The Council of Ministers approved a contract with the World Health Organization to purchase emergency medical supplies for hospitals in the Gaza Strip at a value of $2.3 million, and to implement a program to enhance mental and family health services in the Strip at a value of $4.8 million within the project to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Palestinian health system implemented by the Ministry of Health with funding from the World Bank.

The Council of Ministers decided during its weekly session today, Tuesday, which was chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas at the presidential headquarters in the city of Ramallah, to assign the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, in coordination with the Ministry of Finance, to directly address the damage to the infrastructure resulting from the weather conditions in the winter, which will contribute to alleviating the suffering of our people.

The Cabinet approved the recommendations of the Special Ministerial Committee for Emergency Action, most notably the provision of an emergency budget of 15 million shekels to the unified account for dealing with the effects of the occupation’s aggression on the West Bank. This decision will accelerate the work of government field teams to address the infrastructure, improve services such as roads, water, electricity and sewage, and repair damage to buildings and property, which will enhance the resilience of citizens in the targeted areas.

The Cabinet approved the first reading of the draft system obligating preference for national products in public purchases by no less than 15%. This will support local industry and the national product, and provide greater job opportunities for our people.

The Council also approved the re-operation of the Al-Arroub wastewater treatment plant, and the importance of this project in removing the damage to the lands of citizens in the town of Sa’ir, and it is consistent with the government’s reform plans and correcting the work of institutions in a way that serves to provide the best services to our people.

In addition, the Council approved, in the first reading, the national strategy to empower small and micro enterprises, increase their number, improve their opportunities to obtain support and financing, empower them technologically, and enhance the access of their products to regional and international markets.

President Mahmoud Abbas chaired the weekly cabinet session today, Tuesday, at the presidential headquarters in Ramallah.

Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Mustafa gave His Excellency a detailed explanation of the work of the Palestinian government during the past period, according to the letter of assignment given by His Excellency when forming the government, and the efforts it made to serve the homeland and the Palestinian citizen, despite all the difficulties that hinder its work, foremost of which is the ongoing Israeli aggression against our people and our land, in addition to the occupation’s withholding of Palestinian clearing funds, and other punitive measures.

He explained that thanks to His Excellency's directives and the efforts exerted by the government, many goals have been worked on and achieved, expressing his hope to achieve the political, security and financial stability that we seek, which supports the steadfastness of our people on their land, noting that the necessary plans have been put in place to implement this and provide the best service to the Palestinian citizen.

For his part, Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa gave an extensive presentation of the government’s most prominent interventions and efforts since its appointment, as it worked to enhance coordination with international and relief organizations to bring aid into the Gaza Strip, and to bring fuel into hospitals, desalination plants, and sewage treatment plants, in addition to continuing to transfer financial allocations to the Strip despite Israeli deductions, expanding social protection programs, and enhancing the e-learning system.

In addition to relief work, the Prime Minister referred to the government plans that were prepared for the post-aggression phase, such as providing temporary housing and expanding relief work, leading to reconstruction.

Regarding government efforts in the West Bank, including Jerusalem, the Prime Minister reviewed the efforts made to strengthen the steadfastness of our people, and the emergency interventions to address the effects of the repeated occupation incursions by repairing the infrastructure, reconnecting services, and providing temporary shelter for affected citizens, especially in the camps in the northern West Bank.

The Prime Minister presented the main pillars of the National Development and Development Program in its first phase, which the government is working to implement over the next two years, including two main axes: the first axis: 7 development initiatives to enhance the quality of services and economic advancement, while the second axis includes 4 pillars to develop the legislative environment and improve institutional performance. The initiatives include: localizing health services, shifting to renewable energy sources, comprehensive social protection, sustainability of local government bodies, food security, education for development, and digital transformation. The 4 pillars include: developing financial policies and public finance management, strengthening the government system and the rule of law, improving the legislative and regulatory environment for investment and business, and improving the level of basic services provided to our people.

The Minister of Jerusalem informed the Council members of the escalating Israeli measures targeting the city of Jerusalem, including demolition and confiscation, and the efforts of the Ministry and the Governorate to support the steadfastness of our people in Jerusalem and provide legal and financial support in the face of the occupation’s measures.

The Minister of Culture also informed the Council members of the Ministry’s efforts to register Palestinian symbols on the World Heritage List in order to preserve and protect Palestinian heritage and history.