Palestinian govt resigns to pave way for new political measures

Move comes amid calls by some countries for reform of the Palestinian Authority

 

DUBAI Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh on Feb 26 announced that his government, which rules parts of the occupied West Bank, has submitted its resignation.

He said new political measures are needed, given the changing reality in Gaza.

"I submit the government's resignation to Mr President (Mahmoud Abbas)," Mr Shtayyeh said, adding that it comes in the wake of the "developments related to the aggression against the Gaza Strip and the escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem".

He said he had offered the resignation on Feb 20 but was formally submitting it in writing on Feb 26.

Mr Abbas has faced mounting anger since war erupted on Oct 7, 2023, between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas.

Many have criticised the Palestinian President for not severely condemning the Israeli offensive there and the rising violence in the West Bank.

Since 2007, the Palestinian leadership has been divided between the Palestinian Authority of Mr Abbas, which exercises limited power in the West Bank, and Hamas, which rules Gaza.

The resignation of the government in the West Bank comes as several countries, including the United States, have called for a reformed Palestinian Authority that would take charge of all Palestinian territories after the war in Gaza ends.