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By Shamim Chowdhury
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Fatah and Hamas are close to agreeing to the establishment of a committee of independent technocrats to oversee Gaza after the war, potentially ending Hamas' long-standing rule in the territory, Palestinian officials announced on Tuesday.
The move could help advance stalled ceasefire negotiations with Israel, marking a significant shift in Palestinian political dynamics.
The two factions have struggled to reconcile after Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 following violent clashes with Fatah.
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Now, as the region endures an unprecedented level of violence, including the ongoing Israeli war in Gaza, the two factions are edging toward a deal.
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Is Hamas Rule in Gaza About to End?
A senior Palestinian Authority (PA) official confirmed the agreement after weeks of secret talks in Cairo, saying the proposed committee would consist of between 12 and 15 members, primarily from Gaza, and would report directly to the PA.
The committee's main duties would include overseeing the delivery of humanitarian aid and managing Gaza's reconstruction efforts once a ceasefire is reached.
However, key details remain unclear. A Hamas official said that while the basic terms had been agreed upon, negotiations were ongoing regarding the specific individuals to serve on the committee.
The final agreement is expected to be formalized after a meeting of all Palestinian factions in Cairo, though no official timeline has been provided.
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Will Israel Recognize an Independent Administration in Gaza?
The potential deal marks a rare moment of cooperation between Fatah, which controls the PA and rules in the West Bank, and Hamas, which currently has power in Gaza.
Israel has long rejected the idea of Hamas having any role in Gaza's postwar administration, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating that the war would continue until Hamas is dismantled.
In Israel's view, Gaza's future governance will not involve any Palestinian factions, whether Fatah or Hamas.
Instead, Netanyahu has proposed that Palestinians not affiliated with either of the major political groups would manage civilian affairs while Israel would maintain ongoing security control.
This proposal has faced widespread resistance because no Palestinians have publicly volunteered to cooperate with Israeli authorities, and Hamas has warned that anyone who does so would face dire consequences.
The United States, which has historically supported the PA, has advocated for a reenergized Palestinian Authority to govern both the West Bank and Gaza, particularly as part of any future two-state solution.
Yet Israel, which opposes Palestinian statehood, has been working on its own postwar strategy, reportedly in collaboration with the United Arab Emirates, which normalized relations with Israel in 2020 and supports a faction of Fatah.
The Hamas official indicated that the proposed agreement could fulfill one of Israel's war objectives by ending Hamas' control of Gaza.
However, it remains unclear whether Israeli officials will see the agreement in the same light, given their long-standing position against any Hamas role in Gaza's governance.
The Palestinian Authority, which recognizes Israel and works with it on security issues, remains deeply unpopular among many Palestinians.
Why Is the Palestinian Authority Unpopular Among Palestinians?
Critics argue that the PA has effectively become a proxy for Israel's occupation of the West Bank. Meanwhile, Israel has continued to press the PA for stronger actions against militancy and what it calls "incitement."
Despite months of mediation efforts by American and Arab diplomats, ceasefire talks have repeatedly faltered.
The war was sparked by Hamas' October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and resulted in the abduction of 250 hostages, many of whom remain in Gaza.
Israel's subsequent campaign has killed over 44,000 Palestinians and displaced nearly the entire population of Gaza, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
This article contains additional reporting from The Associated Press.
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