Palestinian Authority signals willingness to fight Hamas for control over Gaza

The Palestinian Authority (PA) informed the US that it is prepared to "clash" with Hamas if necessary to take control of the Gaza Strip, according to a report by Middle East Eye (MEE). 

The plan, presented to Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Riyadh, envisions a new governing structure in Gaza led by a committee dominated by officials outside the enclave.

- PA's plan for post-aggression Gaza -

The proposal was pitched to Witkoff by Hussein Al-Sheikh, a senior Palestinian official seen as a potential successor to President Mahmoud Abbas.

As reported by MEE, the meeting was facilitated by Saudi Arabia at the PA’s request and arranged after Witkoff declined to meet PA officials in Ramallah, in the West Bank.

The PA's plan calls for Gaza to be governed by a committee in which the majority of members would not be from the Strip. The PA hopes this new governing body will allow it to reassert control over Gaza, which has been ruled by Hamas since 2007 when the group took power following a brief but violent conflict with the PA’s Fatah party.

Following the Riyadh meeting, Witkoff traveled to “Israel” to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Notably, he also made a historic visit to Gaza, becoming the first US official to enter the enclave in 15 years.

- Ziad Abu-Amr: The PA’s candidate to rule Gaza -

A key figure in the PA’s plan is Ziad Abu Amr, a longtime advisor to Abbas. Under the proposal, Abu Amr would become the de facto ruler of Gaza, heading the newly established committee. 

He would also serve as deputy to Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa but would be granted extensive new powers.

Abu Amr, a native of Gaza born in 1950, holds US citizenship and earned a PhD from Georgetown University. He previously served as Palestine’s deputy prime minister from 2013 to 2024 and has long been active in efforts to reestablish PA authority in Gaza. In 2014, he openly opposed funding reconstruction in Gaza unless it was linked to the PA's return to governance.

US officials doubt PA's military capability

Despite the PA’s assertion that it is ready to confront Hamas, US officials remain skeptical of its military capabilities. As reported by MEE a senior US defense official dismissed the claim as “delusional,” arguing that the PA lacks the necessary military strength to defeat Hamas on its own. 

The official suggested that the PA would require substantial external support, including military backing from other Arab states or private security contractors.

Meanwhile, Hamas has demonstrated both political and military strength in Gaza, recently organizing high-profile prisoner exchanges that have bolstered its support among Palestinians. 

The group has been able to move freely within the Strip, securing well-coordinated operations in front of cheering crowds.

“Israel’s” stated aggression objective has been to eliminate Hamas, but the group’s continued influence poses a challenge to both “Israel” and the PA.