Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, expressed his hope that the Palestinian Authority (PA) would return to govern Gaza once the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas ends. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he emphasized that the future governance of Gaza should be determined by its people.
“We hope to see the PA back in Gaza. We hope to see a government that will really address the issues of the people over there,” Sheikh Mohammed said on Tuesday. However, he acknowledged the immense challenges ahead, noting the destruction in Gaza and the long road to recovery.
Humanitarian crisis and ceasefire
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas attacked southern Israel, has resulted in over 47,000 deaths in Gaza, according to Palestinian health officials. The assault, coupled with Israel’s severe restrictions on aid, has led to warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe.
A ceasefire, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, came into effect two days prior to Sheikh Mohammed’s remarks. The truce includes an exchange of captives and prisoners and increased humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.
Reflections on negotiations
The prime minister expressed regret over the prolonged negotiations leading to the ceasefire. “When we reflect on what we have achieved in the last few days, we felt really sorry for all the time wasted in these negotiations,” he said. Sheikh Mohammed criticized the delays, suggesting that quicker decisions could have saved lives.
Future governance
While the ceasefire agreement did not address Gaza’s post-war governance, Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that any solution must come from the Palestinians themselves. The PA, dominated by the Fatah faction, has faced opposition from Hamas since being driven out of Gaza in 2007.
Israel, which has ruled out any governing role for Hamas, has also resisted PA control, complicating the prospects of a unified Palestinian administration in Gaza.
The prime minister’s comments highlight the complex political and humanitarian challenges in envisioning Gaza’s future after the war.
