Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA) – Fifty-first biweekly implementation report (OCHA)

Report No. 51

Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

(17- 30 October 2007)

The United Nations¹ is submitting the 51^st bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November 2005 Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 17-30 October 2007.

Overall Progress:

The general closure of the Rafah and Karni crossings for the movement of goods and people is ongoing. On 28 October, the Israeli government officially announced the permanent closure of the Sufa crossing. Security reasons were given to explain why such a decision was taken. This new closure has heightened concerns over a possible further decline in the daily number of truckloads entering the Gaza Strip. Kerem Shalom is now the only crossing point remaining open for the import of commercial and humanitarian supplies. Although Israel is expanding the capacity of Kerem Shalom, the prospective truckload handling capacity of the crossing will stand at no more than 70-80 truckloads per day (increased from 50 truckloads a day). A total of 739 truckloads, including 117 from humanitarian agencies, were allowed into Gaza during this reporting period, compared to 617 truckloads in the previous reporting period.

Erez crossing remains closed for all Palestinians since 12 June 2007, except for those with special coordination arrangements with the Israeli District Civil Liaison. During the reporting period, an average of 10 traders per day crossed through Erez into Israel. The crossing has been closed since early 2006 for Palestinian workers.

Changes of note since Report No. 50 (16 October):

No Change since Report No. 50 (16 October):

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

FULL REPORT: