Israel Increases Humanitarian Effort to the Gaza Strip
Reprinted from Israeli Embassy, Washington DC
January 8, 2009
Cessation of IDF Offensive Activities in Gaza to Take Place for the Second Consecutive Day (Communicated by COGAT – Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, Ministry of Defense)
Today between 13:00 and 16:00, the IDF will implement for the second successive day a humanitarian recess in offensive activities. This step is in order to enable the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip to replenish stocks and to enable the international organizations to carry out their humanitarian missions.
Also this morning, approximately 300 dual nationals are expected to be evacuated via the Erez terminal at the request of the various embassies. The dual nationals will be shuttled to Allenby Bridge and make their way to Jordan accompanied by embassy staff.
Approximately 100 trucks to be transferred to Gaza via Kerem Shalom, and for the first time as a pilot via Erez. Finally, some 500,000 liters of heavy duty diesel for the Gaza power station are scheduled to be conveyed to Gaza via the Nahal Oz fuel depot.
January 7, 2009
“Humanitarian corridor” Labeled a Success
Today, following the decision of the Israeli political echelon, the IDF employed a humanitarian hiatus in order to enable the Palestinians of the Gaza Strip to replenish stocks and to enable the international organizations to carry out their humanitarian missions. The “humanitarian corridor” was encompassed two main components, first a total cessation of IDF offensive activities between one o’clock, and four o’clock in the afternoon and second, an opening of Kerem Shalom and Nahal Oz crossings. Needless to say Hamas terrorists didn’t hold their fire and unnecessarily put civilians at risk. Similar humanitarian activities are scheduled to take place on a daily basis.
Throughout the day the crossings facilitated the movement of 76 truck loaded with 2068 tons of humanitarian goods. The humanitarian aid was conveyed throughout the day and was comprised of donations from Jordan and Egypt, and aid on behalf of UNRWA, the World Food Programme, the World Health Organization and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Also, 482,000 liters of heavy duty diesel for the power plant, 92,000 liters of diesel for UN humanitarian operations and 43 tons of gas for domestic use were transferred to the Gaza Strip. Since the beginning of the operation some 15000 tons of humanitarian aid have been delivered through the crossings.
The Coordination and Liaison Administration also coordinated the movement of 14 ambulances from Shifa hospital to the Rafah border crossing to facilitate medical evacuation of wounded. Further coordination activities included transport of fuel tankers to replenish diesel supplies in hospitals in the northern region, and coordination of access to main power lines to rehabilitate the power supply. Works are underway and are expected to be completed over the next few days. Supplies for the electrical infrastructure are scheduled to be shipped tomorrow (8.1.2009).
Cessation of IDF activities in Gaza order to facilitate humanitarian activities – (Communicated by COGAT – Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, Ministry of Defense)
Following the decision of the Israeli political echelon, as of today (Wednesday, 7 January 2009) the IDF will refrain from fire throughout Gaza City for a period of three hours, in order to enable a “humanitarian recess” for the people within the area of operation. This activity is scheduled to be implemented on a bi-daily basis. During this time, the Palestinians will be able to acquire basic necessities, replenish stock and seek aid from the various international organizations operating within the Gaza Strip. Today, Wednesday, the IDF will halt all fire in Gaza City from 13:00-16:00 (1:00-4:00 pm).
The second component of the humanitarian effort will enable approximately 80 trucks carrying medicine, medical supplies and basic food commodities to pass into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing and approximately half a million liters of heavy duty diesel are scheduled to pass through the Nahal Oz terminal, as well as 60,000 liters of fuel to be transferred for the first time by truck via the Kerem Shalom crossing.
January 6, 2009
Today 57 trucks loaded with humanitarian shipments destined for the Gaza Strip traveled through Kerem Shalom cargo terminal. The goods transferred included flour, powdered milk, medical supplies and medication, barely and animal feed. The 1312 tons of aid were shipped in to Gaza at the request of international organizations including UNRWA, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organizations and international donors. The donations today were on behalf of the governments of Jordan, Egypt and Greece.
In order to facilitate the ongoing needs of the water infrastructure, and at the request of the Palestinian Authority, a shipment of hypochlorite was also transferred to Gaza. Also the Coordination and Liaison Administration to the Gaza Strip coordinated with the assistance of the International Committee of the Red Cross the rehabilitation of a power line leading in to Gaza city. This step will resume 12MV to the city of Gaza, while ongoing activities are taking place in order to repair additional electrical lines.
January 5, 2009
Today for the first time since the beginning of the ground operation the Gaza Strip crossings opened for activity. The Humanitarian effort, that is a complimentary component of the military operation, facilitated the movement of 49 trucks laden with humanitarian good. The goods transferred were comprised of basic food commodities, medical supplies and medication. Today the World Food Programme resumed delivery of commodities to the Gaza strip following a two day recess. Tomorrow Kerem Shalom is scheduled to open for 80 shipments of aid.
Also, Nahal Oz fuel depot operated and conveyed 215,000 liters of heavy duty diesel (required for the Gaza power station), 93,000 liters of diesel for the use of various UN organizations and 50 tons of cooking gas for domestic uses.
At the request of the International Committee of the Red Cross Israel also facilitated the access for two doctors and two nurses to the Gaza Strip, via Erez crossing.
Dual Nationals Evacuation
At the request of various embassies an evacuation of some 200 dual nationals is also planned to take place today. Nationals of Norway, Germany, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Spain, Malta, France, Greece, Austria and Canada have made arrangements to leave Gaza to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge.
January 4, 2009
Israel continues to ensure that the civilian population in the Gaza Strip receives food, medicines and other humanitarian necessities, even as Hamas and other terrorist groups launch dozens of missiles daily at Israeli communities.
Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead on December 27, 2008, Israeli defense officials at the Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) have been working together with the international organizations in the Gaza Strip as well as various governments in order to assess the humanitarian needs, requirements and make the necessary response. Since the beginning of the operation, and on a daily basis, the international community has been able to increase the amount of goods supplied to Gaza.
Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead some 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid have been transferred at the request of the international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments. Preparations are underway to facilitate further shipments expected to arrive in the coming days.
Details of humanitarian aid transferred to the Gaza Strip via Israeli crossings since December 27, 2008:
10,000 tons of humanitarian aid delivered to Gaza throughout the week
226 dual nationals were evacuated from Gaza
2000 units of blood were donated by Jordan
5 ambulances donated by Turkey
5 ambulances transferred from the West Bank on behalf of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society
20 people were evacuated to Israel for medical needs, including two injured children.
All reports indicate that there are sufficient medicine and food in Gaza. The crossings to Gaza are open for the transfer of humanitarian aid from all international organizations, in full cooperation with the Israeli authorities and without restriction.
January 2, 2009
Israel transferred 64 trucks carrying 1,530 tons of humanitarian aid (including basic foods, medicines and medical supplies, tents and generators) via the Kerem Shalom crossing. Among the trucks were 25 UNRWA trucks, eight trucks of food donated by Turkey, and three trucks of medical equipment from the WHO.
At the requests of the governments of Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Norway, Turkey, and the United States 230 nationals and dual nationals evacuated the Gaza Strip today. The evacuation took place from Erez Terminal at the request of the governments. The evacuees were escorted by the defense officials and embassy staff to the Allenby bridge from there they will proceed to their home countries. The Defense ministry has worked closely with the relevant authorities in order to implement the various governments’ requests. Similar preparations are being made for other nationals that have requested evacuation
Also, additional humanitarian aid was transferred today to the Gaza Strip via Kerem Shalom cargo terminal. 64 trucks loaded with humanitarian aid including medical supplies, basic food commodities and medication. The shipment included 1530 tones of aid. The shipment included a large donation of 11,000 food parcels on behalf of the government of Turkey.
Throughout the humanitarian effort, since 28th December 2008, over 9000 tons of aid has been shipped to Gaza with coordination between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, the International Organizations and various donors.
January 1, 2009:
Today 8 Palestinians accessed Israel for medical treatment in Israeli hospitals. All of those that accessed Israel are chronically sick people, and their escorts, seeking medical treatment that is unavailable available within the Gaza Strip.
Furthermore, despite ongoing rocket fire, Israel continues with the extensive humanitarian effort in coordination with the international organizations, Palestinian Authority and various donors. Today, 60 trucks, with approximately 1360 tons of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and medication were conveyed through Kerem Shalom cargo terminal. Tomorrow 72 trucks laden with humanitarian assistance are scheduled to be transferred.
Since the beginning of operation “cast lead” some 7800 tons of aid have been transferred at the request of the international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments.
Preparations are underway to facilitate further humanitarian shipments expected to arrive in the coming days. For instance, the International Committee of the Red Cross, has sent an airplane with medical items the can treat up to 500 wounded people. Other countries and organizations scheduled to send aid include Greece, Norway, Turkey, Jordan, Russia and the World Health Organization.
Ongoing Humanitarian Effort to Enable 443 Dual Nationals Scheduled to be Evacuated from the Gaza Strip
At the requests of the governments of Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Norway, Philippines, Turkey, Germany and the United States 443 nationals and dual nationals are scheduled to leave the Gaza Strip tomorrow (Friday, 2nd January 2009). The evacuation will take place from Erez Terminal throughout the day and will be escorted by the embassy staff. The Defense ministry has worked closely with the relevant authorities in order to implement the various governments’ requests.
December 31, 2008:
Today 12 Palestinians entered Israel for medical treatment in Israeli hospitals. Two of those evacuated were children injured during the military activates, the remaining are chronically sick people, and their escorts, that entered Israel for treatment that is not available within the Gaza Strip.
Further more, despite ongoing rocket fire, Israel continues with the extensive humanitarian effort in coordination with the international organizations, Palestinian Authority and various donors. Ninety three trucks, with approximately 2500 tons of humanitarian aid, medical supplies and medication were conveyed through Kerem Shalom cargo terminal.
The World Food Programme has informed Israel that they will not be resuming shipment of food commodities in to Gaza due to the fact that their warehouses are at full capacity and will last for approximately two weeks.
Since the beginning of operation “Cast Lead” some 6500 tons of aid have been transferred at the request of the international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments. Preparations are underway to facilitate further shipments expected to arrive in the coming days.
December 30, 2008:
Kerem Shalom crossing, on the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, opened its gates on December 30, 2008 for the third consecutive day as defense officials at the Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) are working together with the international organizations in the Gaza Strip as well as various governments in order to assess the humanitarian needs, requirements and make the necessary response. Since the beginning of the operation, and on a daily basis, the international community has been able to increase the amount of goods supplied to Gaza. A total of 179 shipments of humanitarian supplies including basic food commodities, medication, medical supplies, donations of governments, blood units and 10 ambulances have been delivered to the Gaza Strip.
Beyond the immediate response, various organizations and governments have requested to send humanitarian aid to the region. Israel is making the relevant preparations in order to receive and coordinate the shipping of the goods from the various terminals (Ben Gurion airport and Allenby Bridge) to the Gaza strip.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials discuss aid to Gaza with international organizations December 28, 2008
A delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Deputy Director General for Economic Affairs Irit Ben-Abba, Dep. DG for UN and International Organizations Eviatar Manor, and Head of the Bureau for Middle East Economic Affairs Yael Ravia-Zadok – met today with representatives from UNSCO, UNRWA, the Red Cross and WHO for the purpose of estimating the humanitarian needs in the Gaza Strip and ensuring the entry of the required aid, especially food and medical equipment. The Ministry officials assured the representatives of the international organizations that every effort would be made to transfer the necessary humanitarian aid. In response to a request made by the international organizations, the Kerem Shalom Crossing was opened for the delivery of truckloads of food and medical equipment. The aid was donated by UNRWA, WHO and the Red Cross. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working in coordination with COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) to transfer needed aid to the Gaza Strip, in accordance with instructions from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Articles on Humanitarian Aid
IDF Opens Border Crossing for Humanitarian Aid: http://dover.idf.il/IDF/English/News/today/2008n/12/2803.htm
Israeli Officials Discuss Aid to Gaza: http://www.mfa.gov.il/MFA/About+the+Ministry/MFA+Spokesman/2008/MFA
Source: Israeli Embassy, Washington DC