Mustafa: Israeli touting for another entity governing Gaza Strip will create vacuum, chaos, and instability

Ramallah – Prime Minister’s Office – Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Mohammed Mustafa met with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at his office in Ramallah, where they discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, and ways to stop the Israeli war on the Palestinian people and strengthen humanitarian and relief efforts in the Gaza Strip. This came in the presence of Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Varsin Agabekyan Shaheen, and Germany's Representative to the State of Palestine Oliver Owcza.

Mustafa emphasized that the implementation of the latest UN Security Council Resolution 2735 is a good starting point to establish a ceasefire and ensure the delivery of aid to the Gaza Strip; stressing the importance of exerting further joint efforts to stop all Israeli occupation actions, including incursions and settler attacks in the West Bank.

He reiterated that the government has never left the Gaza Strip and has been responsible for providing all services there since the establishment of the Palestinian National Authority; warning that the Israeli touting for another entity governing the Gaza Strip will bring nothing but vacuum that would lead to chaos and instability.

Mustafa pointed out that that Israel’s continued withholding and deduction of Palestinian tax revenues, jeopardizes the government’s ability to fulfill its obligations, calling on Germany to support the government to ensure the continued provision of services in vital sectors such as health and education.

The two officials also discussed ways to support the government’s institutional reform program and enhance bilateral cooperation, particularly through the Joint Ministerial Committee between the two countries, which covers political and economic aspects, and developmental projects.

For her part, Baerbock stressed the importance of continuing joint American, European, and Arab efforts to reach a solution to the conflict and achieve the two-state solution; underscoring her country’s efforts to release the Palestinian funds that Israel withholds.