PESCARA, October 23, 2024 (WAFA) – Minister of National Economy Mohammed Al-Amour participated today in a special session on the situation in Palestine, within the humanitarian conference on the Middle East, on the sidelines of the G7 Development Ministers’ Meeting in Italy’s Pescara.
Representing the Palestinian Prime Minister, Al-Amour spoke in his speech about the Israeli war of extermination against the Palestinian people, which has been ongoing for more than a year, noting that the number of victims of the systematic Israeli crimes has exceeded 42,000people, with more than 100,000 injured.
He noted that the war caused massive destruction of infrastructure and facilities.
He stressed the failure of the international community to stop the bloodshed and bring in humanitarian aid, despite the evidence that Israel has committed war crimes, most notably the policy of starvation.
Al-Amour highlighted the Israeli attacks, violations and raids that all cities, camps and villages in the West Bank are being subjected to.
He explained that since October 7, 2023, the Palestinian economic and social situation has witnessed dire consequences, noting that the economy was already suffering from a severe crisis before that date due to the occupation's policies such as the closure of crossings, the seizure of tax revenues, the siege imposed on the Gaza Strip, the control of Area C, in addition to the restrictions imposed on production, water and energy, as well as liquidity problems in Palestinian banks.
He warned that the economic situation is going through a very difficult phase, noting that the World Bank revealed that the Palestinian economy shrank by 35 percent in the first quarter of 2024, the largest decline on record.
In the Gaza Strip, almost 100 percent of the population live in poverty, with 70 percent of agricultural land destroyed, 95 percent of educational institutions destroyed, and 80 percent of health facilities out of service, he added.
The minister pointed out that the current Palestinian government is shouldering its responsibilities in exceptional and unusual circumstances, affirming it is working to achieve four pillars.
These pillars are reunifying Gaza and the West Bank and unifying institutions after a ceasefire, achieving financial sustainability and general reform, enhancing governance and transparency, economic development through job creation, attracting investments, reducing dependence on aid, and rebuilding Gaza in coordination with international partners, according to the minister.
He stressed that the government's success in implementation depends on financial and political support from international partners, as the financial deficit may reach 1.9 billion US dollars this year.
Minister Al-Amour called for the release of Palestinian tax funds withheld by the Israeli side, urging the participating countries to invest in Palestine, not only in the economic field, but in achieving peace and stability in the region, by recognizing the State of Palestine.
A.D/M.N
