In light of the expected Israeli disengagement from the Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank during next month, and in preparation for the anticipated challenges facing the Palestinian Authority in assuming control of the evacuated areas, the Palestinian cabinet has adopted key decisions in its meeting in Gaza on Tuesday 19 July 2005.

Following is a brief summary of the decisions: (a detailed translation from the official document in Arabic will be provided upon request)

Infrastructure: The designation of key tasks for the respective ministries in meeting the challenges of sustaining and developing the infrastructure of the evacuated areas; which include the preservation of resources and the provision and sustainability of basic infrastructure (such as electricity, water, sewage, communication, and transportation).

Agricultural areas: The sustainability of agricultural output from the evacuated areas (Al Mawasi), and their identification as “qualified agricultural areas,” under the auspices of the Palestine Investment Fund, and the provision of all the required support to initiate the output of these areas as soon as possible.

Industrial Zones: The allocation of Beit Hanoun areas (Eretz) as an industrial zone, in accordance with the relevant legal provisions, and the designation of the Palestinian Industrial Estate and Free Zone Authority to administer and oversee these areas.

Regional Planning and Legal Status: The designation of the Palestinian Ministry of Planning to provide a regional plan for the evacuated areas for cabinet approval in its next session. The designation of the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to communicate the position of the Palestinian Government vis-à-vis the legal status of the evacuated areas, and reaffirming the continued classification of these areas as territories occupied by Israel in the June 1967 War, subject to the Fourth Geneva Convention.

Customs Control: An initial call for third party intervention to assist in the overseeing of customs control at Al Awda Crossing (Rafah).

Border Crossing Points with Israel: The designation of the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works to reformulate the required structure and development of the Palestinian side of border crossing points with Israel, including Carni and Tarqumia.

The Gaza Strip-West Bank Passage: The designation of the Palestinian Ministry of Transportation, in cooperation with the Palestinian Ministry of Planning, to finalise the Palestinian proposal for the passage between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, and to submit this proposal for cabinet approval in its next session.

The Port: Confirming the location of the Gaza port south of Al Sheikh Ajlin area, and designating the relevant bodies to secure the required funds for the construction of the port.

Communication with the Palestinian Public: In order to ensure the continuity of public awareness on the disengagement, to allocate one page in the local newspapers for the daily publication of Government decisions and measures in preparation for the Israeli disengagement from parts of the northern West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

Issued by the Communication Unit
Palestinian Prime Minister’s Office

Ramallah, Palestine