A Palestinian source told Israel Hayom Tuesday that the US and other international forces understand that the Palestinian Authority ultimately needs to take control of the Gaza Strip.
According to the source, the PA's participation in postwar arrangements would speed up that process and help facilitate it.
The remarks came after al-Sheikh's second meeting this week with Blair, who is slated to lead the international council as part of Trump's plan for the Middle East and the Gaza Strip.
The head of the PA's General Intelligence Service, Majed Faraj, and Mahmoud Abbas' diplomatic adviser, Majdi Khaldi, also took part in the meeting.
The Palestinian official told the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat that al-Sheikh stressed to Blair the need for the PA to assume responsibility for the Gaza Strip as part of what he referred to as the Palestinian "state."
The two discussed the PA's role in Gaza through a technocratic committee and Palestinian forces that, from their perspective, are meant to deploy in the Strip.
On Saturday, Egyptian sources said that hundreds of "Palestinian security personnel" were ready to deploy in Gaza. Thousands of PA police officers are undergoing training in Egypt and Jordan.
The discussions also addressed the proposed international oversight body, the so-called Peace Council, and the question of international forces that would be stationed temporarily in the Gaza Strip.
