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

Report No. 64

Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

and Update on Gaza Crossings

(16 – 29 April 2008)

The United Nations is submitting the 64^th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA)¹, covering the period 16 – 29 April 2008 (Annex)². In light of the closure of Gaza, this report also monitors movement and access through other crossings not included in the AMA.

Summary:

AMA Benchmarks:

• Rafah crossing has remained closed for the movement of people for 325 working days. It was last open on 09 June 2007. However, 47 Palestinians from Gaza who were stranded on the Egyptian side of the border, were allowed to cross in; no one was allowed out.

• Karni crossing has been closed since 12 June 2007 for the movement of goods in and out of Gaza. The single-lane conveyor belt/chute for wheat grain and animal feed was open on one day (29 April) compared to three days in the previous reporting period. 68 truckloads of grain and animal feed entered Gaza, via the conveyor belt, compared to 98 in the previous reporting period.

• 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 open 12 out of the 14 scheduled days.

• Obstacles to movement in the West Bank decreased from 612 to 608 reported during the pervious reporting period. Overall, the figure of 608 represents an increase of 236 obstacles (61.7%) over the baseline figure of August 2005.

• Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

• Ports:

Non-AMA Crossings:

• Sufa crossing was open on 7 days compared to 10 days in the previous reporting period, during which 406 truckloads, including 57 from humanitarian agencies, were allowed into Gaza.

• Kerem Shalom crossing was open on 3 days compared to 11 days in the previous reporting period during which 67 truckloads (including 13 from humanitarian agencies) were allowed through into Gaza compared to 311 during the pervious reporting period.

• Nahal Oz crossing was open partially on 7 out of 10 scheduled days but neither petrol nor diesel entered during this time. 3,330,000 liters of industrial gas for the power plant (237,000/day) and 475 tonnes (39 tonnes/day) of cooking gas were allowed entry.

• Of note: Overall, 541 truckloads, including 70 truckloads from humanitarian agencies, were allowed into Gaza during this period a significant decrease compared to 929 truckloads in the previous reporting period.

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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 reached 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 Governments to facilitate access and movement into/out and throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Full report: