WordBulletin

World Bulletin / News Desk

The government in the besieged Gaza Strip announced on Sunday seven new cabinet ministers, after its reshuffle received final approval from lawmakers.

Maan news agency reported, Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh told the MPs the reshuffle was necessary, despite hopes his party would implement last year's reconciliation deal with Fatah and end the separation into different governments in Gaza and the West Bank.

"We have delayed the cabinet reshuffle several times to create an atmosphere conducive to national reconciliation, but winds blew counter to the ships’ desire, and reconciliation was postponed," Haniyeh said.

The reorganization of the cabinet intends to give more focus to administrative and service projects, including supervision of a number of large construction works funded by Qatar and the Development Bank in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, the premier said.

A new post of head of the bureau for financial and administrative supervision will be created, he continued.

Haniyeh added that his new cabinet would exert efforts to reach a reconciliation agreement, to serve citizens, maintain good relations with the surrounding Arab and Islamic countries, and to create new job opportunities.

The incoming ministers are:

Ziad Zhazha: Minister of finance and deputy prime minister.
Mufeed al-Mukhallalati: Minister of health.
Yousif al-Ghreiz: Minister of public works and housing.
Ismail Radwan: Minister of Islamic endowments.
Mazin Haniyeh: Minister of justice.
Jawad al-Farra: Minister of local governance.
Ali Tarshawi: Minister of agriculture.