This handout picture provided by the Palestinian Authority's Press Office (PPO) shows Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh (left) presenting the resignation of his government to President Mahmud Abbas, in Ramallah on Feb 26, 2024. (PHOTO / PPO VIA AFP)

RAMALLAH - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Monday accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh's government, reported the Palestinian News Agency Wafa.

Abbas has tasked Shtayyeh's government with temporarily continuing its duties until a new government is formed.

Earlier in the day, Shtayyeh submitted the resignation of his government to Abbas.

However, experts forecasted that it might take weeks before a replacement is named.

"The decision to resign comes in light of the developments in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and Jerusalem," Shtayyeh said during a weekly cabinet meeting in Ramallah, noting that his government worked under challenging circumstances.

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According to Al Jazeera, Shtayyeh's remarks coincide with mounting pressure from the United States on Abbas to reform the Palestinian Authority and initiate the establishment of a political framework capable of governing a future Palestinian state in the aftermath of the conflict.

A spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN stands ready to continue supporting efforts aimed at overcoming the humanitarian, political, financial as well as security challenges facing the Palestinian people

"The next stage and its challenges require new governmental and political arrangements that take into account the emerging reality in the Gaza Strip, the national unity talks, and the urgent need for an inter-Palestinian consensus based on a national basis, broad participation, unity of ranks, and the extension of the Palestinian Authority's sovereignty over the entire land of Palestine," Shtayyeh added.

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Meanwhile, a spokesman for United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN stands ready to continue supporting efforts aimed at overcoming the humanitarian, political, financial as well as security challenges facing the Palestinian people.

The UN chief takes note of Monday's announcement by Shtayyeh that he handed his government's resignation to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

"A strengthened, empowered Palestinian government that can administer the whole of the occupied Palestinian territory is critical as part of a path to achieving the establishment of a fully independent, democratic, contiguous, sovereign and viable Palestinian state, on the basis of the 1967 lines, of which Gaza is an integral part, which remains the only way to achieve a lasting peace," said Dujarric.

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Shtayyeh extended his sincere thanks to Abbas for his support, the ministers for their work in exceptional circumstances, and the partners from the factions participating in the government.

His government was formed by a presidential decree in April 2019 and was entrusted with Palestinian reconciliation and preparing for elections.