GENERAL SITUATION
Two rockets fired out of Gaza into Israel today and the resultant airstrike retaliation from IDF underline and re-enforce the fragile nature of the situation. The prevailing situation also supports the intended very "light UN Mine Action footprint" on the ground.
Personnel Location
Gaza
1. EOD Technical Advisor (Mark Frankish), 1 x MAG personal (Mark Buswell)
2. Again the 2 x MAG EOD personnel scheduled to cross into Gaza were turned away at the crossing. The issue continues to be raised in the strongest terms with COGAT/IDF, to date with no satisfactory response.
3. Team Leader (Chris Clark), Planning Offr (Allen Kelly), EOD/QA Advisor (Steve Harrop) and MAG (Steve Priestly) in Jerusalem.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
4. Liaison with UN agencies continues and the following key activities completed:
a. Attended and briefed the Head of Sector Co-ordination meeting chaired by OCHA
b. The use of RAFAEL Thermo-Baric mine clearing charge system confirmed through the location and removal of the expended tail units.
c. Remaining schools and other areas of UN supported interest continue to be given top priority and checked/cleared as and when DSS security restrictions allow.
SUPPORT TO OVERALL UN HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE
5. Direct support to the UN Humanitarian Response continues:
a. Mine action sitreps and general threat information continue to be uploaded to the Mine Action Portal on the OCHA website. www.ochaopt.org/gazacrisis
b. Landmine/UXO safety briefs continue to be given to both UN and INGO orgs. In particular, schedule for safety briefs agreed with COOPI (Italian INGO) directly involved with garbage removal in Gaza City.
c. The bombed WFP compound at Karni remains un-accessible due to IDF activity on the border.
d. Assistance is on-going to UN DSS to facilitate their ongoing security assessments of the various sub-areas of Gaza.
FUTURE INTENTIONS
6. Continue liaison with COGAT/IDF to facilitate eventual entry into Gaza of EOD Teams (Equipment, personnel and alternatives to bulk explosives)
7. Continue direct support to UN Humanitarian Agencies inside Gaza.
8. Liaise/discuss with UNOPS NY in order to facilitate immediate admin support needs.
9. Facilitate entry and admin of incoming UNMAS/UNOPS pers.
10. Draft Concept of Operations
11. Await UNOPS confirmation of COA to the Jerusalem office so that procurement of IT and other capital equipment may follow.