(Communicated by the Ministry of Defense - Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories)
7800 tons of humanitarian aid transferred to Gaza in five days, medical evacuations continue
Today eight 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.