SAFA – Gaza government employees have continued providing essential public services despite the ongoing genocide and severe financial hardship, according to Khalil Hamada, head of the Employees’ Union in Gaza. He described employees’ conditions as "extremely difficult, almost impossible," stressing that they have remained committed to their duties throughout the past three years despite unprecedented challenges.

Speaking to Felesteen newspaper on Wednesday, Hamada said government employees had managed to maintain public services throughout nearly three years of genocide, calling it "something the world has never seen before."

He noted that the Ministry of Interior had lost nearly 3,000 security personnel, while hundreds of employees from the Ministry of Health and Civil Defense had also been killed, all in full view of the international community.

Hamada said the strike organized by government employees across various public sectors on Wednesday was intended to make the voices of the "oppressed" employees heard. He noted that over the past three years, employees had received only modest cash advances, yet they continued performing their duties to the best of their ability.

He added that the conditions faced by government employees in Gaza would have caused the complete collapse of public institutions in any other society. Instead, their commitment enabled essential services to continue, particularly within the Ministries of Health and Interior, including the police force.

Hamada stressed that the employees' salary crisis requires urgent action, noting that government employees have received only 2,000 shekels since the beginning of this year and have not received any payments since April, while Gaza has experienced an unprecedented surge in the cost of living.

He added that approximately 45,000 government employees support nearly 400,000 people. Many employees, he said, are responsible not only for their immediate families but also for widowed sisters and unemployed adult siblings.

Calling for collective responsibility, Hamada urged all parties—including the Palestinian factions, the Temporary Government Services Authority, and the Technocratic Committee—to protect the dignity of government employees and the Palestinian people. He affirmed that employees would continue pressing their demands until a fair solution is reached.

He clarified that the Employees’ Union has not asked the Technocratic Committee to pay salaries directly. However, the union believes the committee, established under a United Nations Security Council decision, should enter Gaza, carry out its mandate, and address unresolved issues, particularly the employees' salary crisis.

Hamada also emphasized the need for joint efforts to resolve the issue. He said the Temporary Government Services Authority in Gaza is responsible for exhausting every possible avenue to secure monthly salary advances for employees, praising its efforts to prevent a complete shutdown of government ministries. He added that the National Committee bears greater responsibility because it was established under a UN-backed decision and the ceasefire agreement.

On another matter, Hamada said the genocide had directly affected government employees after government ministry headquarters and hospitals were targeted, reducing the level of public services. Despite the widespread destruction, employees have continued carrying out their duties.

He added that Israeli occupation forces continue to target and shell police officers, yet they have remained on duty, directing traffic and maintaining public security despite repeated attacks and the scorching summer heat.

According to Hamada, the salary crisis predates the genocide. He said the last payment approved before the genocide by the late Essam Al-Da'alis, head of the Government Follow-Up Committee, amounted to 60% of employees' salaries. Today, employees receive only an advance payment every two or three months, not exceeding 1,000 shekels, which is insufficient to meet their families' basic needs.

He added that 100 days have passed without employees receiving any financial payment and that they have not yet been informed of the date of the next disbursement, expressing hope that it will be made soon.

Hamada concluded that the salary crisis is political in nature and has had a direct impact on government employees and their families, despite their continued efforts to maintain public security, treat the injured, and provide educational services.