Palestinian president appoints economic adviser to be the next prime minister

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Thursday appointed his longtime economic adviser, Mohammad Mustafa, to be the new prime minister. 

Mustafa has been directed as prime minister of the Palestinian Authority to form a new government, according to Axios. Critics have raised concerns about his close relationship with Abbas, suggesting it might hamper reform efforts.

"The change that the United States of America and the countries of the region want is not necessarily the change that the Palestinian citizen wants,” said Hani al-Masri, a Palestinian political analyst said, according to the Associated Press.

He further described Mustafa as “a respected and educated man” but predicts he will struggle to meet public demands for significant change.

The Israel-Hamas war has been going on for the past few months in the Gaza Strip, creating difficulties within the region and with Israel.

Israeli officials have not objected to Mustafa being appointed and will work with him on some issues that are not related to the Gaza Strip, Axios reports. 

As of press time, the Biden administration has not weighed in on Mustafa's appointment.