Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) – Twenty-fourth bi-weekly implementation report (OCHA)

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Report No 24

Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

(4 – 17 October 2006)

The United Nations¹ is submitting the 24th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 4 – 17 October 2006 inclusive.²

1. Overall Progress:

The passage of people to and from the Gaza Strip remains a major issue: Erez remains closed to Palestinian workers and traders and Rafah crossing still suffers from frequent closures following the start of hostilities on 23 June. The average number of people crossing at Rafah each day since 23 June is less than 30% of the average number crossing between the 25 November 2005 and 22 June 2006. The commercial crossing points are beginning to operate more consistently, having been open on an average of 82% of scheduled days since 1 September 2006, although with significantly reduced efficiency (exported truckloads being only 11% of the target).

2. Changes since Report No 23 (3 October):

• Rafah crossing was open on four days (23% of total scheduled hours) allowing a total of 2,582 people to cross into the Gaza Strip and 3,618 people out.

• Karni crossing was open on all 12 scheduled operating days enabling a total of 2,500 truckloads of goods into and 285.5 truckloads of goods out of the Gaza Strip. Karni was open for only 50% of scheduled hours compared to 53% during the previous period.

• Sufa was open on 10 days for the transport of aggregates.

• Kerem Shalom was open on 9 days for the transport of humanitarian goods.

• Obstacles to movement in the West Bank increased from 522 to 533. This represents an increase of 157 or 42% over the baseline figure of August 2005.

• There were no reported security incidents affecting the operation of the crossing points during the period.

3. No Change since Report No 23 (3 October):

Crossings:

Erez closed to Palestinians since 12 March.

Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

Truck convoys  – no discussion; implementation now 10 months overdue.

Bus convoys – no discussion; implementation now 9 months overdue.

Ports:

Seaport – awaiting, since November 2005, GoI assurance to donors that it will not interfere with its operation.

Airport – awaiting, since November 2005, commencement of discussions.

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¹ The Office of the Quartet’s Special Envoy closed on 28 April. Since then the United Nations through the oPt OCHA office has assumed reporting responsibilities on the implementation of the AMA.

² The report draws on all available data sources for reporting including the EU-BAM, UN agencies, PA ministries, PalTrade, COGAT and the World Bank.