Amid a wave of new international recognitions for Palestinian statehood, the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has declared its ambition to take full control of a post-war Gaza Strip. In a video address to the 80th UN General Assembly, PNA President Mahmoud Abbas outlined a plan that presents a direct challenge to Hamas, asserting that the PNA is now the “sole entity authorized to assume full responsibility for governance and security in Gaza.”
Abbas detailed a vision where a temporary administrative committee, linked to the PNA government in the West Bank and supported by Arab and international partners, would govern the territory. A central condition of this plan is the complete disarmament of Hamas and other militant factions, which would be required to surrender their weapons to the PNA. Further cementing his post-war agenda, Abbas pledged to hold presidential and parliamentary elections and draft an interim constitution within a year of the war’s end, aiming to create a “modern democratic state based on the rule of law.”
Seeking to demonstrate its credibility as a state actor, the PNA is reportedly preparing to take a significant step in its relations with France, a key driver of the recent recognition push. Authorities in the West Bank may soon extradite Hisham Harb, a 70-year-old suspect in the deadly 1982 terrorist attack on a Jewish restaurant in Paris. Harb, who had been living freely in Ramallah despite an international arrest warrant, was recently detained. French diplomatic sources note that recognition of statehood enables the extradition process, signaling a new era of cooperation and offering a measure of solace to France’s Jewish community.
The shift in European policy is underpinned by a dramatic change in public opinion. A YouGov poll across major Western European nations revealed that public approval of Israel has hit historic lows, with only 13-21% of respondents viewing the country favorably. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has attributed this trend to decades of migration that he claims have politically reshaped Europe, a view he has sought to counter with measures like the security barrier with Egypt.
Despite its newfound diplomatic momentum, the PNA faces a stark reality on the ground: its military and security capabilities are dwarfed by those of Hamas. While the PNA has security forces, and some former operatives form anti-Hamas groups in Gaza with Israeli support, they are no match for the militant organization. Israeli military intelligence estimates that even after months of intense conflict, Hamas retains approximately 10,000 firearms and a fighting force of around 25,000 members.
International partners, while supportive of a revitalized PNA, also envision a limited role for its security forces. Speaking at the UN, a senior official from the United Arab Emirates stressed the need for a “reformed and empowered” PNA that would, crucially, restrict the use of arms and commit to fighting extremism. This vision aligns with the practical limitations of the PNA’s current power.
However, some analysts argue that the PNA is opportunistically claiming credit for a diplomatic opening created by its rival. Kirill Semenov, an expert at the Russian International Affairs Council, noted that the “parade of recognitions” is a direct consequence of Hamas’s actions, not the PNA’s diplomacy. He contends that by trying to capitalize on these events, the PNA risks further discrediting itself among Palestinians, who may instead begin to seek a new leadership structure to replace it entirely.