On March 28, Palestine announced the formation of a new Cabinet in the context of increasing pressure from the international community on reform.
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| Palestinian President Mahmoud Abba (right) appointed Mr. Mohammad Mustafa - a long-time reputable advisor in the economic field, as Prime Minister, March 14, 3. |
Palestinian News Agency WAFA reported that President Mahmoud Abbas - leader of Palestine for nearly two decades, issued a presidential decree, which recognized the new Cabinet submitted by new Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa.
Prime Minister Mustafa emphasized that the new government's top priority is ending the conflict in Gaza.
The new Palestinian cabinet will include 23 ministers, including three women, and six people from the Gaza Strip, including Gaza City Mayor Maged Abu Ramadan.
Previously, on March 14, President Abbas appointed Mr. Mohammad Mustafa - a long-time reputable advisor in the economic field, as Prime Minister.
Mr. Mustafa pledged to form a technocratic government and create an independent trust fund to help rebuild Gaza. He will also hold the concurrent position of Secretary of State. The Minister of Interior is still Mr. Ziad Hab al-Rih.
According to the plan, the members of the Cabinet will be sworn in on March 31.
Currently, the Palestinian Authority manages part of the West Bank occupied by Israel, while it has lost power in the Gaza Strip to Hamas since 2007.
The US calls on Palestine to reform its Cabinet and establish a political framework capable of managing post-conflict Gaza before becoming an independent state.
Israel opposes the idea, saying it would maintain security control over Gaza and cooperate with Palestinians not affiliated with the Palestinian Authority or Hamas.
For its part, Hamas also opposes the formation of a new government, calling on all Palestinian factions, including the Fatah party, to form a power-sharing government before the election. In addition, Hamas warned Palestinians in Gaza not to cooperate with Israel to manage this territory.
