RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) — A senior official says the Palestinian unity government will hold its first Cabinet meeting in Gaza this week, a key step toward taking charge of reconstruction efforts in the war-battered territory.
Deputy Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa says the Cabinet will convene Thursday.
That’s three days before an international pledging conference where the Palestinian government seeks $4 billion for Gaza, hit hard by a recent war between Israel and the Islamic militant Hamas.
Donors view the unity government of independents led by Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as key to reconstruction plans.
Hamas seized Gaza from Abbas in 2007, but financial difficulties forced the group to hand over some powers to a unity government this spring. Unresolved disputes had kept the government from operating in Gaza until now.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
