Mustafa: Rebuilding Gaza, unifying the nation, and launching the national economy are the most important priorities for the next stage

Hebron - Ofoq News - Prime Minister Dr. said. Muhammad Mustafa said that the occupation leaders’ announcement of embarking on a “decisive battle” still stands, and that the Palestinian people live the effects of that daily, noting that war crimes in the Gaza Strip claimed the lives of 74,000 Palestinians and left destruction that requires about 73 billion dollars to rebuild.

This came during his speech at the opening of the Palestine Construction Industries Exhibition, today, Saturday, in Hebron, in the presence of the Governor of Hebron, the Ministers of Interior, Industry, Public Works and Housing, Culture, the Head of the Land Authority, the Chief of Engineers, and a number of official and legal figures. Mustafa pointed out that the war on the national economy led to a decline in its value by about 30%, returning it to the level it was at 15 years ago, in addition to an increase in unemployment rates to about 50%.

Regarding financial piracy, Mustafa said that the occupation confiscated and withheld more than 20 billion shekels in Palestinian tax revenues, which limited the government’s ability to provide necessary services to citizens, noting that they had not been transferred for 18 months.

He stressed that the past years, with the challenges they brought, did not weaken the resolve of the Palestinian people or subjugate them, indicating that this is due to the collective will enjoyed by the people, the leadership, and the various components of society.

Mustafa stressed that “steadfastness alone is not enough,” stressing the necessity of preparing for a new phase to rebuild a Palestinian national economy, led by the private sector, supporting and empowering the government, and assisting regional and international partners.

He said that the government would not only address emergency matters, but would prepare for the next construction phase, calling on everyone to be prepared to contribute to the rebuilding process.

Mustafa explained that the government has begun working on five main priorities for the next phase, with the aim of building the nation and achieving independence and sovereignty. Firstly, protecting the land and strengthening steadfastness by thwarting Israeli plans and enabling citizens to continue to survive and withstand. Secondly, rebuilding the Gaza Strip and unifying the nation, by creating favorable conditions for rebuilding the Strip and well managing the transitional phase to reach complete unity between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, leading to the establishment and embodiment of the independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

The Prime Minister added: “Thirdly, relaunching the national economy on new foundations based on greater self-reliance, especially in the areas of national product and energy, in addition to preparing for a qualitative digital transformation that contributes to improving services and expanding work fields for young people.

Mustafa stressed the importance of establishing balanced economic relations with neighboring countries, especially the economic relationship with Israel, which he described as “unbalanced, unfair, and harmful to our Palestinian national economy,” stressing the need to address this reality.

The Prime Minister continued: “Fourthly, completing the reform and development program, which contributes to strengthening citizen confidence and greater preservation of public funds, and fifthly, building on the political and diplomatic achievement, and official and popular international support, and turning that into action on the ground and embodying the state, leading to complete independence.

Mustafa stressed that these priorities represent a path out of the difficult reality, stressing the need not to limit ourselves to dealing with urgent matters and continuing the state of emergency, but rather to work on building the future, relaunching the national economy and completing the freedom and independence program.

At the conclusion of his speech, the Prime Minister saluted our steadfast people throughout the country, and to the people of Hebron, especially the Old City and Masafer Yatta, and to all population centers in the governorate, and to everyone who works for the freedom, independence and prosperity of Palestine.