RAMALLAH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas approved a new government Thursday led by Mohammad Mustafa, making it the 19th in the country's history.

"Prime Minister-designate Mohammad Mustafa presented the government's work program and the proposed formation list to President Mahmoud Abbas," reported Anadolu Agency (AA) quoting the official Palestinian news agency, WAFA.

"Accordingly, the President granted confidence to the 19th government," it added.

The new government has 23 ministers, under the leadership of Mustafa, who retained his position as foreign minister.

The government will take the constitutional oath before Abbas next Sunday, said WAFA.

The news agency said the new government work programme emphasises "its political reference to the Palestine Liberation Organisation."

The programme includes "prioritising the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip."

Since the Oct 7 cross-border attack, more than 32,500 Palestinians have been killed and over 74,900 injured amid mass destruction and shortages of necessities

The Israeli army has also imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, leaving most of the population, particularly residents of the north, on the verge of starvation.

-- BERNAMA