'Risk of exodus from Gaza is serious and imminent', ex-Palestinian PM Fayyad warns

With Israel signalling that the most intensive phase of its war on Hamas could now be over, Fayyad explained why he thinks "there is not really much to go on by way of optimism that this war is coming to an end soon enough".

"I see nothing but a war of aggression, continuing to rage on unabated," he added. "It's time for this war to stop."

For Washington, Gaza should be ruled by a "revitalised Palestinian Authority" (PA) when the offensive comes to an end. Asked about this, Fayyad called instead for a "reconstituted and reconfigured" Palestinian Authority. But he said he welcomed the US accepting that a "unitary" PA should "take care of the needs" of the people of both Gaza and the West Bank.

Fayyad also pointed out that "the Palestinian Authority came into existence as an agent intended to provide for the welfare of Palestinian citizens living on the territory occupied by Israel in 1967, including Gaza".

Finally, he said he himself had no interest in leading a future Palestinian Authority.

Watch more 'US should pressure Israel to stop war in Gaza,' Abbas spokesman tells FRANCE 24

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