In the midst of the Middle East war, the Palestinian government has repositioned itself in the occupied West Bank. Their ultimate goal is the end of the war. Prime Minister Mustafa declared that he wanted to take responsibility for Gaza.
A new Palestinian government took the oath of office in Ramallah in the West Bank. The cabinet of the new head of government Mohammed Mustafa includes 23 members, including four women and six ministers from the Gaza Strip.
One of them is the former mayor of Gaza City, Maged Abu Ramadan, who is now in charge of the Ministry of Health. Among the women sworn into the Cabinet on Sunday is Palestinian-Armenian academic Warsen Aghabekyan, who will work in the Foreign Ministry controlled by Mustafa.
Mustafa wants to take responsibility for Gaza
The “top national priority” is ending the war in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Mustafa said when he presented his cabinet. His government will “work to formulate visions for the reunification of institutions, including taking responsibility for Gaza.” Prime Minister Mustafa is an economist and long-time advisor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
At the end of February, Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh’s government resigned. This was seen above all as a symbolic step and a sign that the Palestinian leadership wants to reposition itself.
The Palestinian Authority rules the Israeli-occupied West Bank but has limited power. The terrorist militia Hamas took sole control of the Gaza Strip in 2007 and violently ousted Abbas’ rival Fatah party.
Autonomous authority remains controversial
The autonomous authority is under pressure from the US to implement reforms and be ready for the post-war period in the Gaza Strip. However, many doubt that the autonomous authority, which is controversial due to divisions, corruption scandals and authoritarian tendencies, can be a credible actor.
The war between Israel and Hamas was triggered by Hamas’ major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Islamist terrorists committed atrocities primarily against civilians. According to Israeli figures, around 1,160 people were killed and around 250 hostages were taken to the Gaza Strip.
In response to the Hamas attack, Israel has since taken massive military action in the Gaza Strip. The declared goal is the destruction of Hamas. According to Hamas figures, which cannot be independently verified, more than 32,700 people have been killed in the Palestinian territory since then.