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

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Report No 23

Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

(20 September – 3 October 2006)

The United Nations¹ is submitting the 23rd bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 20 September – 3 October 2006 inclusive.²

1. Overall Progress:

Even taking into account the two public holidays during this reporting period, the movement of goods and personnel to and from the Gaza Strip continues to fall far below the levels agreed in the AMA. Karni has now opened on all scheduled days since 3 September but for less than half the total scheduled operating hours. In the same period, Rafah has only opened on three out of 30 days.

2. Changes since Report No 22 (19 September):

• Rafah crossing was open on three days (14% of total scheduled hours) allowing a total of 4,945 people to cross into the Gaza Strip and 3,824 people out.

• Karni crossing was open on all ten scheduled operating days enabling a total of 1,609 truckloads of goods into and 128 truckloads of goods out of the Gaza Strip. Karni was open for only 31% of scheduled hours compared to 53% during the previous period. Currently 40% of the trucks arriving to export goods are turned away.

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

• Kerem Shalom was fully open on two days and open only for electrical equipment for the Gaza power plant and some humanitarian goods traffic on a further six days.

• Obstacles to movement in the West Bank increased from 518 to 522. This represents an increase of 146 or 38% over the baseline figure of August 2005.

• There was one reported security incident near the Rafah crossing on 22 September when the Presidential Guard clashed with gunmen.

3. No Change since Report No 22 (19 September):

Crossings:

Erez closed to Palestinians since 12 March.

Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

Truck convoys no discussion; implementation now 9½ months overdue.

Bus convoys no discussion; implementation now 8½ 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.

FULL REPORT: