Who is Mohammad Shtayyeh and why has he resigned as Palestinian Authority Prime Minister?

Mohammad Ibrahim Shtayyeh, a prominent Palestinian politician, academic, and economist, has been serving as the Prime Minister of the State of Palestine and the Palestinian National Authority since March 2019. However, on Monday 26 February, new broke that Shtayyeh was announcing his resignation from the position. His decision to step down was motivated by a desire to facilitate the formation of a broad consensus among Palestinians regarding political arrangements following Israel’s recent conflict with the Islamist group Hamas in Gaza.

Shtayyeh resigns amid complications

Shtayyeh’s resignation comes at a crucial juncture, marked by increased pressure from the United States on President Mahmoud Abbas to restructure the Palestinian Authority. This pressure coincides with intensified international efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza and initiate discussions on a post-war political framework to govern the region.

The Palestinian Prime Minister, known for his academic background in economics, emphasized the necessity of adapting to the evolving reality in Gaza, which has endured extensive destruction during nearly five months of intense fighting. In a statement addressing the cabinet, Shtayyeh stressed the importance of establishing new governmental and political arrangements that reflect the emerging circumstances in Gaza, ongoing national unity talks, and the urgent need for inter-Palestinian consensus.

Established three decades ago under the interim Oslo peace accords, the Palestinian Authority currently exerts limited governance over parts of the occupied West Bank. However, its control over Gaza waned following a power struggle with Hamas in 2007, leaving the territory under Hamas rule. Efforts to reconcile differences between Fatah, the faction controlling the PA, and Hamas have been ongoing, with discussions for a unity government set to take place in Moscow.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri stressed that Shtayyeh’s resignation must be viewed within the context of broader national consensus on future governance arrangements. Hamas, considered a terrorist organization by Israel and several other countries, insists on comprehensive agreements regarding Palestinian governance in the aftermath of the conflict.

Isreal continue offensive as Shtayyeh resigns

Meanwhile, Israel has expressed opposition to Palestinian Authority rule over Gaza, citing security concerns. The recent conflict, triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October last year, has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, with thousands of Palestinians killed and a large portion of the population displaced from their homes.

Shtayyeh’s political career spans decades, marked by his involvement in various Palestinian institutions and negotiations. He previously held ministerial positions in the Palestinian Authority, including Minister of Public Works and Housing. Additionally, Shtayyeh’s alignment with President Abbas and his tenure on Fatah’s Central Committee underscore his significance within Palestinian politics. Now more uncertainty is created during a significant period of transition amid the instability and with crucial negotiations with Israel ahead.