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

5 June 2006

Fourteenth Report on the Implementation of the Agreement on Movement and Access

The United Nations¹ is submitting the 14th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 17 – 30 May 2006 inclusive.²

• Rafah was open daily during the reporting period.

• Karni was open throughout the reporting period, although it was open only for nine days for exported goods.

• The last of the earmarked Egyptian food assistance arrived through Kerem Shalom on 26 April. Kerem Shalom did not operate during this reporting period.

• Sufa was closed for construction materials for four days during the reporting period. On 28 May the crossing was open only for WFP food assistance.

• Erez has been closed to Palestinians since 12 March coinciding with the Jewish holiday of Purim. There is no indication as to when the crossing will reopen. Consequently, no workers or traders crossed into Israel through Erez during the reporting period.

• The deadline for the introduction of truck convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank as agreed in the AMA passed on 15 January. Discussions about the possibility of bus convoys have not yet resumed.

• According to OCHA, the number of obstacles to movement in the West Bank increased from 515 to 519. OCHA compiles several times a year a comprehensive count of physical obstacles to Palestinian movement in the West Bank. The figures reported here are based on OCHA field observations only.

• The GoI has not provided the assurance to donors that it will not interfere with the operation of the seaport.

• There have been no discussions on the airport during the reporting period.

Notes

¹ The Office of the Quartet’s Special Envoy closed on 28 April. The United Nations has assumed reporting responsibilities on the implementation of the AMA.

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

For further information please contact Francine Pickup or Catherine Osborn, UN Office for the

Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), tel: 02 582 9962.