RAMALLAH, September 3, 2026 (WAFA) — Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa discussed on Thursday with Japan’s Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Ambassador in charge of Gaza Rebuilding Assistance, OKUBO Takeshi, developments in joint efforts and ongoing work to support relief, early recovery, and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.
The meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office in Ramallah, was attended by Foreign Deputy Minister for Political Affairs Omar Awadallah and Japanese Ambassador to Palestine ARAIKE Katsuhiko.
Okubo outlined Japan’s ongoing efforts in the Gaza Strip, undertaken in cooperation with international partners, across a range of priority sectors, including healthcare, education, water and sanitation, employment, social protection, clearance of explosive remnants of war, municipal services, and other areas.
Prime Minister Mustafa stressed the importance of ensuring that international efforts in the Gaza Strip are closely coordinated with the Palestinian Government and aligned with the national priorities of the State of Palestine, as well as its plans for recovery and reconstruction. He expressed his appreciation for Japan’s continued support for the State of Palestine and the Palestinian people across various areas.
The Prime Minister also briefed Okubo on developments on the ground and the increasingly difficult economic and social conditions in the occupied West Bank resulting from continued Israeli measures, including escalating colonial settler attacks, the withholding of Palestinian clearance revenues, the accumulation of Israeli shekel currency, the proliferation of military checkpoints, and other movement and economic restrictions.
Mustafa called on Japan and the international community exert pressure on Israel to end these measures and to support Palestinian efforts to address the economic and humanitarian challenges facing the Palestinian people. He also highlighted the importance of international support for Palestinian preparations for the upcoming general elections.
K.T
