Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) – Twenty-fifth bi-weekly implementation report (OCHA)

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Report N^o 25

Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

(18 – 31 October 2006)

The United Nations¹ is submitting the 25th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 18 – 31 October 2006 inclusive.²

1. Overall Progress:

There has been no significant change in the access Palestinians have to and from the Gaza Strip over the past two weeks. Rafah continues to be closed on more than 75% of days due either to IDF activity in the area or the Israeli authorities preventing the EU-BAM monitors accessing Rafah allegedly for security reasons. However on days when Rafah is open, it operates for an average of 10 of the scheduled 11 hours. When demand on the crossing is high, businessmen, students, medical referrals, pilgrims and those holding foreign residency permits are prioritised.

All the commercial crossing points were closed for 3 days over the Eid al Fitr holiday from 23-25 October.

2. Changes of note since Report N^o 24 (17 October):

· Rafah crossing was open on 3 days (18% of total scheduled hours) allowing a total of 4,231 people to cross into the Gaza Strip and 4,135 people out.

· Karni crossing was open on 8 of 9 scheduled operating days enabling a total of 1,641 truckloads of goods into and 134 truckloads of goods out of the Gaza Strip. Karni was open for only 40% of scheduled hours compared to 50% during the previous period.

· Sufa was open on all 9 working days for the transport of aggregates.

· Kerem Shalom was open on 2 days for the transport of humanitarian goods.

· Obstacles to movement in the West Bank increased from 533 to 542. This represents an increase of 166 or 44% over the baseline figure of August 2005.

· There was one reported security incident on 31 October which caused Rafah crossing to close for 40 minutes.

3. No Change since Report N^o 24 (17 October):

Crossings:

Erez closed to Palestinians since 12 March.

Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

Truck convoys no discussion; implementation now 10½ months overdue.

Bus convoys no discussion; implementation now 9½ months overdue.

Ports:

Seaport awaiting, since November 2005, GoI assurance to donors that it will not interfere with its operation.

Airport awaiting, since November 2005, commencement of discussions.

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¹ The Office of the Quartet’s Special Envoy closed on 28 April. Since then the United Nations through the oPt OCHA office has assumed reporting responsibilities on the implementation of the AMA.

² The report draws on all available data sources for reporting including the EU-BAM, UN agencies, PA ministries, PalTrade, COGAT and the World Bank.

Full report: