Ramallah– Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah said his government wanted to assume full responsibility of the Gaza Strip and to extend its power over all sectors.
“The government of National Reconciliation will assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, which means that it will begin to work in an effective and comprehensive manner, without any derogation from its functions, responsibilities and powers,” Hamdallah said during a Cabinet session held in Ramallah on Tuesday.
He added that the government would extend its jurisdiction in accordance with the laws issued by the Palestinian president “in all sectors and fields without exception”.
“For this purpose, the government has decided to form a number of ministerial committees to oversee the handover of the crossings, security and government departments, and address all civil, administrative and legal issues resulting from the division,” Hamdallah stated.
Earlier this week, the Palestinian government announced that it would hold a meeting in Gaza next Tuesday to turn the page of the administrative committee formed by Hamas and give the green light for the ministries and institutions in the enclave.
Spokesman for the Palestinian government Youssef al-Mahmoud said: “Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has decided after consulting with President Mahmoud Abbas that the government will hold its weekly meeting in Gaza next week.”
“Hamdallah and members of the government will arrive in Gaza next Monday to start taking over government responsibilities after Hamas announced its agreement to dissolve the administrative committee and enable the government to assume its full responsibilities,” he added.
The Palestinian prime minister called on the Palestinian people and civil society groups to support reconciliation efforts in order to end divisions and “enable the government to carry out its duties to serve our people and our nation.”
Hamas, for its part, welcomed the arrival of the government of Hamdallah to the Gaza Strip.
The head of the movement in Gaza, Yehya Senwar, said that his movement would provide all facilities for the success of the visit at all levels.