A senior figure from the Palestinian Arab community shared with Al-Araby Al-Jadeed newspaper that Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Palestinian Authority, is opposed to an Egyptian proposal aimed at forming a committee to oversee the governance of the Gaza Strip.
During recent discussions mediated by Egypt in Cairo, a consensus was achieved between representatives from Fatah and Hamas to set up a national committee that would take over Gaza’s administration, replacing the local Hamas-run government.
As per the agreement, the Gaza Affairs Committee will begin its operations once a final accord is made by the various Palestinian factions and a formal decree is issued. This committee will engage in negotiations with Israel concerning border crossings, following the protocols that existed prior to October 2023, and the operation of the Rafah crossing will proceed in line with the 2005 agreement between Israel and the Palestinian Authority.
The Palestinian factions submitted a list of 50 independent candidates to Egypt, from which 15 will be chosen to serve in different capacities within the committee, which is expected to function as a local government under the Palestinian Authority’s authority.
The Palestinian Arab source further revealed that Egypt is resolute in its plan to establish the committee, regardless of whether the Palestinian Authority joins in, given the critical humanitarian situation in Gaza.
Egypt has called on the US to exert pressure on Abbas to support the proposal. According to Egyptian sources, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently contacted Abbas, urging him to clear the path for the approval of the committee’s formation.
The report also included remarks from a senior member of the “Gaza Tribal Coalition,” who expressed disappointment over Abbas’ stance against the committee’s creation. The member warned that this opposition could derail efforts toward a ceasefire and a hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas, and might lead to even harsher conditions for Hamas under a potential Trump administration.
{Matzav.com Israel}