Palestinian Authority Prime Minister submits government’s resignation

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh announced on Monday that he had submitted the government’s resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas. 

Shtayyeh said the resignation comes amid “developments related to the aggression against the Gaza Strip and the escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem.”

“The next stage is fraught with numerous challenges and requires policy and government changes that take into account the developments in the Palestinian arena, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and the need to achieve Palestinian national consensus,” he added.

Shtayyeh added that there are “efforts to make the (Palestinian Authority) an administrative and security authority without political influence, and the PA will continue to struggle to embody the state on the land of Palestine despite the occupation.”

The announcement comes as Palestinian factions are set to meet in Moscow to discuss possible unification. The United States has repeatedly said, that a “revitalised” Palestinian Authority would be the best option for a governing body after the war.

Hamas, however, has insisted it play a role in any future Palestinian leadership, while the PA has also refused to give up power, saying it would be ready to rule Gaza when the war is over.

“The resignation of Shtayyeh’s government only makes sense if it comes within the context of national consensus on arrangements for the next phase,” Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters.

Palestinian factions, including Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Fatah, are due to meet in Moscow this week to discuss the possibility of reunification.