Palestinian President says ready to take "full responsibility" in Gaza

(Patria) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Friday that the Palestinian Authority is ready to take "full responsibility" in post-war Gaza, in his first statement since the announcement of the ceasefire agreement, AFP reported.

"The Palestinian government, under the directives of President Abbas, has completed all preparations to assume full responsibility in Gaza," including the return of the displaced, provision of basic services, management of crossings, and reconstruction of the war-torn territory, the Presidency stated.

Hamas has had full control in Gaza since 2007, and its rival, the Palestinian Authority, dominated by the Fatah movement, governs the West Bank.

Hamas, which won the last Palestinian parliamentary elections in 2006, had previously indicated during the war that it did not wish to govern post-war Gaza. Hamas sources told AFP that they would be ready to hand over civilian affairs in Gaza to the Palestinian Authority.

Currently, Israel has no definitive stance on post-war governance other than rejecting any role for both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have repeatedly opposed Hamas or the Palestinian Authority governing the Palestinian territory, describing both scenarios as a "reward" for the October 7, 2023 attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that the Palestinian Authority should govern the Gaza Strip.