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.