RAMALLAH: Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas on Thursday approved the formation of new government presented by prime minister Mohammed Mustafa, who aims to see it play a role in post-war Gaza.
Prime Minister Mustafa expressed the government’s commitment to prioritizing the end of the conflict in Gaza as its “top national priority.” The new cabinet, comprising 23 ministers, including three women and six representatives from Gaza, is set to assume office on Sunday. Among the notable figures in the new government is former Gaza City mayor Maged Abu Ramadan.
With Gaza experiencing widespread destruction and devastation due to the ongoing Israeli bombardment, Mustafa emphasized that the government would focus on formulating strategies to reunify institutions and assume responsibility for Gaza’s recovery efforts.
The move comes amidst international calls for administrative reforms in the Palestinian territories, including efforts to potentially reunite the West Bank and Gaza under a single authority. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken had previously advocated for such reforms during his visit to Ramallah in January, stressing the need for initiatives that would benefit Palestinians and foster unity among Palestinian factions.
However, the Palestinian Authority has faced longstanding challenges, including internal divisions, corruption scandals, and a stagnating peace process with Israel. Mustafa, in his inaugural address, underscored the government’s commitment to transparency and vowed to adopt a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.
Despite these assurances, concerns exist among diplomats regarding the Palestinian Authority’s ability to serve as a reliable partner in post-war reconstruction efforts. Abbas’s recent measures have yet to assuage doubts surrounding the authority’s effectiveness and credibility, particularly in the aftermath of the conflict in Gaza.
