The Palestinian Prime Minister announced his resignation on Monday to pave the way for a broader consensus among Palestinians regarding political arrangements following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
This decision comes amidst increasing pressure from the United States on President Mahmoud Abbas to restructure the Palestinian Authority. International efforts are underway to halt the violence in Gaza and establish a political framework to govern the region post-war.
The resignation of the Prime Minister must still be approved by President Abbas, who may request him to continue as a caretaker until a permanent replacement is appointed.
In a statement to the cabinet, Prime Minister Shtayyeh, an academic economist who assumed office in 2019, emphasized the need for new governmental and political structures that consider the evolving situation in Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage during almost five months of intense fighting.
He stressed the necessity for these arrangements to incorporate the outcomes of national unity talks and achieve an inter-Palestinian consensus. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of extending the Authority’s influence over the entire Palestinian territory.
The Palestinian Authority, established three decades ago under the Oslo peace accords, currently exercises limited governance in parts of the occupied West Bank but lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007.
Efforts have been made by Fatah, the faction controlling the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas to negotiate a unity government. They are scheduled to convene in Moscow for discussions on Wednesday. A senior Hamas official emphasized the need for a broader agreement on Palestinian governance.
Israel has reiterated its commitment to dismantling Hamas and has stated its refusal to accept Palestinian Authority rule over Gaza post-war due to security concerns. The conflict erupted after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in casualties among Israelis and foreigners, according to Israeli reports.
According to Palestinian health authorities, nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza conflict, and a significant portion of the population has been displaced from their homes.
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