Prime Minister Mohamed Mustafa called for the urgent implementation of UN resolutions, especially Security Council Resolution 2735, in order to stop the aggression and secure the entry and delivery of aid to our people immediately and urgently, in a way that paves the way for the return of basic services such as health care and education, and to begin work to restore life to normal, leading to reconstruction and development, and returning the Gaza Strip to its natural space as an integral part of the State of Palestine, with the support of the international community.

“The Gaza Strip is still being subjected to a war of genocide that has been ongoing for more than 14 months, and until now, the comprehensive and systematic destruction of more than 80% of the infrastructure continues, especially hospitals, schools, water and sewage lines, with the spread of epidemics and diseases, and the interruption of electricity, water and fuel, which in its details and its combination constitutes a fully-fledged war crime, a failure of humanity and the principles of international law, and requires urgent and immediate action,” he said during his speech at the Cairo Ministerial Conference to Enhance the Humanitarian Response in the Gaza Strip, on Monday.

He added: "Gaza is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis today. It is a disaster area suffering from famine and destruction, where Israel, the occupying power, uses hunger as a weapon of war. We are witnessing deliberate, systematic and widespread starvation, not because of a shortage of aid, but as a result of preventing its entry and obstructing the work of humanitarian organizations and crews."

He stressed that this conference represents an appropriate opportunity to reaffirm our rejection of the continued occupation of the Gaza Strip, the continued closure of its various crossings, or the reduction of the geography or demographics of the Strip, or any part of the territory of the State of Palestine.

He stressed that the role of UNRWA is irreplaceable or irreversible, and that it has a pivotal role in the post-war period, as it has had for 75 years in protecting and providing relief to Palestinian refugees based on UN Resolution 194. Therefore, all Israeli laws targeting it must be rejected. He thanked all brotherly and friendly countries that support UNRWA and help provide and facilitate the entry of aid to our people, especially the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

Mustafa expressed his thanks to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the brothers in the Arab Republic of Egypt for holding this conference at this difficult time in particular, conveying the greetings of the Palestinian leadership, headed by President Mahmoud Abbas. He also thanked the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, his deputy, and representatives of all the countries present, as well as the international and regional institutions and relief organizations for their efforts and pivotal role in providing and securing the arrival of aid and essential needs, despite the targeting of their officials and workers, who witnessed the disaster with our people and suffered as we do.

He explained that the government was keen to continue providing everything possible to our people in the Gaza Strip, despite the harsh conditions we are going through, including the Israeli invasions and attacks on the cities of the West Bank, and the deductions of Palestinian tax funds, especially the provision of basic services in the areas of water, energy, communications, social affairs, health, education, financial and civil services.

Mustafa added: “The government has coordinated and maximized humanitarian relief efforts in partnership with its providers, which we hope will be enhanced by the outcomes of this conference. In addition to these immediate and vital efforts, the government is leading the necessary planning phase for the post-relief and humanitarian response phase, as ministries and government institutions are currently developing plans for early recovery and reconstruction, in preparation for launching the comprehensive development process.”

He pointed out that the government has developed a plan to reunify and develop national institutions in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, which will enable the expansion and development of existing civil services to meet the needs of citizens after the war.

Mustafa continued: “The government has also developed a plan to launch recovery operations in the Gaza Strip and restore vital basic services, and pave the way for reviving the economy, in partnership with several international parties. It has also formed a government team to prepare detailed plans for the reconstruction of Gaza and building its economy, in partnership with national institutions, the World Bank, the United Nations, and the European Union. The team has reached advanced stages in preparing these plans.”

He added: "To ensure effective governance and full transparency, we have developed a comprehensive vision for establishing an independent and professional body to oversee reconstruction efforts. This effort will be complemented by the establishment of a financial trust fund dedicated to mobilizing and directing donor funding towards Gaza's reconstruction needs, in cooperation with the World Bank, in line with international standards and best practices."

Mustafa said: “We have developed a plan to enhance the resilience and sustainability of the national economy, by laying the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth, stimulating private and public investment capable of generating job opportunities, increasing government revenues, and reducing long-term dependence on donor aid.”

He added: "We have developed a plan to enhance the performance of public institutions in the country by implementing the necessary legislative, administrative and financial reforms, in line with our national priorities, to ensure the efficient provision of services to our citizens in all Palestinian governorates, to enhance transparency and accountability, to support the rule of law, and to strengthen partnership with civil society, which will enable us to advance the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank."

Mustafa stressed that the partnership and provision of support and humanitarian aid that are under discussion at this conference are an investment in the steadfastness and future of the Palestinian people, which preserves their dignity, increases the resilience of society and its ability to recover and rebuild, and sends a message of hope to our people that the world will not leave them alone.

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