As PA returns to Gaza, US says new gov’t must ‘unambiguously’ reject violence

White House Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt says any future Palestinian government in Gaza must “unambiguously and explicitly” renounce violence, recognize the State of Israel, and abide by existing agreements with the Jewish state.

Palestinian Authority PM Rami Hamdallah was meeting with Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip in a reconciliation bid aimed at renewed PA control over the enclave.

“As the Palestinian Authority Cabinet visits Gaza today in preparation for its October 3 cabinet meeting, the United States welcomes efforts to create the conditions for the Palestinian Authority to fully assume its responsibilities in Gaza, as noted in the September 28 Quartet statement,” Greenblatt says in a statement.

“We will be watching these developments closely, while pressing forward with the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and international donors to try to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

“The United States stresses that any Palestinian government must unambiguously and explicitly commit to nonviolence, recognition of the State of Israel, acceptance of previous agreements and obligations between the parties, and peaceful negotiations,” he says.