Planning minister: Siege hindered implementation of many projects

Dr. Mohammed Awad, the planning minister in the PA caretaker government in Gaza, has said that the Israeli siege and closure of crossings had blocked the implementation of many developmental and humanitarian projects in the Strip.

Awad, in a press release on Tuesday, said that the government has prepared many projects for implementation when the siege is lifted and the crossings are opened especially the Rafah crossing.

The minister noted that the government, despite the siege, offers financial assistance to the poor families and provides work opportunities for unemployed workers, and noted that his government had extended 48 million dollars to the needy citizens, laborers and students over the past ten months.