Nasser al-Qudwa, a prominent critic of the current Palestinian leadership, called for a “serious confrontation with corruption in this country.”
“A lot of money is flowing into Gaza,” President Trump says after hostages are released.
President Trump held a summit with world leaders to discuss next steps for rebuilding Gaza following the ceasefire agreement.
RAMALLAH, West Bank, Oct 14 (Reuters) – The nephew of late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has returned to the West Bank after four years in self-imposed exile, declaring his readiness to help Hamas govern and transform it into a political party, outlining a roadmap to ensure peace in the Gaza Strip.
Nasser al-Qudwa, a prominent critic of the current Palestinian leadership, also called for a “serious confrontation with corruption in this country.” He said President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah movement needs fundamental reforms and needs to do more to counter Jewish settler violence in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
“The first duty… is to regain the trust in the streets that we have lost. And we have to have the courage to say it’s no longer there. Without that, frankly, it’s a waste,” Kudwa told Reuters in an interview.
Mr. Khudwa left the West Bank in 2021 after being expelled from the Fatah movement founded by his uncle over his decision to field his own list in the election against Mr. Abbas, who canceled the vote.
Abbas, 89, readmitted Qudwa to Fatah last week after offering amnesty to the expelled member.
Palestinian Authority seeks role in Gaza
His return comes at the same time as renewed pressure on Abbas to carry out long-delayed reforms in the Palestinian Authority, which sought a role in Gaza after losing to Hamas in 2007 despite Israeli opposition and being removed from President Donald Trump’s plans.
With President Trump declaring an end to the war, the future governance of Gaza has become a focus. The next step must address demands for Hamas’ disarmament and end to its rule in the Gaza Strip, where it launched the attack on Israel that sparked the war on October 7, 2023.
Although scant on details, President Trump’s proposal foresees an internationally supervised, technocratic Palestinian commission to run Gaza and the deployment of international forces to support a new Palestinian police force.
Palestinian analysts say Mr. Qudwa could play a role depending on how Trump’s plan develops, citing his ties to Arab countries, his contacts with Hamas, his status as Mr. Arafat’s nephew and his Gaza background, meaning he was born in Khan Younis.
“If I have to, I won’t hesitate,” said Kudwa, 72.
Promote change in Hamas
Qudwa’s idea hinges on whether Hamas commits to abolishing both executive and security control over Gaza and placing arms under the control of a new governing body. Hamas has indicated it will not play any role as a government, but has refused to disarm.
In return, “the door should be opened for political change to political parties,” Kudwa said.
He said existing police assets in Gaza should be utilized for a new police force, and that Gaza’s current police force could be scrutinized and utilized as well.
Hamas should be given guarantees.
“Hamas needs to understand that no one will come after them, that some of their staff will have other opportunities, that they will not be assassinated, and that they will have the opportunity to participate in political activities.”
He said a Palestinian “committee” could run Gaza. Mr Abbas could appoint a director while maintaining ties with the West Bank and Gaza, but Mr Qudwa said he was not suggesting “the (Palestinian) Authority be brought back in its place to govern Gaza”.
He said international monitoring would be “fine,” but Gaza must be run by Palestinians and must be able to hold elections (the last one in 2006).
Kudwa did not provide details of the corruption he was referring to, but said he was “astounded” by how widespread it was. Opinion polls show the PA is widely seen as corrupt among Palestinians.
Political analyst Hani al-Masri said Qudwa could play a role in Gaza, but Palestinian factions first need to agree on a way forward. “Without consensus, no one person can play a successful role,” he said.
“The challenges are big. The most important one is Israel, which does not want the PA to return to Gaza.”
