He warned of the escalating crimes of the settlers and the danger of them turning into crimes of ethnic cleansing.
Discuss the features of the 2026 budget as an emergency budget governed by actual cash flow.
The shift to e-learning for school students has been approved, with the exception of high school seniors, and in accordance with safety procedures.
Eid al-Fitr holiday from Thursday morning, March 19th until Sunday evening, March 22nd
Ramallah, March 10, 2026 (WAFA) – The Cabinet warned of the dangerous escalation in crimes committed by terrorist settler militias under the protection of the occupation army, which resulted in the martyrdom of 8 citizens in Deir Abu Falah, Qaryut and Yatta in recent days.
The Council stressed that giving free rein to settler terrorism in this systematic manner, while the world is preoccupied with wars and crises, constitutes a dangerous indication that these attacks have reached the level of ethnic cleansing crimes against the Palestinians, in the absence of international accountability, which encourages the continuation and escalation of these crimes .
In this regard, Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa directed the various government institutions to intensify and unify their efforts, and to activate programs to support and strengthen the resilience of citizens, especially in areas targeted by attacks from the occupation forces and settler gangs .
The Council also condemned Israel’s continued violation of the ceasefire and targeting of displaced persons’ tents, amid alarming international silence regarding these crimes, which raises the death toll to about 645 martyrs since October 2025, nearly half of whom are women, children and the elderly, in an indication of the continued targeting of civilians and the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the sector .
In addition, Minister of Finance and Planning, Stephan Salameh, reviewed the general framework of the 2026 budget, explaining that it will be an emergency budget based on actual cash flow, so that the Ministry of Finance will spend – until the end of the year – what is available of liquidity in the public treasury in a way that ensures the continuation of the provision of basic services, foremost among them education, health and security, controlling spending, and developing local revenues, while continuing to disburse a percentage of salaries according to the capabilities until the clearing transfer is restored .
The Cabinet stressed that these exceptional arrangements will in no way be a substitute for the established Palestinian rights to the clearance funds withheld by the Israeli government, which now amount to approximately $5 billion. The Cabinet reiterated its demand for international partners to redouble their pressure on Israel to release these funds without delay .
In the context of the educational process, and despite the government’s emphasis on maintaining the quality of education and a gradual return to in-person classes, the Council has decided, in light of the escalating incidents of falling missile fragments, to switch entirely to online learning for all school students except those in their final year of secondary school (Tawjihi), while adhering to public safety measures. Universities, colleges, and institutes are free to determine their attendance arrangements in coordination with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, while kindergartens will remain closed. The Ministry of Education will issue detailed directives on this matter as the situation develops .
In addition, the Cabinet approved the renewal of the contract with the traffic control staff on the Kafr Aqab/Qalandia road, which will contribute to easing traffic congestion in the area .
The Council also approved, after its third reading, the draft regulation governing the acceptance of symbolic and protocol gifts. This regulation governs the acceptance and reporting of gifts, defines their criteria, and outlines the procedures for their disposal to prevent conflicts of interest. This regulation serves as a replacement and update to the previous system, enhancing governance and transparency in the handling and disposal of gifts in accordance with international standards .
The Council also discussed in its first reading the draft financial and accounting system for the Palestinian Electricity Transmission Company, which helps to enhance transparency and governance in the company’s work, and to regulate financial powers and responsibilities .
The first reading also discussed the national policy for digital accessibility in Palestine and the expansion of digital services to all segments of society, especially people with disabilities, in accordance with the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities .
On the occasion of the approaching Eid al-Fitr holiday, the Council approved the holiday from the morning of Thursday, March 19, until the evening of Sunday, March 22, wishing that this occasion will bring goodness to our people and the Arab and Islamic nations .
S.K.
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