Three crossings into Gaza were open today (05 January).  This allowed approximately 80 truckloads of supplies and 200,000 liters of gasoline (for the Gaza power plant) to enter the Gaza Strip.

Israel has been working with the International Committee of the Red Cross to conduct necessary humanitarian work in the Gaza Strip.  The ICRC reports that a war surgery team has received authorization to enter Gaza (which it has done) and that it has escorted teams of Palestinian technicians working to repair water mains and power lines in the northern Gaza Strip.  In addition, Israel and the ICRC have worked to ensure safe passage to even the most dangerous areas for ambulances and a fire brigade.

Finally, Israel has actively assisted the many non-governmental organizations working in Gaza to help the Palestinian people.  At a meeting yesterday (04 January), NGO representatives discussed some of the more pressing problems with the Israeli government including: availability of wheat and gasoline and a shortage of cash.
During the second part of the meeting, Foreign Minister Livni herself met with the NGO representatives to better understand the situation on the ground from their point of view.  The NGOs expressed their satisfaction with the level of Israeli cooperation.
At this meeting, the representative of the World Health Organization mentioned that setting up a field hospital was not necessary.  He did note, however, that the Palestinians were preventing the wounded from being evacuated to Israel, preferring that they be evacuated to Egypt.

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