Fri Jan 17 20:05:00 UTC 2025: ## Abbas Declares PA Ready to Govern Gaza After Ceasefire
**Ramallah, Palestinian Territories –** Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announced on Friday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) is prepared to assume full responsibility for post-war Gaza. This statement follows a recently announced ceasefire agreement ending the conflict.
A presidency statement detailed the PA’s readiness, citing completed preparations for managing the return of displaced persons, providing essential services, overseeing crossings, and overseeing the reconstruction of the war-torn territory. This move comes despite Hamas’s de facto control of Gaza since 2007.
While Hamas has indicated a willingness to hand over civilian affairs to a Palestinian entity, Israel remains opposed to both Hamas and the PA governing Gaza, viewing either outcome as a reward for the October 7, 2023 attack. However, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has advocated for PA control of the coastal territory.
Palestinian factions have consistently rejected external interference in Gaza’s future governance. The Israeli government is currently voting on the ceasefire agreement, following approval from the security cabinet. If the deal is ratified, the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt will monitor the ceasefire through a Cairo-based body.
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