The World Briefly
March 20, 2024Old Guard, New Guard
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The Palestinian Authority’s new prime minister on Tuesday unveiled a series of wide-ranging plans to fight corruption and rebuild the war-torn Gaza Strip, in a bid to revitalize the government following years of criticism over corruption and a lack of new elections, the Times of Israel reported.
Newly appointed Mohammad Mustafa said he would appoint a “nonpartisan, technocratic government that can gain both the trust of our people and the support of the international community.”
The prime minister vowed reforms for PA institutions and a “zero tolerance” policy toward corruption.
The announcement comes a week after PA President Mahmoud Abbas picked Mustafa – an independent with no political base – as prime minister following the resignation of his predecessor, Mohammad Shtayyeh.
The new plan also comes as the Israeli military and Hamas continue to fight in Gaza, following the group’s deadly attack on Oct. 7 from southern Israel. That attack killed around 1,200 people and saw the abduction of more than 240 other individuals.
In response, Israel launched airstrikes and ground invasions that have led most of the international community to call for a ceasefire amid concerns of a humanitarian disaster.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) warned this week of an impending famine in northern Gaza, affecting around 300,000 people, according to NPR.
The IPC’s report indicated that more than two million residents in Gaza already face severe food insecurity, with northern Gaza potentially experiencing famine in a matter of days or weeks, while central and southern regions could face catastrophic levels of food insecurity by July.
Mustafa’s plan also envisions the creation of an independent agency and an internationally managed trust fund to help reconstruct Gaza. He added that he would work to reunify the West Bank and Gaza, but made no mention of Hamas’ role in the enclave.
Even so, the PA – ruled by Abbas’ Fatah movement – has had no control over Gaza since 2007, when Hamas fighters drove away Fatah loyalists.
Hamas and other Palestinian groups have criticized Mustafa’s appointment, warning that it would deepen divisions and make Palestinian unity more difficult.
Meanwhile, elections have not been held since 2006, when Hamas led with the most votes.
Abbas, 88, has remained in power even after his term expired in 2009. He has refused to hold elections, citing Israeli restrictions – even though analysts believe that this is because his Fatah party is expected to lose due to widespread allegations of corruption.
Mustafa said the PA plans to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, but did not provide a timetable because of “realities on the ground” in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
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