We have lived together and grieved for more than eleven months of a brutal war of extermination on the Gaza Strip. It has witnessed levels of mass killing, systematic destruction, forced displacement, and starvation against our people that modern history has never seen before.

In Gaza, fear and despair loom large, as relentless shelling continues, terrified families huddle in makeshift shelters, their homes reduced to rubble. Schools and hospitals, once safe havens, have become targets. The terrified screams of children tear through the silence of the night as their families struggle to protect them. The stench of death hangs in the air as relatives rush to bury their loved ones in the shelling, trying to give them a last glimpse of dignity and a final farewell. Hunger and deprivation are growing, with food, clean water and medical supplies becoming scarce. War crimes and massacres weigh heavily on a people who have suffered too much, too much. Yet, in the midst of this ordeal, there is a legendary resilience and a fierce determination to resist surrender to despair. This suffering and its causes, which have resulted not only from war but also from a prolonged occupation, must end as a prerequisite for peace and stability.

Since its formation in April of this year, our government has spared no effort to stabilize the deteriorating situation in the West Bank, while preparing for the “day after” in the Gaza Strip. We are committed to the care and security of our people, their right to live in dignity, and to leading recovery and reconstruction efforts once a permanent ceasefire is reached, while continuing to implement the necessary reforms to establish the foundations for an independent Palestinian state.

Once a permanent ceasefire is reached, the Government of Palestine will assume full responsibility for the Gaza Strip and lead efforts to fully reunify the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Reunifying the two parts of the homeland is not only essential for the effective and transparent implementation of relief, recovery and reconstruction efforts, but it is also a step towards the ultimate goal of reaching a permanent political agreement through the realization of our national rights, in accordance with international law within the framework of the two-state solution.

Our vision of “One Palestine”, rooted in the unity of the Palestinian people and their comprehensive national identity, is the cornerstone of these efforts, which will be the compass of the comprehensive efforts to rebuild Gaza and reunite it with the West Bank, including addressing the unprecedented humanitarian crisis, while continuing our steadfast struggle to end the Israeli occupation and realize our national rights to self-determination and independence, as the only means to achieve lasting peace and security.

But we cannot do this alone. The unprecedented scale of destruction and the immense needs in the Gaza Strip require a coordinated and robust international response. Governing the Strip, restoring basic services, rebuilding infrastructure, reuniting institutions, and achieving stability and a decent life for our people all require significant international commitment and support. Without this and in the absence of comprehensive international solidarity and action, the path to recovery, reconstruction, and the dream of peace will remain difficult and impossible.

On the domestic front, there is no disagreement on the importance and centrality of supporting the main elements of the Palestinian political system through Palestinian unity that establishes the foundations and rules of transparent democracy, the peaceful transfer of power, and pluralism, to facilitate the work of a non-partisan Palestinian government and enable it to manage the affairs of our people throughout Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Enabling the Palestinian Authority to operate within a unified governance system is the appropriate and only way forward, as this regulatory framework constitutes a condition and necessity, not only for the reconstruction of Gaza, but also for ensuring that Palestine, and indeed the region, is placed on the optimal path to peace, security, permanent stability, and sustainable prosperity.

The government's plan for the "day after" administration of Gaza, which my government has been working on in detail over the past months, is part of a broader effort to strengthen and empower the government, rebuild trust with our people, and strengthen the foundations of democracy and prosperity at the local and national levels.

Based on the vision of “One Palestine,” this plan is based on the following basic pillars:

1. Emergency relief and early recovery

Emergency relief and early recovery efforts will be led and strategically coordinated by the Palestinian Government, with support from UNRWA, UN specialized agencies, donor countries, international partners operating in the Gaza Strip, and the private sector and Palestinian civil society organizations. Priorities include rubble removal, provision of decent temporary shelter, and restoration of basic services such as water and sanitation, energy, health, and education. Equally important is supporting livelihoods, recovery, and economic empowerment, which are of paramount importance. All of these efforts will be closely coordinated with relevant Palestinian ministries and agencies, as well as local government bodies. To ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the work, a local Early Recovery Committee will be established in Gaza to coordinate all these efforts and ensure their alignment with the government’s broader relief, recovery, and reconstruction plan.

2. Long-term reconstruction and recovery

A “Gaza Reconstruction Authority” will be established to lead, coordinate and manage all reconstruction and long-term recovery efforts. The Authority will have an independent financial and administrative personality, including auditing its work according to the highest international standards, and will be supervised by a Board of Directors composed of distinguished and reputable Palestinian talent, including from the diaspora. A “Gaza Reconstruction Trust Fund” will be established at the World Bank to mobilize financial resources, with oversight and guidance from an international advisory board, to ensure the highest levels of transparency and accountability.

3. Security, rule of law and border control

Restoring security and the rule of law in the Gaza Strip requires the restructuring of the Palestinian Civil Police, reintegration and review of personnel based on competence and need, which will include pre- and post-2007 personnel and elements, following appropriate vetting and capacity assessments. The police leadership appointed by the Palestinian government will coordinate with the mayors to ensure effective and responsive local governance. At the same time, international partners are expected to play a vital role in providing capacity building support and equipment. In addition, the Palestinian government may request international security assistance as needed. The Palestinian Authority will also manage Gaza’s border crossings, with temporary international support from relevant actors, such as the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM), which was agreed to in 2005.

4. Reintegration and unification of institutions and civil service

Our government plan places great importance and urgency on reintegrating and unifying the institutional structure and civil service across the West Bank and Gaza Strip into one unified framework. To achieve this goal, temporary senior leadership will be appointed for government institutions in Gaza, to assume their duties on an interim basis until permanent managers are selected through a transparent process based on merit and competence. Employee selection will be based on technical needs, while adhering to merit and transparency criteria in all hiring decisions.

5. Restoring the work of local government institutions

As an immediate step to restore and reintegrate the local government bodies in Gaza and ensure the return of their urgent activities as quickly as possible, I will personally supervise the appointment of competent, independent local figures who are respected within the municipal councils and local communities to assume their relevant responsibilities on an interim basis for one year. These councils will be given the necessary budgets to support projects that meet urgent needs and provide services to our people in Gaza, in accordance with the relevant directives and plans set by my government. At the end of this transitional period, which will not exceed one year, local government elections will be held in both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip to ensure democratic participation and representation in local government.

The unprecedented scale of destruction in Gaza requires not only serious global support, but also a collective commitment to reconstruction and recovery. We call on our Arab brothers and all partner countries to stand with us in this great effort.

Together, we can meet the urgent needs of our people, restore essential services, rebuild the economy, and rekindle the flame of hope. This path, though difficult, is the only way forward – the path that paves the way for lasting peace, security, and prosperity. It is not only about our future as a Palestinian people and our relentless pursuit of self-determination and the right to live in freedom and dignity, but also about ensuring stability and a better future for all the peoples of the region.