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Why was the Palestinian Authority intended to be an interim governing body?

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Oslo Accords: Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Self-Rule — Palestinian Authority U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton (center) looking on as Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin (left) shakes hands with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat after the signing of the Declaration of Principles on Palestinian Self-Rule, September 1993.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) was established as an interim governing body to serve as a transitional mechanism during a five-year period of gradual self-government for Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.1

Under the 1993 Oslo Accords, this interim phase was intended to facilitate the progressive transfer of governing functions from the Israeli military and civilian administration to a Palestinian council. The primary purpose of this period was to provide a structured timeframe for Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization to negotiate a permanent peace treaty that would resolve final status issues, including the question of Palestinian statehood.21

During this interim period, the West Bank was divided into three administrative zones (Areas A, B, and C) to manage security and civil authority while the parties worked toward a definitive settlement. However, the peace process stalled, and the anticipated transition to a final status agreement was not realized within the original timeframe.13