Al Jazeera correspondents
Gaza- Ismail Al-Thawabta, Director-General of the Government Media Office in the Gaza Strip, which was announced to be dissolved, said that the administrative transition process for government work in the Strip has become in the practical implementation stage, after the Government Emergency Committee completed all administrative and legal arrangements related to the handover process, after announcing its dissolution yesterday, Monday.
He explained that the arrangements for the handover process were presented several months ago in an official and transparent manner to the national team representing the Palestinian factions and forces, the Supreme Committee for Clans and Tribes, and civil society institutions, in the presence of the United Nations observer representative.
Al-Thawabta explained – in an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Net – that the resignation of the Chairman of the Government Emergency Committee, Muhammad Abdel Khaleq Al-Farra, and the announcement of its dissolution come as a practical measure to facilitate the transfer of responsibilities to the National Committee for Gaza Administration.
In mid-January, the Peace Council announced the completion of the formation of the National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip, headed by Dr. Ali Shaath, which was supposed to begin its work from then on with the entry of its members into the Strip, but the occupation has prevented this until now.
Preventing administrative vacuum
Al-Thawabta had announced – in a press conference held yesterday afternoon, Monday in Gaza – the decision of the Chairman of the Government Emergency Committee and Acting Head of Government Follow-up, Muhammad Abdel Khaleq Al-Farra, to submit his official resignation from his position, in a new step that reflects the seriousness and concern for the success of the process of “arranging the internal house and transferring the administration of government in the Strip to the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza, as well as in response to the highest interests of the Palestinian people.”
Regarding the fate of existing government and service files, Al-Thawabta added, “There will not be any administrative or service vacuum, and all government files will continue normally through employees who continue to perform their duties to ensure the continuation of services for citizens, ensuring an orderly and smooth transfer of responsibilities.”
He believed that the primary goal of these steps is to protect the interests of citizens and ensure the continuation of basic services and not be affected by the administrative transition process, noting that keeping employees at their jobs serves the purpose of providing services, relief, and managing public facilities, in a way that prevents any administrative vacuum or disruption to the lives of citizens.
Assignment submission has begun
About 45,000 employees work in the government sector in Gaza, distributed among various ministries, most notably Health and Education, and the Ministry of Interior and National Security.
Regarding the timetable and practical steps for handing over government tasks, Al-Thawabta confirmed that they had already begun, and represented the completion of legal and administrative arrangements, the resignation of the head of the government emergency committee, and the announcement of the dissolution of the committee, with the employees being prepared to work under the responsibility of the National Committee for Gaza Administration.
He called on all concerned parties to expedite the completion of the procedures for the National Committee to enter the Gaza Strip and carry out its national and administrative tasks, in order to achieve an orderly transition without any disruption.
Al-Thawabta reassured citizens in the Gaza Strip of the continuation of basic services that touch their daily lives, and of the readiness of employees to work under the responsibility of the National Committee for Gaza Administration and to abide by its directives and decisions.
The crossings dilemma
In his answer about the fate of work at the Gaza Strip crossings during the next phase, especially the Rafah land crossing, Al-Thawabta reaffirmed that the continued closure of the crossings, especially the Rafah crossing, represents one of the most prominent reasons for the worsening suffering of citizens, and that accelerating the National Committee for Gaza Administration to carry out its duties would support the efforts aimed at addressing this issue and alleviating the suffering of the population.
As for the operational arrangements for the crossing, Al-Thawabeta stressed that they are also linked to external factors and the continued occupation and closure of the crossings.
He noted that the measures taken by the Government Emergency Committee reflect its seriousness in implementing what was agreed upon nationally, and translating commitments into practical steps on the ground, ensuring a transition to governance without any problems, preserving the continuity of services, and placing the interests of citizens and alleviating their suffering at the top of priorities.
Al-Thawabta concluded by expressing his hope that the members and Chairman of the Gaza Administration Committee will arrive in the Gaza Strip as soon as possible, and that they will exercise their national and administrative duties and responsibilities in a way that strengthens the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and heals their wounds.
