Mustafa: We are following up on the collection of 8.2 billion shekels that are being withheld, and this situation is unbearable

SadaNews: Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa reiterated during the opening of the weekly cabinet meeting today, Tuesday, the Palestinian official position, which was emphasized by the President on several occasions. He stated that realizing the Palestinian state on the lands of the State of Palestine requires the cooperation of everyone under a single political system, unified national institutions, and a single security apparatus, so that we can assist our people in the sector and facilitate the reconstruction process leading to the establishment of the long-awaited independent Palestinian state.

The Prime Minister said: "The Israeli side is fighting this vision, and all its institutions and agencies are working to weaken and financially besiege the national authority so that it cannot fulfill its responsibilities towards our people in the sector, and to prevent the establishment of the Palestinian state, which has become a broad international consensus."

Mustafa emphasized that promoting the Israeli plan will not succeed, the will of our people is strong, and the determination to bear our responsibilities to achieve our national tasks with all the strength and resolve we possess.

He added: "At a time when the chances of holding a ceasefire soon in our beloved Gaza are rising, which we hope will succeed as soon as possible, the government's preparations are ongoing to coordinate relief efforts in the sector and prepare for a reconstruction conference."

Mustafa pointed out that, simultaneously, the governmental operations room, which includes about 40 governmental institutions and international agencies working in the relief field, is continuing its preparations, in addition to its teams on the ground, to continue relief work and implement the early recovery plans we have prepared, just as our teams worked during the previous ceasefire period.

The Prime Minister reviewed the financial situation updates, stating: "We were informed by the Israeli side about the clearance value for the past two months after the deductions. The clearance value for month (5), which has not yet arrived, is about 844 million shekels, and the Israeli side deducted an amount of 275 million shekels as extortion based on the government transferring allocations to the Gaza sector, while the government continues to transfer allocations to our employees in the sector. Additionally, there are other deductions amounting to about 220 million shekels for what we pay for the allocations of the families of martyrs and prisoners, as well as some services like water, electricity, and health services. Thus, the total of these deductions for month (5) alone amounts to approximately 443 million shekels; hence, the net amount, according to Israeli estimates, is about 400 million shekels only, which has not been transferred to us yet."

Mustafa further stated: "As for the clearance for month (6), the total revenues amounted to 960 million shekels; however, 471 million shekels were also deducted from it, including 275 million shekels regarding salaries in Gaza, and the rest for other services. Thus, there remains approximately 490 million shekels, which also has not been transferred to us yet.

He continued: "After all deductions, about 890 million shekels remain from the two months, and we are awaiting the transfer of this amount, noting that this is not the only amount, as there is an accumulated debt on the Israeli side in our favor of nearly 8.2 billion shekels that have not been paid. We are doing everything we can through diplomatic and legal efforts and all possible means to address this issue, but the treatments we have provided so far are professional and technical within the framework of government work; however, it is clear that these procedures are politically driven and therefore require political responses."

Mustafa stressed that this situation is unbearable and is an unusual state that may require us to take unusual measures. This is a message that must reach everyone, and we will not continue to wait.

The Prime Minister said: "The President and the government extend their appreciation to all members of our people everywhere, whether in Gaza or the West Bank, for their steadfastness in this difficult situation. No matter how hard the circumstances are, we are committed to addressing them, and we appreciate the patience of all relevant parties who have endured during this phase and stand with us in this important national stance, as the challenge is faced by everyone, and we all are employees, companies, the private sector, banks, citizens, and security agencies that will fulfill their duties to confront this Israeli aggression."

Furthermore, the cabinet discussed the developments regarding the repair of the infrastructure destroyed by the occupation in the northern West Bank and the emergency government allocations via the ministerial committee for emergency works, alongside following up on the issue of paying rent allowances for displaced families for a period of 3 months during the current week through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency and international partners, the Department of Refugee Affairs, and Arab and Islamic funds affiliated with the Prime Minister's Office.

The council also approved the criteria and mechanisms for allocating traffic department revenues for the year 2024 to local authorities from municipalities, village councils, and popular committees in the camps, amounting to 173 million shekels as follows:

Approximately 86 million shekels were allocated to municipalities, village councils, and popular committees in various governorates based on the population census of these bodies to enable them to fulfill their commitments towards citizens.

The second half of the amount will be allocated to support Jerusalem and targeted areas, in addition to other government support programs. There will also be allocations for implementing developmental and service projects through the Ministry of Local Government, and support for the capacities of the boards of joint authorities and support for financial and administrative reform for local authorities. All of this will contribute, along with other support programs from the Municipal Development and Lending Fund and projects funded by Arab and Islamic funds through the Prime Minister's Office, to improving the quality of services provided by local authorities, especially within the vision of the national program for development and improvement and the government's initiative for the sustainability of local authorities.

The council also approved increasing the quantities of medications for cancer patients to cover the needs of patients in various governorates.

A committee was also approved to carry out the tasks for the Kafr Ra'i village council in coordination with the local community, highlighting its importance in managing municipal affairs and continuing to provide services to the village residents.

Additionally, the council authorized a project to transfer water quantities from the West Jenin water facility for the benefit of the West Bank Water Department, contributing to alleviating the water crisis in Jenin, while continuing work on the maintenance and operation of the Jenzoor water well to address the water shortage issue in the governorate.

The council also approved allocating a piece of land in Bethlehem Governorate for the establishment of a rehabilitation and reform center according to international standards and best practices.