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Palestinian political worries will overshadow COVID-19

Monday, June 1, 2020

Significance

The Fatah-led PA government has been largely successful in keeping case numbers down. Despite early fears of a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, governed by rival Hamas, infection rates there also remain low. Even the threat of COVID-19, however, did little to spur reconciliation between the two parties, which adopted different policies.

Impacts

  • Security threats may increase, especially around the Gaza Strip.
  • In the event of a second wave of infections, Hamas would be more likely to try to consolidate its position than reconcile with the PA.
  • Within Hamas, the strengthened position of relative hardliner Yahya Sinwar may lead to a more confrontational approach towards Israel.

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