The Hypothetical Future of Palestinian Politics: Analysis

The Gaza Strip, controlled by Hamas since 2007, is currently under bombardment from Israel. The Israeli government’s aim is to destroy Hamas, and if successful, there is speculation that the Palestinian Authority (PA) could return to govern Gaza. However, this scenario is uncertain due to the divide in approaches between Hamas and the PA. While the PA focuses on cooperation with Israel, Hamas adopts a confrontational and military strategy. Fatah, the political party associated with the PA, has a presence in Gaza but is split between loyalty to President Abbas and former leader Mohammed Dahlan. The PA has international recognition and receives funding and tax revenues, but Palestinians view it as colluding with Israel. Despite frustration with the PA, Palestinians may be more disgruntled with Hamas’s actions, as they are seen as dragging Gaza into continuous conflict with Israel. The US supports a unified Palestinian entity controlling both Gaza and the West Bank, accepting Israel’s existence, and resuming negotiations based on the Oslo Accords. However, Gaza’s future governance is uncertain, and there is disagreement among Palestinians regarding the role of the PA. If Hamas prevails, the divide between Hamas and Fatah may deepen, potentially leading to the end of the PA.

Source: Aljazeera news: The beginning of the end? The hypothetical future of Palestinian politics