Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh Resigns

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced his resignation on Monday. The decision aims to pave the way for broader consensus on political arrangements in the aftermath of the war.

Shtayyeh, an academic economist who assumed office in 2019, highlighted the need for inclusive governance that acknowledges the evolving situation in Gaza, which has endured extensive destruction during the months-long conflict.

The resignation, however, is subject to approval by President Mahmoud Abbas, who may retain Shtayyeh as a caretaker until a permanent replacement is appointed.

Speaking about the next steps, Shtayyeh emphasized the necessity for new governmental and political structures that reflect the changing landscape in Gaza, ongoing national unity discussions, and the imperative of inter-Palestinian consensus.

The Palestinian Authority, established three decades ago under the Oslo peace accords, currently exercises limited authority in parts of the occupied West Bank. However, it lost control of Gaza to Hamas following a conflict in 2007.

Efforts to reconcile between Fatah, which governs the Palestinian Authority, and Hamas have been ongoing, with both factions slated to convene in Moscow this Wednesday. A senior Hamas official stressed that Shtayyeh’s resignation must be part of a broader agreement on future governance arrangements.

Amid these developments, Israel has expressed opposition to Palestinian Authority rule over Gaza, citing security concerns.