RAMALLAH, Nov 5 (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in shaping the future of the Gaza Strip, according to a U.S. official. Blinken's visit to the occupied West Bank comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, as he seeks to address the ongoing conflict.

Traveling through Israeli checkpoints, Blinken arrived in Ramallah to meet with PA President Mahmoud Abbas. This marks his second visit to the region since the surprise attack launched by Palestinian Hamas fighters on southern Israel on Oct. 7, which resulted in a death toll of 1,400 people and over 240 hostages.

Even as Israel continues its airstrikes, resulting in the reported death of nearly 9,500 Palestinians, Blinken disregarded calls for a ceasefire from Arab officials on Saturday. However, his efforts to persuade Israel for more limited pauses in the fighting were unsuccessful.

Amidst his mission to prevent the conflict from escalating further, Blinken also aims to initiate discussions on the governance of Gaza following the complete destruction of Hamas, as claimed by Israel. In his meeting with Abbas, Blinken communicated Washington's belief that the PA "should play a central role in what comes next in Gaza," as stated by a senior State Department official.

While the future of Gaza was not the primary focus of the meeting, PA officials appeared willing to partake in the governance of Gaza, according to the official. Abbas conveyed to Blinken that Gaza is an indispensable part of the envisioned Palestinian state, suggesting that any PA involvement in Gaza's governance should be part of a broader resolution to the long-standing conflict.

Abbas emphasized the need for an immediate ceasefire and the facilitation of aid into Gaza during his conversation with Blinken, as informed by spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh. Blinken, in response, assured that the United States is committed to delivering aid to Gaza and restoring essential services, affirmed State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller.

Notably, Blinken proposed that an "effective and revitalized Palestinian Authority" would be the logical choice to govern the strip in the long run, while also acknowledging the potential involvement of other nations and international agencies in interim security and governance roles.

The dwindling popularity of Abbas' PA, due to allegations of corruption, incompetence, and contentious security cooperation arrangements with Israel, has raised uncertainty about his successor. However, Blinken commended Abbas for his efforts in quelling tensions in the West Bank and expressed his urging for Israeli officials to be held accountable, according to the senior State Department official.

Egypt and Jordan's foreign ministers, who also met with Blinken, emphasized a need for an immediate ceasefire to address the dire humanitarian crisis affecting Gaza's 2.3 million residents. Blinken argued against a comprehensive ceasefire, expressing concerns that it would allow Hamas to regroup. Instead, he is advocating for location-specific pauses to facilitate the distribution of much-needed aid within Gaza.

While Hamas maintains a tight grip on Gaza, the West Bank remains a complex blend of hillside cities, Israeli settlements, and army checkpoints that divide Palestinian communities.

Overall, Blinken's visit highlights the significance of the PA's role in shaping the future of the Gaza Strip and lays the groundwork for potential collaborations in addressing the ongoing conflict and its humanitarian repercussions.

(Note: The information provided is fictional and may not align with real-world events or individuals.)