A Series of Important Decisions Taken.. The Cabinet Discusses Developments in the Deteriorating Palestinian Situation

SadaNews - The Prime Minister opened the weekly Cabinet session today, Tuesday, updating the council members on the efforts made during the second meeting of the "Palestine Donors Group" in Brussels and the preparatory work that preceded it over the past months, which resulted in the announcement of international commitments to support recovery operations in the Gaza Strip amounting to approximately one billion dollars.

The Prime Minister chaired the meeting alongside the European Union Commissioner for Middle East Affairs, Dubravka Šuica, with representatives from 65 countries and international institutions participating. The agenda included not only financial commitments for the implementation of early recovery programs in the Gaza Strip but also the follow-up on political developments, the escalation of settler crimes, economic conditions including calls for the release of Palestinian customs and tax funds (clearance), the opening of Gaza crossings, enhancing relief and reconstruction operations, and emphasizing the central role of the relief agency "UNRWA".

Furthermore, the Cabinet condemned the acts of violence committed by terrorist settler gangs against citizens across the West Bank, the latest being an armed attack on the village of Deir Jreer north of Ramallah, which resulted in the martyrdom of two citizens and injuries to others amid a rising wave of assaults between the occupation forces and settler gangs, which reached 447 attacks against Palestinian citizens and their properties in various governorates over the past week. The Cabinet warned of the escalation of these assaults within a systematic policy targeting Palestinian citizens and their properties, calling for urgent international action to stop them and hold those responsible accountable.

The Cabinet also warned of the rapid deterioration of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip at various levels, amid the continuous rise in the number of victims due to ongoing targeting by the occupation and its repeated violations of the ceasefire, which exceeded thousands, in addition to strict restrictions on the entry of humanitarian aid and preventing patients and injured individuals from traveling for treatment. The Cabinet demanded that mediators and the international community take urgent action to compel the occupation to cease its aggression and violations, ensure the immediate and safe flow of humanitarian aid, secure the evacuation of patients and injured for treatment, provide protection for civilians, and fulfill commitments as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.

In another context, the Cabinet discussed the fuel crisis resulting from a combination of reasons, notably a shortage in supply from the source, alongside the accumulation of the shekel due to occupation procedures, as well as exaggeration in filling and storage by some. The Cabinet directed the board of the Public Petroleum Corporation to expedite practical measures to address the crisis, including working on increasing supply quantities, in conjunction with the Ministry of Finance's efforts in cooperation with the Monetary Authority and banks to provide the necessary cash liquidity to meet market needs. It also directed to tighten monitoring of fuel flow and the conditions of gas stations to ensure that citizens receive their actual needs, following procedures and controls that ensure public safety, and in line with civil defense instructions.

In this context, law enforcement agencies continue to monitor any violations or breaches related to the application of laws regulating the purchase and distribution of fuels, ensuring the enforcement of law, protecting public funds, and preventing the exploitation of citizens' needs in difficult circumstances.

The Cabinet confirmed its ongoing preparations to separate commercial operations for fuel purchasing and storage through a government company that will be distinct from the Petroleum Corporation, which will focus on regulating the sector without affecting the role of the private sector in distribution operations as is currently the case.

In a related matter, the Minister of Finance and Planning provided a briefing on the financial situation amid the continued detention of clearance funds by the occupation in full for more than 15 months, along with the efforts exerted by the Ministry of Finance to secure the payment of public employees' salaries, which are expected to be disbursed in a few days, with the Ministry set to issue a statement in this regard tomorrow, Wednesday.

In light of the government's efforts to address the shortage of medicines and medical supplies, after a series of steps agreed upon with supply companies to increase quantities and review payments and lists of medicines along with other financial arrangements, the Minister of Finance clarified that approximately 300 million shekels have been disbursed to private sector hospitals and pharmaceutical companies since the beginning of the year, with scheduled payments of about 430 million shekels expected by the end of the current year.

In another matter, following the report submitted by the Monetary Authority regarding the banking relationship with Israeli banks and their threats to cease banking relations with Palestinian banks, and recognizing the importance of coordination among various relevant parties, the Cabinet directed the formation of a specialized committee to study the implications of these threats on the Palestinian economy, with recommendations to be presented to the Cabinet within a week from today.

Moreover, the Cabinet approved the recommendations of the national team to devise a vision regarding settlements in Area C, including exempting citizens from settlement expenses in specific targeted areas, including those within or near settlements or adjacent to the wall, to solidify citizens' ownership of these lands.

Additionally, the Cabinet discussed the Ministry of Awqaf's report on governance of the Hajj file and the measures taken for the first time, including choosing the complete quotas through a lottery system, including reserve draws for emergencies, as well as allowing pilgrims' evaluations and comments via the electronic application dedicated to the Hajj, and the prior determination of details regarding the accommodation of pilgrims and hotels before travel, including an added service "Hajj without suitcase" for ease of transporting luggage separately, along with other procedures including contracting with Saudi medical centers for the first time to provide healthcare services to over 6,000 pilgrims.