The Palestinian Authority Government of 1996 was a government of the Palestinian National Authority (PA), established following the first general elections after the conclusion of the Oslo Accords. It was headed by Yasser Arafat, the President of the Palestinian National Authority, and remained in function until 29 April 2003. Elections were held on 20 January 1996.
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Powers and jurisdiction
Pursuant to the Oslo Accords, the PA Government had only authority over some civil rights of the Palestinians in the West Bank Areas A and B and in the Gaza Strip, and over internal security in Area A and in Gaza. One of the security tasks was the security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, which inter alia aimed at the prevention of Palestinian attacks on the Israeli army and settlers.
Post-term developments
After the dismissal of the Government, no elections were held. In March 2003, the post of Prime Minister was created. The first Prime Minister became Mahmoud Abbas, who was appointed on 19 March 2003. On 29 April, Abbas became the head of the next Government.