RAMALLAH, West Bank — The Palestinian government announced Sept. 25 that Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and other ministers will be heading to the Gaza Strip Oct. 2 to hold the weekly Cabinet session on Oct. 3. This came in response to the PLO Central Committee’s call Sept. 24 for the government to assume its responsibility in the Gaza Strip.
Moreover, in a Sept. 23 meeting headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, the Fatah Central Committee called on the consensus government to go to the Gaza Strip. This step will be the government’s first genuine move toward exerting its powers at all levels in the Gaza Strip, after Hamas announced Sept. 17 the dissolution of the Gaza Strip’s administrative committee.
In a Sept. 26 meeting, Hamdallah stressed that once “the government is handed its responsibilities in Gaza, its work will be comprehensive and effective.” He added that the government “decided to form a number of ministerial committees tasked with handling the handover process of the crossings, security and government departments. It will also address the impact and repercussions of the split, as well as all of the subsequent civil, administrative and legal issues, obstacles and challenges.”
The visit is perceived to be the first government response to Hamas’ call for the government carry out its duties in the Gaza Strip. Ismail Haniyeh, the head of Hamas' political bureau, said at a Sept. 19 press conference, “We welcome the National Consensus Government in the Gaza Strip.”
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