Tel Aviv- Israel- October 5, 2025

The path to ending the conflict in Gaza has been severely complicated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s firm rejection of a key component of the international peace framework: that the Palestinian Authority (PA) should eventually govern the Strip. While recently agreeing to the first stage of a US-backed peace plan, Mr. Netanyahu has made it unequivocally clear that Israel will not approve a future for Gaza ruled by either Hamas or the PA, creating a significant and dramatic hurdle for the internationally supported ‘day after’ strategy.

The Prime Minister’s statements, delivered during his public endorsement of the US-proposed 20-point deal, outline a future for Gaza that is in direct opposition to the long-standing international consensus—and even a clause within the US plan itself—which envisions an eventual role for a reformed PA.

A Stark Rejection on Post-War Governance

Speaking from the White House earlier this week alongside US President Donald Trump, Mr. Netanyahu laid out the five core principles his government had set for the “day after Hamas” in Gaza. His final and most contentious principle mandates: “Gaza will have a peaceful civilian administration that is run neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority.”

This explicit exclusion of the PA—which currently administers parts of the West Bank and is recognized by the international community—immediately signaled a deep rift between Israel’s declared goals and the broader diplomatic efforts led by the US, the UN, and various Arab nations. The US plan itself suggests an eventual handover of power to a “reformed and strengthened” PA, a provision Mr. Netanyahu appeared to dismiss, despite praising President Trump’s initiative to end the war.

The Israeli leader justified his stance by stating his long-held belief that the PA, under its current leadership, is unfit to govern Gaza. He cited what he views as a lack of “radical and genuine transformation” within the PA, referring to issues such as what he calls the “pay-for-slay” policy and incitement, which his government demands must be reformed before any role is considered.

US Plan and International Reaction

The US peace plan, which has also secured a conditional acceptance from Hamas on its first stage, seeks an immediate end to hostilities, the release of remaining hostages, and the withdrawal of Israeli troops as Hamas disarms. For post-war governance, the plan proposes a transitional period under an international security force and a technocratic Palestinian committee to manage day-to-day affairs, with the ultimate goal of transitioning control to the PA after a thorough reform program.

The Prime Minister’s public rejection of the PA has been widely interpreted as an attempt to placate his far-right coalition partners, who have repeatedly threatened to collapse the government if the war ends prematurely or if the PA is allowed to return to Gaza. This domestic political pressure forces Mr. Netanyahu into a tight diplomatic corner, as international and regional partners, including key Arab states, insist that Palestinian governance is essential for long-term stability and reconstruction.

Critics fear that Israel’s refusal to accept the PA leaves a critical vacuum for post-war governance. If not governed by Hamas and not by the PA, the only alternative is prolonged Israeli military rule, which Netanyahu also appears to rule out by stating he intends to establish a peaceful, civilian administration.

The latest statements highlight the immense political and diplomatic challenges facing negotiators in Egypt as they attempt to finalise the terms of a long-sought-after ceasefire and pave a credible path to permanent peace. Mr. Netanyahu’s demands, which also include Israel retaining an “overriding security control” and a “security perimeter” in Gaza for the foreseeable future, ensure that the debate over Gaza’s future remains deeply polarised, even as the prospect of a hostage release provides a fragile glimmer of hope.

Headline Points on Gaza’s Future

 * Explicit Rejection: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has explicitly stated that a future civilian administration in Gaza must be run “neither by Hamas nor by the Palestinian Authority (PA).”

 * Contradicts US Goal: This position directly conflicts with the international community’s, and even the US-backed plan’s, long-term goal of transferring governance to a reformed PA.

 * Israeli Conditions: Netanyahu insists the PA must undergo a “radical and genuine transformation” before any role is considered, citing what he views as incitement.

 * Security Control: The Israeli leader also maintains that Israel must retain “overriding security control” and a security perimeter in the Gaza Strip for the foreseeable future.

 * Diplomatic Sticking Point: The PA’s role remains a critical sticking point in ongoing indirect ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas in Egypt, complicating the internationally supported ‘day after’ scenario.

 * Domestic Pressure: Netanyahu’s hardline stance is seen as necessary to maintain the support of his far-right coalition, which fiercely opposes any move toward Palestinian statehood or PA governance in Gaza.