PA Official Predicts Trump Will Undermine Iran, Weakening Hamas Cells
A senior Palestinian Authority (PA) official has reportedly forecasted that President-elect Donald Trump's policies will "destroy Iran," a move they believe would significantly weaken Hamas and its remaining terror cells.
Mohammad Hamdan, the secretary-general of the PA’s ruling Fatah Party, shared these comments during a Dec. 19 meeting with The New York Post in Nablus, just south of Jenin, where PA forces have been conducting security operations against Hamas-affiliated extremists. The Post published the details of the conversation on Monday.
“We are confronting Hamas’ ideology. Our problem is with Hamas’ link to regimes outside Palestine,” Hamdan said, directly referencing Iran's influence. He added, “We see that Trump and the ruling government in Israel are planning to destroy Iran, so Hamas followers will have no other choice than to become Palestinian.”
The remarks come amidst a crackdown in Jenin, where armed extremists recently paraded stolen PA vehicles while waving Hamas and ISIS flags. In response, PA forces have intensified operations, killing three extremists and vowing to apprehend or eliminate others involved.
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Context of the Conflict
The PA suffered a political blow in 2006 when Hamas won control of Gaza, leading to repeated conflicts with Israel and hardline Islamic rule in the region. Tensions escalated further after Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Since then, Israel’s military has decimated much of Hamas' infrastructure in Gaza.
As the war continues, the PA, backed by Western nations, appears to be positioning itself as a governing force in Gaza post-conflict. Hamdan stated, “Hamas rejects international legitimacy, meaning UN resolutions. The world cannot accept a situation where a party does not accept international resolutions.”
Strained Relations and Future Governance
Hamdan criticized past U.S. policies in the Middle East, claiming they contributed to the rise of extremist groups. “Look at Syria and Afghanistan. Many of these extremist groups are a result of America’s efforts to create a new Middle East,” he argued.
On the potential for post-war governance, an Israeli official told the Post that while the PA might regain control of Palestinian territories, it would need to address internal corruption and cease funding terrorism in the West Bank. Despite these challenges, the official acknowledged the PA’s unique opportunity to reassert its authority over Gaza.
The PA's crackdown on Hamas and its attempt to rebuild relations with Western powers highlight its ambitions to solidify its role in a post-Hamas Gaza. However, achieving this goal will require navigating internal and external pressures while addressing deep-rooted regional issues.