Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) – Quartet Special Envoy fifth implementation report/Non-UN document

OFFICE OF

THE SPECIAL ENVOY FOR DISENGAGEMENT

Fifth Report on the Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

The Quartet Special Envoy's Office is submitting the fifth bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November Agreement on Movement and Access, covering the period 7 to 20 January 2006 inclusive.

• Rafah was open daily during the reporting period. Standard opening hours have increased to 12 hours a day. The crossing operated for extra hours from 13 to 17 January in order to help accommodate the increased number of passengers due to the return of Hajj pilgrims. On 17 January, Palestinian border officials allowed an ambulance carrying passengers to enter Gaza through Rafah after EU BAM closed the crossing. EU BAM subsequently submitted a letter of complaint to the PA.

• Karni was open in only one direction on 11, 12 (exports) and 13 January (imports). Karni has been closed completely since 15 January in response to warnings about a tunnel that might be used for an attack against Israeli officials working at the crossing. After digging trenches on the Gaza side of the crossing, the Palestinian security forces found and sealed a tunnel. The GoI has not yet reopened the crossing. As a result of the closure, the average daily throughput of export truck loads at Karni dropped from 67 to 19 in this reporting period.

• USAID contractors estimate that revenue losses to the agriculture sector in Gaza due to the Karni closure may amount to up to US$ 4 million to date.

• Erez remained closed for Palestinian workers throughout the reporting period. On 17 January, 105 traders were allowed to exit Gaza via Erez.

• The deadline for the introduction of truck convoys between Gaza and the West Bank by 15 January was missed. Discussions of bus convoys have not yet resumed.

• OCHA reports a sharp increase in the number of obstacles to movement in the West Bank from 411 to 465. Discussions between the GoI and the US, with OCHA's participation, have not yet yielded a plan to reduce obstacles.

• The GoI has not provided the assurance to donors that will allow them to finance the construction of the seaport.

Movement and Access Agreement Report 05 (7 – 20 Jan. 06)