~*~ The Chanukah War ~*~
Humanitarian Aid Reaching Gaza
Shipments of humanitarian aid to Gaza resumed Monday after a two-day pause to allow the entry of ground troops into the region.

by Hana Levi Julian, Arutz Sheva
January 5, 2009

Dual nationals leaving Gaza
on Jan 2, 2009
IDF Spokesperson
 

Shipments of humanitarian aid to Gaza resumed Monday after a two-day pause to allow the entry of ground troops into the region in Stage Two of Operation Cast Lead.

Some 200,000 liters of heavy diesel fuel are being pumped through the Nahal Oz terminal, enough for the Gaza power station and other humanitarian needs as well. The depot was closed for the last week due to security concerns that blocked Israel's ability to operate the crossing, notably terrorist attacks aimed specifically at personnel manning the terminal.

Approximately 80 truckloads of medical supplies, medications and basic food commodities are also being delivered to the region through the Kerem Shalom Crossing. Among the shipments are donations from Greece, Jordan and Egypt, in addition to supplies being sent from various international aid organizations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross complained on Sunday that Israel has refused to allow its medical teams into the region to assist Gaza doctors with complex surgeries. Attempts by Israel National News to check the veracity of the claim were unsuccessful and calls to COGAT, the office for Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, were not returned.

Dual Citizens Assisted to Leave
The evacuation of dual citizens is also continuing. Last week, 226 Gazans holding foreign passports, among them U.S. nationals, were assisted to leave the region.

On Monday, "at the request of various embassies, an evacuation of some 200 dual nationals is also planned," said a spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.

Gazans holding passports from Norway, Germany, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Spain, Malta, France, Greece, Austria and Canada have made arrangements to travel to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge. They will travel through Israel in order to reach the border crossing into Jordan, where they will continue on to their final destinations.

Hundreds of Trucks of Aid Reach Gaza
Since the beginning of Operation Cast Lead, and on a daily basis, the international community has been able to increase the amount of goods supplied to Gaza, according to a release disseminated by the Foreign Ministry.

Some 400 truckloads of humanitarian aid have been transferred since the operation began, at the request of the international organizations, the Palestinian Authority and various governments. According to the report, 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid was delivered to Gaza throughout the week, 2,000 units of blood were donated by Jordan, five ambulances were donated by Turkey, five ambulances transferred from Judea and Samaria on behalf of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and 20 people were evacuated to Israel for medical needs, including two injured children.