Mahmoud Abbas: Ready to Review the Palestinian Authority, but Within the Framework of a Two-State Solution

Mahmoud Abbas, the President of the Palestinian Authority, says he is ready to review the authority, but this review must be within the framework of a broader diplomatic initiative aimed at achieving a two-state solution, which Israel opposes. According to the Times of Israel, senior American officials have made proposals to Abbas that, if accepted, could assist in the review of the Palestinian Authority. These proposals reportedly include appointing a deputy for Abbas or delegating powers to a prime minister capable of implementing fundamental reforms. An American source told the Times of Israel that these proposals indicate that the United States continues to support Abbas. He stated that these proposals also suggest that the U.S. wants to instill 'fresh perspectives' into Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority. Abbas also called on the U.S. to support holding an international peace conference, stating that this conference could help advance the establishment of a Palestinian state within the pre-1967 borders. A senior American official noted that this idea has been discussed with American allies, but is not currently the main focus of the government. Previously, a senior Palestinian Authority official stated that Hamas must review all its policies after the war. This is the first time a senior leader of the Palestine Liberation Organization has publicly criticized Hamas's approach since the October 7 attacks. Reuters reported on Sunday, December 17, quoting Hussein al-Sheikh, that the war in Gaza following the October 7 attacks on Israel means that Hamas must review 'all its policies and methods' and conduct a 'serious and honest assessment' after the war subsides. Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 people in the terrorist attack on October 7 and took about 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly. Israel launched air, sea, and ground attacks on Gaza, calling for the eradication of Hamas. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have designated Hamas as a terrorist organization. The UAE's renewed efforts for a ceasefire in Gaza with the submission of another draft resolution to the Security Council, Israel's advance in Hamas's underground tunnels; rising criticism over civilian casualties, the crisis in the Red Sea; BP halting oil transport and rising oil prices, verification of the Islamic Republic's support for Hamas and Hezbollah alongside accusations against Ukraine, the ongoing 'insecurity' in the Red Sea; the U.S. Secretary of Defense announced the formation of an international group for security, the U.S. Secretary of Defense warned in Israel about Houthi attacks on the Islamic Republic, and al-Sisi was re-elected President of Egypt with '89.6 percent of the vote.'