Bethlehem, Prime Minister’s Office — Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa emphasized the Palestinian Government’s ongoing efforts to achieve security, economic, and financial stability in the West Bank, while working to end the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

During his visit to Bethlehem Governorate, Dr. Mustafa met with local leaders, institutions, and officials, including Bethlehem Governor Mohammad Abu Alia. The discussions addressed the current political situation, the ongoing Israeli genocidal war on Gaza, and the Government’s plans for post-war reconstruction, economic development, and institutional reform.

"We are facing significant challenges, particularly due to Israel’s aggression on and reoccupation of Gaza, and its attempts to isolate the West Bank from Gaza in an effort to prevent realizing the establishment of the independent Palestinian state,” said Mustafa.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the Gaza Strip is integral to the Palestinian state, just like Jerusalem and the rest of the Palestinian Territory. He reiterated President Mahmoud Abbas's assertion that there can be no state without Gaza, nor a state in Gaza alone. Once the war ends, efforts will focus on reunifying Gaza and the West Bank politically, geographically, and institutionally under the banner of the Palestine Liberation Organization and the State of Palestine.

He stressed that the Palestinian Government, under the guidance of President Mahmoud Abbas, is engaged in vigorous diplomatic efforts to end Israel’s genocidal war against the Palestinian people in Gaza. Mustafa further highlighted the Government’s focus on delivering urgent humanitarian aid, preparing for the reconstruction process, and working to reunite the Palestinian institutions in the West Bank and Gaza after the aggression ends.

“The current phase requires collective responsibility to end the suffering of our people in Gaza, addressing the devastation and catastrophic humanitarian conditions there. It also necessitates unifying internal national efforts, as national reconciliation is essential, and the division is nearing its end, paving the way toward the realization of the establishment of the independent, unified Palestinian state," Mustafa stressed.

“The Government is tirelessly working to achieve security, economic, and financial stability in the West Bank, despite the Israeli occupation's attempts to transfer the war from Gaza to the West Bank. This is evident through systematic campaigns targeting the northern West Bank and refugee camps, primarily aiming to eliminate the refugee issue, as well as imposing a financial blockade through deductions from Palestinian tax revenues, closures, military checkpoints, and restrictions on movement," he continued.

The Prime Minister highlighted that the Government is working to recover the Palestinian tax funds withheld by Israel, which have reached $2 billion, emphasizing that Israel continues to deduct over 500 million shekels on monthly basis.