05/08/2014

NON PAPER
Gaza: Supporting a sustainable ceasefire

We are strongly committed to playing a role in supporting the Egyptian ceasefire initiative, to
address security concerns whilst opening up access to Gaza and supporting the return of the
Palestinian Authority.

In order to achieve a sustainable ceasefire, it will be important to address simultaneously
Israeli demands in terms of security and Palestinian demands regarding the lifting of the
restrictions and for both to be closely monitored through an international mechanism.


1. Monitoring and Verification of Arrangements:

Learning lessons from the past, an international monitoring and verification mechanism could
follow up on the implementation of any ceasefire agreement, setting clearly defined
benchmarks to assess the compliance of parties. The specific roles of the mechanism will
depend on the terms of a ceasefire agreement, but should cover military and security aspects,
such as the dismantling of tunnels between Gaza and Israel, and the lifting of restrictions on
movement and access. It could have a role in monitoring imports of construction and dual use
materials allowed in the Gaza strip, and the re-introduction of the Palestinian Authority. It
should be overseen by a neutral party, and could be a UN mandated mission, for example a
revised United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO).


2. Security Arrangements

a. Security arrangements should assure a lasting ceasefire and security for the populations
in Gaza and Israel. They should help to prevent a rearming of militant groups in Gaza
and military violations, and provide for an effective dismantling of tunnels between
Gaza and Israel.

b. The Palestinian Authority should be supported to take on an effective security role in
Gaza. The EU could provide assistance for this, perhaps through an expanded mandate
for EUPOL COPPS.

c. The issue of tunnels between Gaza and Egypt will continue to be addressed by Egypt
with appropriate international support. This might also be covered by a monitoring and
verification mechanism.



3. Freedom of Movement and Access:

a. Steps should immediately be taken to open crossings and movement of persons and
goods through border crossings should be facilitated once the ceasefire is reached.
The respective arrangement could take into account the existing agreement on
movement and access (AMA) of 2005. With a view to setting a path for sustainable
05/08/2014

economic growth, parties should be encouraged to set a timeframe during
negotiations for :

i. reviewing the list of dual use items forbidden to enter Gaza, to bring it in to
line with West Bank lists, and allow access for construction materials,
ii. allowing all exports and transfers through the crossing points, including to
West Bank and Israel,
iii. increasing the number of trucks allowed to enter the Gaza strip daily,
iv. allowing movement of people and goods between Gaza and the West Bank,
v. studying the implementation of an internationally-supervised mechanism to
enable trade to and from Gaza by sea,
vi. extending the fishing perimeter to 12 nautical miles and authorizing the use
of agricultural land in the buffer zone.


b. The Palestinian Authority should resume its control at the Rafah, Kerem Shalom and
Erez crossing points. The EU could offer EUBAM supervision taking immediate
effect in Rafah. The EU could also look at the possibility of extending the mandate
of EUBAM Rafah to cover the Kerem Shalom and Erez crossings.

c. The EU could play a role in training the border police and customs of the Palestinian
Authority in view of their redeployment, possibly through the support of EUPOL
COPPS (as well as possibly trainings through the Egyptian and Jordanian Armed
Forces).


4. Rebuilding and stabilizing Gaza
The ceasefire could be accompanied with an international support package coordinated
through OCHA to rebuild housing and infrastructure in the Gaza strip, although this would
require easing of restrictions on imports. This could include both aid and technical support.
The Palestinian Authority should be responsible for the disbursement of the funds and
monitoring of money flows.
The EU could assist in encouraging the phased re-entry of the Palestinian Authority into Gaza
as part of this stabilization, including with technical assistance for the integration of West
Bank and Gaza civil services and the development of a viable strategy for sustainable
economic growth in Gaza.
The EU could also play a role in providing technical support to address Gazas structural
energy and water issues.


5. International endorsement

This agreement should be endorsed by the United Nations Security Council and take into
account obligations of both parties under International Humanitarian Law.