Ramallah: The Palestinian Cabinet has issued a stark warning concerning the escalating challenges posed by the ongoing Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including Jerusalem. These challenges are compounded by continued settler violence, border crossing restrictions, and the withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, during an emergency session held on Thursday evening, the Cabinet highlighted that these circumstances threaten the government's capacity to provide essential public services. The financial strain is particularly acute in sectors such as health, education, and social protection.
The Cabinet revealed that the amount of illegally withheld Palestinian funds has now exceeded 9.1 billion shekels. This includes over 8.2 billion shekels withheld up to now, along with clearance revenues from the last two months. This financial pressure has critically impaired the government's ability to fulfill its core obligations, especially in healthcare, where shortages of medicines and medical supplies pose a severe risk of collapse. Other sectors are similarly affected, with rising poverty and unemployment threatening societal stability.
Furthermore, the Cabinet warned that the inability to meet obligations, such as paying public sector salaries, could lead to reduced service delivery and institutional efficiency. This may force the government to consider suspensions in certain departments and reducing working hours across public institutions.
The Cabinet reaffirmed that the Palestinian leadership, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is actively pursuing political and legal avenues to restore the withheld funds and protect Palestinian rights. It called on the international community, particularly the United States and France, to take decisive action to ensure Israel fulfills its legal obligations. The Cabinet emphasized the urgency of these actions to maintain regional stability and peace.
Despite the challenges, the government remains determined to reclaim the withheld revenues and marshal all available resources to meet its financial obligations and maintain essential services. The Cabinet also instructed public institutions to adjust working arrangements to ensure the continuity of critical services amid the fiscal crisis.
