Doha (TDI): Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani has expressed his hope that the Palestinian Authority would return to govern Gaza once the war between Israel and Hamas ends.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he stressed that the future governance of Gaza should be determined by its people.
“We hope to see the Palestinian Authority back in Gaza. We hope to see a government that genuinely address the people’s problems there,” Sheikh Mohammed stated on Tuesday.
However, he acknowledged the major challenges ahead, noting the destruction in Gaza and the long road to recovery.
The war, which erupted n on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel, has resulted in more than 47,000 deaths in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials.
The assault, coupled with Israel’s severe restrictions on assistance, has led to warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe.
Also Read: Over 900 Aid Trucks Reach Gaza on Truce Day 2
A ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, came into effect two days prior to Sheikh Mohammed’s statement.
The truce agreement includes an exchange of captives and prisoners and increased humanitarian assistance deliveries to Gaza.
The prime minister expressed regret over the prolonged talks leading to the ceasefire.
“Looking back on what we have achieved in recent days, we deeply regret all the time losed in these talks,” he said.
Sheikh Mohammed criticized the delays, suggesting that swift decisions could have saved lives.
Governance Challenges in Gaza
While the ceasefire deal did not address Gaza’s post-war governance, Sheikh Mohammed stressed that any solution must come from the Palestinians themselves.
The Palestinian Authority, dominated by the Fatah faction, has faced opposition from Hamas since being driven out of Gaza in 2007.
Also Read: Gaza Truce Deal: Process to Free Captives Underway
Israel has ruled out any governing role for Hamas and opposed Palestinian Authority’s control, complicating efforts to establish a unified Palestinian administration in Gaza.
The prime minister’s remarks underscore the political and humanitarian complexities of envisioning Gaza’s post-war future.
