Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh Resigns Amidst Gaza Crisis
In a surprising turn of events, Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh has announced his resignation, along with his government, which governs parts of the occupied West Bank. The decision comes as Mr. Shtayyeh believes that new “arrangements” are necessary to address the “emerging reality in the Gaza Strip.” President Mahmoud Abbas has accepted his resignation, opening the possibility for the formation of a technocratic government. This move is seen as a response to pressure from the United States for the PA to reform and potentially govern Gaza after the Israel-Hamas war concludes.
Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented a vision for the future of Gaza that excluded any role for the PA. This has further complicated the situation, as the Israeli military launched a massive air and ground campaign in Gaza following an attack by Hamas gunmen that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people in southern Israel and the hostage-taking of 253 others. Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports that at least 29,782 people have been killed in the territory, including 90 in the past 24 hours.
Mr. Shtayyeh, an economist who has held office since 2019, made the announcement of his government’s resignation during a cabinet meeting in Ramallah. He cited the “political, security, and economic developments related to the aggression against Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip” as reasons for stepping down. He emphasized the need for new governmental and political arrangements that consider the evolving reality in Gaza, ongoing national unity talks, and the urgent requirement for inter-Palestinian consensus. Mr. Abbas has requested that Mr. Shtayyeh and his cabinet continue in a caretaker capacity until a new government is formed.
It is believed that Mr. Abbas’s preferred candidate for the prime minister position is Mohammed Mustafa, a US-educated economist and former senior World Bank official who currently serves as the chairman of the Palestine Investment Fund. If appointed, Mustafa could potentially lead a government of expert ministers who are not aligned with any factions, with the hope of persuading Israel to allow them to govern Gaza after the war.
The PA, established in 1994 under the Oslo accords, has limited governance powers in parts of the occupied West Bank that are not under full Israeli control. It is dominated by Mr. Abbas’s Fatah movement, which is a rival to Hamas. The PA lost control of Gaza in 2007 when Hamas ousted forces loyal to Mr. Abbas, a year after winning the last Palestinian elections. The PA is widely unpopular among Palestinians in both the West Bank and Gaza.
In November, US President Joe Biden expressed his belief that Gaza and the West Bank should be reunified under a single governance structure, ultimately led by a revitalized Palestinian Authority, as part of efforts towards a two-state solution. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that a reformed PA must meet the aspirations of the Palestinian people and address issues such as corruption, civil society engagement, and media freedom.
Mr. Netanyahu’s plan for post-war Gaza, presented to ministers last week, does not explicitly exclude the PA but also does not mention it specifically. The plan suggests handing responsibility for civilian management and public order to “local elements with managerial experience” who are not associated with terrorism-supporting countries or entities. Additionally, it envisions a completely demilitarized Gaza, with Israel maintaining security control for the foreseeable future. A spokesperson for Mr. Abbas dismissed the plan as doomed to fail.
The resignation of Prime Minister Shtayyeh and his government marks a significant development in the ongoing Gaza crisis. As the situation continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how the formation of a new government and potential reforms within the PA will impact the region’s future. The international community, particularly the United States, will play a crucial role in supporting the Palestinian people and working towards a peaceful resolution.
