Israel’s Advance and Gaza’s Leadership Void As Israeli forces strategize their possible entrance into Gaza, the international community and regional stakeholders grapple with a pivotal query: Who will oversee Gaza once Hamas is potentially displaced? Historically, the Palestinian Authority had lost its foothold in Gaza nearly two years after Israel’s 2005 retreat, with Hamas taking the reins.
The Palestinian Authority’s Diminishing Grip While many eyes, particularly those of Israel’s allies, turn towards the Palestinian Authority as a plausible successor to Hamas in governing Gaza, there are rising doubts. The PA’s current political and logistical posture does not indicate readiness or capability to manage Gaza’s intricate socio-political landscape.
West Bank: Another Concern for PA Amidst this Gaza-centric discourse, an additional worry emerges for the PA: its hold over the West Bank. By the culmination of the current conflict, it’s uncertain whether the PA will maintain authority over Ramallah, recognized as the West Bank’s de facto administrative hub.