From Right Setting:
Ghazi Mushtaha, Dr. Maged Abu-Ramadan, Aown Shawa (Late Mayor), Nasri Khayal (Mayor) and Khaled Abdul Shafi

From Right Standing:
Maher El-Rayyes, Issa Tarazi, Abdel Fattah Humeid, Ahmad El-Mghanni and Salah El Sakka.

      Upon the return of the Palestinian National Authority for the first time in our history, President Arafat issued a decree in August 1994 to form the first Municipality council for Gaza city under the Palestinian National Authority. Mr. Aown Shawa was chosen as the mayor together with nine of the city's elite from different parts of the city. Since taking control of running the Municipality, the city council has devoted itself to capacity building; managerially and technically in order to raise the level of the provided services.

      After five years of hard work, the capacity of the departments and sections of the municipality has been raised, thus putting the municipality on the right tracks and presenting it in a decent and credible way; managerially, technically and financially. Moreover, the present municipal council has been busy making plans to develop the city's districts in cooperation with local and international institutions. Added to this, the endless efforts to raise needed funds to enhance the environmental and health conditions throughout the city. On the other hand, the present council has been engaged in strengthening the spirit of belonging, culture spreading and preserving the national heritage.