Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access
and Update on Gaza Crossings
The United Nations is submitting the 103rd bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA)1, covering the period 14 – 27 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.
• Rafah crossing has remained closed for the movement of people for 871 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 12 days during this reporting period, the same as in the previous reporting period, allowing 106 authorized Palestinians, including many medical cases, to cross out, and 878 to cross in, compared to 101 departures and 653 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 three days (21, 26 and 27 Oct), compared to five days during the previous reporting period. A total of 254 truckloads of cereals and animal feed entered Gaza via the conveyor belt, compared to 450 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. An average of two traders were allowed out per day during the reporting period, and an average of 29 medical cases per day were allowed to cross out, compared to an average of 19 during the previous reporting period.
• Obstacles to movement in the West Bank has decreased from 586 during the previous reporting period to 579. Overall, the figure of 579 represents an increase of 203 obstacles (54.0%) over the baseline figure (376) of August 2005.
• Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:
Truck convoys Implementation now 45 months overdue (since mid-January 2006).
Bus convoys Implementation now 46 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.
• 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, the same as during the previous reporting period. A total of 840.5 truckloads of goods including 142.5 for humanitarian aid agencies were allowed in, compared to 797.5 during the previous reporting period. Additionally a total of 213 tonnes of cooking gas and 2,299,030 litres of industrial fuel for the power plant were allowed through via the pipelines.
• Nahal Oz fuel pipelines were partially open on 03 out of 10 scheduled days, the same as during the previous reporting period. 608 tonnes of cooking gas and 2,362,550 litres of industrial gas for the power plant were allowed through, compared to 649 tonnes and 3,304,840 litres respectively, in the previous reporting period. In addition, 36,500 litres of petrol entered for the private sector.
• Of note: Overall, 1,094.5 truckloads, including 142.5 truckloads for humanitarian agencies were allowed entry to Gaza during this period, compared to 1,247.5 truckloads allowed in during the previous reporting period. A total of 821 tonnes of cooking gas and 4,661,580 litres of industrial gas were allowed to enter (Nahal Oz and Kerem Shalom crossings) compared to 649 tonnes and 3,439,840 litres respectively, 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
