Palestinian Prime Minister Resigns Amid Efforts to Form Consensus Government

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced his resignation on Monday, a move aimed at paving the way for the establishment of a comprehensive consensus among Palestinians regarding the political landscape following the recent conflict between Israel and the Islamist group Hamas in Gaza.

The Decision and its Implications

Shtayyeh's decision to resign is taking place in the midst of increasing pressure from the United States on President Mahmoud Abbas to bring about significant changes within the Palestinian Authority. This comes as international efforts intensify to halt the hostilities in Gaza and initiate the formation of a political framework to govern the region in the aftermath of the conflict.

Shtayyeh's resignation is pending approval from Abbas, who may request him to remain as a caretaker until a permanent successor is appointed. In a statement addressed to the cabinet, Shtayyeh, an academic economist who assumed office in 2019, emphasized the need to adapt to the evolving situation in Gaza, which has been ravaged by nearly five months of intense fighting. He stressed that the subsequent phase would necessitate new governmental and political arrangements, taking into consideration the emerging reality in the Gaza Strip, the ongoing national unity discussions, and the urgent requirement for an inter-Palestinian consensus. He also highlighted the necessity of extending the authority of the Palestinian Authority over the entire Palestinian territory.

The Palestinian Authority, established 30 years ago under the interim Oslo peace accords, currently holds limited administrative control over certain areas of the occupied West Bank. However, it lost authority in Gaza following a power struggle with Hamas in 2007. Efforts have been made by the Fatah faction, which governs the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas to reach an agreement on forming a unity government, with a scheduled meeting set to take place in Moscow on Wednesday.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri commented on the resignation, stating, "The resignation of Shtayyeh's government only makes sense if it comes within the context of national consensus on arrangements for the next phase." This sentiment underscores the need for broader agreement regarding the governance of the Palestinian territories.

Regional Dynamics and Conflict Resolution Efforts

The ongoing conflict has prompted Israel to reaffirm its commitment to dismantling Hamas and reiterate its refusal to accept Palestinian Authority rule over Gaza post-conflict, citing security concerns. The conflict erupted following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and foreigners, according to Israeli reports. Meanwhile, Palestinian health authorities have reported that nearly 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza fighting, with the vast majority of the population displaced from their homes.