Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access
and Update on Gaza Crossings
The United Nations is submitting the 86th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA)1, covering the period 18 Feb – 03 March 2009 (Annex)2. In light of the closure of Gaza, this report also monitors movement and access through other crossings not included in the AMA.
• Rafah crossing has remained closed for the movement of people for 633 working days. It was last open for public use on 09 June 2007. However, the crossing was partially opened on an exceptional basis for passengers on all days during the reporting period, allowing 1,719 Palestinians including many medical cases to cross out, and 995 to cross in, compared to 448 departures and 544 arrivals reported in the previous reporting period. The number of humanitarian truckloads crossing Rafah decreased to zero compared to seven truckloads (medical and relief supplies) in the previous reporting period.
• Karni crossing has remained closed since 12 June 2007 for the movement of goods in and out of Gaza. The conveyor belt/chute for cereals, animal feed was open on six days (18,23,24,25 February, 02 and 03 March), compared to nine days in the previous reporting period. A total of 270 truckloads of cereals and animal feed, entered Gaza, via the conveyor belt, compared to 342 in the previous reporting period. Neither gravel nor bulk cement were allowed entry during this period. Gravel and bulk cement were last allowed into Gaza on 26 and 29 Oct 08 respectively.
• Erez crossing has remained closed for more than two years since March 2006 for workers, and more than a year, since 12 June 2007, for all other Palestinians, except for a limited number of Palestinian traders, aid workers and medical cases who had been granted special permits. For these persons, Erez crossing was partially open on 12 out of the 14 scheduled days. No traders were allowed out during the reporting period and an average of 12 medical cases per day were allowed through.
• Obstacles to movement in the West Bank has increased from 628 reported during the previous reporting period to 630. Overall, the figure of 630 represents an increase of 252 obstacles (67.6%) over the baseline figure (376) of August 2005.
• Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:
Truck convoys – Implementation now 37 months overdue (since mid-January 2006).
Bus convoys – Implementation now 38 months overdue (since mid-December 2005).
Seaport – Awaiting GoI assurance of non-interference with the seaport operation.
Airport – Awaiting commencement of discussions since November 2005.
• Sufa crossing was not open during the whole reporting period. It was last open on 12 Sept 08.
• Kerem Shalom crossing was open on eleven days, the same as during the previous reporting period. A total of 991 truckloads of goods including 505.5 for humanitarian aid agencies were allowed in compared to 1,152.5 during the previous reporting period. A single truckload of carnations was exported on 2 March.
• Nahal Oz crossing was partially opened on 10 out of 12 scheduled days compared to eight days during the previous reporting period. No petrol or diesel was allowed entry. 1,107 tonnes of cooking gas were allowed in compare to 188 tonnes reported in the previous reporting period (111 tonnes/ open day – 32% of the estimated need) and 4,417.650 liters of industrial gas for the power plant (441,765 lit/open day – 70% of the actual need) were also allowed entry.
• Of note: Overall, 1,261 truckloads, including 505.5 truckloads from humanitarian agencies were allowed entry to Gaza during this period, compared to 1,501.5 truckloads allowed in during the previous reporting period.
1 The United Nations, through the OCHA oPt office, has assumed reporting responsibilities for reporting on the implementation of the AMA since April 2006.
2 The AMA was negotiated by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, between the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to promote peaceful economic development and improve the humanitarian situation on the ground. It represents the commitments of both the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to facilitate access and movement into/out and throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
