A Palestinian Authority (PA) official, Mohammad Hamdan of Fatah Party, predicted that President-elect Donald Trump will weaken Iran, which in turn will lead to a breakdown of Hamas terror cells. PA forces have been combating armed extremists aligned with Hamas in the West Bank, and recent security operations have resulted in the killing of at least three extremists. Fatah Party, which suffered a defeat in the 2006 election to rival Hamas, is positioning itself to resume governance of Gaza once the current conflict ends. The PA leaders interviewed condemned Israel’s increased settlements in the West Bank but maintained that they supported Israel’s right to exist.
The tension between Fatah and Hamas stems from Hamas’ rejection of international legitimacy and refusal to accept UN resolutions. Hamas and other Islamic extremist groups accuse the PA of collaborating with Israel in past security raids, which has led to distrust. The PA has recently increased its presence in the West Bank town of Jenin, a known terrorist stronghold. Despite clashes resulting in the deaths of PA security force members, the PA has arrested dozens of individuals, including extremists responsible for stealing PA vehicles and parading them while waving Hamas and ISIS flags.
PA President Mahmoud Abbas, who advocates for realistic relations with the Americans, criticized the U.S. for its foreign policy in the Middle East, blaming it for the rise in Islamic extremism. The PA remains an option for post-war governance of Gaza, but Israeli officials stress the need for the PA to address corruption and cease funding terrorism against Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The PA’s opposition to Hamas could provide leverage for participating in post-war talks and potentially returning to control of the Palestinian territories.
The PA’s alignment with the U.S. and other Western governments in opposition to Hamas reflects a shift in dynamics in the Palestinian territories. Hamas’ rule in the Gaza Strip, following a major defeat of Fatah in the 2006 election, has resulted in increased extremist activities targeting Israel. The PA’s efforts to combat Islamic extremism, particularly in Gaza, have led to a strengthening of its security forces and a push for increased governance in the region. The ongoing conflict between Fatah and Hamas underscores the complex political landscape in the Palestinian territories and the challenges involved in achieving peace and stability.
While the PA faces internal and external challenges in its efforts to combat extremism and resume control of Gaza, its alignment with Western governments and condemnation of Hamas’ rejection of international legitimacy suggest a potential shift in power dynamics in the region. The PA’s efforts to crackdown on armed extremists aligned with Hamas and its confrontations with terror cells in the West Bank indicate a commitment to restoring stability and security in the Palestinian territories. The PA’s opposition to Hamas’ rejection of international resolutions and its condemnation of Islamic extremism highlight the complexities of the political landscape in the region and the challenges involved in achieving peace and stability.
