A new Palestinian government has been officially sworn in, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa, in a ceremony held in Ramallah, in the occupied West Bank. The cabinet was sworn in before President Mahmoud Abbas, marking a significant moment amidst intense international pressure for the Palestinian Authority to reform.
Prime Minister Mustafa, who was appointed earlier this month to replace former Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh, emphasized the government's commitment to achieving freedom, independence, and liberation from the occupation. President Abbas, during a meeting with the new government, highlighted the ongoing efforts with Arab and international parties to address the Israeli aggression on Gaza.
President Abbas stressed the importance of far-reaching institutional reforms to enhance performance and provide better services to the Palestinian people. The new government's priorities include focusing on humanitarian relief efforts in Gaza and revitalizing the Palestinian economy, as reported by Palestinian news sources.
The Palestinian Authority faces significant pressure from the United States to reform and improve governance in the West Bank, with concerns over corruption raised by US politicians and Palestinians themselves.
Background information reveals that the Palestinian Authority previously held administrative control over Gaza until 2007 when Hamas won the legislative elections and took over Gaza, expelling the PA. Since then, Hamas has governed Gaza, while the PA governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank.