The US Secretary of State points to the return of the Palestinian Authority and rules out Israeli control over the region
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken suggested on Tuesday (October 31, 2023) that a coalition of Middle Eastern countries or international entities could temporarily administer the Gaza Strip in the event of a Hamas defeat by Israel. The interim government would remain in place until a Palestinian Authority was reestablished in the area. The information comes from Portal.
According to Blinken, after the conflict ends, it would “make more sense” for a “revived and effective” Palestinian Authority to take over government and ultimately responsibility for security in Gaza. For the secretary, it still needs to be checked whether it is feasible to “get to this point all at once”.
“If this is not possible, there are other temporary solutions that may involve multiple countries in the region […] This could include international agencies that would provide both security and governance,” he said.
Blinken ruled out that Israel would control or rule Gaza in the event of a victory over the extremist group Hamas.
The Gaza Strip has been under Hamas control since June 2007. In the occupied West Bank, the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, exercises limited autonomy.