Palestinian Authority Must Take Control of Gaza, Says UN Secretary-General

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has stated that the Palestinian Authority must take control of the Gaza Strip, and Israel should agree to negotiate the resolution of the two-state issue.

“In the case of a positive outcome... the Palestinian Authority will take leadership in Gaza as well, and Israel will agree to serious negotiations supported by the international community regarding the resolution of the two-state issue. This is the best scenario for the development of events,” Guterres said in an interview with CNN.

The United States, which opposes a ceasefire in the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement, believes that control over the Gaza Strip should ultimately be handed to the Palestinian Authority, which currently governs the West Bank. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had previously expressed readiness to take control of the Gaza Strip. However, Israel is opposed to transferring control of Gaza to the Palestinians.