AMMAN: A rare mood of optimism swept Gaza on Sunday as Palestinians prepared for the arrival of their new unity government.
“I am usually very pessimistic, but in the last 48 hours what I have seen and heard have made me feel very optimistic that we are on strong ground, and the reconciliation this time is going to take root,” Maher Tabbaa, head of public relations at the Gaza Chamber of Commerce, told Arab News.
In a deal brokered by Egypt, Hamas, who have controlled Gaza since June 2007, agreed last month to form a unity administration with the rival Fatah movement in the West Bank.
Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah and other ministers arrive in Gaza on Monday morning, and are expected to hold their first full Cabinet meeting on Tuesday.
Palestinian security forces from Ramallah are already cooperating with Hamas security on the ground to prepare for the meeting.
Culture Minister Ehab Bseiso arrived on Sunday and took over the ministry offices without hindrance. Senior Egyptian security and political officials are also in Gaza.
The new unity government will be expected to address major problems in Gaza, including 44 percent unemployment, an electricity supply restricted to four hours a day, stalled rebuilding work after the destruction caused by Israeli air strikes, and tightly controlled border crossings and travel permits that restrict business and trade.
The business community has also paid a high price because of the different laws and fee structures between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip after 10 years of separation. “There is a need to unify laws, regulations and bylaws, as well as the fees, customs, taxes and investment waivers that are aimed at strengthening the economy in Gaza,” Tabbaa told Arab News. “The energy file also has to be dealt with immediately. If we can get to 10-12 hours a day then the machine of the economy will be able to restart again.”
Gazans also hope 2,000 travel permits that were withdrawn from businessmen will be restored, and that reconstruction efforts will be restarted. UN and other international organizations say less than 20 percent of funds earmarked for rebuilding Gaza have actually been spent, because there has been no reliable government body to supervise the expenditure.
Nabil Shaath, a senior Fatah leader and adviser to President Mahmoud Abbas, credited Egypt with bringing about the reconciliation. “Egypt has regained its unifying role, which was lost with the fall of Mubarak. Egypt is key to Gaza and Palestine, and it has the chance of breaking the siege on Gaza,” he said.
“I am very optimistic for this reconciliation, which is long overdue. President Abbas is also optimistic, as are Hamas leaders.”
Optimism in Gaza as Palestinian unity ministers arrive
Optimism in Gaza as Palestinian unity ministers arrive
