OPT: Report No 26 - Implementation of the agreement on movement and access, 01-14 Nov 2006

The United Nations (1) is submitting the 26th bi-weekly report on the implementation of the 15 November Agreement on Movement and Access (AMA), covering the period 1 - 14 November 2006 inclusive. (2)

1. Overall Progress:

In the 2 weeks prior to the signing of the AMA in 2005 an average of 192 trucks entered through Karni daily and 22 exited. (3) At the end of the first year of AMA implementation, 205 trucks entered and 28 left an average increase of 15%. Sufa crossing opened for the same number of days. Rafah had been closed immediately prior to the AMA agreement; a year later it has been open on 4 days during a two week period. However, Rafah continues to open erratically and the average number of people crossing is only a third of that during the first 6 months of the AMA implementation.

2. Changes of note since Report No 25 (31 October):

Rafah crossing was open on 4 days (21% of total scheduled hours and 6 hours longer than last period) allowing a total of 3,373 people to cross into the Gaza Strip and 2,896 people out (a decrease of 25% and 42% respectively).

Erez crossing: 350 traders received special permits from the Israeli authorities to cross, according to a recent COGAT report.

Karni crossing was open on all 12 scheduled operating days enabling a total of 2,468 truckloads of goods into and 331 truckloads of goods out of the Gaza Strip. Karni was open for 47% of scheduled hours compared to 40% during the previous period.

Sufa crossing was open on 9 of the 12 scheduled working days for the transport of aggregates; being closed on 11-14 November due to IDF operations northeast of Rafah.

Kerem Shalom crossing was open on 5 days for the transport of humanitarian goods.

Obstacles to movement in the West Bank decreased slightly from 542 to 540. This represents an increase of 164 or 44% over the baseline figure of August 2005.

There were no reported security incidents during the period.

3. No Change since Report No 25 (31 October):

Convoys between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank:

Truck convoys no discussion; implementation now 11 months overdue.

Bus convoys no discussion; implementation now 10 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.

Notes:

(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.

(3) 1-15 November 2005

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