Palestinian authority says ready to assume full responsibility in Gaza after ceasefire

CAIRO – 17 January 2025: The Palestinian Authority announced that it has completed all preparations to assume full responsibility in the Gaza Strip following the implementation of the anticipated ceasefire agreement.

In a statement on Friday, the Palestinian presidency reiterated the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

The presidency emphasized that the State of Palestine should assume its full responsibilities in the Strip, which is an integral part of the occupied Palestinian territory.

"The State of Palestine has legal and political jurisdiction over the Strip, just as it does over the rest of the occupied Palestinian territory in the West Bank and Jerusalem," the statement said.

The presidency highlighted the readiness of the government’s administrative and security personnel to fulfill their duties, alleviate the suffering of their people, and facilitate the return of displaced individuals to their homes.

The government is also committed to restoring essential services such as water, electricity, managing crossings, and implementing reconstruction efforts, the statement added.

The presidency expressed gratitude to Qatar and Egypt for their efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, while also acknowledging the contributions of Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the United States.

Israel’s security cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement to end the ongoing war in Gaza, which has persisted for over 15 months, and to exchange dozens of captives held by Hamas for a larger number of Palestinians incarcerated in Israeli jails.

If ratified by the full cabinet, the agreement is set to take effect on Sunday, coinciding with the release of the first captives.

The war in Gaza has killed more than 46,800 Palestinian people and injured over 110,600 more since it began on October 7, 2023.

The Israeli aggression has also devastated infrastructure, displaced most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents, and pushed the enclave to the brink of famine.