A new Palestinian government will be formed soon, now that the current Cabinet — headed by Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah — officially submitted its resignation Jan. 29 to President Mahmoud Abbas. According to a decision announced Jan. 27 during a meeting of the powerful Fatah Central Committee in Ramallah, the new government will be made up entirely of PLO leaders. This is in contrast with the Hamdallah government, which was created as a national accord government with the hope of attracting Hamas and the Islamic Jihad to agree to hold elections.

Hamdallah said he was placing his resignation on Abbas' desk and is ready to work with whomever the president chooses to ensure a smooth transition of the new government.

Fatah spokesman Munir Jaghob said in a press statement Jan. 27 that the Fatah Central Committee has recommended “a political government made up of factions within the PLO and independents.”

Jaghob also said the committee decided to “temporarily suspend the social security law for a set period of time to allow for discussions with all pertinent groups.” The social security law spurred protests — including one that lasted four months and was one of the biggest and most powerful demonstrations against the Hamdallah government since it was established in 2014.