BAGHDAD, Jake Sullivan, the US Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, has expressed Washington’s support for the Palestinian National Authority’s efforts to regain control over the Gaza Strip. This statement comes amidst ongoing tensions and conflicts in the region.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Sullivan, in a press statement on Sunday, emphasized that the US opposes the forced displacement of the Strip’s population and does not support a return to the pre-Hamas attack governance situation in Gaza. He underlined that the future governance of the Gaza Strip should be determined by the Palestinian people, with an aim to reunify the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Additionally, Sullivan reiterated that Washington insists there should be no “reoccupation of Gaza by Israel” or forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. He stressed that Gaza must not be used as a base for terrorism and its territorial area should remain unchanged.

These comments follow Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s announcement on Saturday, stating that the Palestinian Authority will not rule the Gaza Strip again.