Newly appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa of the Palestinian Authority (PA) has formed a government of technocrats, official Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on Thursday.
President Mahmoud Abbas has issued a decree expressing his confidence in the government, with 22 of the 23 ministerial posts being newly appointed, according to the report.
The move comes amid pressure from the United States, as well as some Arab countries, for the PA to be reformed and revitalized in the wake of the October 7 attack by Hamas on Israel.
Washington wants the Palestinian Authority, which governs parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, to rule the Gaza Strip following the end of Israel's military operations to oust Hamas there.
The PA sees Gaza as part of a potential future Palestinian state. Washington, which is pushing for a two-state solution, believes PA control over Gaza would further that long-sought objective.
Israel rejects the plans. Hamas, an Islamist militant group, forcibly expelled the Palestinian Authority from the coastal strip in 2007.
According to the media, the ministers of the future technocratic government do not belong to any party. Eight of the ministers are from the Gaza Strip. A number of women are also expected to take up office again. Prime Minister Mustafa will also act as foreign minister. According to reports, the new government will be sworn in on Sunday.
President Abbas appointed economist and former World Bank official Mustafa on March 14 amid the reform push, after former prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh submitted his resignation at the end of February under pressure from Washington.
According to WAFA, the new government intends to prioritise the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and draw up a plan to provide aid for the territory.
