Palestinian Authority has received assurances it will take part in governing the Gaza Strip

Sources close to Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) say in closed conversations that they have received promises and guarantees from the parties involved in the negotiations that the Palestinian Authority (PA) will have a significant role in governing the Gaza Strip. This was reported for the first time this morning (Sunday) on Kan Reshet Bet.

According to senior Palestinian officials, the PA has been assured that it will be a key partner in selecting the technocratic committee that will manage the Gaza Strip. Officials also said that the PA will take part in managing the Rafah border crossing once it reopens for movement in both directions.

In this context, Abu Mazen’s deputy, Hussein al-Sheikh, is scheduled to meet today in Jordan with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is expected to head the administrative framework for Gaza’s governance in the postwar period.

An Arab diplomat from one of the mediating countries told Kan News last night that preparations have already begun for negotiations over the next phase of President Trump’s plan – which will address the future of Gaza and who will control the areas from which the IDF withdraws. According to the diplomat, a proposal is being discussed to establish a Palestinian governing authority in Gaza that is not affiliated with Hamas and that can receive assistance from international actors.

Arab countries are seeking to deploy Palestinian police forces affiliated with the PA who have received training in Egypt and Jordan over the past several months. This force, numbering around 5,000 officers, would be responsible for maintaining public order. A complementary measure would involve the deployment of an international and Arab force to assist the Palestinian police.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who is expected to host President Trump on Monday for the signing of the first-phase agreement, already spoke over the weekend about the need to deploy international forces in Gaza. At the same time, el-Sisi and other Arab leaders are expected to try to persuade Trump to support the deployment of these Palestinian police forces in the Strip.