The main Palestinian factions have agreed to establish an independent committee of technocrats to administer the Gaza Strip. The agreement, announced in a joint statement on Friday following talks in Cairo, signals a potential new chapter for Gaza's governance and a concerted effort to present a unified national front.
The agreement will see the administration of Gaza handed over to a temporary committee composed of independent, non-partisan technocrats from the enclave. This body will be tasked with managing daily life and providing essential services for the population, operating in cooperation with Arab nations and international institutions. The factions also agreed to form an international committee to oversee the funding and execution of a comprehensive reconstruction plan for the devastated territory.
A key outcome of the Cairo meetings was the palpable effort to bridge longstanding political divisions. Delegations from the rival factions Hamas and Fatah held a separate meeting described by sources as "positive" and marked by a "convergence in viewpoints". The joint statement explicitly called for a meeting of all Palestinian forces to agree on a national strategy and to revitalize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Analysts observed a "new spirit" among the factions, who are demonstrating flexibility and a mature approach to joint action in the face of current challenges.
This political breakthrough is closely tied to the fragile ceasefire that took effect on October 10. The factions affirmed their commitment to the truce and its full implementation, which includes the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, the unconditional lifting of the siege, and the reopening of all crossings, including the crucial Rafah border. They also demanded a UN Security Council resolution to mandate the temporary international forces proposed to monitor the ceasefire.
It's worth noting that Hamas stated it had received "clear guarantees" from mediators that "the war has effectively ended". However, the World Health Organization cautioned that the humanitarian situation in Gaza "still remains catastrophic," with the amount of aid entering the strip still insufficient.
This agreement, forged with Egyptian mediation, represents a hopeful moment for Palestinian political reconciliation and the enormous task of rebuilding Gaza.