Extensive consultations are taking place between Cairo and representatives of the European Union on the formulation of a partnership and oversight mechanism for the temporary committee to manage the Gaza Strip, Egyptian sources revealed on Tuesday.
The committee would consist of independent Palestinian figures unaffiliated with either Fatah, Hamas or the Palestinian Authority and would manage Gaza under direct Egyptian supervision with European monitoring.Â
Cairo has agreed with Hamas that the group would withdraw from all aspects of civil administration in Gaza, including security matters, sources told The New Arab’s Arabic sister outlet Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, adding that the movement had shown flexibility and cooperation with their Egyptian counterparts on this.
Regarding security responsibilities, the sources claimed that the records of all security personnel in Gaza would be reviewed, with Hamas-affiliated individuals being removed while retaining non-affiliated personnel and adding other neutral elements.
These new personnel will undergo the necessary training in Egypt under European supervision.
Parallel to this, a Hamas leader has revealed that the movement has shown an understanding of Egypt’s demands regarding civil administration, including the police, which is considered a civilian institution. However, he emphasised that any discussion about compromise on Gaza’s weapons and the Palestinian right to resist is completely unacceptable and non-negotiable.
The Hamas leader reaffirmed the position that as long as the occupation continues, Hamas and other resistance groups will remain present in Gaza.
Regarding prisoner exchanges, a senior Hamas source told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the movement would release a batch of Israeli prisoners in exchange for the entry of heavy equipment needed for reconstruction and the release of all women and children (under 18 years old) detained by Israeli forces from Gaza following the beginning of the war in 2023.
The Hamas leader clarified that this exceptional release will include the Al-Qassam Brigades handing over the bodies of four Israeli prisoners who were killed during Israeli military operations in Gaza.
He pointed out that the previously scheduled batch set for release on Saturday will be delivered on time and will include the release of six live prisoners, unlike previous batches, which involved the release of three prisoners each.
The news of this new Egyptian deal comes as the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that Cairo will host the emergency Arab summit on the developments of the Palestinian issue on 4 March.
The summit is a response to US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan for the US to “take over” Gaza and ethnically cleanse Palestinians into Egypt and Jordan, something that Palestinians, Egypt, Jordan and all other Arab states oppose.Â
Israel, on the other hand, has enthusiastically supported the plan, including by setting up a ministry for the “voluntary” emigration of Palestinians from Gaza.Â
