Humanitarian aid trucks roll into Gaza
Humanitarian aid trucks roll into GazaIsrael News Photo: (file)

Humanitarian aid is continuing to flow into Gaza despite ongoing rocket attacks fired by terrorists from the region at Israeli civilians.

According to IDF Major Peter Lerner, spokesman for COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories), all the crossings into Gaza were again operating Tuesday morning, despite a Grad attack on the coastal city of Ashkelon at 7:00 a.m.

The Gaza civilians are not our enemies. Our enemy is Hamas and the other terrorist groups.

The Kerem Shalom, Karni, Nahal Oz and Erez Crossings were open and processing the humanitarian aid from the morning hours, according to Lerner. Arab residents of Gaza cross into Israel for medical treatment daily through the Erez Crossing.

Lerner said that 195 trucks are scheduled to ship goods into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom and Karni Crossings. Moreover, the Nahal Oz fuel depot is expected to be operating at full capacity for pumping of fuel into the region.

Only the Rafiah terminal, which straddles the border between Gaza and Egypt, remained closed, in accordance with Israel's determination not to open the crossing until Hamas frees kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit.

Prime Minister's Spokesman: Aid to Continue - For Now

Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's spokesman Mark Regev explained to Israel National News following the attack why humanitarian aid has continued to be shipped into the region, despite the rocket fire.

"The policy of the government is to help the innocent population of Gaza," he said. "The Gaza civilians are not our enemies. Our enemy is Hamas and the other terrorist groups." %ad$

Asked whether the crossings would be closed in view of past statements by Defense Minister Ehud Barak that he would seal the border in response to rocket fire Regev replied cagily, "Maybe there will be a different response this time."

The spokesman declined to specify what that response might be, or when a decision on a response would be reached.

Monday: 194 Trucks of Aid, 1 Million Liters of Fuel

Throughout the day, on Monday, a total of 194 trucks carried 5,354 tons of supplies into Gaza donated by UNRWA (United Nations Relief and Works Agency), the World Food Program, UNICEF, the World Health Organization and donations from Turkey, Jordan and the "Let the Animals Live" organization. 

In addition, commercial goods were delivered to private business owners, such as dairy products, fruit, oil, reproductive eggs, rice flour, canned food, diapers and empty bags.

At the Karni Crossing, the conveyor transferred 2,855 tons of different types of grain into the region.

At the Nahal Oz fuel terminal, 609,000 liters of heavy-duty diesel was pumped into Gaza for the local power station and 391,000 liters of diesel fuel was delivered for use by UNRWA. Lerner said that 254 tons of cooking gas for local Gaza residents was also transferred through the fuel depot.

Chart shows the shipments into Gaza on Sunday, February 1, 2009.

Since Israel declared its unilateral ceasefire on January 18, 57,511 tons of humanitarian aid has been delivered to Gaza, and 4,377,300 liters of fuel for the Gaza power station and UNRWA has been pumped into the region, according to COGAT figures.

The statistics are rarely quoted or covered by international media, who often focus on Palestinian Authority claims that Gaza residents are suffering a humanitarian crisis due to the "blockade" imposed by Israel at the crossings.