TEL AVIV — White House officials express concern that Mahmoud Abbas, a
nearly 90-year-old chain smoker, may face challenges leading Gaza after the war
due to "biological reality." This worry persists despite President
Biden's continuous support for the
Palestinian Authority's control, described
as "reactivated." Sources familiar with the talks informed The
Telegraph on Saturday that this issue has dominated discussions at the White
House, with top officials spending weeks crafting intense proposals on how to
manage Gaza.
اضافة اعلان
Meanwhile, the US is pressuring Israel to conclude its war in the new
year, revealing a growing divergence between Washington and Israel regarding
post-war Gaza management.
Senior officials are diligently working on plans acceptable to all
involved parties, emphasizing the need for
support from Palestinians, Israel,
and their Arab neighbors, as reported by Khabeni.
Concerns are rising over Abbas' capability at 88, having completed 18
years in his elected term. While White House officials don't explicitly state
that Abbas cannot remain in his position, national security sources indicate
the US is grappling with the "biological reality." One former
official suggests the US administration is likely to "build our
relationship and interactions" with potential successors behind the
scenes.
Among the suggested alternatives is Mohammed Dahlan, the former Fatah
leader in Gaza, who resided in the UAE for the past decade. Dahlan, influential
in the UAE and a key regional mediator, played a significant role in the
Abraham Accords, making him more acceptable to Israel. However, he is less
popular among Gaza residents due to allegations of overseeing the torture of
Hamas prisoners in the 1990s.
There are also mentions of Salam Fayyad, the former
Prime Minister of the Palestinian Authority, being favored by some Egyptian and American
officials to lead a new government in Gaza.
The focus is shifting toward a "strongman" figure, where
someone like Mohammed Dahlan might come into play. Dr. Michael Rubin, a former
Pentagon official, and fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, notes that
while Fayyad is popular in the West, the behind-the-scenes focus may be on a
strong figure like Dahlan, considering his broad regional support and strong
ties with the
US intelligence officials.
The Biden administration's post-war planning for Gaza includes
leadership, reconstruction, and security. The White House aims to garner
support from the international community, particularly wealthy Arab neighbors,
for rebuilding essential infrastructure. However, security remains a
significant challenge.
Discussions within the US government suggest a single regional force or
multiple regional powers could act as guarantors for the
Palestinian Authority.
Jordan, Egypt, and the UAE are expected to play decisive roles, with
"important talks" underway with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. The idea is
to invite one or more states to act "as an agent to guarantee peace and
assume responsibility" for rebuilding Gaza.
Meanwhile, Antony Blinken, the top US diplomat, expressed a different
perspective during a recent visit to Tel Aviv, stating there are no illusions
that this will be easy. Nevertheless, he emphasized that the alternative - more
terrorism, violence, and suffering for innocent civilians - is unacceptable.
Read more Region and World
Jordan News
