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The Palestinian Authority (PA)

Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (May 7-15, 2024)

The IDF expanded its activities in the Gaza Strip and is currently focusing on eastern Rafah and the Jebalya refugee camp. The activity in the al-Zeitoun neighborhood in Gaza City ended on the morning of May 15, 2024. Meanwhile, the Palestinian terrorist organizations continue firing rockets at the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip and in Southern Israel. For the first time in five months, Beersheba was attacked by rocket fire. Five IDF soldiers were killed and several others injured in the fighting in the Gaza Strip. The negotiations for the release of the hostages in Cairo stalled even after Egyptian efforts for a breakthrough. The Hamas delegation left Cairo and returned to Qatar. Hamas accused Israel of not taking the negotiations seriously and claimed the Israeli delegation's participation was meant as a cover for its action in Rafah. With the closure of the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing following the IDF takeover, international and Palestinian figures warned that the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip would deteriorate. Meanwhile, UNRWA distributes aid in its centers throughout the Gaza Strip. This past week no terrorist attacks were reported in Israel and in Judea and Samaria, and the intensity of IDF activities declined. A number of detentions and counterterrorism activities were carried out in the Hebron and Nablus areas. After a majority vote in the General Assembly, the PA's status was upgraded and its request to be accepted as a full member will be reexamined. The Palestinian prime minister continued his political activities to recruit support and financial aid for the PA and humanitarian aid for the Gazans. Senior Fatah member Jibril al-Rajoub, who denied the October 7th, 2023 attack and massacre, continued to promote Israel's delegitimization in FIFA, the international soccer association.
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The UN General Assembly Votes to Give the Palestinian Authority Additional Rights

On May 10, 2024, the UN General Assembly, with a majority vote of 143 countries, approved a resolution to grant the Palestinian Authority (PA) additional rights in the UN. It also allowed the PA to resubmit its request to the Security Council for full UN membership. The significance of the vote is that the representatives of the PA. The vote was a precedent-setting, controversial move, as it is not clear whether the General Assembly has the authority to grant the PA, defined as an observer, the rights of a full UN member state, as only the Security Council has that authority. Without a doubt, the vote in the General Assembly was a significant political achievement for the PA. Winning a majority vote in the General Assembly, with countries such as France voting in favor, indicated the broad consensus that currently exists around the globe for the recognition of the "State of Palestine." The step may also promote bilateral recognition of a Palestinian state, including by EU member states. It also challenges United States policy towards the Palestinian issue, after an attempt was made to bypass the American veto of the proposed resolution in the Security Council and the possibility that the issue would be deliberated again by the Security Council.
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The Palestinian Perspective on the IDF Operation in Rafah

IDF forces initiated a military operation in limited areas in east Rafah, targeting Hamas terrorist facilities. The forces took control of the Gazan side of the Rafah Crossing, which is situated in the east of the city. Prior to the operation, the IDF began evacuating the residents of east Rafah to an expanded humanitarian zone in Mawasi Khan Yunis in the central Gaza Strip. UNRWA and Palestinian media outlets reported tens of thousands of residents evacuated from the area, although Hamas claimed lower numbers. The IDF takeover and closing of the Rafah Crossing provoked reactions from Palestinian figures and international aid organizations. The Arab world also condemned the IDF's action and expressed concern regarding the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Hezbollah, the Houthis and the pro-Iranian militias in Iraq threatened that if Israel entered Rafah they would escalate their attacks, and have in fact carried out their threats. Egypt prepared for the operation and raised the alert level of its forces in the border area, out of concern that Gazans would enter its territory. It is currently unclear how long the IDF operation in east Rafah will last and if it will expand to other areas. Meanwhile, the efforts of the United States, Qatar and Egypt to reach a deal to release the hostages continue. Contrary to the statements of senior Hamas members before the operation, its representatives continued the negotiations for a ceasefire and a hostage deal even as IDF forces operate in Rafah.
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Spotlight on the Israel-Palestinian Conflict (April 16 – May 7, 2024)

On the night of May 6, 2024, guided by intelligence, IDF forces began a targeted activity in limited areas of eastern Rafah, achieving operational control on the Gaza side of the Rafah Crossing. Meanwhile, IDF forces continued attacking terrorist targets and rocket launchers in the central Gaza Strip and Beit Hanoun (northern Gaza Strip). Terrorists in the Gaza Strip continued firing rockets at the cities, towns and villages surrounding Gaza and in southern Israel. Four IDF soldiers were killed in a Hamas rocket and mortar shell attack on a concentration of forces in the Kerem Shalom area. In response, IDF forces attacked rocket launch centers in Rafah and closed the Kerem Shalom Crossing. After a series of meetings and the submission of proposals and counter-proposals, Isma'il Haniyeh, head of Hamas' political bureau, informed that Hamas agreed to the outline proposed for a ceasefire with Israel as part of the negotiations for the release of the hostages. The delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip continues, especially to the north. During the past three weeks Palestinian terrorists carried out 11 attacks of various types. The Israeli security forces continued their counterterrorism activities. Mahmoud Abbas continued his efforts with international parties to end the war in the Gaza Strip and prevent the IDF's operation in Rafah. A proposed resolution will be voted on by the General Assembly on May 10, 2024. Meanwhile, with Chinese support, an attempt was made to renew the Palestinian internal reconciliation, despite low expectations for its success.
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The New Palestinian Authority Government

On March 31, 2024, the 19th Palestinian government was sworn in at Mahmoud Abbas' office in Ramallah. It is headed by Dr. Muhammad Mustafa. the government ministers do not belong to any political party. Its platform emphasized that the government regards Judea, Samaria, east Jerusalem and the Gaza Strip as one political-geographic unit with the PLO as the source of its authority (Wafa, March 28, 2024). The new government is defined as "a government of technocrats" and has almost no known figures with a political past. It has 23 ministers, compared to 26 in the government headed by Muhammad Shtayyeh, and has representation for the Gaza Strip, Judea, Samaria and east Jerusalem. Seven of the government ministers are from the Gaza Strip (currently staying in Ramallah), 14 from Judea and Samaria, and two are residents of east Jerusalem. There are four women in the government. Two ministers are Christians and the rest are Muslims. Most of the ministers are in their sixties. The vast majority have advanced degrees from universities abroad. Two of the members of the government, Prime Minister Muhammad Mustafa and Ziad Hab al-Reeh, have political experience, but while all the other ministers have an impressive record in civilian and academic fields, they lack political experience. The ITIC has no information about their political positions or their positions regarding Israel and the conflict, since so far they have seldom been interviewed or expressed positions on those issues. However, contrary to Mustafa's statements that the new government is manned by independent technocrats, a detailed examination revealed that at least four of the ministers are unequivocally members of Fatah and in the past ran for positions on behalf of the movement, headed by Interior Minister Ziad Hab al-Reeh. At least two of them were previously detained by Israel.
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The Palestinian perspective on alternatives for managing the Gaza Strip “the day after”

The Gaza Strip is currently preoccupied with ways to deliver humanitarian aid to local residents, while the Palestinian and Arab media are preoccupied with the issue of "the day after" in the Gaza Strip, and several possibilities have been mentioned. The Palestinian Authority (PA) regards itself as the Gaza Strip's best administrator. It views the war in the Gaza Strip as a window of opportunity for regaining control of the Strip, and as another step towards establishing an independent Palestinian state. To further the goal, the PA's governing institutions are being reorganized. Hamas regards itself as being central to the administration of the Strip even "the day after." The Hamas leadership claims the solution will be internal and Palestinian and voices strong opposition to international intervention and the talk about establishing a national consensus government and integrating Hamas into the PLO. The idea of turning the Gaza Strip over to the heads of the clans and large families was first raised by Israel. The heads of the clans proved themselves to be a force in the Gaza Strip and successfully transferred part of the humanitarian aid. However, a significant number of clans are affiliated with Hamas and other terrorist groups. Muhammad Dahlan, the ousted senior Fatah figure, who currently resides in Abu Dhabi, regards the situation as an opportunity to return to political activity and formulate a plan for the reconstruction of the Strip, and to that end could mobilize Arab capital and the security of Arab forces. Other possibilities: Such as the establishment of an interim regime, led by the United States and with the participation of regional countries which will rule the Strip for several years until power is handed over to the PA. There is also the possibility of deploying an Arab peacekeeping force after the withdrawal of the IDF forces, which does not rule out the participation of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) representatives in the governing body. At the moment there is no solution agreed upon by everyone and all the proposals have shortcomings. In any solution "for the day after," Hamas, which is popular with the majority of the Gazans, will not disappear, and will work to influence events and become a part of any future administration.
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