Defense Minister Israel Katz's decision to cancel administrative detentions against Jews highlights ongoing processes within the Palestinian Authority, where Fatah and Hamas are uniting for a new intifada against Israel. This comes as Palestinians are convinced that Smotrich's decisive plan, which began in Gaza, will extend to the West Bank.

In our discussions last week with senior Fatah officials in Ramallah, they told us that while reconciliation talks that began in China weren't initially successful, the Arab world's perceived indifference to Palestinian dangers—beyond mere expressions of solidarity—has led them to understand that what they don't do for themselves, no one else will do for them.

Fatah and Hamas are in negotiations to establish a joint body that would assume responsibility for Gaza in the aftermath of the current situation. While there's already a Palestinian government in Ramallah preparing for this, Hamas refuses any PA participation in Gaza's post-war affairs. However, Trump's anticipated return to the White House has intensified the need for Palestinian internal reconciliation in the face of perceived transfer threats.

The connection between settlers and evangelical Christians, whom Trump appointed to senior positions dealing with Israel, demonstrates to the Palestinians that Smotrich's decisive plan is taking shape, compelling Palestinians to organize against what they see as impending danger, according to Palestinian sources. According to the sources, Abu Mazen is involved in these contacts but insists on a non-armed intifada that would amplify the struggle against Israel in UN corridors and international tribunals. The concept of "muqawama" (resistance), previously associated with Hamas, will be adopted by Fatah, but not in Hamas's militant sense—rather as popular, non-violent resistance

Whether this will withstand reality when the hilltop youth, now an integral part of the government without restraint, burn another hundred Hawaras, remains to be seen. Will the armed groups in Nablus and Jenin refrain from using weapons alongside Hamas? Will a gang war break out in the West Bank with the IDF caught in between, uncertain whether to stand with the hilltop youth or restrain them? It's complete chaos.

On the other hand, Hamas in Gaza shows signs of reorganization with new governance features, centered around the establishment of a new police unit, "Sahm" (Arrow), designed to control aid convoys to civilians. Through this aid, Hamas aims to renew its governance in Gaza, this time under new names. Notably, the new name and symbol omit old Hamas symbols. While this might not open the door to a new authority in Gaza with Ramallah, it signals Hamas's attempt to maintain power under a new appearance.

Since Hamas won't allow Fatah to return to Gaza, regardless of what Hamas leaders agree to in Qatar, the reconciliation will materialize in the West Bank, where Palestinians identify Smotrich's decisive front in the Trump era. Currently, the Palestinian Authority cooperates with the IDF through security coordination, but when they agree on joint action, they're supposed to cease this coordination. Will they? We'll see. Senior Fatah officials Hussein al-Sheikh and Majed Faraj won't easily give up security coordination, but pressure from hilltop youth might push them there.

As we witness growing tensions between the IDF and hilltop youth, as seen in Hebron in the Kahanists' attack on the Central Command commander, ending security coordination appears desirable not only for Palestinian reconciliation but also for the Kahanists, who are in government, advancing toward their annexation vision that has been revived with Trump's election.

But that's how they think. Just as they misunderstood Trump's deal in the previous term, they likely don't foresee the nature of Trump's new term. The appointment of his son-in-law Jared Kushner to an administration position and his daughter-in-law's father as envoy to Lebanon suggests he's focusing on Saudi Arabia.

And the current spin cannot be ignored. Following the International Criminal Court's arrest warrants over the Gaza aid situation, reports emerged about an Emirati ship heading to Ashdod port with aid cargo. The UAE quickly clarified they would only resume aid to Gaza through the Palestinian Authority. It's worth noting that the UAE had previously been in Gaza with aid programs, bypassing both the PA and Hamas, but when Israel closed the Rafah crossing, the UAE withdrew. I personally heard from an Emirati source that they had already informed Israel of their withdrawal from any involvement in Gaza.

Since Qatar influences Gaza through Israel, there are concerns that the old mechanism of transferring funds to Hamas will be renewed now, to give Qatar the lead in Gaza's post-war reconstruction.

Israel's policy of cooperation with Qatar, which backs Palestinian internal reconciliation, conflicts with Trump's emerging policy lines favoring Saudi Arabia—and will test the special relationship between settlers and evangelicals.

The evangelicals' love for Israel is an invaluable asset, and there are concerns that the right wing's D9 [bulldozer mentality] will overwhelm this too.