RAMALLAH, April 22, 2025 (WAFA) - Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, in his opening remarks of the Cabinet weekly session on Tuesday, stressed the urgent need to expedite the implementation of the Government's decision on providing dignified and temporary shelter for displaced families in the northern West Bank. This includes a combination of shelter centers, repairs to partially-damaged homes, and subsidized housing for families in dire need, coordinated with UNRWA and set to benefit over 6,000 families, with an emphasis on intensifying efforts to mobilize additional funding.
The Cabinet renewed its appeal to the international community to exert pressure on the Israeli occupation to open border crossings and allow the entry of critical medical and food supplies into Gaza. It warned of the worsening humanitarian crisis amid severe shortages, depletion of relief and humanitarian aid stocks, and growing hunger, all while Israel’s daily bombings and killings continue.
The latest attacks have targeted and destroyed equipment used for debris removal, road clearance, and waste collection, further deepening the suffering of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip.
The Prime Minister also instructed all relevant authorities to raise preparedness levels in light of the continued Israeli aggression on Jenin and its refugee camp for the 92nd consecutive day, and on Tulkarm and its camps for the 85th day.
These attacks have included forced displacement, widespread destruction of infrastructure, and home seizures—part of a systematic pattern targeting Palestinian cities and refugee camps.
Prime Minister Mustafa urged international parties, particularly the United Nations, to act swiftly to protect civilians and stop the ongoing violations of international humanitarian law.
As part of efforts to address the urgent shelter needs of displaced families, the Ministry of Public Works has issued tenders for the construction of two temporary shelter centers, one in Iktaba, Tulkarm, and the other in Wadi Burqin, Jenin, to provide dignified housing for displaced families currently lacking temporary shelter.
Additional lands are also being prepared to expand temporary shelter capacity, alongside efforts to mobilize necessary resources for long-term reconstruction plans.
Responding quickly to urgent field needs in line with the Government’s directives for rapid field response, work has been completed to level and open the Nablus–Tulkarm road, facilitating traffic and citizens’ movement. About 30 vehicles from the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, Tulkarm Municipality, and private contractors were mobilized for the task, with continued emphasis on swift interventions to repair any site affected, including repairs to homes affected by the Israeli occupation aggression, just as has been done in previous instances.
The Cabinet also reviewed several proposals aimed at developing the legal framework for product certification of Palestinian products to meet international standards and boost Palestinian export potential.
This would allow national products to be internationally recognized through Palestinian laboratories, eliminating the need for external lab approvals.
Additionally, the Cabinet discussed plans to create a government e-wallet as part of the Government’s broader initiative toward a digital economy and improved e-payment. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy, this step aims to strengthen electronic payment systems and promote financial inclusion, especially in light of the exceptional challenges facing the Palestinian people and national economy.
T.R.
