00:00 After a month since Palestine's former prime minister resigned, Mohammad Mustafa has now
00:05 been appointed as the prime minister of the Palestinian Authority on Thursday, emerging
00:10 as the prominent Palestinian business figure known for his stewardship in Gaza's reconstruction
00:15 during Hamas Islamist rule.
00:17 A notable ally of the Palestinian leader Mohammad Abbas, Mustafa is an economist educated in
00:23 the United States.
00:24 He previously spearheaded the Palestinian telecommunications company, Paltel, and also
00:28 later served as the head of the Palestinian Public Palestine Investment Fund, PIF, managing
00:34 the assets, nearly $1 billion, directed towards projects across the Palestinian territories.
00:40 A decade ago, Mustafa was also enlisted to lead Gaza's reconstruction effort following
00:44 a prior conflict between Israel and the Islamist militant group Hamas.
00:48 Now, as Gaza reels from the five-month Israeli bombardment once again, the Palestinian leaders
00:55 have took Mustafa to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the enclave.
00:59 The internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, which governs the part of the Israeli-occupied
01:03 West Bank but ceded the control of Gaza to Hamas back in 2007, seeks to unify governance
01:09 across Palestinian land post the Gaza War.
01:12 Former Prime Minister Mohammad Shataye, a member of the Abbas' Fatah faction, stepped
01:16 down in February to facilitate the formation of a unity cabinet.
01:20 Gaza and Hamas are poised to convene in Moscow to discuss future strategies.
01:25 Although aligned with Abbas, Mustafa is not affiliated with Fatah, potentially meditating
01:30 the political tensions.
01:32 Mustafa now confronts a formidable challenge of management and diplomacy.
01:35 Large swathes of Gaza right now lie in ruins and the majority of the 2.3 million inhabitants
01:42 require aid.
01:43 Additionally, the West Bank is also facing escalated violence.
01:47 With expected international aid mounting to billions, Mustafa must secure the political
01:51 support from Hamas and its allies while also fostering cooperation with Israel, which aims
01:55 to neutralize Hamas.
02:00 Abbas now seeks Mustafa, aged 69, as a potential solution amid crises plaguing the both Fatah
02:06 and Hamas.
02:07 Addressing the catastrophic event of October 7, Mustafa has already stressed the urgent
02:11 need for reconstruction.
02:12 He has underscored the long-standing suffering of the Palestinian people and advocates for
02:16 the statehood as the ultimate solution.
02:25 [BLANK_AUDIO]
Comments