Palestinian Authority Claims Full Governance Over Gaza

The Palestinian Authority (PA), led by Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, has declared it must be the sole governing authority in Gaza following the conflict, emphasizing that any other entity's governance is unacceptable. Mustafa's statements came amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire and the potential return of Israeli hostages, highlighting the PA's insistence on maintaining jurisdiction over Gaza and rejecting any attempts to create a separate governance structure from the West Bank. He stressed the urgent need for humanitarian aid in Gaza, where over two million people are facing a severe crisis after 15 months of war. The PA's claims are complicated by Israel's opposition to both Hamas and PA governance, given the historical context of limited PA control in the West Bank under the Oslo accords. Mustafa praised Norway's recognition of a Palestinian state under the PA as a significant step toward a two-state solution, supported by much of the international community. The situation remains fluid, with the governance of Gaza remaining a central issue in the ongoing conflict resolution talks.