RAMALLAH: On Monday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced the resignation of his government, which oversees parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, citing the imperative for change following the Gaza crisis.
Shtayyeh submitted his resignation to the leader of the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, 88-year-old President Mahmud Abbas, whose office later confirmed its acceptance.
Amid calls from the United States and other influential nations for a reformed Palestinian Authority to assume control over all Palestinian territories post the Israeli aggression, Shtayyeh pointed to "developments related to the aggression against the Gaza Strip and the escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem." These areas have witnessed deadly violence throughout the conflict. While Shtayyeh had initially offered his resignation to Abbas on Tuesday, he formally submitted it in writing on Monday.
In a brief statement, the 66-year-old Shtayyeh expressed that "the next stage and its challenges require new governmental and political measures that take into account the new reality in the Gaza Strip."
Shtayyeh expressed his desire for an "extension of the Authority’s rule over the entire land of Palestine," calling for intra-Palestinian consensus. President Abbas accepted the resignation and appointed Shtayyeh's government to continue temporarily until a new government is formed.
Israel has excluded Hamas from future political roles in Gaza but hinted at a potential role for local Palestinian officials. Abbas, facing growing discontent, accepted criticism for his handling of the Gaza situation and the escalating violence in the West Bank.
Khalil Shikaki from the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research criticized Abbas, stating he failed to protect his people during the war. Many Palestinians view Abbas as a "one man show," and doubts linger among residents in Ramallah about real change in the government.
Speculation surrounds the potential appointment of Mohammed Mustafa, a member of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, to head the new cabinet. International efforts for a Gaza ceasefire and discussions on post-war governance are underway.
Palestinian analyst Ghassan Khatib sees Abbas's resignation as a signal of flexibility, opening the possibility for a technocrat-led government in both the West Bank and Gaza after the war. Shtayyeh defended his government's achievements despite challenges, emphasizing their commitment to establishing a state on Palestinian lands.
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