TL/DR –
US officials are discussing post-war governance in Gaza with the Palestinian Authority and regional allies, advocating for both Gaza and the West Bank to be governed by a revitalized Palestinian Authority. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Vice President Kamala Harris have held conversations with Arab counterparts about the vision. However, there is concern over their reluctance to involve themselves in an international peacekeeping force, with some Arab authorities expressing they would not put their own forces in Gaza after the war.
Washington
CNN
—
U.S. officials are discussing post-conflict Gaza governance with the Palestinian Authority and regional US allies.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting with Arab counterparts to discuss the situation of Gaza following the Israeli offensive.
US officials aspire for a unified government led by a “revitalized” Palestinian Authority ruling both Gaza and the West Bank.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, has shifted his position regarding the PA ruling Gaza post-conflict. Several questions remain about the immediate transition period after the war ends.
Western diplomats indicate Arab states are not keen to provide security in Gaza post-war. If they are to aid in reconstruction, a path towards a Palestinian state must be established.
The administration voices concern over Arab allies’ reluctancy to partake in peacekeeping after the conflict. Biden’s administration supports a two-state solution, opposing an Israeli buffer zone within Gaza post-war.
Vice President Kamala Harris has also addressed post-conflict Gaza in dialogues with Arab leaders, outlining three focus areas: infrastructure reconstruction, enhancement of PA security, and PA governance revitalization.
Blinken met Abbas in Ramallah. Harris’ adviser, Phil Gordon, held talks in the West Bank, underscoring commitment to a future Palestinian state.
Deputy national security adviser Jon Finer stated that the PA will need to be part of future governance in West Bank and Gaza, a stance explicitly opposed by Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Palestinian Authority’s Prime Minister, Mohammad Shtayyeh, told Bloomberg he envisions a role for Hamas in future Gaza governance, a stance rejected by Israel. The future governance structure remains uncertain due to the rivalry between Hamas and Fatah.
A reconciliation agreement signed between Hamas and Fatah in 2017 failed to resolve the governance issue. Palestinian Authority’s Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah was targeted in a 2018 assassination attempt.
CNN’s Natasha Bertrand and Oren Liebermann contributed to this report.
—
Read More US Political News