Palestinian Unity Ministers Make Rare Trip to Gaza to “Carry Out Their Duties”

Eight ministers from the Palestinian unity government are visiting the Gaza Strip on Monday “to carry out their duties.” The trip, which comes against a backdrop of increasing criticism from Gazans who argue that the Palestinian Authority has neglected them since the Fatah-Hamas government was formed in June, is clearly being depicted as a working visit. It includes the ministers of health, education, social affairs and local government, who are joined by agency heads who hold ministerial rank representing the water, power and the environmental agencies. Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah is conspicuous in not joining the entourage. That the unity government has convened only once since June underscores the perceived failure of the new body to instill confidence in the West Bank and Gaza populations. Palestinian officials recently blamed the failure of efforts to rebuild Gaza in the aftermath of last summer’s war between Israel and Hamas on donor nations for failing to redeem more than $5 billion in pledges of reconstruction funds.