Palestinian Authority willing to fight Hamas over Gaza

During a discussion between the Palestinian Authority and the U.S. on the 28th of January, the former declared its willingness to “clash” with Hamas if that is what is needed to reclaim control of the Gaza Strip, reports the Middle East Eye.

This bold declaration came from Hussein al-Sheikh—currently dubbed the most likely successor to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas—to Steve Witkoff, President Trump’s new Middle East envoy.

The PA’s plan reportedly involves forming a governing committee dominated by figures from outside Gaza. However, U.S. officials appear unconvinced, with defense officials largely dismissing the plan as “delusional”.  Such efforts would require extensive military backing, potentially from other Arab states or private contractors. Despite seemingly lofty ambitions, Hamas remains deeply entrenched in Gaza, which it violently seized from Fatah in 2007.

The feasibility of these claims again falls into question considering Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains committed to eliminating Hamas

Hamas’s recent show of strength—including high-profile prisoner exchanges and public displays of military coordination—has further weakened the PA’s standing, many analysts believe. Moreover, a great many Palestinians in the West Bank view the PA as corrupt and aligned with Israel, exacerbating internal tensions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration had largely sidelined the PA in discussions on Gaza, with Trump himself dismissing the region as a “demolition site.”

READ: Gaza: Failed peace talks lead to Rafah border seizure

Since December, the PA has ramped up operations against Palestinian resistance groups in the Jenin refugee camp—a move described by experts as a desperate attempt to prove its ability to wield power.

With Hamas gaining ground, and Trump’s reemergence in the region, the PA’s legitimacy in Gaza remains highly uncertain.

Middle East Eye, L’Orient Today, New York Times