RAMALLAH, Wednesday, May 8, 2024 (WAFA) – Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa today met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, Hanke Bruins-Slot, during which they discussed the need for urgent international intervention to put pressure on Israel to release the withheld Palestinian funds.

During a meeting in Ramallah, the two officials discussed the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, including the need for coordinated efforts to ensure the delivery of essential aid to Gaza.

The Prime Minister said: “Israel places obstacles on all aspects of life and deprives us of our financial resources," adding that Israel has imposed sanctions ordering additional deductions from the PA clearance funds under the pretext that part of the money is paid for the Gaza Strip and the salaries of employees and retirees, which rendered the government unable to fulfill its obligations.

Mustafa pointed out that a donors' conference will be held at the end of the month in Brussels to mobilize financial, political and relief support to confront the difficult financial, economic and political conditions imposed by Israel on the Palestinian people.

For her part, the Dutch Foreign Minister affirmed her dedication to ensuring the opening of more crossings with the Gaza Strip to enhance relief and humanitarian aid introduction into the Strip.

She further stressed the need for Israel to release the withheld Palestinian funds.

They also discussed the increase in colonists' attacks in the occupied West Bank and the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip, including the need for coordinated efforts for the delivery of essential aid to Gaza.

Bruins-Slot affirmed her country’s rejection of colonial expansion and the surge in colonists'` terrorism and crimes against the Palestinian people and their properties in the occupied West Bank, stressing the need to hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable.

Y.S