Response to report by human rights organizations on humanitarian situation
in Gaza

6 Mar 2008
Communicated by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories)

Hamas responsibility

The Gaza Strip was taken over violently and illegally by the Hamas terror
organization. All possible existing humanitarian allocations are utilized by
Hamas. Hamas takes advantage of the humanitarian crossings, using them to
send terrorists to attack Israeli civilians, while at the same time
targeting the very
crossings that enable the entrance of humanitarian aid for the Palestinian
population in Gaza.

Despite this, Israel remains committed to the humanitarian effort in the
Gaza Strip, and acts accordingly.

Primary responsibility for all occurrences inside the Gaza Strip since the
Israeli withdrawal and dismantling of all settlements there is the Hamas
terror organization, which should answer to criticism.

Shortage of medications

At the request of the international community, 84 donations were authorized
since the beginning of the year. Hamas takes control of these donations and
instead of transferring them to hospitals as intended, transfers them to its
institutions for its own purposes.

To date, no medicines or medical equipment have been refused entry to the
Gaza Strip. On the contrary, all medical supplies are given priority. The
State of
Israel is not responsible for the funding of medical supplies in the Gaza
Strip.

Electricity

The supply of electricity to the Gaza Strip was not reduced. The breakdown
of supply of electric current shows the opposite to be true:
From Egypt: 17 MW
Gaza power plant: 60 MW
From Israel: 214 MW

Israel assisted with the transfer of transformers for the power plant into
Gaza, and with the entrance of foreign technicians for maintenance work on
other transformers.

Only two weeks ago, the power grid in Gaza was repaired. Everything
connected to it, such as pumping stations and sewage pumps, were in working
order. The repairs were carried out under Hamas sniper fire, which
necessitated use of protected vehicles and working at night.

Fuel

The fuel issue is also the responsibility of the Hamas. It is unclear why
the Hamas does not divert the fuel entering the Strip for use by ambulances,
water pumps and other humanitarian requirements. The amount of fuel entering
the Strip is sufficient for all humanitarian needs, and has the full support
of the Supreme Court. Current data clearly shows that that the quantity
transferred exceeds basic needs by a factor of 3:1.

The transfer of fuel is also done under fire. Only three days ago (Monday, 3
March 2008), a fuel truck coming from Nahal Oz to the Strip was targeted by
snipers.

The only logical conclusion to this is that the Hamas is diverting the fuel
entering the Gaza Strip for its own use and for terrorism.
Sewage

Israel invests a great deal of effort in transferring cement and pipes for
rehabilitation and development of the sewage system in the Gaza Strip. The
Hamas, on the other hand, takes these materials and uses them to manufacture
Kassam rockets.

Health

Israel continues to allow the entrance of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip
into Israel to undergo treatment at Israeli hospitals. During 2007, 14,000
Palestinian patients and their escorts entered Israel for medical treatment.
This amount constitutes 90% of all requests for medical treatment, each of
which is checked in its own right.

This issue is also exploited by Hamas members, who attempt to gain entrance
to Israel, ostensibly to receive medical treatment but actually to carry out
a terror attack against Israeli civilians.

Summary

There is no other country in the world whose border crossings, used by
diplomats, NGO employees and for the transfer of medical supplies and
equipment, food and other goods for the civilian population, are constantly
under fire. Despite this, Israel continues to allow the flow and transfer
of aid.

The international community should point the accusing finger at the party
responsible for the shooting at the crossings, the Hamas terror
organization. It is unfortunate that they continue to target the crossing,
whose only purpose is to channel the humanitarian aid to the population in
the Gaza Strip.