Yoni Ben Menachem's Blog

The Future of Gaza Strip Rule: A Source of Dispute

16 November 2023

The conflict in the Gaza Strip rages on, and even as the dust settles, a contentious debate has arisen between Israel and the Biden administration over who will assume control of the territory following the collapse of the Hamas regime.
The Biden administration has firmly advocated for the return of Palestinian Authority (PA) rule in the Gaza Strip, a position vehemently opposed by Israel. Meanwhile, Hamas, despite its weakened state, plans to regain power in the region.

Biden Administration’s Strategy for Gaza Strip Control

10 November 2023

The Biden administration has taken a keen interest in the situation in the Middle East, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, due to the potential threat it poses to U.S. interests. As a result, the administration is applying pressure on Israel to agree to a humanitarian ceasefire in its battle against Hamas.
While Israel remains determined to oust the Hamas regime and secure the release of abductees, it recognizes the importance of American support. This could lead to a closer alignment with the Biden administration’s objectives.

Biden Administration’s Strategy for Gaza Strip Control

10 November 2023

The day after the war in the Gaza Strip

6 November 2023

The Biden administration began accelerated talks with Israel, the PA and the moderate Arab states to reach an agreement on the political entity that will rule the Gaza Strip after the war. The chairman of the PA demands the recognition of a Palestinian state as a condition for the return of the PA to control the Gaza Strip, Israel makes it clear that the ultimate security responsibility in the Gaza Strip will remain in its hands.

The Saudi-Israel Normalization Agreement and its Implications for the Palestinian State

3 October 2023

Saudi Arabia estimates that the anticipated normalization agreement with Israel will not immediately lead to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, but it may pave the way for it. It appears that Saudi Arabia will establish conditions for Israel, which it believes the Israeli government can meet to foster normalization between the two countries.

Will the normalization with Saudi Arabia come at the expense of the Palestinians and Jordan?

1 October 2023

King Abdullah of Jordan is concerned about the possibility that the normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel may occur at Jordan’s expense. He warns against overlooking the Palestinian problem.
The Palestinian public estimates that this agreement will not lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state and that it primarily serves the interests of Saudi Arabia.

Indications of Weakening in Hamas’s Position

29 September 2023

The process of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel is poised to bolster the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) position in Judea and Samaria while concurrently undermining Hamas’s influence. Early signs are already emerging of Hamas facing regional setbacks, which might prompt a fresh round of hostilities on the Gaza border as a demonstration of its continued regional relevance.

The PA’s Image Rehabilitation Effort

23 September 2023

The PA has launched a media campaign against armed terrorist groups operating in northern Samaria. The campaign accuses these groups of receiving funding from Iran and conspiring to instigate a Palestinian civil war.

The Surprising Ascent of Yasser Abbas

22 September 2023

Yasser Abbas, the son of the Chairman of the PA has begun to immerse himself in the political activities of the PA, recently participating in the Palestinian delegation for talks with Saudi leadership.
At the top echelons of Fatah, there is growing concern that the PA Chairman is grooming Yasser as a potential successor. Meanwhile, on the Palestinian streets, accusations of corruption and nepotism within the PA abound.

Jordan’s Concerns Over the Saudi Arabia-Israel Agreement

19 September 2023

The Hashemite royal house is closely monitoring the ongoing discussions surrounding a potential normalization agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel with growing apprehension. Jordan fears that such an agreement could significantly jeopardize its vital interests and potentially rekindle the notion that “Jordan is Palestine.”

PA

The Future of Gaza Strip Rule: A Source of Dispute

Biden Administration’s Strategy for Gaza Strip Control