Annual Report - Palestinian Center for Human Rights

The agreement allows Palestinians to export Gaza Strip agricultural products through
Karni (al-Mentar) crossing and the Rafah International Crossing Point. Furthermore,
the Kerem Shalom crossing point would be opened for Palestinian imports. However,
customs clearance would be carried out by Israeli clearance firms.
Under the agreement, IOF would allow bus convoys for goods and passengers
between the Gaza Strip and West Bank, starting on 15 December 2005, and on 15
January 2006, IOF would allow truck convoys to move between the two areas. In
addition, the agreement included stipulations to draft a plan to reduce restrictions on
movement within the West Bank, starting on 31 December 2005. It also allowed the
commencement of the construction of the Gaza sea port, and a trilateral committee
would be set up to draft security and operational arrangements before the port opened.
Finally, the agreement stipulated that discussions on the reopening of the Gaza
International Airport would continue. 29
It is worth noting that Rafah International Crossing Point, the sole outlet of the Gaza
Strip to the outside world, was closed 80 days prior to its re-operation. IOF had
reopened it sporadically to allow Palestinians trapped on the Egyptian side of the
crossing point to travel back to the Gaza Strip and to allow some medical cases,
students and pilgrims to travel abroad. The closure of the crossing point had severely
impacted the Palestinian civilian population of the Gaza Strip. Many Palestinian
civilians, including women and children, had been trapped on the Egyptian side of the
crossing point for long periods of time and under severe humanitarian conditions,
lacking basic services.
The agreement maintains the de facto IOF control over Rafah International Crossing
Point; it does not guarantee free interaction with the outside world; and the IOF will
continue to control the civilian and commercial movement between the Gaza Strip
and West Bank. The field conditions in the Gaza Strip prove that IOF have continued
to control movement to and from the Gaza Strip. This agreement reinforces the IOF
control over, and occupation of the Gaza Strip, which has not ended with the
implementation of the "Disengagement Plan.” The agreement reinforces the current
deprivation of tens of thousands of Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip, who do not
have ID cards, of their right to travel and meet family members abroad. 30 The
agreement strengthens the Israeli control over the Gaza Strip economy, and hinders
attempts to develop the economy. This is achieved through controlling the movement
of imports and exports, which can be stopped by IOF in light of any field
developments or under security claims. The IOF's bad will, regarding the facilitation
of movement and travel, is proven by the delay in re-opening Gaza International
Airport, which requires only a few months for renovation and operational readiness.
The seaport, whose construction is permitted to begin according to the agreement, will
need more than two years before it becomes ready for operation.
IOF have continued to restrict access to occupied East Jerusalem for residents of the
West Bank and the Gaza Strip. As a result, Palestinians have been denied accessed to
advanced medical care provided by hospitals in East Jerusalem, to family, education,
29
By the end of the year, IOF had not committed to the agreement as many of its provisions had not
bee implemented.
30
IOF have authority to decide the legal status of Palestinians, whether they are permanent residents of
the OPT or visitors. They have the authority to issue identity cards for Palestinians.
40