Palestinian Factions Agree on Independent Technocratic Committee to Govern Post-War Gaza

In a significant political development, the main Palestinian factions, including Hamas, have announced their agreement to establish an independent technocratic committee to administer post-war Gaza. The decision came during a high-level meeting held in Cairo, where the groups collectively endorsed a plan aimed at managing Gaza’s recovery and addressing the wider Palestinian political crisis.

Formation of a Temporary Governing Body

According to a joint statement released on the Hamas website, the factions have decided to transfer the administration of the Gaza Strip to a temporary Palestinian committee composed of independent technocrats.
This committee will be responsible for managing daily affairs, providing essential services, and coordinating humanitarian assistance in collaboration with Arab nations and international organizations.

The statement emphasized that the move was designed to “manage the affairs of life and basic services in cooperation with Arab brothers and international institutions,” signaling a shift toward a non-partisan, civilian-led interim governance structure.

Towards a Unified Palestinian Position

The participating factions also pledged to work together to establish a unified political stance to address the mounting challenges facing the Palestinian cause.
They called for a comprehensive national dialogue, involving all political and resistance movements, to formulate a national strategy and to revitalize the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) — reaffirming its role as the “sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.”

This call for reform is notable, as Hamas remains outside the PLO, which continues to be dominated by its long-standing rival Fatah. The proposal to reintegrate or realign these movements under a single representative body could mark a potential turning point in decades of internal division.

Hamas–Fatah Talks and Egyptian Mediation

An informed diplomatic source revealed that delegations from Hamas and Fatah held direct discussions in Cairo to address the second phase of a U.S.-backed ceasefire plan in Gaza. Both sides reportedly agreed to continue their dialogue in the coming weeks, focusing on reorganizing the Palestinian political landscape and strengthening internal unity in response to Israeli policies.

Alongside these discussions, Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Rashad met with senior representatives of other key Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP), and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
The involvement of these groups reflects Cairo’s ongoing mediation efforts to build a broader consensus among Palestinian movements and prepare for post-war reconstruction.

Historical Rivalries and Changing Realities

The relationship between Hamas and Fatah has been fraught with tension since the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections, which triggered a violent split that divided the governance of the West Bank and Gaza.
While Fatah retained control of the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the West Bank, Hamas took power in Gaza in 2007 after a brief but bloody conflict.

Efforts to bridge this divide have repeatedly faltered over issues of security control, governance, and international recognition. In December 2024, both factions tentatively agreed to form a joint administrative committee for post-war Gaza — a plan that drew internal criticism, particularly from Fatah officials who feared it would legitimize Hamas’ influence.

However, the latest agreement suggests a pragmatic shift by Hamas. The group, which has publicly stated that it does not seek to govern Gaza after the war, continues to resist disarmament demands but appears willing to cede administrative authority to a neutral civilian body as part of a broader political compromise.

Why Factions Are Taking This Step

The decision by the Palestinian factions to form a technocratic interim government reflects both political necessity and external pressure.

• Domestically, Gaza’s infrastructure has been devastated, and public administration has collapsed, creating an urgent need for a neutral entity to handle reconstruction and aid distribution.

• Regionally, Arab mediators like Egypt and Qatar have pushed for a post-war governance model acceptable to both Israel and the international community, without directly empowering Hamas.

• Internationally, the United States and European Union have insisted on a non-partisan administration as a prerequisite for reconstruction funding and humanitarian coordination.

This balancing act allows Palestinian factions to maintain political relevance while avoiding immediate confrontation over Gaza’s control, setting the stage for a longer-term discussion about national unity and governance reform.

A Step Toward Political Reconciliation?

While the formation of the technocratic committee may not immediately resolve deep political rifts, it represents a pragmatic step toward restoring governance in Gaza and reopening the conversation on Palestinian political reconciliation.
If successfully implemented, it could serve as the foundation for rebuilding Gaza’s civil institutions, reestablishing basic governance, and eventually holding national elections that include all major factions.

For now, the Cairo agreement signals that even amid profound devastation and uncertainty, the Palestinian political landscape is beginning to move toward a fragile, yet hopeful, process of unity and renewal.