirement on USG
programming in the few remaining non-Hamas municipalities is
not clear. Although the MoLG is not known to be a
particularly powerful or well-resourced ministry, the letter
was signed by Ziad al Zaza, who is the Hamas "Minister of
Local Governance" as well as "Minister of National Economy"
and "Deputy Prime Minister."

Exit Permit Policy
--------------


7. (SBU) Following the November 25 announcement of a new
policy requiring exit permits for all Palestinians departing
Gaza, the Hamas-controlled "Ministry of Interior" (MOI) in
Gaza opened a permit office on December 7. Registration is

required for any Palestinian traveling through Erez
(including medical referrals, local staff for international
organizations, and businessmen). Only Palestinian staff of
the UN who have UN identification cards are currently exempt.
Travelers are required to fill out a form with personal and
travel information, in addition to providing photos and
copies of ID and passport. The traveler, however, does not
need to submit the permit request in person. No fee is
required.

Threats and Harassment
--------------


8. (C) In other acts of harassment, Mercy Corps's youth
program in Gaza (which is not USG-funded) has been subject to
increasing interference from Hamas authorities (or
affiliates) over the last several months, with the apparent
intention of segregating boys and girls in its youth program
activities. In August, Mercy Corps reported that men without
identification appeared at its offices asking questions about
the program. These visits became routine at Mercy Corps's
offices.


9. (C/NF) In the first week of December, men without
identification appeared at the Mercy Corps offices again.
The Mercy Corps deputy head of operations (a female U.S.
citizen) refused to allow the men to enter. She said that
only officials with proper identification would be allowed
into Mercy Corps's offices. The unidentified men did not
return but arrested two male youth participants in the
program later in the week. According to Mercy Corps, the
youths were asked to report to police headquarters in Gaza
City. On December 10, one 20-year-old was detained for six
hours and, according to Mercy Corps officials, pressed to
collaborate with Hamas while being kicked and forced into
humiliating positions.


10. (SBU) CHF reported that an Irish staff member had been
held in detention for six hours by Hamas officials on
December 16. CHF was told by Hamas security officials that
the arrest was because the international staff member entered
Gaza without Hamas-controlled MOI approval. NGO contacts
believe the action was taken because the CHF Gaza Office
Director had refused to meet with MOI officials when they
showed up unexpectedly at their office.

MARCHESE