(Communicated by COGAT - Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, Ministry of Defense)
Today, following the decision of the Israeli political echelon, the IDF employed a humanitarian respite 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" encompassed two main components, first a total cessation of IDF offensive activities between 1 o'clock, and 4 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 trucks loaded with 2,068 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 15,000 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 January 2009).