Ramallah: Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa emphasized that the ongoing crisis in Gaza is not just a humanitarian issue but the core of the Palestinian cause. He reiterated that Israel, as the occupying power, is fully responsible for the deteriorating situation in the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestine News and Information Agency - WAFA, Prime Minister Mustafa stated that mere statements of condemnation are insufficient. He urged for increased international pressure to ensure the immediate opening of crossings and the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid to those in dire need in Gaza. Highlighting the severity of the crisis, he described it as an actual famine, with children dying of hunger, the elderly collapsing, and patients without access to medicine.
During a Cabinet session in Ramallah, Mustafa stated that the Palestinian government is actively coordinating efforts through the Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions for Gaza. Additionally, preparations are underway for a Gaza reconstruction conference in Cairo, contingent on a ceasefire.
Mustafa stressed the government's ongoing diplomatic efforts to form an international alliance against the occupation. He called for international bodies like the UN, the Arab League, and the European Union to take concrete actions to end Israeli aggression in the occupied territories.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the forthcoming International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine in New York, co-chaired by Saudi Arabia and France. This conference aims to foster a unified international commitment towards Palestinian statehood and call for an immediate halt to Israeli aggression on Gaza.
The conference will address direct support for the Palestinian state, strategic state-building projects, and the imperative of Palestinian access to natural resources. It will also focus on integrating Palestine into the international financial systems and obtaining full UN membership.
Furthermore, Mustafa emphasized the importance of mobilizing support for the Gaza Reconstruction Conference and the Donors' Conference to rejuvenate the Palestinian economy and ensure Israel complies with existing agreements, including the release of withheld Palestinian funds.
On economic matters, Mustafa assured that the government, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, is diligently working to recover withheld funds and exploring sustainable, long-term solutions. Addressing public sector employees, he reaffirmed the government's commitment to supporting them during these challenging times.
Concluding his remarks, Prime Minister Mustafa expressed confidence in overcoming the challenges through unity, resilience, and solidarity, despite the ongoing blockade and occupation pressures.
