concerning safety and environmental protection as applied by Israel. The transportation of gas and fuel products into Israel, the Settlements and military installations shall further be subject to the requirements and modalities regarding entry into Israel.

2. In order to facilitate the movement of transportation of gas or fuel products in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip :
   
   
1. The Palestinian side will issue permits to Palestinian owners, drivers and escorts of vehicles transporting gas or fuel products. The issue of such permits shall be governed by the criteria regarding recruitment to the Palestinian police according to this Agreement. The issue of such permits is not contingent upon the approval of the Israeli side. The Palestinian side shall notify the Israeli side of the permits issued by it.
   
   
2. The Palestinian side shall ensure that vehicles transporting gas or fuel products, as well as their parking lots, shall be guarded against any theft or unauthorized use. The Palestinian side shall inform the Israeli side, at the earliest opportunity, of any suspected theft or unauthorized use of such vehicles.

3. The Israeli side shall cooperate with the Palestinian side with regard to the establishment by the Palestinian side of 3-4 storage facilities for gas and petroleum, including in facilitating, inter alia, location, land and technical assistance in order to secure the purchasing needs of the Palestinians from the Israeli market.
   
   
4. Matters regarding the environment and transportation are dealt with in Article 12 ( Environmental Protection ) and Article 38 ( Transportation ), respectively.
   

ARTICLE 16

Government and Absentee Land and Immovables

1. Powers and responsibilities of the Custodian of Government and Absentee Property ( hereinafter " the Custodian " ) in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip with regard to Government and Absentee Land and immovables, shall be transferred from the military government and its Civil Administration to the Palestinian side.
   
   
2. In Area C, powers and responsibilities relating to this sphere will be transferred gradually to Palestinian jurisdiction that will cover West Bank and Gaza Strip territory, except for the issues that will be negotiated in the permanent status negotiations, during the further redeployment phases, to be completed within 18 months from the date of the inauguration of the Council.
   
   
3. The Palestinian side shall respect the legal rights of Israelis ( including corporations owned by Israelis ) related to Government and Absentee land located in the areas under the territorial jurisdiction of the Council.
   
   
1. The Palestinian courts shall be empowered to deal with disputes regarding rights relating to land.
   
   
2. Notwithstanding the above, when an Israeli or a Palestinian considers that his or her rights may be affected by any enforcement, confirmation or registration proceedings, he or she may request, within 30 days from the receipt of the

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