Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access
and Update on Gaza Crossings
The United Nations is submitting the 79th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA)1, covering the period 26 Nov – 09 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 535 working days. It was last open on 09 June 2007. However, the crossing was exceptionally and partially open on two days during the reporting period, allowing 185 Palestinians, including many medical cases, to cross into Gaza. No one was allowed to cross out.
• 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 one day (24 November), compared to four days in the previous reporting period. A total of 20 truckloads of cereals, animal feed, entered Gaza, via the one lane, compared to 309 in the previous reporting period. Neither gravel nor bulk cement were allowed entry during this 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 had been granted special permits. For these persons, Erez crossing was partially open on 12 out of the 14 scheduled days. A daily average of 22 medical cases was allowed to cross. No traders were allowed to cross during the reporting period.
• Obstacles to movement in the West Bank has decreased from 629 reported during the previous reporting period to 625. Overall, the figure of 625 represents an increase of 249 obstacles (66.2%) over the baseline figure (376) of August 2005.
• Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:
Truck convoys – Implementation now 34 months overdue (since mid-January 2006).
Bus convoys – Implementation now 35 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 was not opened during the whole reporting period. It was last opened on 12 Sept 08.
• Kerem Shalom crossing was open on two days compared to six days during the previous reporting period. A total of 59 truckloads including 40.5 for humanitarian aid agencies were allowed in compared to 370 during the previous reporting period.
• Nahal Oz crossing was partially opened on 2 out of 12 scheduled days compared to 6 days during the previous reporting period. No petrol, diesel or cooking gas was allowed entry but 664,200 liters of industrial gas for the power plant (332,100 lit/open day) were allowed entry.
• Of note: Overall, 79 truckloads, including 40.5 truckloads from humanitarian agencies, were allowed entry to Gaza during this period, compared to 679 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 Gaza Strip.
