Ramallah – Prime Minister’s Office - Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, discussed with the German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock the latest developments in the Palestinian territories, particularly in light of the ongoing Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza and attacks by the Israeli occupation forces and settlers in the West Bank, including Jerusalem.

During a meeting at his office in Ramallah, the Prime Minister underscored that, alongside the ongoing war on Gaza, the northern governorates of the West Bank have faced severe escalation due to incursions by Israeli occupation forces, which have claimed the lives of numerous Palestinians, including women and children. Mustafa also highlighted the extensive destruction of infrastructure, the siege on hospitals, and the obstruction of a ministerial delegation's entry to Jenin yesterday, which aimed to assess the situation and address the urgent needs of the Palestinian people.

Mustafa pointed out that as the Israeli occupation army began withdrawing from Jenin, Tulkarm, and their refugee camps, technical and field teams have begun working to clear the roads and repair the extensive damage and destruction caused by the Israeli forces there. The Prime Minister assured that work is underway to rebuild what has been destroyed by the Israeli occupation.

Regarding efforts to stop the ongoing Israeli genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza, the Prime Minister stressed that implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 2735 is a good starting point for a roadmap to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian and relief aid to meet the urgent needs of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. This would also pave the way for unifying Palestinian territories, establishing the independent Palestinian state and ending the occupation.

Mustafa also briefed Baerbock on the government’s efforts to develop a detailed national plan for the recovery, reconstruction, and development of Gaza as soon as the Israeli aggression stops, in addition to economic revitalization in the West Bank. This is being done in cooperation with a team of international partners, including the World Bank, the United Nations, the European Union, and others.

He outlined the government's efforts in advancing institutional reform and achieving several key milestones according to the established timetable and planned actions.

Mustafa underscored the importance of enhancing bilateral cooperation between Palestine and Germany, including convening the joint ministerial committee to address political, economic, and developmental projects, as well as other mutual interests. He also commended Germany's continuous support for Palestine, both individually and through the European Union.

For her part, Baerbock emphasized the importance of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza, delivering relief and humanitarian aid, and stopping the escalation in the West Bank, including incursions by the Israeli army it has recently experienced. She also expressed total rejection of the destruction of infrastructure by the Israeli forces, some of which is funded by Germany and the European Union.

Baerbock reaffirmed Germany's firm position in supporting the two-state solution and the establishment of the independent Palestinian state.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Dr. Varsen Aghabekian Shahin, Germany’s Representative to Palestine, Mr. Oliver Owcza, Palestine’s Ambassador to Germany, Laith Arafa, Ambassador Dr. Amal Jadou, and Ambassador Dr. Omar Awadallah.