High level delegations from Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah are in Cairo for talks on how Gaza will be governed after the end of Israel’s war on the territory, The New Arab‘s Arabic-language sister service, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.
The Hamas delegation is led by politburo deputy chief Khalil Al-Hayya and includes politburo member Basem Naim and national relations head Hussam Badran.
The Fatah delegation includes deputy chairman Mahmoud Al-Aloul, PLO Executive Committee member Azzam Al-Ahmad and Palestinian National Council head Rawhi Fattouh.
A previous round of talks held on 9 October concluded without an agreement for managing Gaza, with Hamas insisting that a technocratic government be formed to manage both the West Bank and Gaza to prevent further fragmentation of the Palestinian territories. Fatah, meanwhile, decided to form an administrative committee affiliated with the Palestinian Authority (PA) in Ramallah.
According to Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, Hamas is likely to show flexibility to the proposal that will be issued by the committee. The proposal will be issued by decree from PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
If an agreement is reached, the committee will manage humanitarian relief, civil affairs and the crossings in Gaza.
It was previously reported by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that the PA and Fatah are not keen on forming a new government at present, while Cairo has reservations about solutions that cannot be quickly implemented.
Shortly after the first meeting, Hamas official said the group is open to all Palestinian-proposed solutions, “as long as they are Palestinian solutions”.
The official added that they expected Israel would obstruct any agreement reached by the Palestinian factions.
Last week, the PA reportedly rejected a plan for the UAE’s involvement in Gaza’s post-war governance.
“The Emirati plan reached us through American channels, and we rejected it through those same channels,” said an official quoted by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, who requested anonymity,
This position was conveyed directly to the US in a recent meeting between Hussein Al-Sheikh, Secretary-General of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), and U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf.
The official said that the Emirati plan included stipulations perceived as interference in Palestinian affairs, portraying the Palestinian Authority (PA) as “corrupt and lacking credibility” to the international community.
The plan also calls for the appointment of a new prime minister and the creation of a “Gaza Committee” by presidential decree.
The proposal outlines the deployment of Arab security forces, including “contracted military personnel,” with no initial Palestinian role in Gaza’s security.
Israel, meanwhile, has continued its onslaught on Gaza, where it is carrying out a renewed siege and assault on the enclave’s north. Tel Aviv has made the dismantling of Hamas part of its stated military objectives, while also rejecting a role for the PA in Gaza’s post-war governance.
Israel’s war on Gaza has killed 43,314 people in Gaza since October 2023 and wounded a further 102,019.
