RAMALLAH, November 7, 2017 (WAFA) – The Palestinian cabinet called on Tuesday to enable the government full control over the Gaza crossings, stressing that the crossings cannot operate without security as the situation is at the moment.

A statement issued by the cabinet following its weekly meeting in Ramallah said that without actual control for the security forces over the crossings and without reaching actual solutions to the security issues, the government will not succeed in carrying out its duties.

The Palestinian Government of National Consensus headed by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah took over control of the Gaza crossings that include Rafah crossing with Egypt, and Beit Hanoun/Erez crossing and Karm Abu Salem/Kerem Shalom commercial crossing with Israel on November 1 in ceremonies attended by Palestinian and Egyptian officials.

The cabinet urged the various Palestinian political factions that are expected to meet in Cairo on November 21 to discuss the major issues left on the reconciliation table, foremost is security control in Gaza, to resolve this matter due to its importance in consolidating national unity, as came in the statement.

It said government control over the security situation in Gaza will pull the rug from under Israel’s feet because it uses the pretext of security in Gaza to justify its 11-year-long blockade.

The cabinet stressed the importance of implementing all the terms of the reconciliation agreement on the ground to ease the hardships faced by Gaza’s two million residents.

M.K.