(Communicated by the IDF Spokesman)
In accordance with the decisions of the political echelon and following security assessments, further humanitarian aid passed yesterday and today,10 and 11 July 2006, into the Gaza Strip. The aid includes basic food items, medical supplies and industrial supplies. While Karni crossing is closed at the moment due to security alerts, the IDF and the Gaza liaison administration are allowing the passage of humanitarian aid through the Erez crossing despite the fact that it is not intended for such activity in an effort to provide supplies to the Palestinian population in the Gaza Strip.
Last week, more than 200 truckloads of basic food items, more than 1,500,000 liters of fuel, and more than 400 tons of natural gas passed into the Gaza Strip through the different crossings. Over the past three days, 9-11 July 2006, more than 2,000,000 liters of fuel and 496 tons of natural gas were transferred into the Gaza Strip through the Nahal Oz crossing.
Yesterday and today, 10 and 11 July 2006, more than 90 tons of milk products, 40 tons of flour, 15 tons of oil, 120 tons of sugar, a truckload of medicines, 134 gas balloons used for medical purposes, 65,000 liters of chlorine, more than 1,000,000 liters of fuel and 170 tons of natural gas, were transferred into the Gaza Strip through the different crossings.
The water supply from Israel to the Gaza Strip continues uninterrupted.
The IDF has also offered Kerem Shalom crossing to the Palestinian authorities as a temporary alternative to Karni on numerous occasions, but the offer has been met with refusal.
The Israeli defense establishment monitors the supply reserves in the Gaza Strip based on supplies entering Gaza through the various crossings. The data available shows that the current inventory of basic goods and medicines in the Gaza Strip is in sufficient supply. Israel allowed the opening of Karni crossing last week despite the existing security threats in order to prevent any future disruptions from causing unexpected shortages.