Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) – Ninety-seventh biweekly implementation report (OCHA)


Report No. 97

Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

and Update on Gaza Crossings

(22 July – 04 Aug 2009)

The United Nations is submitting the 97th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA)1, covering the period 22 July – 04 Aug Sep 09 (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 787 working days. It was last open for public use on 09 June 2007. However, the crossing was partially open on an exceptional basis for passengers on all days during the reporting period, the same as in the previous reporting period, allowing 2,020 of authorized Palestinians, including many medical cases, to cross out, and 3,646 to cross in, compared to 342 departures and 540 arrivals 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 and animal feed was open on four days (23, 27, 29 July and 03 Aug), the same as during the previous reporting period. A total of 285 truckloads of cereals and animal feed entered Gaza via the conveyor belt, compared to 208 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 three years since 12 March 2006 for workers, and more than two years, since 12 June 2007, for all other Palestinians, except for a limited number of Palestinian senior traders, aid workers and medical cases who have been granted special permits. For these persons, Erez crossing was partially open on 12 days. No traders were allowed out during the reporting period and an average of 17 medical cases per day were allowed to cross out, compared to an average of 22, during the previous reporting period.

Obstacles to movement in the West Bank has remained at 614, the same as during the previous reporting. Overall, the figure of 614 represents an increase of 238 obstacles (63.3%) over the baseline figure (376) of August 2005.

Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

Truck convoys Implementation now 42 months overdue (since mid-January 2006).
Bus convoys Implementation now 43 months overdue (since mid-December 2005).

Ports:

Seaport Awaiting GoI assurance of non-interference with the seaport operation.
Airport Awaiting commencement of discussions since November 2005.

Non-AMA Crossings:

Sufa crossing was not open during the whole reporting period. It was last open on 12 Sept 08. In mid March 09, Israel announced that Sufa crossing is no longer a crossing point between Gaza and Israel.

Kerem Shalom crossing was partially open on 10 days compared to 11 days during the previous reporting period. A total of 598 truckloads of goods, including 79 for humanitarian aid agencies, were allowed in, compared to 703 during the previous reporting period.

Nahal Oz fuel pipelines were partially open on 08 out of the 10 scheduled days, the same as during the previous reporting period. A total of 127,020 liters of petrol and 539,420 liters of diesel for private/commercial and humanitarian use were allowed entry during this reporting period. In addition, 1,960 tonnes of cooking gas and 4,076,710 liters of industrial gas for the power plant were allowed in compared to 2,144 tonnes and 4,514,150 liters respectively in the previous reporting period.

Of note: Overall, 874 truckloads, including 79 truckloads from humanitarian agencies were allowed entry to Gaza during this period, compared to 915 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.

For more information email: ochaopt@un.org | Address: P.O. Box 38712 Jerusalem

Phone: +972 (0)2 5829962 / 5825853 | Fax: +972 (0)2 5825841



2019-03-12T18:07:05-04:00

Share This Page, Choose Your Platform!

Go to Top