Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hussein Al-Sheikh, said that the Palestinian Authority is the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, and will be ready to take over the administration of Gaza after the end of the Israeli war on the Strip.

The 63-year-old Sheikh, who is considered one of the most prominent names proposed to succeed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, stressed that his job is to work with Israel to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians, noting that the Oslo Accords were partially successful.

The Sheikh confirmed - during an interview with Reuters on Saturday - that the political path under these agreements is faltering and “has not achieved its goal until this moment” and will not achieve in its current form the ambition of the Palestinian people to establish a Palestinian state within the borders that preceded the 1967 war.

Referring to the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), Al-Sheikh said that it was unacceptable for some to believe that its method and approach in managing the conflict with Israel was the highest and best ideal.

He added that after this number of deaths and after everything that happened, “doesn’t all of this and everything that is going on deserve for us to make a serious, honest and responsible assessment to protect our people and our cause?”

He noted that all Palestinian factions, including Hamas, must conduct a "comprehensive national assessment of everything that happened" immediately after the end of the war.

He added, "No one believes that he is above accountability and responsibility," and "There must be a comprehensive, responsible Palestinian national dialogue. We must be responsible and bold, and confront ourselves with all frankness, with all responsibility, and without hesitation. No one is above criticism," indicating the necessity of there being "one government." administers the Palestinian homeland.

Al-Sheikh said that despite providing welcome verbal support for a Palestinian state in the meetings, Washington did not propose concrete mechanisms or political initiatives, reiterating Abbas's call to hold an international peace conference to chart a new path.

Source: Al Jazeera + Reuters