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

Report No. 65

Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

and Update on Gaza Crossings

(30 April – 13 May 2008)

The United Nations is submitting the 65^th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA)¹, covering the period 30 April – 13 May 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 339 working days. It was last open on 09 June 2007. However 456 Palestinians from Gaza, who were stranded on the Egyptian side of the border, were allowed to cross in and another 1,081 people including patients were 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 five days (30 April, 01, 04, 05 and 06 May) compared to one day in the previous reporting period. 350 truckloads of grain and animal feed entered Gaza, via the conveyor belt, compared to 68 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 increased to 609 from 608 reported during the previous reporting period. Overall, the figure of 609 represents an increase of 237 obstacles (62%) 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 8 days compared to 7 days in the previous reporting period, during which 485.5 truckloads, including 96 from humanitarian agencies, were allowed into Gaza.

• Kerem Shalom crossing was not open at all during the reporting period. It was open three days during the previous reporting period. It was last open on 19 April 08.

• Nahal Oz crossing was open partially on 7 out of 10 scheduled days. 73,500 liters of petrol (5,250/day), 402,000 liters of diesel (28,714/day), 1,161 tonnes of cocking gas (82/day) and 4,056,000 liters of industrial gas (289,714/day) for the power plant (237,000/day) were allowed entry.

• Of note: Overall, 835.5 truckloads, including 96 truckloads from humanitarian agencies, were allowed into Gaza during this period compared to 541 truckloads allowed in during 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: