Arafat’s nephew returns to West Financial institution with plan for post-war Gaza

[ad_1] By Tom Perry and Ali Sawafta

RAMALLAH, West Financial institution (Reuters) -A nephew of late Palestinian chief Yasser Arafat has returned to the West Financial institution after 4 years of self-exile, outlining a roadmap to safe peace in Gaza with Hamas remodeling right into a political social gathering and declaring his readiness to assist govern.

Nasser al-Qudwa, a outstanding critic of the present Palestinian management, additionally urged "a severe confrontation of corruption on this nation". He stated President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah Motion wanted deep reform and should do extra to counter Jewish settler violence within the Israeli-occupied West Financial institution.

"The primary responsibility ... is to regain confidence of the road - one thing that we misplaced - and we now have to be courageous sufficient and say that we do not have it anymore, and with out it, frankly, it is ineffective," Qudwa advised Reuters in an interview.

Qudwa left the West Financial institution in 2021 after he was expelled from Fatah, the motion based by his uncle, over his choice to subject his personal record in elections, defying Abbas who cancelled the vote.

Abbas, 89, readmitted Qudwa to Fatah final week, after providing an amnesty for expelled members.

PA PRESSES FOR A ROLE IN GAZA

His return coincides with renewed stress on Abbas to enact long-delayed reforms within the Palestinian Authority because it presses for a task in Gaza, misplaced to Hamas in 2007, regardless of Israeli objections and being sidelined in President Donald Trump's plan.

Gaza's future governance has moved into focus as Trump has declared the battle over. The subsequent part should sort out calls for that Hamas disarm and finish its rule in Gaza, from the place it launched the October 7, 2023 assaults on Israel that ignited the battle.

Though mild on element, Trump's proposal foresees an internationally supervised technocratic Palestinian committee operating Gaza, and the deployment of a world power that may assist a brand new Palestinian police.

Relying on how Trump's plans evolve, Palestinian analysts say Qudwa might have a task, citing his ties to Arab states, his contacts with Hamas, standing as Arafat's nephew and his Gazan origins: he was born in Khan Younis.

"If I am wanted, I am not going to hesitate," Qudwa, 72, stated.

URGES HAMAS TRANSFORMATION

Qudwa's concepts hinge on Hamas committing to ending each administrative and safety management over Gaza and placing its weapons beneath the management of a brand new governing physique. Hamas has stated it's keen to play no function in authorities, however has rejected disarmament.

In return, "the door needs to be open for them for a political transformation in direction of a political social gathering", Qudwa stated.

He stated current PA belongings in Gaza needs to be utilized in a brand new police power, and that Gaza's present police could possibly be vetted and used as nicely.

Hamas needs to be given assurances.

"Hamas wants to know that no person is coming after them, that a few of these staff will likely be given one other alternative, that they won't be assassinated, that there will likely be a chance for them to take part within the political life."

He stated a Palestinian "council of commissioners" might run Gaza. Whereas Abbas might appoint its head, maintaining a hyperlink between the West Financial institution and Gaza, Qudwa stated he was not suggesting the "return of the (Palestinian) Authority as is to control Gaza".

He stated that worldwide supervision can be "superb", however Gaza have to be run by Palestinians and so they should be capable to maintain elections, final held in 2006.

Qudwa declined to present particulars of the corruption that he referred to, however stated he was "astonished" at the way it had unfold. The PA is extensively seen as corrupt amongst Palestinians, opinion polls present.

Political analyst Hani al-Masri stated Qudwa might have a task in Gaza however Palestinian factions should first agree on a method ahead. "No individual alone can play a profitable function with out consensus," he stated.