Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) – Sixty-first biweekly implementation report (OCHA)

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The United Nations is submitting the 6 1st bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 5 – 18 March 2008 (1).

AMA Benchmarks: 

– Rafah crossing has been closed for the movement of people for 269 days (last open 9 June). It was exceptionally open for medical cases between 2-12 March, during which time 257 patients crossed into Egypt for medical treatment.

– Karni crossing has been closed since 12 June for the movement of all goods into and out of Gaza. A single-lane conveyor belt/chute for wheat grain and animal feed was open on seven days (5, 6, 10, 11, 13, 17 and 18 March) for a total of 29 hours, compared to 27 hours in the previous period. A total of 506 truckloads of grains and animal feed entered Gaza, compared to 289 in the previous reporting period.

– Erez crossing remains closed since 12 June for all Palestinians, except for a limited number of Palestinian traders, aid workers and medical cases who have been granted special permits. Erez crossing was open 12 out of the 14 scheduled days. The crossing has been closed since March 2006 for Palestinian workers. Since 17 January, Israel has imposed additional restrictions on Palestinian trader access into Israel – fewer than five traders have been permitted to cross into Israel each week.

– Of note: A total of 1,275 truckloads, including 75 from humanitarian agencies, were allowed into Gaza, compared to 863 truckloads in the previous reporting period.

– Obstacles to movement in the West Bank: OCHA is in the process of conducting a comprehensive update of its closure survey. New figures will be issued in April to update last count of 580 (19 February).

Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank: 

– Truck convoys Implementation now 25 months overdue (since mid-January 2006).

– Bus convoys Implementation now 26 months overdue (since mid-December 2005).

Ports: 

– Seaport Awaiting GoI assurance of non-interference with seaport operation.

 

– Airport Awaiting commencement of discussions since November 2005.

Non-AMA Crossings: 

– Sufa crossing was open on 10 days. A total of 536 truckloads, including 23 from humanitarian agencies, were allowed into Gaza.

– Kerem Shalom crossing was reopened on 4 March and open 11 days (one more than scheduled operating days), and 233 truckloads were allowed through compared to 10 in the previous reporting period.

Notes: 

(1) The United Nations, through the OCHA oPt office, has assumed reporting responsibilities on the implementation of the AMA since 28 April.

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Full report:.