Palestinian Authority Seeks Sole Governance Over Gaza Post-War

As negotiations continue to advance toward a ceasefire in Gaza, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa emphasized that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should be the sole governing body in the region after the war. In a speech on Wednesday at a conference in Norway, Mustafa underlined the need for the PA to take control, particularly in light of the severe humanitarian crisis affecting over 2 million residents in Gaza, who have been enduring 15 months of conflict.

Mustafa's remarks reflect ongoing international discussions about the future leadership of Gaza, a question that remains one of the main sticking points in the ceasefire talks. While a ceasefire and the return of Israeli hostages are at the forefront of negotiations, determining who will govern Gaza after the conflict is equally critical.

He strongly emphasized that there should be no attempt to sever Gaza from the West Bank as part of a future Palestinian state. "Only the Palestinian Authority is legitimately placed to assume governance in the Gaza Strip after fighting ends," Mustafa said, adding that any other entity attempting to govern Gaza would be unacceptable.

Norway’s recognition of a Palestinian state under the Palestinian Authority last year was noted as an important step toward realizing the two-state solution, which remains the goal of most international powers.

The future governance of Gaza remains a contentious issue. Israel has opposed Hamas’s return to power, following its previous control of the region before the war. However, Israel has also shown reluctance toward the PA assuming governance, citing concerns over its links with factions that support attacks against Israel. Israeli officials argue that the broad support Hamas enjoys among Palestinians could potentially lead to the group taking over a future Palestinian state, should the PA gain control over Gaza.

The power struggle is not new. In 2007, Hamas ousted the Palestinian Authority from Gaza after a brief civil war, cementing its rule in the region. This longstanding rivalry between the PA, which is largely dominated by the Fatah faction, and Hamas complicates any potential resolution regarding Gaza’s governance after the war.