RAMALLAH, June 15, 2026 (WAFA) — Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa opened the weekly Cabinet session on Monday by briefing ministers on the efforts led by President Mahmoud Abbas at all levels. This included, most recently, the issuance of a decree-law amending the General Elections Law No. (1) of 2007 and its amendments, which the Prime Minister described as an important avenue for advancing the Palestinian democratic process, strengthening political participation, and broadening democratic representation.
The Cabinet also warned of the escalation of terror crimes carried out by settler militias across the West Bank, from south to north. Most recently, terror attacks targeting the towns of Burqa and Deir Dibwan resulted in several injuries and extensive property damage through arson.
The Cabinet called on the international community to shoulder its responsibilities and adopt effective punitive measures to halt settler terrorists and provide protection for the Palestinian people, particularly as these attacks coincide with ongoing criminal acts by the Israeli occupation forces, including demolition operations in the town of Barta’a that targeted dozens of homes and structures.
The Cabinet further warned of the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip amid continued and daily deadly attacks by Israeli occupation forces, the closure of numerous bread distribution points due to severe flour shortages, and the ongoing scarcity of medicines and humanitarian supplies. Combined with the continued closure of crossings, these conditions are exacerbating civilian suffering and threatening a further escalation of the humanitarian catastrophe.
The Cabinet called on the guarantor states of the ceasefire agreement to pressure Israel, the occupying Power, to fulfill its obligations, cease its attacks, reopen crossings immediately and sustainably, and ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian, relief, and medical assistance to civilians.
On another note, the Cabinet reviewed preparations by the Ministry of Education and Higher Education for the General Secondary Education Examination (Tawjihi), which will be taken by approximately 88,000 students across 46 countries, and primarily in the West Bank, Jerusalem, the Gaza Strip, and Egypt.
Given the continued Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip, the destruction of the majority of schools, and the prevailing instability, Tawjihi examinations in Gaza will be conducted online for the third consecutive year. This approach builds on the experience gained over the past two years, during which more than 100 electronic examinations were successfully administered for Gaza students. Concurrently, efforts are underway to expand fiber-optic internet services in public schools across the West Bank as part of the Government's broader plan to strengthen digital infrastructure.
The Cabinet also received a briefing from the Minister of Health on efforts to ensure the continued supply of medicines to healthcare facilities, as well as the measures being undertaken by the Ministry of Finance and other relevant government institutions to resume procurement. These efforts include mobilizing financial support from international partners and donors to help address medicine shortages. In this context, the Cabinet approved an increase in quantities under Tender No. (23/2025), particularly medicines required by maternity and obstetric departments.
Regarding the ongoing fiscal crisis resulting from Israel’s continued withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues, the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance reviewed efforts to secure a partial salary payment for public employees during the coming week, while also meeting obligations to suppliers, particularly in vital sectors, to ensure the continuity of essential public services.
The Minister of Finance also briefed the Cabinet on preparations for the pilot launch of the Yabous application early next week for a limited number of sectors. A full rollout to all public employees will follow shortly thereafter, subject to the successful completion of the pilot phase and the resolution of any potential technical issues identified during testing.
T.R.
