The : Access Report July 2005

This report monitors monthly humanitarian access and Key Events: movement in the Gaza Strip. Movement in and out of • 13 – 30 July 2005: The crossing was closed for all the Gaza Strip is controlled by the Israeli authorities. following a general closure imposed on the Fences and a concrete wall surround the Gaza Strip and oPt in the aftermath of a Palestinian suicide bombing in sea access is restricted. Movement in and out of the Netanya on 12 July killing four Israelis. Gaza Strip is controlled through: • 22 April – 15 May 2005: The crossing was closed to workers entering (25 April - 14 May) and EIZ (22 • for Palestinian workers and April to 15 May) at the onset of the Jewish Passover merchants who have permits to enter Israel; holidays. The crossing remained closed after the Passover • Erez crossing for international organizations; due to an alleged security threat. • Rafah crossing, between the Gaza Strip and , • 14 Jan – 12 Feb 2005: Erez crossing was closed after six for access to other countries, including for overseas Israelis were killed in a Palestinian at Karni medical referrals; crossing. • Four commercial crossings, of which Karni is the largest. b. Access for Humanitarian Organisations

Palestinian movement within the Gaza Strip is restricted International humanitarian organisations require prior by internal closure: coordination with Israeli authorities to enter and leave • Through Abu Holi checkpoint in the central Gaza the Gaza Strip. A small number of high-level Strip; Palestinian UN staff members are permitted to cross. • By over 200 observed closure obstacles, notably military bases and observation towers; c. Access for Palestinian fishing (see map, page 3) The fishing catch in July 20051 was higher than during • For Palestinians living in enclaves in close the same month last year but was lower than in July proximity to Israeli settlements. 2000. Since January 2005, the Israeli authorities have

permitted Palestinian fishing up to 10 nautical miles 1. Gaza Strip Crossing Points from the Gaza Strip coastline compared to 6 nautical miles previously. Under the , Gaza Strip a. Access for Palestinian workers and traders fishermen are entitled to fish 20 nautical miles from the into Israel coast. Fishing is prohibited for the Al Mawassi – Khan June 2005 experienced the highest daily average Younis wharf and fishing from the Rafah wharf in Al number of people crossing for work in Israel and Erez Mawassi is subject to additional restrictions.2 Most Industrial Zone (EIZ) since March 2004. This was due fishing boats leave from the Gaza Wharf. to an increase of permits issued and a reduction in the number of closure days during which the crossing was closed. Numbers dropped from June due to the closure Gaza Fishing: Total Catch 300 of Erez and EIZ from 13 to 30 July following the 242 suicide attack in Netanya on 12 July, killing four 250 Israelis. 200 150 150 131 111 Erez Crossing: Average Daily Labour Tonnes 100 75 63 70 57 47 Movement 50

Jul Jul Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul 0

00 04 05 05 05 05 05 05 05 Jul Jul Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Workers 22,410 1,052 49 390 1,451 3,200 2,067 3,588 1,767 2000 2004 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 2005 to Israel Traders N/A N/A 17 70 158 224 103 362 175 to Israel d. Access for Gazan trade movement Workers 3,145 472 9 278 537 487 259 458 233 to EIZ Karni crossing Palestinian National Security Forces | Data for 2000, 2004 obtained from UNSCO Most goods imported into the Gaza Strip and all 3 exported goods pass through Karni crossing. Truckloads of imported goods to Gaza fell in July 2005 compared with the previous month although they are higher than the same month the previous year and pre- intifada. Exports have remained fairly stable since March this year. Nevertheless, the volume of exported goods remains lower today than pre-intifada. A higher demand for imported goods reflects the decline in the Gaza Strip’s local productive capacity since September OCHA, MAC House, P.O.Box 38712, Jerusalem, 91863 Tel+-972-(0)2-5829962, Fax+-972-(0)-2-5825841

2000. The increase in exported goods since February the IDF divided the Gaza Strip into four segments by 2005 follows the Sharm al Sheikh summit. also blocking the road as Moraq-Sufa junction. Karni Crossing: Truckloads of Imports/Exports 7,000 Import 6592 a. Abu Holi junction 5828 5685 6,000 Export 4975 4852 4903 5,000 4139 Movement within the Gaza Strip significantly improved 4,000 between 9 February and mid-July when Abu Holi checkpoint was operational around the clock for 3,000 2311 vehicular traffic. In March, private vehicles were once 2,000 1278 1403 1030 968 875 999 849 again allowed to pass through the junction with the 1,000 634 501 NtionalPalestinian Ministry of for 2004 Economy 2000, | Data obtained from UNSCO 242 requirement of four people per vehicle; in May this 0 requirement was reduced to two people per vehicle. Jul 00 Jul 04 Jan 05 Feb 05 Mar 05 Apr 05 May 05 Jun 05 Jul 05 Pedestrians were still not allowed to cross. Following e. Access for Humanitarian supplies an escalation of violence on both sides, Abu Holi By end of July 2005, there were no empty containers checkpoint was closed on 12 July and remained closed inside the Gaza Strip, and the last 14 containers in until 23 July, subject to sporadic opening hours. Since Ashdod were received. UNRWA humanitarian supplies 26 July the checkpoint has been open during daytime are now positioned in the Gaza Strip and will last until hours, from around 7.00am to 7.30pm. November 2005. Humanitarian supplies, notably from United Nations • 16 July: Four Palestinians were shot and injured by Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), enter the Gaza the IDF shooting towards people trying to cross the Strip through Karni crossing. Since the end of March closed checkpoint. 2005, there has been a decrease in containers entering • 18 July: A 14 year old Palestinian boy was shot and and exiting Karni crossing due to the clearance of the killed by IDF fire towards a group of people backlog of containers at Ashdod port.4 waiting to cross. UNRWA had not been allowed by the Israeli authorities • 23 July: Two Israeli settlers were killed and three to import petrol during April and May. On 3 June and IDF soldiers injured after Palestinian militants 29 July a total of 59,000 litres were permitted to enter opened fire near the bypass bridge over the the Gaza Strip and UNRWA now has enough petrol to checkpoint. Two Palestinian militants were killed last until mid October 2005. by IDF in the attack.

• 24 July: Checkpoint was completely closed. f. Palestinians’ access internationally from the

Gaza Strip The Coastal Road was closed by the IDF on 15 July and In July, arrivals to Gaza increased with the influx of remained closed for vehicles until 18 July. Palestinian people returning from holidays. This increase was in commuters had to rely on back-to-back services. spite of the renewed restrictions on travelers passing in and out of Gaza. On 16 July, the Israeli authorities re- b. Palestinian enclaves imposed restrictions on Palestinian men aged between Isolated Palestinian communities in close proximity to 16 to 35 years leaving the Gaza Strip and on 20 July, Israeli settlements or settlement roads have been the x-ray machine was re-installed. Young Palestinian particularly affected by internal closures (See attached men have not been allowed to exit the Gaza Strip in the map of the Gaza Strip). Common characteristics of period from 17 April 2004 to 20 February 2005. After these areas; or ‘enclaves’ are: that date, arrivals had increased due to the lifting of the - Access is controlled by the IDF through a gate or a restrictions on this group. The x-ray machine installed checkpoint; by the Israeli authorities, had been removed in May. - Vehicles are not permitted to cross. Goods, Rafah Passenger Crossing: Daily average crossing including drinking water and cooking gas, are 800 Arrivals 749 carried by hand or donkey cart; 700 Departures - Restrictions according to gender and age are often 600 533 542 531 in place; 500 - Access in and out of the enclaves is limited to 360 400 332 346 325 285 290 residents. Humanitarian organizations require prior 300 263 265 203 213 coordination with the IDF; 200 165 - The back-to-back transfer of patients through 100 0 coordination is required; 0 Palestinian Ministry of Civil Affairs | | Affairs Civil of Ministry Palestinian fromUNSCOJun obtained 2004, - Students often miss classes due to irregular opening Jul 04 Jan 05 Feb 05 Mar 05 Apr 05 May 05 Jun 05 Jul 05 hours at the gates/checkpoints; and - Residents are afraid to leave their homes after dark 2. Internal movement within the Gaza Strip due to the close proximity of IDF observation and

patrols. The IDF have periodically segmented the Gaza Strip into three areas by closing off the coastal road at

Netzarim and Abu Holi junction. In exceptional cases, 22 August 2005

Gaza Access Report - Jul 2005 Page 2 of 3

OCHA oPt provides humanitarian information, maps and analysis through a range of services, products and briefings. It is headquartered in Jerusalem and has six filed offices: Jerusalem, Gaza, Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus and Tulkarm. Contact us for more information at email: [email protected] | Address: P.O. Box 38712 Jerusalem | Phone: +972 (0)2 5829962 / 5825853 | Fax: +972 (0)2 5825841 www.ochaopt.org

1 Data from the Rafah wharf is not yet available. The total for July 2005 is likely to be higher than stated here. 2 Fishermen can only access the wharf during opening hours (8-11am and 3-5.30pm) and are not allowed on the shore at other times. Fishing is limited to eight nautical miles of the coastline and three kilometers north of the wharf along the coastline and two nautical miles north of the Egyptian border. Fishermen, boats, equipment and catch are searched by the IDF and only three traders are allowed to enter Al Mawassi to purchase the catch. 3 The other three commercial crossings are Rafah, Sufa and Nahal Oz. 4 On 27 February 2005, an agreement was reached between UNRWA and the Israeli authorities to allow 20 full containers to enter the Gaza Strip daily via Sufa crossing, and 40 empty containers to leave the Gaza Strip daily via Karni crossing point. Sufa crossing has however been closed since 29 March; all humanitarian cargo passes through Karni.

OCHA, MAC House, P.O.Box 38712, Jerusalem, 91863 Tel+-972-(0)2-5829962, Fax+-972-(0)-2-5825841

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs The Gaza Strip: Enclaves July 2005

As Siafa (Pop: Approx. 190) ISRAEL - Siafa gate opens twice daily, 7:30am and 2pm. Alei Sinai - Residents between the ages of 16 to 30 years Siafa require48hourspriorcoordinationtocross. West Ç The Gaza - Entry and exiting of goods is problematic. ¬ Siafa Bank Checkpoint Strip This month: New - 29 July: IDF dismantled the military outpost next Al Qaraya al Badawiya al Maslakh Erez IndustrialÇ Site to gate entrance and was replaced by IDF tank Nissanit ¬ Erez Crossing

JORDAN Beit Lahiya ISRAEL Madinat al 'Awda Northwest Junction (Pop: Approx. 40) 'Izbat Beit Hanoun Beit Hanoun - A Palestinian police checkpoint and IDF observation Jabalia Camp

towers monitor and control resident access. Ash Shati' Camp Jabalia

EGYPT 'Arab Maslakh Beit Lahiya

Gaza

SEA Netzarim B Ç Karni Cargo Netzarim ¬ Crossing

Al Zahra Al Mughraqa (Abu Middein) City or Village MEDITERRANEAN Al Mawassi (Pop: Approx. 5,400) Netzarim Junction - Checkpoint opens twice daily, 8am – 1pm Refugee Camp and 2:30pm – 5pm. Juhor ad Dik Yellow Area (Palestinian areas - Male residents between the ages of 16 to under Israeli security control) 25 years require prior coordination. An Nuseirat Camp

This month: Al Bureij Camp Israeli Settlement Area - 1, 2 , 17 and 19 July: Checkpoint was closed Main & Local Road all day. Az Zawayda - 2 July: Checkpoint was re-opened for females Urban & Dirt Road but remain closed for male Palestinians. Deir al Balah Camp Al Maghazi Camp Enclave Area ISRAEL Deir al Balah Al Musaddar

Inset Map Al Ma’ani (Pop: Approx. 140) Tel Katifa ¬Ç Al-Ma'ani Wadi as Salqa Checkpoint - Gate opens four times daily Al Ma'ani North Abu Holi Checkpoint ¬Ç Abu Nahiya Abu Nahiya (Pop: Approx. 150) South Abu HoliÇ - Gate open 24hrs for residents Netser KhazaniCheckpoint ¬ Gaza Beaches Abu al-Ajin ¬Ç Gaza Cemetery El - Qarara Crossing Abu al-Ajin/North and South of Kissufim road (Pop: Approx. 60) Katif Airfield Ganei Tal (Kissufim) - Residents have a key to the gate; however use is restricted Al Qarara by the IDF to three or four times a day. Kfar Yam

As Sureij ‚ At Tufah Neve Dkalim Checkpoint

Al Mawasi (Khan Yunis) Khan Yunis Camp settlementGadid block Bani Suheila 'Abasan al Jadida (as Saghira) Khan Yunis Al Mawasi (Rafah)New Pe'at Sade Bedolakh Insert Map Qarya as Suwydiya Slav Bnei Atsmon Qizan an Najjar 'Abasan al Kabira IDF - Controlled Abu Holi Junction Rafi'akh¬Ç YamTall as Sultan Checkpoint The major junction dividing north - south movement Qa' al Kharaba Qa' al Qurein Khuza'a Umm Kameil ## Tal as Sultan ÅÆÃÅÆà ## Umm al Kilab ÅÆà ## Tel KatifaÅÆÃ% Kfar Darom % % Al Fukhkhari ## Wadi as Salqa Ç % % hldlhaCorridorPhiladelphia % Rafah Camp ÅÆà ¬ %% Pal % Morag-Sufa % Al Ma'ani esti % ## ÅÆà Junction nian Road inStreet D l ## Rafah ad Al Bayuk Settler Ro ") ") ah E¬Ç North Abu Holi % ÅÆà % SalD Checkpoint %") D Ç %Bridge Rafah Crossing ¬ Ç ¬ Sufa Crossing % % % Netser KhazaniD ÅÆÃÇ % Shokat as Sufi ¬ ### ÅÆà DD % ) l # a D # n Road # port io t

ir a r n e South Abu Holi aA p z o a - nia n G Checkpoint o

(N S EGYPT ÅÆà % ettler Road Palesti ÅÆà ISRAEL D D % Katif %%¬ÇÅÆà ÅÆà Israeli Screening Area D ") # Al Qarara Cartography: OCHA - oPt updated July 2005 Closures - April 2005 Base data: PA MoPIC, July 2000, OCHA update 2005 Palestinian movement Ç ÅÆà For comments contact or ¬ Checkpoint Military post ") Road block 0482 Tel. +972 (02) 582-9962 Israeli movement D Road gate http://www.ochaopt.org Observation tower #* Earth mound Kilometers OCHA %

The designations employed and the presentation of material on this map do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.