The new Palestinian government, which includes Gazans and four women, was sworn in on Sunday but was already facing skepticism from the public.
The Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, is under pressure from the U.S. government to take a breakthrough after the Gaza war and prepare to begin reforms.
In announcing the names of the new team, newly appointed Prime Minister Mustafa said his government's “national priority” was to end the war.
He said his cabinet would “work to develop a vision for reintegrating the institutions, including assuming responsibility for Gaza.”
Abbas, 88, has been urged by the United States to shake up his creaky authority so that the post-war occupied West Bank and Gaza can be reunited under a single set of rules.
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The Palestinian Authority has had little influence over the Gaza Strip since Hamas took power in 2007.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged Abbas to make “administrative reforms” when the two men met in January.
Abbas's Ramallah-based government has been hobbled by Israel's decades-long occupation of the West Bank and by his own unpopularity.
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Mustafa, an economist and longtime adviser to Prime Minister Abbas, said the “reconstruction” of the Palestinian territory is the main focus as Gaza is left in ruins after six months of Israeli shelling in retaliation for the Oct. 7 attack. He said it was his goal.
His new cabinet is made up of 23 ministers, including four women and six ministers from Gaza, including former Gaza City mayor Majid, who has been given the health portfolio. Abu Ramadan is also included.
Among the new female faces is Varsen Agabekian, a Palestinian-Armenian scholar who will work alongside Mustafa in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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