The Palestinian Authority is ready to work with US President Donald Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair on their initiative to ensure the durability of the Gaza ceasefire and begin reconstruction, a senior Palestinian official said today during talks with Blair.
Trump's plan to end the war in Gaza envisions the Palestinian Authority, based in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and led by Mahmoud Abbas, eventually taking control of Gaza, but only after implementing certain reforms. Abbas lost control of Gaza in 2007 when the militant group Hamas took power there.
Under Trump's proposal, Hamas would have to end its rule in Gaza, and the territory would be temporarily administered by a Palestinian technical committee under the supervision of an international body chaired by Trump, with the participation of Tony Blair.
Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) Deputy Chairman Hussein al-Sheikh said he met with Blair to discuss the "day after" in Gaza and how to make Trump's plan to "stop the war in Gaza and establish lasting peace in the region" a success, Reuters reports.
"We reaffirmed our readiness to work with President Trump, Mr. Blair and partners to consolidate the ceasefire, allow humanitarian aid to enter, release hostages and prisoners, and then begin reconstruction and reconstruction," Sheikh wrote on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected the possibility of Gaza being governed by the Palestinian Authority.
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