Hamas and Fatah Form Committee for Gaza Management
In a significant development following the recent conflict in Gaza, Hamas and Fatah have agreed to establish a committee to oversee the administration of the Gaza Strip under the Palestinian Authority. This decision was reached during meetings held in Cairo, where delegations from both factions convened to discuss the governance of Gaza post-war. The committee, as outlined in a two-page document, will consist of 10-15 senior Palestinian figures and is tasked with managing various sectors including health, economy, and education.
Key Provisions of the Committee
The document detailing the committee's formation includes several critical articles aimed at ensuring the effective governance of Gaza. Article 1 emphasizes the importance of maintaining the territorial integrity of the Palestinian state as defined by the 1967 borders, which include the West Bank, Jerusalem, and Gaza. Article 2 highlights the necessity for communication between the Palestinian government in the West Bank and the newly formed committee in Gaza. Furthermore, Article 3 asserts that the establishment of this committee will not lead to the separation of Gaza from the broader Palestinian territories. The committee is also mandated to select qualified Palestinian individuals for its operations, as stated in Article 4, and to coordinate with local authorities to serve the needs of the Palestinian citizens, as per Article 5.
Ongoing Efforts for Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
In conjunction with the establishment of the committee, discussions are ongoing regarding a ceasefire in Gaza. Egyptian officials have been facilitating talks between Hamas and Fatah, aiming to reach a mutual understanding on managing daily affairs in the region. The Hamas delegation has also engaged with Egyptian intelligence to explore avenues for halting the conflict and facilitating humanitarian aid, including the reopening of the Rafah crossing, which has been closed since May. International efforts led by Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are underway to broker a ceasefire and negotiate a prisoner exchange agreement, with the United States also involved in diplomatic initiatives to stabilize the situation in Gaza.
