* EU reaffirms its commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority and strengthening its role in Gaza
* Call to allow entry of essential materials and equipment through all possible crossings and to facilitate humanitarian operations

RAMALLAH, December 10, 2025 (WAFA - The Government Operations Room for Emergency Interventions in the Gaza Strip received today, Wednesday, the Deputy Head of the European Union Delegation, James Rizzo, for a briefing on the Room’s mandate and the government’s ongoing efforts to support relief, early recovery, and the restoration of essential services for the population in the Gaza Strip.

At the beginning of the meeting, the Head of the Operations Room, Samah Hamad, presented an overview of the Room’s role in coordinating humanitarian interventions within a unified national framework, mobilizing local and international resources, and enabling rapid planning, needs assessments, and multi-sector responses. She explained that the Operations Room oversees the implementation of the Relief and Early Recovery Plan, which reflects a Palestinian vision grounded in transparency, resilience, and inclusive national development.

Hamad noted that the Room now includes 54 national, international, and UN institutions, in addition to civil society organizations and private-sector actors. She warned that the current ceasefire remains fragile, and that humanitarian organizations face severe operational constraints due to security risks and Israeli restrictions on the entry of essential materials—hindering efforts to restore vital services such as education, health, and water.

For his part, James Rizzo reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority and strengthening its role in Gaza. He highlighted the EU’s strong interest in supporting the health sector and ensuring humanitarian corridors for transferring patients to East Jerusalem hospitals. He also stressed the importance of allowing the entry of essential supplies and equipment into Gaza through all possible crossings and facilitating the work of humanitarian partners.

Following the discussion, representatives of the ministries participating in the Operations Room presented updates on the situation across key sectors:

Health Sector

The Ministry of Health outlined the extensive destruction inflicted on Gaza’s health system, including the demolition of hospitals and primary care centers, the collapse of medical infrastructure, and the loss of critical equipment, operating theaters, and intensive care units. Israeli restrictions continue to block the entry of medical devices and spare parts, exacerbating the deterioration of essential health services. Despite limited resources, medical teams are working to rehabilitate partially functioning facilities. The Ministry emphasized the urgent need for thousands of patients—particularly cancer patients—to travel abroad for treatment and called for international pressure on Israel to open humanitarian corridors for medical evacuation. The Ministry expressed appreciation for the EU’s support to the health sector during this critical period.

Water Sector

The Palestinian Water Authority reported a relative improvement in water availability following the ceasefire, with overall production increasing by approximately 30% by the end of October. This progress resulted from increased water purchased from Mekorot, the reactivation of additional wells, and expanded operation of desalination plants, including the pilot launch of the Emirates plant in Rafah. Water trucking operations continue to offset major damage to networks, while emergency repairs to wastewater infrastructure are being carried out with international partners. Despite this progress, the sector still faces significant challenges due to widespread destruction and the inability to bring in essential materials. The Authority called on the international community to strengthen support for transitioning from emergency response to early recovery and reconstruction.

Education Sector

The Ministry of Education presented the unprecedented level of damage to the education system, noting that 82% of public schools have been completely destroyed and 18% partially damaged, along with the destruction of more than 90% of higher education institutions. Despite this, approximately 320,000 students continue their 2025/2026 school year through virtual learning, limited in-person classes in slightly damaged schools, and temporary learning points. The Ministry is working to address learning loss for thousands of students, announced Tawjihi results for 17,000 students, and is preparing for the second examination session in December 2025. Efforts include school rehabilitation in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works, launching virtual university platforms, and providing financial support to students and universities. Partnerships with UNICEF, UNRWA, UNESCO, and the World Bank continue to support safe learning, psychosocial services, feeding programs, and students with disabilities.

Housing (Shelter) Sector

The Ministry of Housing presented an overview of shelter interventions, including the assessment of 140 potential shelter sites in accessible areas. Two new shelter centers were completed east of Deir al-Balah in cooperation with UNDP, comprising 161 tents housing approximately 120 families from high-risk, flood-prone areas. Work has also begun on a 7-dunum site in Jabalia for families whose homes were completely destroyed, in addition to two new 30-dunum sites in Jabalia and Khan Younis. More than 25 existing shelter centers have been assessed and improved, and 300 tents were replaced with locally manufactured alternatives. In terms of private housing, approximately $600,000 has been allocated to rehabilitate 200 partially damaged units, using wooden panels and tarpaulins to ensure greater privacy and safety for families.

Employment Sector

The Palestinian Employment Fund highlighted the severe labor market crisis, with unemployment rising to 85% compared to 45% before the war, and more than 400,000 workers losing their sources of income. Youth unemployment now exceeds 90%, and women’s participation in the labor force has dropped below 9%, while around 80% of private-sector establishments have been fully or partially destroyed. In response, the Fund—supported by the EU, ILO, and UNDP—implements temporary employment, cash-for-work, and vocational training programs, benefiting more than 5,000 youth since the beginning of the war. Currently, 1,500 workers are engaged in temporary employment. The Fund also emphasized the urgent need to support nearly 50,000 female-headed households with direct economic assistance to ensure their dignity and basic livelihood.

T.R.