Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has named his close ally, Hussein al-Sheikh, as his deputy, positioning him as the likely successor, according to the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). The move comes as part of an effort to address international concerns about the future leadership of Palestine.
Abbas, 89, has led both the PLO and the Palestinian Authority (PA) since the death of Yasser Arafat in 2004. However, he had long resisted naming a successor or implementing significant internal reforms. Sheikh, born in 1960, is a senior figure in Fatah, the dominant faction within the PLO, and is known for his pragmatic stance and strong ties to Israel.
The PLO’s executive committee approved Sheikh’s nomination, confirming him as vice president of the organisation. The reform of the PA, which governs limited areas in the West Bank under Israeli occupation, has been a key priority for both the United States and Gulf countries, who hope the PA can play a central role in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Pressure for reform has grown since the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, where Hamas, the PA’s main rival, has been engaged in a prolonged battle with Israel. The war has devastated Gaza, raising calls for a restructured PA to take charge of the region’s recovery. The U.S. has supported the idea of a reformed PA governing Gaza post-war, while Gulf states, likely to be key contributors to Gaza’s reconstruction, also demand significant changes within the PA.
Israel has stated that its primary goal in Gaza is to defeat Hamas, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out any role for the PA in Gaza’s future government. Hamas, an Islamist militant group, has controlled Gaza since 2007, after a brief civil war in which it ousted the PA. The group also maintains a strong presence in the West Bank.
During a recent PLO Central Council meeting, Abbas reiterated his call for Hamas to disarm and hand over governance in Gaza to the PA. His leadership, however, has faced growing criticism among Palestinians due to corruption, stalled progress toward statehood, and Israeli military actions in the West Bank.
The PA, which was established under the 1993 Oslo Accords, has been under Fatah’s control since its inception. It has not held parliamentary elections since 2005.
Sheikh, who was imprisoned by Israel from 1978 to 1989 for opposing the occupation, has served as Abbas’s key liaison with the Israeli government and as his envoy to world powers.
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