A/HRC/12/48
page 63
differed substantially.85 According to information reported by OCHA, the agreement included a
commitment by the Gaza authorities to halt attacks by Palestinian armed groups against Israel
immediately and a commitment by Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza. Israel also
reportedly agreed to ease its blockade of Gaza and gradually lift its ban on the import of a large
number of commodities.86 According to Egyptian sources quoted by the International Crisis
Group,87 after three weeks the two sides were to commence negotiations for a prisoner exchange
and the opening of the Rafah crossing.
226. The agreement was made in respect to the territory of the Gaza Strip only, but Egypt
reportedly undertook to work to expand the ceasefire to the West Bank after the initial six-month
ceasefire had elapsed.88
227. The first incident relevant to the ceasefire reportedly took place on 23 June 2008, when a
67-year-old Palestinian civilian was injured when the Israeli military stationed at the border
north-west of Beit Lahia opened fire on a group of Palestinians trying to collect fire wood near
the border. Also on 23 June, two mortar shells were reportedly fired from central Gaza. One
landed near the Nahal Oz crossing and the other in the Negev desert; no injuries were reported.89
228. Between 18 and 24 June 2008, the Karni (al-Mintar) crossing conveyor belt was opened
for four days for wheat and animal feed but was closed to all other imports and exports. The
Erez crossing was open for six days to allow the movement of diplomats, international
humanitarian workers and critical medical cases. OCHA indicated that senior Palestinian
businessmen were also allowed to cross. The Sufa crossing was open for five days during the
week ending 24 June 2008, while the Kerem Shalom and Rafah crossings remained closed. The
Nahal Oz energy pipelines were open on the six scheduled operating days.90
See International Crisis Group, “Ending the war in Gaza”, Middle East Briefing No. 26, 5 January 2009, p. 3,
available at: http://www.crisisgroup.org/library/documents/middle_east___north_africa/arab_israeli_conflict/
b26_ending_the_war_in_gaza.pdf.
85
OCHA, Protection of Civilians Weekly Report (18–24 June 2008), available at: http://www.ochaopt.org/
documents/Weekly_Briefing_Notes_265_English.pdf; see also “Ending the war…”, which also notes that crossing
points were to be opened after 72 hours (6 a.m. on 22 June 2008) to allow 30 per cent more goods into Gaza and, on
1 July 2009, all crossings were to be opened to allow for the transfer of goods into Gaza (footnote 1). It is the
Mission’s understanding that, in relation to the transfer of goods, the agreement did not include materials that could
be used to make explosives or projectiles.
86
87
See “Ending the war…”.
“Ending the war…”, footnote 1. See also The Jerusalem Post, “End of truce? 3 Kassams hit w. Negev”, 24 June
2008, available at http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?cid=1214132667653&pagename=
JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull.
88
89
90
OCHA, Protection of Civilians Weekly Report (18–24 June 2008).
Ibid.
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