Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh Resigns Amid Rising US Pressure

Gaza: Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Monday announced that he had tendered his resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas.

“The decision to resign came in light of the unprecedented escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem and the war, genocide and starvation in the Gaza Strip,” AlJazeera quoted him as saying.

“I see that the next stage and its challenges require new governmental and political arrangements that take into account the new reality in Gaza and the need for a consensus based on Palestinian unity and the extension of unity of authority over the land of Palestine,” he said at a press conference.

The decision comes amidst increasing pressure from the United States on President Mahmoud Abbas to reform the Palestinian Authority, as international endeavours have escalated to halt the conflict in Gaza and initiate efforts towards establishing a political framework to govern the enclave post-war.

The President must approve his resignation, but may request Shtayyeh to continue serving in a caretaker capacity until a permanent successor is appointed.

The Palestinian Authority, which was formed 30 years back under the temporary Oslo peace agreements, exercises restricted authority over portions of the occupied West Bank but lost control in Gaza after encountering a conflict with Hamas in 2007.

Fatah, the section that controls the PA, and Hamas have endeavored to achieve a consensus on forming a unity government and are due to meet in Moscow on Wednesday. A senior Hamas official said this action needs to be succeeded by a comprehensive agreement on governance for the Palestinians.