Palestinian gov't convenes in Gaza for 1st time in 3 years

The Palestinian Authority government convened in Gaza for the first time since 2014.

At the beginning of the meeting held at the cabinet headquarters, Prime Minister Rami al Hamdallah pledged that the government will settle all pending issues to realize rapprochement.

He said clinching a Hamas-Fatah reconciliation will encourage donor states to adhere to their commitments with regard to the reconstruction dossier.

He said "We want to turn over a new leaf, restore our national project to its right track, end the Israeli occupation and establish a Palestinian state in line with the international law, the United Nations resolutions and all agreements."

He said the re-operation of legitimate institutions in Gaza at full power will need painstaking efforts, patience and time.

He urged the international community to prod Israel into lifting the siege imposed on Gaza, ditching its collective punitive policy, opening all crossings and ending the occupation of the Palestinian territories."

He lauded the efforts exerted by Egypt to secure the reconciliation and end the Palestinian split.

Source: MENA