Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access
and Update on Gaza Crossings
The United Nations is submitting the 81st bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA)1, covering the period 10 – 23 Dec 08 (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 563 working days. It was last opened for public use on 09 June 2007. However, the crossing was exceptionally and partially opened on eight days during the reporting period, allowing 300 Palestinians including many medical cases to cross back into Gaza. No one was allowed to cross out of Gaza.
• 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 five days (10,11,12,15 and 16 December), compared to three days in the previous reporting period. A total of 153 truckloads of cereals, animal feed, entered Gaza, via the conveyor belt, compared to 84 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 have been granted special permits. For these persons, Erez crossing was partially open on 12 out of the 14 scheduled days. Only three traders were allowed out during the reporting period and a daily average of 16 medical cases were allowed to cross.
• Obstacles to movement in the West Bank has decreased from 624 reported during the previous reporting period to 621. Overall, the figure of 624 represents an increase of 245 obstacles (65.2%) over the baseline figure (376) of August 2005.
• Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:
Truck convoys – Implementation now 35 months overdue (since mid-January 2006).
Bus convoys – Implementation now 36 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 remained closed during the reporting period. It was last open on 12 Sept 08.
• Kerem Shalom crossing was open on five days compared to four days during the previous reporting period. A total of 210 truckloads, including 95.5 for humanitarian aid agencies, were allowed in, compared to 118.5 reported during the previous reporting period.
• Nahal Oz crossing was partially open on 4 out of 12 scheduled days compared to 3 days during the previous reporting period. No petrol or diesel for public use was allowed entry (Only 50,000 lit of petrol and 101,000 lit of diesel were allowed entry for UNRWA). 579 tonnes of cooking gas (145 tonnes/open day – 17% of the actual need) and 1,514,220 liters of industrial gas for the power plant (378,555 lit/open day – 24% of the actual need) were allowed entry.
• Of note: Overall, 363 truckloads, including 95.5 truckloads from humanitarian agencies, were allowed entry to Gaza during this period, compared to 202.5 truckloads allowed in during the previous reporting period.
1 The United Nations, through the OCHA oPt office, has assumed reporting responsibilities 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 the Gaza Strip.
