Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa's Speech at the Cairo Conference on Humanitarian Response in Gaza
Mustafa: What is happening in Gaza is a complete war crime, a failure of humanity, and a violation of international law principles.
Mustafa: UN resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 2735, must be implemented to stop the aggression and ensure the immediate and urgent delivery of aid to our people.
Mustafa: Despite the harsh conditions we are going through, the government remains committed to providing all possible support to our people in Gaza.
Cairo – Prime Minister's Office: Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa stated: "Gaza continues to suffer from an ongoing genocide for over 14 months, with systematic and widespread destruction of more than 80% of the infrastructure, particularly hospitals, schools, water and sewage lines, amidst the spread of diseases, and the lack of electricity, water, and fuel. This constitutes a complete war crime, a failure of humanity, and a violation of international law that demands urgent action."
He added: "Gaza is facing an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, a devastated region suffering from famine and destruction, where Israel is using hunger as a weapon of war. We are witnessing deliberate and systematic starvation, not due to a lack of aid, but because of its blockade and the obstruction of humanitarian organizations' work."
This was during his speech at the Cairo Ministerial Conference on Strengthening Humanitarian Response in Gaza, titled "One Year After the Humanitarian Disaster in Gaza: Urgent Needs and Sustainable Solutions," held today, Monday, in Cairo.
The Prime Minister emphasized that this important conference serves as an opportunity to reaffirm our rejection of the ongoing Israeli occupation of Gaza, its continued closure of crossings, or any attempts to alter Gaza's geography or demography, or any part of the Palestinian state.
Mustafa called for the swift implementation of UN resolutions, particularly Security Council Resolution 2735, to stop the aggression and ensure the immediate and urgent delivery of aid to our people, which would pave the way for the restoration of basic services like healthcare and education, the rebuilding process, and Gaza's return to its natural place as an inseparable part of Palestine, with international support.
The Prime Minister stressed the irreplaceable role of UNRWA in both the post-war phase, as it has been for 75 years in providing protection and aid to Palestinian refugees under UN Resolution 194. He urged the rejection of all Israeli laws targeting UNRWA and expressed gratitude to all countries that support UNRWA and facilitate the delivery of aid to our people, especially Egypt and Jordan.
Mustafa thanked Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and the Egyptian people for hosting this crucial conference, especially during these difficult times, and conveyed the greetings of the Palestinian leadership, led by President Mahmoud Abbas. He also thanked UN Secretary-General António Guterres, his deputy, representatives of all participating countries, UN and regional institutions, and relief organizations for their efforts in providing and securing the delivery of aid despite the challenges their officials and workers face.
He explained that the government has continued to provide all possible assistance to our people in Gaza despite the harsh conditions, including Israeli incursions and attacks in the West Bank cities and the deduction of Palestinian tax revenues, particularly in providing essential services in water, energy, communications, social affairs, healthcare, education, and civil services.
The Prime Minister added: "The government has coordinated and maximized humanitarian relief efforts in partnership with its providers, and we hope the outcomes of this conference will enhance those efforts. In addition to these immediate and vital efforts, the government is leading the planning phase for post-relief and humanitarian response, where ministries and government institutions are currently working on early recovery and reconstruction plans, paving the way for comprehensive development."
Mustafa noted that the government has developed a plan to reunite and develop national institutions in Gaza and the West Bank, enabling the expansion and development of existing civil services to meet the needs of citizens post-war.
He further mentioned that the government has developed a plan for recovery in Gaza and the restoration of essential services, as well as revitalizing the economy in partnership with international stakeholders. A government team has been formed to prepare detailed plans for Gaza's reconstruction and economic rebuilding, in collaboration with national institutions, the World Bank, the UN, and the EU. The team is already at an advanced stage in preparing these plans.
Mustafa continued: "To ensure effective governance and full transparency, we have developed a complete vision for establishing an independent and professional body to oversee reconstruction efforts. This will be followed by the creation of a financial trust fund to mobilize and direct donor funding towards Gaza's reconstruction needs, in collaboration with the World Bank, in line with international standards and best practices."
He said: "We have developed a plan to strengthen the resilience and sustainability of the national economy by laying the foundations for sustainable and inclusive growth, stimulating both private and public investment that can create job opportunities, increase government revenues, and reduce long-term reliance on donor aid."
Mustafa added: "We have developed a plan to enhance the performance of public institutions through necessary legislative, administrative, and financial reforms, in line with our national priorities, to ensure the efficient delivery of services to citizens in all Palestinian governorates, enhance transparency and accountability, support the rule of law, and strengthen partnerships with civil society, enabling us to rebuild Gaza just as we are doing in the West Bank."
The Prime Minister affirmed that the partnership and support for humanitarian aid, which is the focus of this conference, is an investment in the resilience and future of the Palestinian people, preserving their dignity, enhancing the community's ability to recover and rebuild, and sending a message of hope to our people that the world will not leave them alone.
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