Ramallah is reportedly collaborating with the Biden administration on a plan for governing the Gaza Strip post-Israel-Hamas conflict, Bloomberg reports. Despite Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu rejecting the idea of the Palestinian Authority (PA) managing Gaza, the PA’s Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh expressed optimism about Hamas being a partner in the process, as insane as that sounds.
Shtayyeh emphasized the need for a mechanism involving the international community to address the situation.
“We’re not going to go there on an Israeli military plan,” Shtayyeh told Bloomberg. “Our people are there. We need to put together a mechanism, something we’re working on with the international community.”
Netanyahu has consistently opposed the PA overseeing Gaza, accusing it of supporting terrorism. Israel pledged to eliminate Hamas after the group’s attacks on October 7, resulting in casualties and hostages. Shtayyeh argued that Hamas cannot be eliminated solely by military means, pointing out the group’s presence beyond Gaza. He suggested the possibility of negotiation if Hamas accepts the political platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization.
Shtayyeh argued that Israel cannot eliminate Hamas. “Hamas is not in Gaza only. Hamas is in Lebanon, everybody knows Hamas leadership is in Qatar and they are here in the West Bank,” he told Bloomberg. “Hamas before October 7 is one thing and after it is another thing,” the PA prime minister further asserted. “If they are ready to come to an agreement and accept the political platform of the PLO, then there will be room for talk. Palestinians should not be divided.” Shtayyeh refused to condemn the group when asked, saying that the conflict did not start when Hamas attacked. “What Israel is doing in Gaza is an act of revenge,” he said. “This is not going to take them anywhere.”
Responding to Shtayyeh’s remarks, Netanyahu Netanyahu tweeted that firstly, “there will not be a Hamas — we will destroy them,” and then that “the fact that this is the suggestion of the Palestinian Authority only strengthens my policy that the PA is not the solution.”
Despite PA President Mahmoud Abbas condemning Hamas in private discussions, he refrains from doing so publicly during the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The U.S. acknowledges the need to “revitalize” the PA before it can assume responsibility for Gaza. U.S. Deputy National Security Adviser Jon Finer clarified that the PA’s rejuvenation doesn’t necessarily require Abbas to step down immediately. While Israel cooperates with the PA to maintain security in the West Bank, there have been significant arrests of Palestinians, including Hamas affiliates, by Israeli forces.
Netanyahu opposed the PA’s return to Gaza, citing concerns about its support for terrorism. However, Finer downplayed Netanyahu’s comments, cautioning against interpreting them as definitive. He emphasized the importance of the PA playing a role in both the West Bank and Gaza in the future.
{Matzav.com Israel}
