Cablegate: Mggz01 - Israeli Gaza Incursion - No Fish in Gaza

VZCZCXYZ0000
OO RUEHWEB

DE RUEHJM #2826 1871244
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 061244Z JUL 06
FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 3248
INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC IMMEDIATE

UNCLAS JERUSALEM 002826

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NEA/IPA FOR
WILLIAMS/GREENE/WATERS/WAECHTER; NEA/RA FOR LAWSON; NSC FOR
ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EFIS PHUM EAID KWBG KPAL
SUBJECT: MGGZ01 - ISRAELI GAZA INCURSION - NO FISH IN GAZA

REF: JERUSALEM 2068

1. (SBU) World Food Programme (WFP) Information Officer
Kirstie Campbell told EconOff July 4 that the IDF continues
to prohibit fishing off the coastline of Gaza and that none
of the 3,000 licensed fishermen have been allowed to fish
since June 25. Head of the El-Tawafeek Fishermen Association
Mohammed Zaqout told EconOff July 6 that Israeli naval boats
had fired on fishermen trying to get into the water to cast a
net. As a result, WFP and Zaqout estimate that fishermen are
losing a combined total of USD 25,000 per day in revenues.
According to WFP, 35,000 Palestinians rely on the fishing
industry for subsistence (reftel).

2. (SBU) Zaqout said the El-Tawafeek Fishermen Association
had lent USD 1 million in fuel, nets, and ice on credit in
the past several months to the fishermen in Gaza. They had
purchased this equipment through the ongoing collection of
membership dues. However, none of the fishermen have been
able to make payments because of the IDF prohibition on
fishing.

3. (SBU) USAID staff reported that the stalls at the fish
market are empty and that frozen fish stocks were running low
due to the loss of permanent refrigeration capacity that has
resulted from the electricity outages. Canned fish is
reportedly selling for NIS 5 (USD 1.12) per can. (Note:
After the Avian Influenza outbreak in Gaza and the culling of
400,000 poultry, the price of fish, especially sardines, has
doubled in price since fish is considered a major alternative
source of protein for Gazans. End Note.)
WALLES

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