Governance in Gaza and the West Bank: What to Know

This week, Hamas, Fatah, and 12 other Palestinian factions met in China and signed the Beijing Declaration, which outlined their plan for post-war governance in Gaza and the West Bank. Israel has also met with allies this month to formulate its own post-war plans.

Pre-War Governance

Israel and the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO), which officially represents Palestinians on the international stage, signed the Oslo Accords and the Gaza-Jericho Agreement in the 1990s.

The Palestinian National Authority, more commonly known as the Palestinian Authority (PA) was created to govern the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The West Bank and Gaza Strip were divided into three areas of control intended to eventually become one Palestinian State.

Area A: Area A is fully under Palestinian control and consists of about 17 percent of the West Bank and most of Gaza. Israel has increased its control over Gaza as the war with Hamas rages.

Area B: Area B is about a quarter of the West Bank. Israel controls security in the area and the PA controls civil affairs.

Area C: Area C consists of the rest of the West Bank and is under Israeli control but the PA manages education and medical services for Palestinians in the area.

Palestinian Factions

The PLO is the “umbrella” group that claims to represent the Palestinian people across the world. The Palestinian Authority, though a separate entity from the PLO, is controlled by Fatah. Fatah is one of the 11 factions that make up the PLO.

Hamas, another separate Palestinian group, has been in power in Gaza since 2007. Fatah still controls the West Bank. The two groups have been at odds ever since Hamas defeated Fatah in the 2006 parliamentary elections. Hamas took power in Gaza and fighting broke out between the groups. Hundreds were killed or executed. 

Hamas does not recognize Israel as a state. According to their charter published in 1988, they seek to “obliterate” Israel, something that is reflected on their website.

Fatah does recognize Israel as a state. In Article 12 of their Constitution, however, Fatah seeks the “Complete liberation of Palestine, and eradication of Zionist economic, political, military and cultural existence,” also reflected on their website.

Hamas and Fatah are the most powerful groups seeking control of the Palestinian state, but several other Palestinian groups are fighting for control as well.

The Beijing Declaration

Beginning on Sunday, China hosted reconciliation talks between Hamas, Fatah, and 12 other factions in Beijing to discuss unity and the governance of the postwar West Bank and Gaza Strip.  

This is the second round of talks held by China, which is looking to increase its influence in the Middle East and to present itself as a peace broker in world conflicts.

On Tuesday, the 14 factions signed the Beijing Declaration. Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative faction, told Al Jazeera that there are four main elements to the declaration: the establishment of an interim national unity government, the formation of unified Palestinian leadership ahead of future elections, the free election of a new Palestinian National Council, and a general declaration of unity in the face of ongoing Israeli attacks.

Israel, U.S., U.A.E. Talks

President Joe Biden has been putting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss a “day-after plan” for governance in post-war Gaza as well as reach agreements for a ceasefire and return of hostages.

Last week, Israel, the U.S., and the United Arab Emirates held a meeting in Abu Dhabi to discuss postwar governance. The U.A.E. proposed a plan that would install a temporary international mission in Gaza that would deal with the humanitarian crisis and reestablish law and order.

In contrast to the Beijing Declaration, the plan is built on the defeat of Hamas. The Emiratis were willing to play an active role in the international mission if the U.S. had a leadership role in the mission and the Palestinian Authority formally invited the force to enter Gaza. The plan would also require the PA to conduct reforms and have a role in governing Gaza through a two-state solution.

Months ago, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant proposed a similar plan in which a multi-national military force would be brought into Gaza that would build a new governing system that is not Hamas. It does not include a role for the Palestinian Authority but does give local Palestinian authorities power in civil affairs while Israel maintains military control.

Netanyahu has rejected both proposals. He wants U.A.E support but rejected the Emirati’s proposal because he is against a two-state solution and the PA having any role in Gaza. Netanyahu lambasted Gallant’s proposal too. Recently, however, Netanyahu has showed increased interest for it and presented it to the Emiratis and Americans.

The future of Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank is uncertain and will continue to be long after the war is over.

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