PA’s Abbas jostles for seat at the table as Gaza ceasefire progresses
The Palestinian government in Ramallah is hoping to cement its influence in Gaza’s postwar governance as ceasefire talks advance.
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The Palestinian Authority (PA) is prepared to send a delegation to Egypt to negotiate Gaza’s postwar governance with Hamas, a source close to the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah told Al-Monitor, signaling its intent to play a central role in the enclave once the ceasefire takes hold.
Hamas has publicly called on the authority to work out issues with them regarding the postwar period.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that in Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ view, “Hamas should not be part of the Palestinian political system unless it renounces violence and accepts previous agreements” — a reference to accords such as Oslo, which include recognition of Israel and a renunciation of terrorism. In the short term, Hamas may cooperate by handing over weapons or integrating fighters into the Palestinian security apparatus, but Ramallah is not willing to support mechanisms that grant the group political power, the source added.
