Watan-The Hebrew newspaper “Haaretz” reported that the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, fears Hamas’s approval of a temporary technocratic government responsible only for the Gaza Strip.
The report, written by Jack Khoury, quoted sources described as high-ranking within the Palestinian Authority, saying that a government of this nature in Gaza could widen the political gap between the besieged territory and the West Bank, diminishing any future influence of the authority in Gaza.
The report pointed out that these statements from high-ranking officials within the authority came against the backdrop of rapprochement and coordination between Hamas leadership abroad and the former Fatah leader expelled by Abbas, Mohammed Dahlan.
The talk about a “technocratic government” in Gaza worries Abbas
Describing Dahlan as now being “a center of influence in the Gaza Strip,” Haaretz noted his recent meeting with Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh in Doha, which was disclosed by Hamas political bureau member Mohammed Nazal in an interview with Arab television.
During a recent interview with Dahlan’s owned channel “Al-Ghad,” senior Hamas leader Moussa Abu Marzouk reiterated his readiness to form a technocratic government to manage Gaza, including indirect influence of Hamas on the sector.
This stance, also echoed by other figures within Hamas, according to high-ranking figures in the Palestinian Authority, is supported by some Arab states such as Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, Haaretz reported.
Two officials spoken to by Haaretz confirmed discussions on the matter and expressed their anger at the process, stating that the division between the Strip and the West Bank would serve Israel’s and Netanyahu’s objectives.
The report also quoted a former high-ranking source in the Palestinian arena confirming a plan to form a temporary government in the sector to address the humanitarian and social crisis in Gaza. The Authority fears that even if considered temporary, this step could become a long-term solution, ending any attempt at political progress.
It’s an attempt by the authority to win Jordan’s support
The Palestinian Authority is also reportedly attempting to win the support of Jordan and other entities in the Arab and international arenas to prevent any action that could separate the sector from the West Bank after the war.
Ahead of Abbas’s arrival in Jordan on Monday, Majid Faraj, head of the Authority’s intelligence, and Hussein al-Sheikh, general secretary of Fatah’s executive committee, will travel to Amman.
Despite the lack of specific details about this meeting, Ramallah observes significant pressure to proceed with a ceasefire plan, and Mahmoud Abbas wants to be involved in this process.
Haaretz stated, “The Palestinian Authority is ready to form a new government and undertake reforms provided that progress is ensured in a political plan, especially as it is responsible for managing affairs in the West Bank and the sector.