To promote peaceful economic development and improve the humanitarian
situation on the ground, the following agreement has been reached. It represents
the commitments of the Government of Israel (GoI) and the Palestinian Authority
(PA). Its implementation and further elaboration will be assisted by the Quartet
Special Envoy for Disengagement and his staff and/or the United States Security
Coordinator (USSC) and his staff.
1. Rafah
The parties have agreed to the attached statement of principles. Rafah will be opened as
soon as it is ready to operate at an international standard in accordance with the
specifications of this agreement and as soon as the 3rd party is on site, with a target date
of November 25.
2. Crossing Points
The parties have agreed that:
The passages will operate continuously. On an urgent basis, Israel will permit the export
of all agricultural products from Gaza during this 2005 harvest season.
The new and additional scanner will be installed and fully operational by December 31.
At that time, the number of export trucks per day to be processed through Karni will
reach 150, and 400 by end-2006. A common management system will be adopted by
both parties.
In addition to the number of trucks above, Israel will permit export of agricultural
produce from Gaza and will facilitate its speedy exit and onward movement so that
quality and freshness can be maintained. Israel will ensure the continued opportunity to
export.
To enhance operation, the parties agree that:
- When a new generation of x-ray equipment able to scan trailers as well as containers
becomes available it will be used. Once it arrives in the country, testing will also be
carried out with the assistance of the Quartet Special Envoy.
- The USSC will ensure continuing consultation, with unresolved implementation
issues to be discussed as needed with the parties.
- The PA will ensure that the passages will be protected on the Palestinian side of the
border and will train and upgrade the management of all crossings to ensure
efficiency and effectiveness. The PA will establish, without delay, a unified system of
border management.
- The management system that has been developed for Karni should, with suitable local
variations, be adapted to the passages at Erez and Kerem Shalom. Israel also
undertakes to put in place similar arrangements as appropriate that will make West
Bank passages fully operational as soon as possible. A bilateral committee, with
participation as needed of the Quartet Special Envoy and/or the USSC, will develop
operational procedures for those passages.
3. Link between Gaza and the West Bank
Israel will allow the passage of convoys to facilitate the movements of goods and
persons. Specifically:
- Establish bus convoys by December 15.
- Establish truck convoys by January 15.
- Work out detailed implementation arrangements in a bilateral committee of the GoI
and PA with participation as needed from the Quartet team and the USSC.
It is understood that security is a prime and continuing concern for Israel and that
appropriate arrangements to ensure security will be adopted.
4. Movement within the West Bank
Consistent with Israel's security needs, to facilitate movement of people and goods within
the West Bank and to minimize disruption to Palestinian lives, the ongoing work between
Israel and the U.S. to establish an agreed list of obstacles to movement and develop a
plan to reduce them to the maximum extent possible will be accelerated so that the work
can be completed by December 31.
5. Gaza Seaport
Construction of a seaport can commence. The GoI will undertake to assure donors that it
will not interfere with operation of the port. The parties will establish a U.S.-led tripartite
committee to develop security and other relevant arrangements for the port prior to its
opening. The 3rd party model to be used at Rafah will provide the basis for this work.
6. Airport
The parties agree on the importance of the airport. Discussions will continue on the issues
of security arrangements, construction, and operation.
