Emergency Allocations to Be Fast-Tracked for Targeted Villages Facing Settler Attacks to Strengthen Their Resilience

Cabinet reaffirms commitment to ensuring all necessary measures are taken for the successful holding of general elections as scheduled

Calls on citizens to update their records and complete election registration procedures

Efforts underway to secure a salary payment at the beginning of next week

148,000 livestock vaccinated and tagged, with 2.2 million vaccine doses secured to protect livestock

Approves cooperation agreement between India and Palestine on vocational training

Approves recommendations of the committee reviewing the National Qualifications Framework to regulate qualifications and align education and training outcomes with labor market needs

Tuesday, August 25, 2026, declared an official holiday marking the Mawlid al-Nabawi

RAMALLAH, August 18, 2026 (WAFA) — Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa on Tuesday opened the weekly Cabinet session by commending the steadfastness of our Palestinian people, particularly citizens of villages targeted by Israeli occupation forces and colonial settlers.

He directed government institutions to accelerate efforts to address urgent needs to the fullest extent possible, in light of the ongoing ministerial field visits to targeted areas, and to expedite emergency allocations for a number of villages to strengthen their resilience.

The Prime Minister also directed the expedited disbursement of emergency allocations for the villages of Kufr al-Dik and Bruqin, west of the northern West Bank city of Salfit, and called for urgent needs in Qusra, south of Nablus, to be addressed in order to strengthen the steadfastness of its citizens. This follows assistance already provided to other villages visited by the ministerial delegation, particularly Umm Safa, northwest of Ramallah, which is facing an unprecedented settlement onslaught.

In another context, the Cabinet affirmed that all necessary measures will be taken to ensure the successful holding of the general elections as scheduled on November 28, and to continue working with local and international partners to create the appropriate conditions for the elections. It called on citizens to update their records and complete registration procedures for the general elections.

In this regard, the Cabinet stressed that the national reform program has made significant progress and that the development of state institutions and enhancement of their efficiency constitute a national approach that is being firmly consolidated, laying the groundwork for realizing the Palestinian state and ensuring the unity of its territory and institutions in accordance with the national program and relevant international resolutions.

The Cabinet also warned of escalating terrorist attacks by colonial settler militias across Palestinian governorates, carried out with the protection and participation of Israeli occupation forces. A total of 467 attacks were recorded during the past week alone, alongside an escalation in demolition operations by the occupying forces targeting more than 75 Palestinian structures and homes.

It called on countries around the world and the international community to shoulder their responsibilities and not allow Israel to evade or obstruct efforts to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement, amid its relentless efforts to reignite the war and escalate the aggression. It stressed the need to consolidate the ceasefire, pave the way for recovery and reconstruction, and enable our Palestinian people to restore their lives and rights and live with dignity and security.

During the meeting, the Minister of Finance also briefed the Cabinet on the financial situation and ongoing efforts to secure the disbursement of salaries at the beginning of next week. The Ministry of Finance will issue a statement on the matter once the necessary arrangements are finalized.

The Cabinet further received a briefing from the Minister of Education and Higher Education on preparations for the launch of the new academic year and the Prime Minister’s directives and close follow-up to complete all preparations. These include the near completion of school textbook printing for all grades and the preparation of more than 8,000 classrooms with the necessary equipment to support interactive learning, particularly in grades one through four, in addition to preparations to launch the academic year in the Gaza Strip.

On another note, the Minister of Agriculture reviewed preparations underway for the olive harvest season in coordination with various international and local partners and institutions, in addition to arrangements with municipal and village councils, the preparation of volunteer groups, and efforts to mobilizing international volunteers.

He also reviewed progress in the national livestock identification and vaccination campaign, which has so far covered 148,000 head of livestock. The Government has procured and secured approximately 2 million vaccine doses, particularly against the SAT-1 strain of foot-and-mouth disease, as well as brucellosis, sheep and goat pox, and peste des petits ruminants, contributing to the protection of livestock against diseases currently prevalent in some neighboring countries.

The Cabinet also approved the recommendations of the technical committee reviewing the National Qualifications Framework, including the draft National Qualifications Framework document and the establishment of a National Qualifications Framework Council comprising both academic and vocational and technical components. The framework aims to regulate the national qualifications system, align education and training outcomes with labor market needs, and oversee the preparation and development of related strategic framework documents by the competent government authorities.

It further approved an agreement to support vocational training programs between India and Palestine, including the development of training materials, provision of laboratory facilities, and the delivery of specialized courses in graphic design, digital printing, printing equipment maintenance, and other fields.

Finally, the Cabinet declared Tuesday, August 25, 2026 (12 Rabi’ al-Awwal 1448 AH) an official holiday marking the Mawlid al-Nabawi al-Sharif (Prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) birthday). The Cabinet extended its greetings to the Palestinian people on this occasion, expressing hope that by next year, the Palestinian people will be blessed with security, freedom, and independence.

T.R.