Hamas and a number of other Palestinian factions agreed that a committee of technocrats would run the Gaza Strip, following a series of meetings in Cairo.
Meanwhile, the US State Secretary, Marco Rubio, has been pushing for the creation of an international stabilization force (ISF) to maintain security in Gaza.
Cairo Meetings
On Thursday and Friday, Egypt hosted talks involving a number of Palestinian factions to reach a consensus on the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan.
According to Egyptian broadcaster Al-Qahera News, the Head of Egyptian General Intelligence, Major General Hassan Rashad, held separate meetings with the representatives of the Popular Front-General Command, Islamic Jihad, the Palestinian National Initiative, as well as the Palestinian Vice President, Hussein Al-Sheikh.
Moreover, a delegation from Hamas met with a delegation from Fatah, led by Al-Sheikh, to discuss postwar arrangements.
Postwar Arrangements
Following Cairo meetings, the Palestinian factions issued a joint statement announcing that they discussed the latest developments in the Palestinian cause and the second phase of US President Donald Trump’s peace plan, including security and administrative arrangements.
Hamas said earlier that it had received “clear guarantees” from mediators – Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye and the US – that “the war has effectively ended” and that the implementation of the agreement’s terms would mark its complete end.
The statement signatories included Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, the Popular Front-General Command, the Democratic Front, the Palestinian National Initiative and the Democratic Reform Current, the Quds News Network reported.
The meeting focused on setting the stage for a comprehensive national dialogue to safeguard the national project and restore Palestinian unity.
In the light of this, the participants emphasized their commitment to a unified national stance and the rejection of all forms of annexation and displacement in Gaza, the West Bank, and Jerusalem.
Palestinian Agreement
According to the statement, the Palestinian factions agreed on supporting the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
Importantly, they agreed on transferring the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee composed of independent technocrats, which will manage daily affairs and basic services in cooperation with Arab partners and international institutions.
They also agreed on establishing an international committee to oversee the funding and implementation of Gaza’s reconstruction process, while reaffirming the unity of the Palestinian political system and the independence of national decision-making.
Furthermore, the factions agreed to call for a UN resolution approving the formation of a temporary international force to monitor the ceasefire and maintain security and stability in Gaza.
They also called for a meeting to agree on a national strategy and to reactivate the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) as the sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.
Potential Candidate
The name of Marwan Al-Barghouti, a senior Fatah leader imprisoned by Israel, has resurfaced as one of the few figures who could lead Palestinians under a unity government.
In this context, Trump said, during an interview with Time Magazine published on Thursday, that he had discussed the potential for Barghouti’s release with White House aides.
Responding to a question about the popular Palestinian leader, Trump said: “I am literally being confronted with that question about 15 minutes before you called. That was the question. That was my question of the day. So I’ll be making a decision.”
Barghouti was not part of the prisoner exchange under the Gaza ceasefire deal, as Israel has refused to release him despite Hamas’ calls for his release.
After Trump’s remarks, Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa, appealed to the US President to release her husband, whom she called the “one who can help fulfill the dream we share of just and lasting peace in the region.”
Gaza International Force
The US is making efforts to bolster the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, sending senior representatives to Israel to follow up on the deal’s implementation. These included US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and Vice President JD Vance.
On Thursday, the US State Secretary, Marco Rubio, landed in Israel, visiting the US-led civilian and military coordination center in Israel overseeing the Gaza ceasefire.
The center includes about 200 US troops working alongside counterparts from Israel and other countries, including Cyprus, Greece, France, Germany, Australia and Canada, to plan Gaza’s stabilization and reconstruction, according to the Associated Press (AP).
The Trump administration is working on the creation of an international stabilization force in Gaza and training a Palestinian force. In the light of this, Rubio said that many countries had expressed interest to join, adding that the US was seeking to secure a UN mandate or other international authorization for this force.
He also stressed that Israel needs to be comfortable with the countries that are participating in the force. “There’s a lot of countries that have offered to do it. Obviously as you put together this force, it will have to be people that Israel is comfortable with,” Rubio said.
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, appeared to oppose the idea of Turkish troops joining the force in Gaza. “I have very strong opinions about that. Want to guess what they are?” he said on Wednesday when asked about Türkiye.
