Israel-Gaza war: 7 names in the limelight as potential successors to Mahmoud Abbas

The raging Israel-Hamas conflict has refocused global attention on the need for new Palestinian leadership and a figure to replace Mahmoud Abbas. The 88-year-old Palestinian leader has been in power since 2005. But his rule is considered deeply unpopular.

Abbas is yet to formally announce a succession plan. He is the current president of the Palestinian Authority, an entity known to govern the occupied West Bank and is dominated by the Fatah faction of the Palestine Liberation Organisation, as per The National.

The Palestinian leader has been accused of monopolising power and repeatedly resisted calls for re-election while presiding over a deteriorating economy and no progress towards an independent Palestinian state, according to The National.

The PA has also been accused of corruption. In 2023, 80% of Palestinians in the occupied territory and Gaza expressed their wish for Abbas to step down, as per a survey by the Palestinian Centre for Policy and Survey Research.

Managing relations with Hamas – a key task for Mahmoud Abbas’ successor

Reports suggest Abbas has pushed for the PA to have an enlarged role in governing the besieged Gaza Strip once the conflict is over, despite Hamas currently ruling there and analysts cautioning the unpopular entity may not survive that long.

The person potentially replacing Mahmoud Abbas as the head of the secular PA, led by Fatah, shall need to manage relations with Hamas. The two Palestinian groups fought a civil war in 2006-07, resulting in Hamas taking control of Gaza from the other group.

The ongoing Israel-Hamas war erupted on October 7 as Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, claiming some 1,200 lives and injuring several others. More than 200 people had also been taken hostage, with a few of them returning since.

Israel has promised to destroy Hamas as a military and political force. But officials in the broader region have raised concerns over the Iran-backed militant group gaining popularity among Palestinians since the outbreak of the conflict and unlikely to disappear entirely.

Names likely to replace Mahmoud Abbas as head of PA

Marwan Barghouti

Imprisoned in Israel but seen as a unifying force in Palestinian politics

Mohammed Dahlan

Politician in exile who retains home support

Hussein Al Sheikh

Senior PLO and PA official well connected in Israel, Egypt and Jordan

Jibril Al Rajoub

Politician and president of the Palestinian Football Association

Nasser Al Kidwa

Former diplomat and reformist living in the US

Mohammad Mustafa

Chairman of Palestine Investment Fund and businessperson

Mohamad Shtayyeh

Palestinian Authority prime minister seen as technocrat