Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh tendered his resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas, citing the unprecedented escalation of violence in the occupied West Bank and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
In his statement, Shtayyeh stressed the urgent need for new governmental and political arrangements that can address the evolving realities in Gaza and promote Palestinian unity.
This decision comes as the US continues to press Abbas to initiate reforms aimed at establishing a viable political framework for a Palestinian state.
However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly rebuffed calls for the PA to assume control over Gaza, further complicating prospects for progress. Netanyahu's stance was reinforced by recent backing from Israeli lawmakers against any "unilateral" recognition of a Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israel's actions, accusing it of impeding Palestinian rights through its continued occupation of Palestinian territories. The ministry reaffirmed Palestine's membership in the United Nations and its recognition by other nations, asserting that such status does not require approval from Netanyahu or Israel.
The announcement of Shtayyeh's resignation coincides with heightened tensions in the occupied West Bank, exacerbated by recent violence following Hamas' attack on southern Israel. Retaliatory strikes by Israel on Gaza have resulted in significant casualties, with Palestinian health officials reporting over 29,000 civilian deaths in the strip and at least 401 fatalities in the West Bank.
As international attention focuses on the legal implications of Israel's occupation, including hearings at the International Court of Justice, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for over 3,300 new homes in response to a recent attack that claimed the life of an Israeli civilian.
The decision has drawn criticism from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who reaffirmed longstanding opposition to settlement expansion, citing its detrimental impact on achieving lasting peace and its inconsistency with international law.
Against this backdrop of escalating violence and diplomatic tensions, the resignation of Prime Minister Shtayyeh highlights the urgent need for concerted efforts to address the complex challenges facing the Palestinian territories and to advance towards a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
